Banco in Situ

 Barb came over yesterday with some flowers for our patient. We all got to spend some good sun time out on the porch. Rain returns today.

Banco in Situ

So Banco has cancer. Spleen and liver. They are taking samples today and depending on the kind of cancer, we will discuss options. Any option will be palliative so best case scenario is she can stick around another 9-12 months.

After the hospital and cancer diagnosis, we spent the afternoon in JVille with friends. Banco got to lounge with some pals too.  We have 4 sets of friends that let us come and try to feed her.  She gets an additional walk, gets to see some canine friends and hopefully have a nosh. She seems to like dining out! We will find out Monday the type of cancer and if chemo is feasible. There is no cure, only palliative options at life extension.

W and I had good cries over the weekend so now it’s about keeping her happy.  Very lucky she’s loved by a lot of people who are willing to help and try to get her to eat.

Banco in Situ

Tomorrow is the ultrasound and hopefully a lot of questions will be answered.  One way or another.  I roasted yet another turkey today and she devoured a good portion of it.  Seems to be a favorite of hers.

Banco in Situ

Waiting for an ultrasound appointment from the local hospital, we spent a relaxing afternoon at Robin's home baking doggie carrot muffins.  She got Banco to eat two. The rest of the time was Banco eating roasted chicken and having Bouton around for moral encouragement.  After not eating breakfast or lunch, Banco seems to like an afternoon meal and another after dark.

Banco in Situ

Banco's liver condition is getting worse. Several enzyme levels are elevated and we are now trying to get an ultrasound of her abdomen next week. Mentally, she's great on our morning walks.  She loves sunning herself and meeting up with her other human and canine friends. She's not eating much and is losing 1 pound/week now. Down to 71 lb.s.  

Today I roasted a turkey and she's enjoying that as well as some of W's pasta. 

Before, During and After

The guys who've tended to the redwood out front for 5 years came by today to chop it down.  Having a redwood near a house was never a good idea. The roots have become a huge problem for the driveway and garage floor. After the stump and root grinding, we are hoping to put a semi dwarf evergreen in that area.
 

Banco in Situ

A few inches of wet snow shut down the town today but not our morning walk. Banco demonstrates her perfect winter camouflage.
 

Banco in Situ

After getting a clean bill of health from Dr. J, Banco models a knit creation by Lindsay for a dog neighbor while bipeds enjoy empanadas and a Malbec.
 

Banana Cream

I could not believe what W pulled out of the shopping bag last week.  He couldn't pronounce the cookies name but he said he wanted to make a banana cream pie. From the vanilla wafers he crafted a tart base and added the bananas and sour cream/whip cream topping. It was an astounding twist on a favorite I remember being made with cool whip in the 1970's.

He's Leaving

Banco in Situ

She woke up Tuesday not doing well and spent the day at the vet's office.  Blood work and X-rays came back good.  She might have some fluid in her GI tact. Wednesday she was feeling much better and stomach swelling is down. So it's all a bit of a mystery.
W made a king sized bed for her and she's really enjoying it. 

Slurry Day

Sunny, snow free morning to pump some concrete slurry into the hole and seal up our new pipe. After this, we have to wait for the one asphalt company in town to pick a day that it will "cook" some of the black, gooey stuff to complete the job. 
 

Gorgeous

Waking up to a gorgeous snowy morning. Should be gone by noon but beautiful now.

It's going to make for a slushy work site this morning.

New Pipe

The new connection to the sewer is complete.  Ready for the city to inspect. City mandated back flow valve is added as some protection from us being gifted neighbors' sludge.

I wonder if it's a coincidence that the new expensive sewer line is colored Tiffany Blue.

Pipe Replacement

The crew is here to replace the waste line going into the city sewer.  After digging, they found the culprit.  A 2" root was running underneath our plastic pipe to the failed connection.  Finding it's water source. The root was strong enough to warp the pipe. The consensus is that the hated sugar gum is the offender and the back hoe made short work of removing that tree.
 

Pricey Pizza

 So sad.......

Happy Birthday Debbie

We did a fire pit for Debbie's birthday yesterday.  Wilton has his jaws wrapped around a chewy piece of Turish delight. Today we get together with the rest of the gang for a proper celebration.

He's Gone

One of the all time greats Burt Bacharach  has died after a 70 year career.  

LTBD

Lindsay T's birthday yesterday had some of the gang motoring to Red Lily vineyard to celebrate with cava and tempranillo.
 

Roots!

A routine sewer inspection by the city discovered that our waste line going into the city's system is clogged with roots. We had a guy out today to video the line and see what's up.  It hasn't caused any problems yet but now we are getting estimates to tear up the street and dealing with the offending pipe. 
We had to do this in LA, as well

Gaffer63: New Pipe