Feeding tube fine dining

I posed for a video last night while getting my dinner via the feeding tube. I have tape on my leg so my scales don't pull it out. It gives me that "Flashdance" leg-warmer look, don't you think?

They say I'm so photogenic that I might need an agent...

Here's the video, complete with background noise. I'm sure Spielberg made that mistake once or twice. Ok, quiet on the set!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZt3PzRQT8w

That's One Honkin' Bladder Stone

Boy, I'm glad I'm not hauling this monster around anymore. Dr. Johnson said this stone took up half my bladder and 10 percent of my body weight. Whew! Who knew uric acid could crystalize into a stone weighing nearly a pound!

We didn't have a baseball to compare, but this shows the bladder stone is larger than a tennis ball. Dr. Johnson had a hard time maneuvering the stone out of the shell opening because it's not totally smooth. It's funny, but the camera's face recognition technology zoomed in on these three dark spots. Smile, bladder stone, smile!

Look, Ma, no stitches!

10/6/09 I finished my pain meds yesterday so I'm more alert today--no more seeing "colors" and zoning out. I'm sure glad I'm not a dog or cat or I'd be wearing a cone on my head right now. Here's the resin patch on the bottom of my shell from my bladder stone surgery. I'll have to get the patch changed as my shell heals, and the basking light helps with that. Who knew UV rays make bone heal?

Glad to be Home from the Hospital

10/3/09 I got home from the hospital today. Now I'm living large in my own indoor habitat complete with a Powersun 160W basking light that's just like the sun. Seriously, it puts out actual rays! I have a box to scoot into when I need a cooler place to be or just want some privacy. I'm getting my medicines, food and water through a feeding tube that's taped to the top of my shell. I'm already feeling better, and I'm very glad to have a new lease on life!

Surgery Success!

9/30/09 News Flash: Dr. Johnson called to report that Grandma came through THREE Hours of surgery just fine today! He said the bladder stone and fluid around it accounted for 10% of her body weight and he had quite a time getting it out of the hole he cut in the bottom of her shell.

She has a new lease on life and will be coming home to Tortoise Sick Bay on Saturday. Sleep tight, Grandma, you made it!

Vet called with good news!

9/27/09 I'm a little nervous but it looks like I'm getting a second chance at life with surgery for a bladder stone on Wed., Sept. 30. Thank goodness I'm in good hands with Dr. Jay Johnson at Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital in Mesa, Arizona. He called with results of my bloodwork and says I'm well enough for surgery which is Very Good News.

Here's the x-ray he took yesterday. No wonder I've been struggling so hard to eat and get around.