Blessings all the way around

Wes went back to his doctor today.  His ANA came back negative.  That means he does not have an autoimmune disease.  His Lyme Titer will not be back for another week.  Based on how Wes has responded to the medication he was put on, the doctor believes that he has Lyme Disease.  His symptoms match up with it more so than it does Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  Wes' doctor had been doing more research on it and had pulled out some textbooks to educate Wes on the disease.  He said that Wes was at Stage II Lyme Disease when it was caught.  Because the doctors started treating his symptoms as Lyme Disease from the very beginning, and not had waited until lab tests had come back, Wes should be able to fully recover from this.  If the doctor had waited on lab results to treat it as such, he would have been in Late Stage Lyme Disease and he would have most likely suffered lifelong, debilitating effects from it. 

Wes is pretty tired.  He is having bad headaches.  Overall, compared to how bad off he was last week, he is doing well.  The rash on his face is being treated as rosacea. 

Today, and always, I am thankful for the access we have to great medical care through the military.  Without the expertise from the three military doctors who jumped on Wes' case from the moment he walked into the clinic until today, who knows what would have happened to Wes.  I know a lot of people like to complain that civilian healthcare is so much better, but I have to say that we spent hours in the ER at a civilian hospital when Wes' symptoms started and left not knowing what Wes had.  Wes went into his doctor the next morning and started treatment for Lyme Disease.  I have had six surgeries since Wes joined the Air Force nine years ago.  We have not paid a penny for any of them.  The best surgical experience I have ever had was at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda.  I am proud to carry a screw in my left foot as a souvenir from them.  If it weren't for that screw, I wouldn't be walking as well as I am today.  Today, and always, I thank United States Military Medicine for keeping us alive and well.  I also thank God for always looking out for us and guiding our way.

My cut off heel bone screwed back onto my foot.  Brought to you free of charge by the United States Military.  :-)

Other things I am thankful for today:

*Great friends, especially all of you who have checked up on us.  I know that I am never alone here.  No matter what happens, people will come to be with us.  The night Wes was in the ER I sent out an e-mail when we thought he was going to surgery.  I had people ready to jump in their cars at midnight to take care of dogs and cats while Wes was in the hospital.  I had friends ready to be by my side if Wes was going to surgery.  Thank you all very much!
*Amazing family.  Although we live far away, my parents are still very close to us.  Wes' aunts and uncles have been very supportive and it means a lot.
*The coolest Zoo Crew ever!  Man, do these animals know how to make us smile!! 
*Wes' First Shirt who called and checked on us numerous times and was ready to jump in the car and be with us when we thought Wes was going to surgery.  That really meant a lot to me. 
*We live in the coolest community ever.  We love where we live!   


Things to look forward to:

*Topher and Tanker are volunteering as READ Dogs at the local library pretty soon.  How exciting!  Topher is hoping a kid reads a book to him about squirrels and hedgehogs.  That would make his day.
*Getting on the schedule at Snowden to work our dogs on our own in the Mental Health Facility.  We love it there.  We are really looking forward to it!
*My best friend is coming into town tomorrow!  She is not coming to see me, but to go to a TAPS conference in DC.  I can't wait to spend time with her and her boys!
*Life.  What is not to be excited about?  New things come up all the time.  I have my life partner and best friend by my side.  Everyday is exciting when you live in a zoo!
*Puppies growing up and sleeping through the night.  They were back at it again last night at about 1:00 in the morning.  Tanker is very tolerant of them.  Bella stole Wes' slipper in this video while Shiloh was pestering Tanker.  Too funny!

Life is good.  Wes is good.  I am good.  Doggies are good.  Kitties are good.  Neo is still a terrorist cat.