Latest on Sir

Hi Sir's Friends

I did away with my usual opening  "Sir's Minions" after my wife suggested that I look up the definition. So I did and after reading the definition I realized that some may take offense to the label though I meant no harm.

So,  I went to the barn after work last Thursday I believe. Ther traffic was heavier than usual, I wanted to get there before 6 but the traffic caused me to arrive at 6:30.
Doctor Wen was already there and I could see Sir on the cross ties as I got out of my car.
I could tell by Sir's posture that he was not happy. His head was down, ears back and front legs slightly spread.

I walked into the barn and was greeted by Dr. Wen, Laurel, and Tommy. Beth gave me a quick hello and wave from the other end of the barn where she was busy grooming her horse Lakota,
It was right about then that Sir realized that I was standing in front of him.
He raised his head and his ears went up and he began nudging me with his nose. The usual greeting that I get. He rubbed his head on my chest and placed his chin on my shoulder. It seemed like he was saying "I am so glad that you are here!" LOL (That's my story and I am sticking to it)

Dr. Wen finished his examination and told us that he felt the loss of appetite, weight loss, bad coat, etc. was a result of kidney disease that was brought on from the infection that Sir had a few weeks ago. (I think I wrote about that) He prescribed some of his Chinese Herbal medication and said that he felt the kidney problem was reversable.
We should see an improvement in roughly 2-3 weeks and he will remain on the meds for several months.
Laurel and I breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Once we get this healed we can concentrate on his other issues.

I took him off the cross ties and walked him to the back towards his paddock. I let him graze a while and talked to him as usual. When I placed him in his paddock he turned and walked up to the gate where I stood. I had my chin resting on my arm. He gently placed his head to my forehead and stared into my eyes. He had never done that before. It was a wonderful emotional feeling. I kept talking to him and he stayed there. I felt like he was saying "Don't ever leave me. I thought that you had left me"
Please don't send the men in the white coats for me yet. :<)
But is was as real as if someoine was whispering it in my ear.

I reassured him that I was not going anywhere, that I would not walk away from him....EVER!

He helped me, now I will help him!

Again...thanks for reading and following my Blog posts.
Please comment......


Until next time
I Remain......

Frank
Sir's Human

Just stuff and this coming weekend

Hi Sir's Minions!

I spent some time with Sir last weekend. I had him with me and out grazing for almost two hours. He was pretty much done with it by the end LOL.
I was standing talking with someone and he was behind me just resting his big head on my shoulder as if he was listening to the conversation. I love when he does that!.
I will be hanging with him this coming weekend for sure. Both days.

One of our volunteers left for college this past Saturday. She was and is a hard worker and we will surely miss her! Erika and her Mom Elizabeth always worked hard and did whatever was asked of them and more! I would tease Erika and tell her that Uncle Frank was there for her.
I'm going to miss that kid...young lady!

This weekend we have a fund raiser event on Sunday 9/11. It will be hosted by Louise Abitbol.
Her description is below. Space is limited:

"A journey towards self awareness in the presence of the herd. Horses can help us commit to our spiritual development and motivate us towards seeing them, as well as ourselves without barriers or resistance which blocks our conscious awareness. "....the truest teaching is like a bird flying across the sky; it leaves no tracks that can be followed, yet the presence cannot be denied." Gangaji The horses presence cannot be denied. Following the gathering all are invited to share food and drink. Price of the event $50.00"

I am looking forward to this. The Heard in the Herd meditation last year was great and this will be better I am sure.

So I will leave you with that for now and will post again soon!

Until then

I remain

Sir's Human

Frank

Sir's health rollercoaster ride.

Hi again Sir's minions

I am up at Cranberry Lake again enjoying the quiet and fresh air.

I believe that in my last post I said something about possible good news about Sir.
At that time the Vet who performed the surgery thought that it might not be cancer, but instead a tick related illness.
Apparently after some research he found that the two are very close under the microscope.
If that were the case antibiotics would cure it.
So more blood was taken and sent to the lab.

That whole week we waited in anticipation of the results. We felt very confident that the results would show it to be tick related.
The results came back and were negative for lymes disease,
To top it off Sir was having a reaction to the Chinese Herbs where his legs were swollen and he was drinking way more water than usual. They were stopped and the swelling went down.

However, he then was bitten by an insect or rubbed on something and got an infection. More swelling in his chest and front legs. That and a rub sore on his front leg caused by the fly wraps.
This poor guy couldn't catch a break.
Thank God for Laurel though. She is always so observat and spots any abnormality with the horses.

The Vet came out and located the cause of the infection. A very small cut that was barely noticeable.
He started him on antibiotics. Additionally, he diagnosed Sir with Atrial Fibrillation. Something that I am very familiar with as I have it too. Less a leaky valve.
Sir has a leaky valve which disrupts the blood flow. It causes a backflow in layman's terms.

So the diagnosis is to not work him or ride him. Once he gets past the other stuff there is a procedure available that can correct the A Fib and leaky valve.
Other than that no one really knows what Sir has.

Laurel's niece Dr, Rooney put it best; (I'm paraphrasing) "If it were my horse I would monitor the situation. Keep an eye on his lymph glands.etc."

In other words, he is pooping, peeing, eating, and drinking. He is alert and very interactive...more than I have known him to be since I met him over a year ago, So why bombard him with drugs before we know exactly what he has....if he has anything at this point.

Please rest assured that Sir will be closely monitored and well taken care of. He currently has the first stall in the barn, the one right next to the kitchen where the buckets are made up. He is constantly knocking things over and getting treats and extra grain. He is being spoiled to say the least! LOL

I can't wait to go see him when I return. Laurel and my friends at the barn have been keeping me updated during this week with pictures and text messages.
But it's not the same as being with him.

Looking better than ever!

Until next time.......

Frank

Sir's Human

Upcoming Fund Raising Events

Hi Sir's Minions

We have some really nice fund raising events coming up soon.

First one up is the Annual Labor Day Yard Sale!!

This will be held on September 3rd and 4th at the farm:
2330 Sound Ave
Baiting Hollow NY 11933

Please donate any unwanted lightly used items. You are who makes these yard sales successful!
Thanks for the support!


Next up is an event that is sure to draw a lot of attention!

PAINT NIGHT at Joe's Garage & Grill in Riverhead

Visit www.joesgarageandgrill.com for directions.

To purchase tickets to this event visit https://www.paintnite.com/events/1110251.html
Seating is limited so purchase your tickets soon!

Proceeds from this event will go to support the North Shore Horse Rescue.

This should be a fun night..cocktails, painting, laughs, and friends!

Hope to see you there!

Lastly, the Comedy Night at Governors is in the planning stages. Once a date has been secured I will let you know.

Please try and support the rescue through any or all of these fund raising events!

Thanks

Until next time........

I Remain

Frank

Sir's Human

Another Comedy Club fund raiser event coming soon!

Hi all

For those of you who attended the last Comedy Club fund raiser at Governors you already know what a great time we all had.
The comedians were great and I laughed so hard that my sides hurt!

If you missed that one have no fear because Elizabeth is planning another one for the near future!

Check back for updates.

Sir is doing well.....we are still waiting for the latest blood test results. As soon as I know you will know!!

Until next time

Frank

Sir's Human

Wellness Day at the rescue

Hi Folks

I hope that all of you are doing well and enjoying your summer!

I was out at the barn Friday night for a bit after work and hung with Sir for a while and shot the breeze with Louise and Laurel.
Apparently the Chinese herb medicine was not agreeing with Sir and his legs were swollen again.He was retaining water so Dr. Wen told Laurel to stop the meds.Which she pretty much had figured out anyway. So she did and he began improving.

(Additionally there may be some good news for Sir coming in the next week or so. But like my superstitious Italian Mother would say, " Don't jinx it" ...so I won't! LOL)


I arrived at the barn Saturday morning a bit later than I had wanted to, I was held up by the wait in the bagel store. But it was worth it. I arrived toting the bagels and box of joe, etc.
Sir was in his stall being spoiled by Laurel as she prepared the feed buckets. Tom was filling water troughs. Julie was helping Laurel. everyone was busy.

I jumped on the gator and proceeded to feed the horses. It never ceases to amaze me how the horses see you coming and go right to where they normally eat.Some of them even chastise you if you are taking your time. Danny is good for that. He grunts and snorts and taps the ground with his hoof. LOL

Elizabeth and her daughter Erica arrived and jumped in to help as usual with grooming and mucking, and whatever else needed attention.

Laurel's niece Cait, or should I say Dr. Cait Rooney DVM, arrived. She recently graduated and is licensed to practice Veterinary medicine. She went right to work.
She took blood from Sir, floated the teeth of Cisco and Copper, gave varioius horses their shots, treated Cisco's tick bite, and treated Tate's eye. I helped her and Laurel float the teeth....all I did was hold the contraption that held their heads up. LOL But I was allowed to stick my hand into Cisco's mouth to feel the hooks on his teeth. Very cool!
I enjoyed helping her. It was something new and different.

I ended the day by helping with the feed buckets. The heat and humidity had it's effect on all of us.

Sir is like a different horse. He is much more animated and is literally eating like a horse times 10 LOL
He seems content and interested in everything around  him....he loves the interaction that he gets in the front stall.

I will keep you updated on his condition.

Until next time.......

Frank

Sir's Human

Biopsy Results are in

Hi Sir Minions

As promised here is an update.

Before I go any further I am requesting that we all maintain a positive outlook.

Laurel received the biopsy results the other day from the Vet in Connecticut. He was perplexed with the results. He said that he had never seen this in horses in his entire career.
Sir has a rare type of Lymphoma called Mixed Cutaneous Lymphoma. Have any of you heard of this before? If so, what was the treatment? Results?

Dr. Wen, our local Vet came out on Tuesday and read the report as well as examined Sir. He said that he too has not seen this type of cancer in horses. He said that in dogs and cats there is a 70% success rate. There is no data in horses.
To treat this with Chemo would cost me my house. (his words)
He prescribed a concoction of Chinese herbs that Sir will take 2 times a day. He will be re-examined in two months.

I have to say that I have a good feeling about this. I just know that he will be okay. Laurel feels the same.
I mean, how could he not be? He has so many people that love him. People that will send prayers, healing energy, positive  thoughts, positive visualization, etc.

Hi medication will cost just over $200.00 per month. If anyone wants to help me and us with that it would be welcomed for sure. If all you can or want to do is any of the above that is fine too!

If you have any feed back on this type of lymphoma please post it here or send me an email to skibbo14@aol.com

Positive thoughts! They work!

Will update you again soon.......