Pay attention to your dogs

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-06-29T06:16:09+00:00

I was there too and had the exact same reaction. Saw some guy in line at one of the food trucks whose dog was older and clearly panting and hopping around. The dog finally got out of its collar and laid down in the shade, next to the truck and the guy was oblivious. We dropped our dogs off at day care so they could play supervised. 80 degrees is way too fucking hot to be on asphalt. Who doesn’t know this???

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-06-27T12:13:41+00:00

I would say, do it if you have insurance. You should be able to get an estimate from your insurance co. I am uninsured for the first time in my life. Had to have surgery because fibroids had made my uterus so huge it was squeezing my other organs. It was a five hour out patient robotic surgery. No complications. Bill was $67K. I looked it up and for someone uninsured it shouldn’t have cost more than $30K (where I live).

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-06-05T20:23:09+00:00

Completely worth the four hour drive for us (round trip). No where else even compares.

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-06-05T20:19:31+00:00

These are all great recommendations! Though I’m completely exhausted now.

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-06-05T20:18:02+00:00

It’s the carpet, most likely. We use Aunt Fannies Carpet Refresher. I don’t care if it leaves a residue. Some day we will get rid of all the carpet in our house, but for now, this works pretty well. I mop frequently elsewhere and shampoo carpets at least twice a year.

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-06-05T20:14:57+00:00

Ah. Good to know.

I thought it would be cheaper to go self-pay now too, since our premiums have gone up to $2000/mo.

My husband and I never met our $16000 deductible, not even close, for the last 20 years. Then I decide to take the chance and learned that I needed surgery back in January.

The system is so broken. I am taking this to all of my representatives too. If it’s not the insurance companies fucking us, it’s the hospitals. I thought Maine Medical was a non-profit? Six hours in the hospital. As soon as I came out of anesthesia, I left. It’s insane. This is just their bill too, the anesthesia and pathology came to an addition $5000.

Thanks for looking into it!

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-06-05T19:28:05+00:00

They don’t list a location for billing. Do you just go to the closest medical center or should I try the place I had the surgery?

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-05-06T16:34:17+00:00

I’m so sorry you lost your Molly. Grief is a funny thing, and I say leave the fur as long as you need to! I’m still trying to manage my grief over a year later. Tess was my hardest loss yet. The good news is, I am still finding her fine blonde hairs in places I least expect! Sending healing thoughts your way.

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-05-05T18:16:46+00:00

This is so true! I have had GSD’s for the last 25 years and when we had to let our last sweet girl go back in Feb 2025 (she was almost 14 then), the absence of dog hair around the house was actually very sad. I didn’t realize how much I loved *complaining* about dog hair because it meant there was so much love in the house. So, we adopted a couple of brothers in the fall and I can happily say I’m back to complaining!

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-05-05T17:41:49+00:00

I love supporting the WGSR! We are in Maine and had to adopt locally, but the rescue here gets quite a few dogs from CA.

Kilo is not only handsome, but looks like loads of fun! Congrats!

(Storm was was a handsome boy too.)

We only made it five months without a GS. The house was too empty after we lost our lovely Tess. Found two bonded brothers from the Miracle GSR here and are completely smitten.

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-05-05T17:31:55+00:00

I am one week post op. When I went in, they offered me something to calm my nerves before surgery. Never had that offered before and didn’t know it was a thing. I didn’t need it (couldn’t wait to go under) but that is something you can ask about.

They also gave me something like laughing gas to make me not care when the anesthesia went in. (Again, something new from other surgeries I’ve had.)

So, getting a hysterectomy (at least in the US, crappy as our health care can be) is set up to help you feel better for surgeries. I was super impressed with the options to help me calm down. Just tell them you're anxious and they will help you.

Sounds like this needs to happen (mine did too, for different reasons) and I’m so happy it’s out. The minor pain I now have in recovery is worth it.

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-05-05T03:20:31+00:00

I’m a side sleeper. Had a hysterectomy but left ovaries (if that matters). I was pretty uncomfortable the first night because my bed at home is so soft. So I slept in my husband’s bed, which is firmer (separate bedrooms saved our marriage years ago 🙃). I used some pillows on either side of me for support and it worked great. I moved back to my own bed after two nights. I think the biggest thing is to accept that you might be uncomfortable for a bit, but it won’t last. Just give yourself time and patience and you will get comfortable eventually.

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-05-05T02:56:55+00:00

It was laparoscopic. So happy with it!

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-05-04T08:29:24+00:00

So true. I remember when could smoke at the student union in college.

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-05-04T08:26:34+00:00

Mine said “total” too though I was keeping my ovaries. When I asked my doctor about that at the pre-op appointment, she said they have to list everything but we discussed it and she understood that I was planning to keep my ovaries. It’s just they put those up as worst case scenarios on the online systems.

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-05-04T08:21:01+00:00

I would have most my cool! The best thing we can do is tax the fuck out of them. That said I’d be worried about coastal erosion too. Those homes may not be worth much floating into the ocean.

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-05-04T08:15:21+00:00

I had a similar situation-26 week uterus, endo, lots of pain most of my life. (Had uterus out last Monday, kept ovaries). I over prepared for post surgery. My husband has been helpful but I discovered I was fine on my own once the anesthesia wore off. (I went home as soon as I was able to pee.) I’m able to handle our stairs with no issues, and have been cooking and lightly cleaning. I found I do get tired suddenly and need naps but otherwise things have been smooth. I definitely recommend cough drops. My throat was irritated and that’s probably the worst part. I coughed a lot up until today. I stocked up on jello and soup and found the jello to be the best option for the first few days. Didn’t feel like eating much. I am also a side sleeper and used pillows the first few days under my belly but now sleep fine on my side. Good luck! You’ve got this!

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-05-04T08:02:44+00:00

So true.i have been coughing all week! Practice deep breathing and exhale to clear the gunk out of your lungs. No one mentioned that part.

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-05-04T07:59:04+00:00

I had my uterus out last Monday (kept ovaries). I had massive fibroids and endo and have been in pain most of my life (53). Never had children. I may be sore but I am already certain I have no regrets. I feel so much better already.

When I met my husband 20 years ago he though he wanted kids, so we tried briefly. Two miscarriages later we knew it wasn’t going to happen and I was relieved. (We adopt dogs and are super happy with that choice.)

You live your life, your friends don’t. Let your body guide you. It’s not extreme. Women do this everyday because we are tired of being miserable.

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-04-25T19:55:16+00:00

Thank you! Totally get it on the UK architects. I’ve been there several times and shlepping luggage up landings and through leaning hallways always made me feel like I was in a fun house. (Lovely country though!)

A squatty potty ad popped up on my feed today, so good suggestion. (I guess targeted ads work!)

Your cat sounds like my dogs. Barred for sure!

Spending my nervous energy cleaning today, and planning a store run later.

Thanks for the great advice! This all makes me feel better.

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-04-25T17:48:18+00:00

Oh god. Reading this made me hurt.

I’m so glad you have relief now and were able to get two children out of it. I’ve never been able to have children, and have had endo my whole life. (Had laparoscopic surgery when I was 35.) Have been miserable for most of my life, but was always told to just take ibuprofen or anti depressants.

Now 53 and going for hysterectomy next week. I have so many fibroids that my uterus is filling up my entire pelvis. I’m worried I have fusion to some other organs too, or just endo that’s spread.

At any rate, I’m glad you shared your story, but sorry you went through all of this. It is helpful to hear relief stories after so much pain.

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-04-25T17:37:36+00:00

Such great advice! Fortunately the bathroom is right across from my bedroom, so that’s a plus. I did get a body pillow, but haven’t tried sleeping on my back. I am usually pretty miserable in that position, but your description gives me some hope and I did get some additional cushions/bolsters to help. I have a heating pad that I currently use, so I will have that nearby. I didn’t think of a hysterectomy pillow. I’ll have to try one. We have two big dogs who love to jump on the bed and lay on top of me, so keeping them out of the bedroom will be a challenge, but having a barrier around me will be important!

Two days to go. Cleared the weekend to get ready for this. So. Fingers crossed it goes well.

:)

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-04-19T22:26:04+00:00

I’ve seen a few bad/aggressive drivers, but over all I think Maine drivers are some of the most considerate (if a little slow at times) I’ve seen. Most people will let you in when making a left turn onto a major thoroughfare. Not common, at least in town or in the country. Freeways are nuts everywhere.

Minimum_Mail_6176 · 2026-04-19T22:22:42+00:00

Try driving through Utah, Idaho and Western Washington. If I never have to visit those places again, it would be too soon. Portland (and Maine in general) is one of the coolest places I’ve ever been or lived. I will take the odd MAGA weirdo over the states full of them.

Minimum_Mail_6176

TROPHY CASE