Bernie goes to the vet again

Saturday, September 5, 2009


Two months have passed since Bernie has been on Trilostane for her Cushing's Disease. The protocol for the medication is to test every two months to see what her cortisol levels are.

Most of the symptoms she was experiencing have decreased if not disappeared altogether so I was optimistic when I dropped her off on Wednesday.

Now you know my sister and I haven't blessed our parents with any grandchildren so Bernie is as close as they're going to get. My mother's glass is always half empty so I didn't tell her about any of Bernie's issues so as not to upset her. She LOVES that dog.

I was there last Sunday when my mother said to me, "Your father tells me you're taking Bernie to the vet this week."

My father knows about Bernie and I told him NOT to mention it to my mother but he's 80 and sometimes he just forgets.

"Um, yep, just taking her in for a check up."

"Are you lying to me?"

Ever since I was a child, I've sworn that my mother is psychic and she never fails to confirm this.

"What? What would I be lying about?", I respond, feigning a puzzled look.

"What's wrong with her? Is she sick?"

My eyes darted to my father, who shrugged his shoulders as if to say, What? You know she's psychic.

"Yes, Mom, she's sick with..."

"Oh my God! What's wrong with her?? Is she going go die??" See? Half empty.

"No, she has this disease that's sort of like high blood pressure. You know, people will always have high blood pressure but they can control it with medication. It's never really cured."

Give me a break, that was the most elementary explanation I could think of.

"Oh. But she'll be okay? You know she's my grandbaby."

"I know. She'll be fine."

"Listen to you. You don't even care about her."

"You're right, Mom, I don't care what happens to her."

"Shame on you!"

What the hell? Would have been nice if she had expressed this much love and concern for me as a child. And this, my friends, is the reason why there are strippers.

Needless to say. She called me incessantly all week long to see how Bernie was. When I called to tell her that the vet said Bernie was doing great and that her levels had evened out, she was sure I was lying.

"Why would I lie to you?"

"Well, you didn't tell me for 2 months!"

"Oh, right, good point."

Thank you, God, for Trilostane.

And for caller ID.

16 comments

  1. I truly think caller ID was invented for screening "parent calls."

    I do the SAME THING!!!

    So glad to hear Bernie is doing well! Give her a *smooch* for me, ok?

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  2. Ron,
    You're absolutely right. Thanks, she smiled when I smooched her from you!

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  3. Great news about Bernie and my mom is psychic too, and it is soooo scary the stuff she knows and no one tells her a thing...she just knows!

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  4. Congratulations on the great news about Bernie! LOL - I use caller ID for my parents/in-law calls all the time!

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  5. I'm so glad to hear that Bernie is feeling better and that she is getting a pretty clean bill of health from the vet. For the second post in a row, you've made me smile till my face hurts.

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  6. @Funny Girl,
    Isn't it the most frightening thing ever?? Thanks, Bern and I are happy, too.

    @Travel Girl,
    Thanks! I knew I wasn't the only one..

    @Theresa,
    Thanks, yes, she's doing so much better!

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  7. Chrissy, my mother is exactly the same way - calling every day to see how the dog is. I was away for two weeks on vacation and she called my boyfriend to see how the dog came through a major storm. We do not yet have caller ID but that is next on the agenda.

    I'm so happy puppy is doing better!

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  8. Oh my gosh!! I am sorry to hear about Bernie.. but can I just add that that exchange with your mom was priceless!!! Somehow, mom's are very pyschic.. My mom was... she'd always know what was up!

    I am glad to hear that Bernie will be okay!! : ) Happy Sunday to you!
    Leesa

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  9. So glad the medicine is working for sweet Bernie.

    And I totally "forget" to tell my Mom somethings... all the time!!!

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  10. I also wish Bernie continued good results from her checkups.
    Hey, we try to protect 'em from the harder things in life...try to put on a happy face....but these parents find things out anyway.
    What're ya gonna do??

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  11. Glad Bernie's okay. And yeah, parents can tend toward the dramatic, can't they?

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  12. @Scribe,
    Yes! My mother calls after storms, too. You should definitely subscribe. Thanks, we're really happy, too!

    @Leesa,
    Isn't it scary? It's like a 6th sense or something! Thanks!

    @JW.BW,
    Thanks! And right, I'm not lying, really, I'm just selectively choosing not to tell. That's not the same, is it?

    @Kathryn,
    Thanks! I know. I guess it gives her something to think about at least.

    @Chris,
    Yep. Another understatement.

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  13. I love that you are doing so much for your dog! That says a lot about you.

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  14. Bernie seems like a fine canine.

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  15. Another Blogger For Bernie! You go, dawg!

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  16. @Beth,
    Thanks. You must be a dog lover, too. She brings so much joy, how could I not?

    @Laoch of Chicago,
    Yes, thanks, she's the best.

    @Leah,
    Woof! Woof!

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