Just got home from Dr. Lee's. It went pretty well. Pidge's heart rate was at 189, down from 258 and at its highest at 360. Her x-ray showed that she did have a little fluid in her lungs so he increased the Lasix dosage from 1/4 tablet in the morning and 1/2 tablet at night. She was only getting 1/4 in the morning and the same at night. He doesn't want to increase it any more than that because it wrecks the kidneys. She was a little upset coming home and this time music on the radio wasn't helping, so I started singing along w/the music and she calmed right down. If I stopped singing, she'd start crying, so I sang to her the entire hour drive home. Dr. Lee did say that any stress could kill her and so I was willing to sing the entire drive, that's for sure. I talked to him about pain meds for her but he said that too many of them don't agree w/the meds that she's on, so unless I feel she's in real pain, he'd rather not prescribe any. He did say that later on, if I feel the necessity, he'd give me syringes of Buprinex, which would work well w/her meds. The wailing that she does is probably from exertion because it doesn't last long but she doesn't appear to be in real pain.

I also talked to him about his staff and the frustration, anger and fear that I felt when the receptionist wouldn't put me through to anyone. He said "From now on, just tell them that you're coming in. If it's a true emergency, we'll be prepared for you. I've stopped everything for an animal that was in crisis." I said "Ok then, I'm taking you at your word." I could tell that he had talked to his staff because they called me 3 times yesterday and when I called today, the first thing that was said is "How's Pigeon?". Dr. Lee took extra long w/me today and spoke to me very informally. I think we've come to an understanding, especially when I told him "I'm not a prima donna and I do not expect preferential treatment even though you've extended it to me on occasion but that was at your discretion" and he smiled. Then I said "When I say that I need to speak to someone NOW, that's exactly what I mean". He said "I understand and that's why I'm telling you that from now on, just tell them that you're on your way in if any of your animals is in crisis."

So, Ms. Pidgelet is doing ok for right now. I told Dr. Lee that I understand that there's no cure for her condition, that her care will be palliative but he said "If she keeps doing as well as she's doing right now, if she lives a year, I'll do back flips but you still need to know that she could go at any time'. I realize that, of course, and as long as she's comfortable, I'll enjoy to the fullest every day w/her that I have.