This has been one of those whirlwind weeks. On Wednesday we took Archie (our 15 year old cat) to the vets for a sonogram. His last blood work results showed that his liver enzymes were off. So, we made arrangements to have the test done.
The results showed that his liver is fine. However, he has one enlarged adrenal gland and one shrunken gland. He also has some bowel problems. The vet told us that we could take him to a specialist to have the growth removed from his gland. It is very expensive. The other problems could be treated with medication. At 15 we and the vet are not sure that surgery is the best for him. He is not in any pain. He is not having any accidents around the house. What we might do is make an appointment for a consultation and see what the internal specialist has to say.
On the same day I was scheduled for a CAT scan. I have been having headaches regularly for the last three weeks and my doctor wanted to run the scan just to rule things out. Thankfully the results came back normal – whatever that is. I did forget to ask them if they found any evidence of a brain. There are days when I swear that I don’t have one.
Anyhow, the best part of the week was Thursday through Saturday. I attended the PCTELA (Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English and Language Arts) Conference. It was held at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College. It was an amazing conference. I even presented a session.
Listening to the featured speakers was inspiring. Each one was interesting, exciting, and motivational. It almost, and notice I say almost, made me wish that I hadn’t retired so that I could try some of their ideas with my students. I should mention that the speakers were Jordan Sonnenblick, Donalyn Miller, Sara Kajder, and Tawni O’Dell.
I even had the privilege of having dinner with Jordan Sonnenblick on Thursday and Donalyn Miller and Sara Kadjer on Friday. I know that for me this would never have happened if not for the PTELA Conference.
It would be wrong of me not to mention the accommodations at The Penn Stater. I can’t think of a better venue for a conference. Everything was handled very professionally. The meals (yes, here I go about food again) were exceptional. I know that I ate more in my three days there than I usually do in a week at home.
Next year the PCTELA Conference will be in the Pittsburg area. I know that I will be there.
arjeha 
First, great news about the CAT Scan! I hope the headaches resolve on their own.
Second, I just stayed at the Penn Stater for KSRA and I really enjoyed it too. It is a great conference hotel!
I’m glad you had a great conference and presentation. Perhaps the headaches were do to stress of thinking of the conference, so maybe they will be gone now that it is over? It makes me so sad to read of your cat’s problems. I hate having to make decisions as to what is best when it comes to pets. I hope you get good news from the specialist.
Our 18 year old cat has a bladder tumor that we are treating with medicine and his thyroid is off so special cat food. The doc said other than that he is in great shape for an 18 year old cat. 🙂 He said probably 6 months. We have had him since he was a year old and all of our kids lives. The food has helped his appetite. The medicine will shrink the tumor for a while but eventually it will take over. He is also in no pain so we are enjoying the time we have. Good luck with yours. And glad your CAT scan was clear. 🙂
Thank you. The vet is sure we can treat his problems with mess. He is not in any pain…still his firsthand self.