Day 12,13,14 Home Sweet Gunter

The Good, The Bad and The Cancer

The Good

Goodness came our way in the form of a road trip back home. We set sail at about 4:30 am Saturday morning, and made great time on the way home. Although drizzling, there were not many people on the road at that time. We used our Friday night to get ready and relax, which made the weekend that much better. 

As I drove, David slept and look so peaceful. I was a little concerned we may be over-doing it a bit for him by making this trip, but he enjoyed the time home immensely, as did I. Just being in your own bed, with your own stuff brings so much comfort. Even the sounds are calming. The quiet of the farm, the tinkling of the wind chime on the front porch as the breeze gently touches them, and the occasional train (we are train people and love the rumbling - and horn - as it passes through town). It's not too loud, it's just right.

As we arrived home, we jumped out of the car and made our way towards the house, because we knew we would first need to feed the animals, as they were awaiting their breakfast. We gave our caretaker the weekend off, and are still not seeing family and friends to keep David as safe as possible from covid right now. And as we took our shoes off and put our boots on, we heard it: cock-a-doodle-doo! I almost forgot - Carlos! 

He announced his presence right away. The silkie and frizzle girlz were all around him and everyone was getting along so nicely. I can tell you that he's particularly fond of Frankie. She's an all-white silkie who hatched so many chicks for us last year. 

We have one remaining silkie chick of hers left in our possession, Snow White, who has now grown taller than her mama. 

Everyone in the Little Girl area seemed to be doing well over all, with the exception of one frizzle (which falls under the category of The Bad, see below). I cleaned out their coops, gave them treats and enjoyed seeing them so much. They are precious little chickens that are mostly fluff with a tiny body.

After we fed everyone breakfast, David went back inside the house and would remain resting for the remainder of the day in the comfort of our own bed, because his only job is Healing. I, on the other hand, would spend the day Doing Things. Mostly spending time in the barn holding and petting my chickens, loving on the dogs and giving treats to the donkeys. It was a splendid day. My barn cleanup was minimal because Angela and Paul are rocking the barn-maid service, which left me more time to do other things. I put my music on in the barn, turned it up loud, and lost track of time. #danceparty

I said Hello to Walter (yes, she's a girl) but has facial hair that makes her look like a boy, to me anyway.

Americana who lays green-blue eggs

I noticed how beautiful the leghorns are getting as they move from teenagers to pullets. 

We have two of these beauties

I admired the ombre-ness of our princess gems, Peaches and Cloud.

I watched the chickens as they (not so ) patiently waited their turn for the fav nesting place to lay their eggs. 

The chickens love that grey laying box,
not the blue one

It's not like there's not 10 other places to go lay your egg, Chikira. For some reason, they always want to be where another chicken already is, when it comes to laying their egg for the day.

Fluffy Butt is hedging her way in when Dixie was there first.

Is this really necessary

I love all 50 of my chickens, I really do. They each have distinct personalities. Some just want to be loved and held all the time, while others prefer for be admired from afar. 

Moon Pie, Poppy, and Long Neck are the friendliest and will take a pet, hug or hold anytime. 

Moon Pie is always ready for a pet

And then there's Nugget whose going to be a full-size brahma but prefers to live in the Little Girl Area. She's going to be like the Jolly Green Giant compared to the silkies and frizzles, esp when she's all grown up. I've tried on several occasions to incorporate Nugget with the Big Girl flock, but she's not having it, so back to the Little Girl Area she goes. And she's just fine with that. 

And Winston, you ask? He's doing amazingly well, and has settled into his new home with us like he's always been here. He's gained weight, and can stand up without hardly ever falling now. He has a pain pill each day for his arthritis, and his back legs are stronger now although still has trouble with his balance every now and again. We are so proud of how far he's come. He'd be "that dog" on The Dodo. You know the one, the story of a dog found on the side of the road, lives to see another day, gets healthy and lives a great life. That's Winston. Recently, he has become attached to the dog toys that Tula usually plays with. He has one in particular (duckie) that he loves, carries around with him, and sleeps with. I feel so blessed to have him. 

He's spread all his toys around yard

Yet, duckie is his favorite

There's so many good things about being home. I hopped on my road bike (on a trainer) and biked to nowhere 3 times and back. 

I also went on a run on country roads and didn't have to stop at a traffic light one time (take that, Houston). All while David was resting and healing. He gets Saturday and Sunday off from treatment, and is using his time wisely to rest and relax. We make a good team, encouraging the other to take advantage of doing the things that "fill our cup up" while at home. We had a wonderful weekend doing the things at home that brings each us of peace. Together, we were thrilled to be home, safe and comfortable. 

The Bad

Unfortunately, we have a frizzle who is either hurt or sick. It's hard to tell which one, but her right wing/leg is not acting appropriately. She's can't get around well, and is unable to get to their main food and water dish in the Little Girl Area. I don't recall her being this way last weekend. So over the weekend, I placed her in a special place inside the house with food and water so she can rest and recoup. So we had 2 recovery patients this weekend in Gunter - both who did well. 

Temporary holding place inside the house

The question is then, what do you do now? I mean, we are heading back to Houston. After doing a little research, I noticed the rental for the apartment does not say No Chickens Allowed. So Love Bug is with us, diaper on (in the car), and living on the patio of the apartment in Houston. It's a fully covered patio, surrounded by a brick wall, with concrete to walk on, that makes it easier for her to get traction with her hurt leg. 

Temporary transportation device with disposable lining

She did really well on her first road trip. We will have to wait and see how she does this week. If this is a neurological issues (which is common for chickens, see Marek's disease) there's not a good chance of survival. But if it's a physical leg or wing issue, she has a chance of healing and moving forward again. 

Sugar checking my cast work 

I have a popsicle stick and wrap on the lower leg/foot to hopefully help things. Time will give us some answers, and since I'm traveling back home the following weekend (2nd covid vaccine in Dallas) I may be able to bring her back if she's showing improvement. 

The Cancer

Each day brings new discoveries for David. Chemo and Radiation are like a scene out of a Western movie with a show-down between the two. Which treatment is the bad guy. Or should I say, who's going to win the gun fight? They are constantly duking it out, like a scene out of the Old West. Radiation did a quick draw in the gunfight on his taste and smell, as there's just a minimal amount left and as David eats, he feels the texture and temperature of the food but is finding it hard to taste or smell it. He has a hint of it left, but knows it's only a matter of time before it's gone. Chemo comes in the saloon, “Howdy Stranger, what can I get you?”, all while the twinkling of the piano keys in the background plays on. One sour stomach, please. But wait, radiation quick draws again with a sore mouth (esp roof of mouth) and extremely dry eyes that is beginning to affect his vision. Chemo fires back with a hard hit of constipation. Radiation fires back with more constipation, and shoots a round of "army sock mouth" (think stuffing a mildew-y smell-y sock in your mouth). 

Both of these outlaws are no good. They both seek revenge and retribution with a bounty of fatigue. There's no railroad or telegraph that can save David from these fugitives. They both fight rowdy and rough, all while leaving David with a long-lasting headache and a sore jaw to boot.

Tales of the Wild

David is the hero in this Western, facing head on with these characters - and all they bring. We will head into Week 3 and see what new details arise. The unknown is a scary place. We both strive to be brave when we are afraid, and strong through the struggle. 

After a restorative weekend at the farm, we are ready for what MDA and Houston will bring our way, again. We are thankful day in and day out for this opportunity. We are overwhelmed with the love from everyone and so lucky to be surrounded by and in a world with such beautiful friends and family. Although we can't see you right now, we look forward to the day when we step out of the darkness and back into the light and life we know. We see the light and know it's there, but must walk this walk as God is beside us - at times carrying us - through it all. We continue to take great care of what is in our control, and not allow what is out of our control to take away peace. 

Blessings,

Cyndi