Ridgely
Sep 22 2012 in Jane's Blog by Jane
Nicole has a Mississippi Map turtle. It was a birthday present for her last year and we took her to get it the weekend following her birthday.
She had told me several times in the last couple of weeks that he hasn’t been eating and she thought something was wrong with him/her. I basically kept telling her he would eat when he was hungry. She kept showing more anxiety so on Wednesday, she found a reptile vet and emailed me the information. I went to the their website and filled out their contact form. I filled it out except for the information about the turtle, how she heard of the office and also the reason for the visit.
She wrote the reason for the visit and then asked me if it sounded okay. Of course, it sounded fine and it is so typical Nicole. Here is what she said:
“He hasn’t been eating for about two weeks. I’ve read that he might be going into hibernation but I don’t know if it’s too early for that or not. He also didn’t go into hibernation last year, but we had just gotten him around hibernation time and he was adjusting. I have suspected a respiratory infection because he has some bubbles coming out of his nostrils sometimes (not very often though) and I have seen him yawn while he’s basking. These happened a bit before he started to not eat, though. He also has some discoloration on his shell, but I don’t think it’s shell rot (doesn’t look like it). I put him in some real sunlight (through a window) throughout the day and those patches seem to be getting better. I just want to get him checked out to find out what, if anything, is wrong. Also, this would be his first vet visit since I got him almost a year ago (which I realize I should have gotten in sooner), so I guess a checkup would be nice too. ”
Nicole and Rick went to the vet this morning with Ridgely in tow. I was in the driveway talking to my mother-in-law when they got home and I could tell that something was wrong from Nicole’s eyes. I asked her what happened and she said that he either has a respiratory infection or heart/kidney failure. The vet said he could have done an x-ray but wasn’t sure if this would show anything. He gave her some medicine that she has to give by injection every other day in his back flipper. His shell is discolored because of lack of UV light even though we have that light for his tank. The vet says they don’t work and they need to be changed every three to six months. She has to take him outside every day for 30 minutes and keep him in a dry tank and only put him in water for about 30 minutes three times a day. His water has been very cloudy and the glass has calcium deposits which turns out Ridgely has been causing.
Nicole woke me up this morning about 3:00 a.m. crying because she couldn’t sleep and also because nobody listens to her and I am included in this group. It is true I didn’t listen to her about Ridgely and I certainly didn’t listen to her about her shortness of breath before diagnosis. She was very angry and upset with me especially when she got home which made me feel horrible. I ended up getting mad at her because she barely wore her O2 when she was out and I was just as mad at Rick because he didn’t make her.
Nicole paid for the vet visit which was $125 plus her trip to Pet Smart for turtle food, tank filters and a rock as the rock we had was turning green from algae. She is responsible for Ridgely’s care and up keep except for changing the water weekly and cleaning the filter as this is to much exertion for her.
I asked her if she had a plan to make sure she gave him his medicine and took him outside every day and put him in water three times a day and she said “yes.” I asked what her plan was and she said “you’ll see.”
I am very proud of her for showing so much responsibility for Ridgely and I hope he feels better soon so Nicole won’t be so upset. He seems to be a little more active and such with trying to climb up the walls of his tank.
kristin said on September 23, 2012
I am impressed with Nicole’s commitment to this turtle and her knowledge of his needs. Your post helps round out the picture of this wonderful child.
Please don’t beat yourself up about “not listening” to Nicole about Ridgely. You have so much on your plate that I am sure some things just don’t cross the radar screen.
Please keep us posted about Ridgely.
Bette said on September 24, 2012
Hi Jane,
I’m glad Ridgely has shown some improvement. Nicole sounds determined (: I’ll be anxious to hear about the plan she spoke of – keep us updated when you can.
Jane, you always listen. We listen, but don’t always know at which spot to turn. You turned to all the right choices years ago. I think we can focus on the turns more as we understand the needs. Sometimes it takes more than one explanation to understand (even for those in the medical field).
You are a wonderful advocate for Nicole, Jane. She is returning that advocacy for Ridgely. (:
Denise said on September 24, 2012
Hi–I hope Ridgely will be okay–he sounds like a treasured member of the family. It also sounds like he’s got a terrific advocate (Nicole) on his side.
Trish said on September 24, 2012
I love how Nicole is the advocate for Ridgley! There’s no sense in beating yourself up about “not listening.” You have your own critical “to do” list and, sometimes, that means we can’t take care of other things as quickly as we’d like (in an ideal world).
I understand how you were upset about her not using the O2 but that is something Nicole has control over. I used to get mad at Richard for overexerting himself, causing more pain for him. I finally got it through my head that he can make those choices for himself and then pay the consequences. It’s tough to watch and sounds harsh, but this gives him the power to control his pain. (Plus, remember, Nicole is still a teenager/young adult with all that goes with that).
I think Nicole did a remarkable job paying for the vet visit and coming up with a care plan for Ridgley. You’ve raised your own Gator Mom!
Jane said on September 24, 2012
To tell the truth I am quite surprised she showed so much responsibility because she usually doesn’t. She was upset earlier because she didn’t put him in water as much as she should have. She had to give him his injection and he tried to bite her and kept kicking her. I know she is still worried about her.
She made for the vet because I told her she had to. Fortunately, I had enough money from the SSI payments.
Hugs:o)
Jane ~ mom to Nicole, 18 yo, VSD, PAH, Eisenmengers (dx 1/22/10) BHJS (dx 2/4/11)
“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
ejourneys said on September 24, 2012
Jane, I agree with what everyone else has said — I love the way that Nicole is caregiver to and advocate for Ridgely. And you and she have gone through so many changes and new procedures/fears/worries lately — you have both been working on overload.
I wonder if the lack of O2 may have contributed (along with Ridgely’s condition) to Nicole’s upset. Fatigue is enough to make me grumpy, and my health is good. As Trish said, whether or not to use the O2 is Nicole’s choice, and she is learning the consequences. But those consequences are teaching her. I also know it’s tough to watch.
I’m heartened by Ridgely’s biting and kicking — that shows he’s healthy enough so that his fighting spirit is still good.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for his recovery.