Shawna
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Everything posted by Shawna
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They are so gorgeous. I love the yellow face ones. And the greywings are beautiful too. Heck! They all are.
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What a lovely bird. I think it is neat when they have odd eyes.
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Great shots. I love the bead swing. Did you make it?
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Hi everyone. Another week of radiation treatments over with. Lucas is still doing well coping with it all and so far no major side effects. The other day he said he didn't want to have his treatment but he never puts up a fuss. I know he'd rather being doing normal little boy things. His biggest complaint is about his g-tube. The skind around it is easily irritated. He had his first vincristine (chemo) on Monday. He was terrified to have his port accessed but child-life helped him through it. It had been numbed with emla cream so he really didn't feel anything. He has a fear of needles. We decided to travel to Halifax for his treatments instead of staying at RMcD house. We live about an hour away and just found that we are so much happier at home. If Lucas gets too sick for travel then we will stay in the city, but so far we are ALL much happier at home. It is much easier to keep a routine at home and Lucas really needs that. His walking is now back to normal and physio will only be keeping an eye on him because of potential side effects from the vincristine. So the old Lucas is almost back. The biggest change I see in him is in his personality. He lacks the patience he used to have. He gets frustrated easily. My most recent challenge has been with my employer. They have an insurance company review all stress claims and the insurance company denied mine. They said that it is "sad" but doesn't qualify for stress leave. I can't imagine anything more stressful that when your child has a life threatening illnes. Agh. Anyway, I appealed it and just got the call that it was approved until June 8 at which time it will be reviewed. My husband's company has been fantastic giving him whatever time he needs. Even my mother's company has been supportive with her bosses giving her $ and her union giving her a huge check for travel back and forth to the hospital. Thanks again everyone for your concern. I REALLY do appreciate it! PS. I really miss the budgies. It is so quiet around here. I've been trying to enjoy the finches that visit my feeders daily but it isn't the same.
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I LOVE YOUR BIRDS Lady!!!
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What a handsome boy.
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Really nice pics. They make me miss my budgies so!
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Great shots. I've been meaning to ask for some time- what is the make and model of your camera?
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Well Lucas finished his first week of radiation. He did very well. He is so good at staying still in his cast that we are usually done within 15 minutes. So far he is showing no real negative side effects other than being tired about 2 hours after the treatment. He has a little rest and then is good to go. We have been discharged from the hospital. Next week we will stay at Ronald McDonald House. It is a long weekend for us so we don't go back until Tuesday. He has his first chemo treatment that day (vincristine) in addition to his radiation. Here are a few pics of him at the hopsital having some fun. They have a playroom on each floor and on this day the fireman visited. He was being shown a heat seeking camera. And this is buddy the clown who visits the rooms of kids. He does magic. Lucas had fun with him. Lucas wears the helmet to protect his head as he is still somewhat unsteady.
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Thanks everyone... and Happy Mother's Day. It means so much to me this year. We had a special service in church today and I absolutely fell apart. The more I tried not to cry the worse I sobbed. I think I'm anxious about tomorrow, have held so much in, etc. that when I started to cry the floodgates opened. I guess church is a good place to do it. Everyone was very supportive. I appreciate the kind words of encouragement from you all too.
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Thanks everyone. We are home and it feels SOOOOOOOO good. It was so great to see all the budgies. Some of the babies are now fully grown. I will be rehoming them all tomorrow. I have to coordinate getting them all out of the big cage, getting it disassembled for transport to my mom's, etc. (It is going to be a sad day!!!!) But it is in the best interest of the budgies. Will continue to update as treatments progress. Here is a picture of my little hero in a dry run for his radiation treatments. He has to be completely still in this cast.
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It's amazing what a difference a few days makes. Lucas has improved so much. He is getting closer and closer to his old self every day. He isn't in as much pain anymore as the surgeries heal so he is much happier. He is getting back most of his gross and fine motor skills but still struggles some with walking. His speech is basically back to normal but a wee bit slower than before. His whiny outbursts occur only when he is tired. He starts his radiation on Monday. He went through a trial in his body cast today and did so great. They think he might be able to do it without sedation. We are very hopeful for that. We are so grateful for each day and pray that the treatments cure his cancer and that he doesn't have significant long term side effects that will affect his future. Thanks again everyone and I will update when I get a chance. We actually are getting a weekend pass to go home this weekend before the radiation. We are ALL looking forward to that.
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I have decided to rehome all of my budgies . I just can't care for them being here at the hospital. My mom and sister are taking quite a few of them. I have found homes for 8 more with the help of my sister-in-law. My heart is broken of course but I have to make my son my first priority right now. I was saddened to hear that two of Star and Wylie's babies passed- the two sky normals. I had given them to my sister. They were afraid to tell me when the first one died. I sobbed. And the next day the other died. I guess they had been inseperable all the while she had them. I don't know if it was because dad wasn't feeding well - remember I pulled Star for plucking) or something else that killed them. Perhaps they weren't quite ready to leave the nest. The other 3 babies are doing well though. And some of Tweety and Max's babies are now with my sis and Nan and doing well. At least most will be with family members so I can keep tabs on them. And maybe someday I'll be able to bring a few home. I so love them.
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Thanks so much everyone. Each day comes with its challenges and so much. I haven't had a chance to go on the boards. It was just two weeks ago that his brain tumour was diagnosed. It has now been confirmed as a medulloblastoma staged at T0 and M0. He had a long haul back from the first surgery learning to talk again and he still can't walk unassisted. But he is seeing physio. At this point he has had another surgery to install a feeding tube and port-a-cath. He begins his radiation treatments on the 14th. And some chemo will begin shortly after. We have about a year of treatments ahead of us. Radiation will last 6 weeks and will be 5 days a week. The radation has risks of course. His IQ will be decreased, he is at risk for other cataracts, hearing loss, etc. This morning he did a simulation of the radiation treatments in his cast. He will likely have to be put to sleep every day because he has to remain completely still. It is amazing how quickly one's life can change. He has been traumatized by it all and is quite withdrawn and depressed. Child life is working with him using play to explain things. Randy and I are doing okay. We have our moments - me more so, where we just crumble. Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers. xoxo Shawna
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He is still a very sick boy in the ICU. He is on lots of morphine for his pain. He opens his eyes but isn't speaking yet. He may have an infection as he has a fever. He has a bad cold so I'm sure they are watching for pneumonia. I'm still an absolute wreck. I want to be them for him every second but crumble when I see him. Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers and I will update when I get a chance. xoxox
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On Friday morning we received the very worst news - we were told that our son Lucas had a brain tumour. He went into surgery Saturday and and the tumour was removed. He is still in intensive care. The neurosugeon feels it is a malignant tumour but thinks he got it all. He will likely have to go through chemo and radiation but we are just taking things one day at a time. He is just starting to open his eyes but isn't speaking yet. He sleeps most of the time. I think that I am in a complete state of shock. I'm so grateful that he survived the surgery. He is my whole life and I can't bare the thoughts of losing him. I ask that you pray for him. He has been through so much in his 6 years - being born at 28 weeks, having Kawasaki disease at 2 1/2, and now a brain tumour. I'll try to come on the boards periodically with updates about his progress. Thank you. Shawna
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I don't know the answers to that question but.... I'm sure some of the more experienced breeders might have an idea. I would love to know myself. I've had both dark and light budgies have the black on their beaks. It does go away as the budgie gets older.
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Thanks Phoebe. Yes, there were some bumps along the way but it was a truly enjoyable experiencing. Spending time every day watching these little ones develop has been so rewarding. I bred for selfish reasons - I wanted the experience but I tried to do what was best for the birds.
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I love how pretty these dilutes are - green bellys and blue around the legs. Baby 2. Baby 1 I love his colour. Mauve??? This little monkey is so sweet. I can't wait to see the feathers bloom!!!! Cute head shots :P Thought this belly shot was funny. MY BABIES
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"Tilt your head a little, I think I can get it."
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Good luck Feathers. Be prepared for a few unexpected bumps along the way but I'm sure you'll find the whole process very rewarding. I sure have!
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Awesome. So you are enjoying showing by the sounds of things. I'm enjoying reading about your successes and seeing the pics of course!
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Members' Yellowface Budgies
Shawna replied to Shawna's topic in Budgie Mutations, Varieties and Genetics
Precious Yellowface II Cinnamon Opaline Hen -
*** New Budgies Beak And Wing Badddddddd ***
Shawna replied to Neat's topic in Health Questions and Tips
Good luck at the vet. They actually look pretty good in the pictures. So hopefully nothing too serious for you to deal with. They are very beautiful and I'm sure under your care they will be looking even more beautiful soon! Congrats! -
Precious likes to have the company - I put Kito back with the main flock. She really likes Baby 2 . Good thing he's moving out soon!!!!