Sunday, December 11, 2011

Mr. Smokey and the Christmas Parade Part One

First, let me apologize that there are no pictures.

That's right. Zero. Zip. Nada. But when you hear the whole story, I think you'll forgive me.

It started last week when Donna was asking me if I was ready for the parade. I hemmed and hawed. With everything going on with Sierra, DH in another city, continued financial challenges (because while the job is going well, money is inconsistent, and in a new city there are new expenses, blah, blah, blah), I just didn't know if I was up to managing my issues with Smokey.

Because, frankly, I've been a big chicken and only doing things I feel comfortable doing. Because I wanted one area of my life to be drama free.

And Parades? That's a pretty big horse drama magnet.

So I committed to having our truck there and probably having Smokey there, maybe, if everything goes well. Donna suggested we take Smokey for a field trip to see how he'd do.

Then Tuesday. Tuesday, Sierra felt so dizzy and faint in class, they took her to the nurse. The nurse called and said I should take her to the ER because she had some swelling on one side of her face and was walking funny.

I rushed home from Austin, my mom met me with her at the ER and to cut to the bottom line and after the five hours of ER hanging out, they gave her a bag of fluids, something for naseau and recommended we follow up with our Doctor (they had ruled out anything cardiac, in case you were wondering - I sure as heck was).

She was worse on Wednesday. I started to ask her questions, to drill down more on the dizziness. Turns out she had vertigo. Severe vertigo. As in "can't even walk to the bathroom" severe vertigo. Thursday we went to the doctor who confirmed my home diagnosis and gave us a prescription for saline spray (and gave me a list of over the counter meds).

With no improvement on Friday, I opted for a chiropracter. There was a moment of improvement, then it was back to swaying ceilings and zero equilibrium. I began to suspect that only Doctor Time was going to cure this balance challenged girl.

So you can probably see why the parade seemed like more trouble than it was worth.

On the horse front I went on Thursday, more as a stress reliever, really, to see how Smokey would do in the area where we gather for the parade. There were many firsts. Donna took her huge MFT and his nature means he has to get in the trailer first. Smokey has never loaded last, in "Lily's" spot. I had even thought last month that I should train him to do so in case there was ever a need.

But never got around to it.

Cloud, who previously has had a huge cow about loading into my trailer, hopped right in. That horse simply must be first. I looked at Smokey and said, "Okay, Smoke, load up."

And he did.

Good thing I spent all that time on it.

We headed out to the big field and Smokey was confused about unloading. Usually Lily just steps out, but Smokey is used to being lead out. I stepped into the trailer and backed him out. He was a little up, but settled in quickly. We started our ride and he was a little tight, but in five minutes he had settled down and doing well.

"See?" He'll be fine!" Donna cooed.

I felt my smile grow. Maybe we could do this. Maybe I wasn't snake bit with all this crazy stuff going on. Maybe I just needed to breathe, hum some Christmas songs and commit.

Maybe. As I drove back home from the barn I wondered if I was up for all of this. There was so much going on. Did I really want to take a chance?

Saturday seemed a long way away.

11 comments:

Nuzzling Muzzles said...

So sorry for all that's going on with Sierra. It's got to be so frustrating to have to keep seeking out doctors who can diagnose and fix a puzzling problem.

Your comment: "Because, frankly, I've been a big chicken and only doing things I feel comfortable doing. Because I wanted one area of my life to be drama free..." hit home with me. Yesterday I actually did have a little time to ride, but opted out because my husband needed to pick my son up at the airport that evening, and my first thought was that if I got hurt and needed medical assistance, my son would be stuck at the airport. It's kind of silly to think that way because I probably only get hurt in 1 out of 50 rides, but I'm always thinking that this would be a bad time for anything to go wrong, so I just don't take chances.

Ms Martyr said...

I hope Sierra is feeling better soon. Glad to hear its not heart-related but that probably doesn't make her feel any better.
Have fun with the parade. It sounds like Smokey is up for the challenge - have you exposed him to flapping flags? Those used to freak out my friend's horse.

Captain Bailey said...

Part II! Part II! (You know we'll just keep chanting until you post it, right?)

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Go on....


~Lisa

ps
I hope Sierra is feeling better now.

Dan and Betty said...

I hope everyone is getting better. I can understand you anxiousness about the parade. Our two horses hardly ever see another he where we live and when we do the get all excited. Good luck with everything whatever you decide.

Dan

Leah Fry said...

Hope Sierra is okay. Gosh, I can't even imagine taking Jaz to a parade. He seems to spook on a whim. It can be something he's seen a kazillion times and something that didn't spook him 5 minutes ago. But now for some reason, it's scary and we might die. Exasperating, I tell you.

Can't wait to hear about it.

Anonymous said...

Isn't vertigo an inner ear issue and isn't a chiropractor another word for bone-setter. I just don't see any connection. Are these words that the separation of the Atlantic has changed out of all recognition.

Good luck with the horse. Be times 'tiz had to know what and when they will take everything in their stride or when they will toss out the anchor leaving you clinging like a tick to their back.

Shirley said...

Sure hope Sierra gets the vertigo taken care of. I had that earlier this year, it's pretty scary when you collapse walking down a hallway and only the walls hold you up from doing a faceplant.

Jan said...

Breathe, sorry to hear about Sierra having vertigo. With everything else, it must be hard. Glad to read about Smokey loading so well- good boy! Fingers crossed and prayers for you for Dec. 21st procedure.

Margaret said...

Sierra has a wonderful mom! I hope she is feeling better.... and you are doing the parade? You are quite a woman.

Grey Horse Matters said...

I hope Sierra is doing better. That's very scary when your child is not feeling well.

It sounds like you needed some de-stress time with the horses and I'm glad you got it.