July to 15 August

As we move into our third month of this summer, we find our use of Jubilee has been somewhat reduced since our Pixie is still not able to endure the heat.  We knew this as the warmer days increased therefore we purchased a personal air conditioner for the boat and to keep the Pix and us cool throughout the time on the water at marinas.  But we can't always "plug-into electric." 

Pixie enjoying the comfort

A sailing day aboard Jubilee

Geri & Don under the bimini
 

The WSPS Cruise had weather that didn't allow us to sail on many days. No air on Monday, rain Tuesday, sail Wednesday and rain on both Thursday and Friday. We decided to go home on Thursday morning and to try to enjoy what time on the water we could have.



Sue in control

 

July brought us hotter days that kept both Don and Pixie comfortable in the cooler air-conditioned house, forsaking use of the boat since it seemed Pixie couldn't get her breath.  We did spend one July Friday to do miscellaneous chores and visit some friends in the marina. Don cleaned the bottom while I did some housekeeping below.

Pixie resting on the cabin top with the large sun awning keeping the heat off of her.



Let the cleaning process begin!

Our latest visit with the West Chester Oncology Vet yielded more medicine for Pix to keep her jaw area clean and to allow her comfort to sleep at night even though Sue had to get up most nights to let her out.  Pixie does sleep a lot, but as we all age, this is normal.  She shows us some exciting times too.  Since Angel (daughter Karen's dog) is visiting for 20 days, we see a different side of Pixie trying to compete or just keep up with this younger (6 yrs) dog. 

snack time















As 15 August  passes so does the remembrance of when all of the Cancer development that began in Pixie at Red Lion Vet. while doing Pixie's teeth cleaning.  A growth formed on her lower right jaw area just about her lip line.  This was sent to the University of Pennsylvania for a biopsy and on 18 August we found it was cancerous and growing at a fast rate.  We visited with the oncology department of Animal Specialties here in Delaware and they said she may only have a month to live.  Most of this info and more can be found in our past blog archives.
This winter our plans included a trip to Florida, at Marathon Key and side trip to Cuba for a month, but without being sure of Pixie's health, we don't want to leave.

Taking Angel for a dink ride

Bottom cleaner

The Week in Review...

Normally we don't have a lot of news to impart, but lately, exciting things are happening.

Sue rowing to Jubilee

We placed Jubilee in the water on Saturday, 6 June.  The delay was because of Pixie's on-going problems with radiated tissue on the right side of her face.  Many hyperbaric oxygen treatments and many trips to the West Chester Oncology equate to less time to spend preparing Jubilee for the water.

It was a windy day and the tide was running the wrong way but Sue was able to row to Jubilee for us to place the dinghy on the bow.

Finishing the changing of the duck bills

We decided that we would use the racing sail for the WSPS Cruise which will begin on 20 June, so Don needed to change all the connectors for the mainsail. That is, to remove the hardware from the Dacron mainsail and add it to the carbon one.

Another item that he deemed necessary to replace were the "duck bills" in the vacuflush system.  This operation tends to be somewhat smelly and he really didn't need my assistance.

So here we go down the Chesapeake Delaware Canal headed toward our summer marina Green Point Landing

 

off of Worton Creek.  Notice the lovely color the Summit Bridge is now painted... and some traffic on the Elk River.








The real story is how our Pixie is doing.  She had surgery on 2 June; an examination on the following week and the stitches removed on 16 June.  The skin didn't stay closed up on her face and because of the radiated tissue, it pulled away from her jawbone once again.  The good news is that she has developed healthy tissue that is connected to her jawbone inside her mouth; just the outside has slipped away.  We are bathing her twice a day and administering an antibiotic ointment to the affected area.  Her hyperbaric treatments will continue and we are hoping to close this area soon.

Sitting with Dad in his "easy chair"




Everything is coming TOGETHER!

Pixie getting ready to leave the chamber

Friday, 5 June was Pixie's last visit to the hyperbaric chamber on Canvasback Farm. 
Sue and I are happy, but we'll miss visiting with Luanne Riddle who operated the chamber each time for Pix.

We got over to the boat at Delaware City and did some more work to prepare it for the water on Saturday.  Most of these images were taken on Saturday.  We decided to leave Pixie at home to rest while we finished the spots that the six stands took up while it sat all winter.  Sue baked a chocolate chip cake for the guys that helped us.  In fact, Charlie asked when Sue will be coming down...hinting all the time that she might bring something for them.

In the slings headed for water



Sitting at B Dock waiting to be loaded




Look who's in charge!

The Good News... today and yesterday

Riding with Mom in the back seat

We were asked to pickup Pixie 24 hours after her operation so we arrived at West Chester Oncology at about 2 PM on Wednesday.  Earlier in the day, her surgeon Dr. Schofield called to say that she was doing very well and explained that much happened during the time Pixie was on the operating table.  Four hours elapsed from the beginning of the surgery.  She found skin to close the hole in her face externally, removed two teeth, took 3mm from her jawbone, pealed tissue under the tongue for the internal cover, and did all the internal and external sutures. Dina was surprised that Pixie was doing so well in the morning so she consented to allow her to come home with us.

Luanne Riddle operating the hyperbaric chamber

Happy to pick her up after the 6th treatment

She seemed somewhat sedated when we first saw her, but quickly responded to our hugs and kisses.  Sue rode in the backseat and kept Pix comfortable while we drove from the hills of Pennsylvania to the lush green countryside of the horse farms of Maryland.  Yes, we were on our way to the Canvasback Farm and the well known hyperbaric oxygen chamber.  The swelling of Pixie's mouth and cheeks after one hour in the chamber decreased a huge bit.  We think that this oxygen treatment is responsible for her well being and ability to form fresh, healthy tissue growth and become alive again!

At home today, Pixie has maneuvered the steps to the basement, two times and received caring visits from Aunt Geri Walker, and Sandy Elsasser.  She ate a normal breakfast, took all her meds and fell asleep in my arms. 
We are sooo happy -- thank the LORD.

Pixie's Operation

This morning we took Pixie to the Veterinary Oncology Services in West Chester.  It was time to have Pixie's radiated cheek closed to the dirty atmosphere and to let her live normally as we do. 

We were met by her surgeon Dr. Dina Schofield and she talked about how the closing will take place.  Flaps of skin, now red, growing and healthy skin were to be used in covering her quarter size hole.  We bathed this area after eating each morning and night.  Pixie has grown tired of this, the pressure water and the doggie antiseptic added at the last of the swabbing.

At 4 PM Dr. Schofield called to say that Pixie was resting comfortably and she will spend the night at their facility.  We know the personnel will take better care than what we can.  They have all the drugs and machines to keep her happy.  Dina said she would call tomorrow morning to let us know how she is doing.  For weeks we have been praying for Pixie's complete recovery and waiting to hear the good news that GOD will provide.



Pixie 2010

“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.” —James Herriot

 

 

Waitin' for the Travelift!

Two coats on the bottom, X Two coats on feathering prop, X  Lube prop, X  clean & wash interior, X
Wash hull with Algrip shampoo,  X Run engine to check for leaks,  X  Fill all batteries,  X Put on Bimini, X  Put on Stack Pac, X Fill domestic water tanks, X Varnish teak floorboards, X -- Must do: change duck bills in head; change seals/bearings in raw water pump.

Note to Charlie and travelift crew:  pick up Jubilee on Thursday AM for splash!

Jubilee is looking better...

As the weekend melted away and the heat got to us yesterday, (90+) we finished the second coat of rolling & tipping on Jubilee.  The second coat of protection was also adding to the newly rebuilt Max prop so today we'll run the engine a little and make some time to wash the hull.

Shiny Rebuilt