When I arrived at the Refuge on Friday, the student volunteers that had been there a couple of weeks ago, were back. So the dishes were done by the time I had arrived. And my hips and back were bothering me too much to do the bending and lifting associated with the recycling. So, I just dropped off the cooked potatoes and drove the van back to the parking lot. I'd been told that the manager was at the Director's place, so that's where I headed. First I clarified the medical room rules. The manager and Director seemed to fall all over each other trying to explain that at this time of year when the humidity is so high, they have to stop everybody but staff from entering the medical room for fear of introducing a fungal disease to the birds. Bottom line: I'm not permitted to go into the medical room anymore. However the staff will bring Bertie and/or Babe out of the medical room to visit with me. And as long as I can visit with them in the kitchen area where there are no other birds to harrass or make the girls nervous, that will work just fine. I did tell the manager that I'd have appreciated her own "heads up" about the change in rules before I got surprised with it by a staff member on Christmas Eve. Her response? "Maybe if I worked here 24/7, I might have had time to tell you myself." So be it. I wish I'd asked the Director to repeat the name of the fungus that they are so worried about. I didn't. The only one I'm familiar with is Aspergillosis. And if that's the one they're talking about, it's not me they should be worried about.
If nothing else, it got me to thinking about Chris, her diarrhea, feather condition, weight loss and so on. And I'm thinking that maybe I should have her tested for Aspergillosis. I did take her to a vet who claimed to be an avian vet and who, now, I'm sure, isn't. She did a fecal gram stain and a technician took blood for analysis, very skillfully at that. Nothing came back in the fecal gram stain. But there was moderate growth of e-coli when they cultured a cloacal swab. Chris has just finished a two week course of Baytril. So far, between the Metrodiazole from the Director and this course of Baytril, there's only a slight improvement in her droppings. I'll give that more thought and do some research.
I spent most of my time on Friday making toys in the future paliative care centre. Then I spent a few minutes with both Bertie and Babe, one at a time, in the kitchen area. It was the first time I actually visited with Bertie and could hear everything she was saying, like "good morning" and "Hi Lorne". And of course, with all the staff coming and going, she just really hammed it up. No cuddles from her; she was having too much fun. I got to see her interact with one particular staff member too. They've become pretty good buddies and I find that very reassuring. I told the staff member how happy that made me. Then Babe came for a visit with me. Her collar is off but her legs are still wrapped. I'm told her legs are much better. All she wanted to do was cuddle which was fine with me. I've been on such an emotional rollercoaster lately, I was ready for her cuddles.
Last but not least, having had all week to review what happened last week, I ended up wondering if my eagerness to help as much as possible has somehow made the manager, and maybe even the Director, suspicious of hidden motives. Anyway, I've decided to continue anything I've already started like cleaning and refurbishing toys, cooking potatoes, washing dishes and so on. But I'm going to back off on the enthusiasm front...which won't be difficult right now. I have so much I want to do, and enjoy doing and have difficulty finding time to do, it's time to refresh and regroup.
Okay, I lied. There's one more thing I want to share with you. Guylaine will be starting the Living and Learning With Parrots course soon...after about two years on the waiting list. That will make four of us who have completed this wonderful course, Michele, Elaine, me and now Guylaine. I hope Guylaine enjoys herself and learns lots.
Love,
Pat
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