Triage, a Definition.

tri·age /triˈɑʒ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[tree-ahzh]  

1.	the process of sorting victims, as of a battle or disaster, to determine medical priority in order to increase the number of survivors.

2.	the determination of priorities for action in an emergency.

–adjective 

3.	of, pertaining to, or performing the task of triage: a triage officer.

–verb (used with object) 

4.	to act on or in by triage: to triage a crisis.

If life wasn't busy enough...with impending visits from relatives, parties to throw and attend, work to do, end of year events to go to...I have come to consider myself a triage nurse of late.

Here, lets list the current patients.

1. Myself  (details later...maybe.)
2. Cielo the rat. Had some sort of stroke. I thought he was going to die within hours. Not only did he not die, he has improved, but needs some pretty constant care. We carry him around in a basket. Vet visits in the past 10 days: Two. Prescriptions: Also 2. Imagine administering drops to a little rat....not easy.
3. Angelo his brother. Always a needly dental patient Angelo has now decided to add bleeding eye to his repetoire. Believe it or not he needs his teeth ground down, about twice a month. Every time I walk in for this service I think to myself this little rat has better dental care than most of the planet's human population. The irony is totally not lost upon me.
3. Nicky the cat. Bacterial and fungal ear infection, vet visit Tuesday and ear drops daily.
4. Ellie the cat. Allergies so intense she licks her belly to infection. 101 degree May days do not help the matter at all. She needed a shot this week, antibiotic pill daily.
5. Literally five minutes after making the appointment to have Nicky's ear looked at, I notice Raven the dog has a bloody growth on her eye. I call the vet back, they say, sure, bring her in with Nicky.  Raven needs eye surgery ...TOMORROW, says the vet, before any more corneal abrasion.
6. And just when I considered myself filled to the brim with crisis, this afternoon I discover my mare Belle, has really messed up her leg with severe lacerations and swelling. I don't think anything is broken, I am calling the vet first thing in the morning. I have come to think that a horse could hurt itself in a padded stall with pillows on the floor. Sheesh.

I am just plain tired.

Comments

[Jamie Sue]

HUGS. :( I have nothing useful to say. I guess this to will pass, but still... it's a lot to endure.

[Lenette]

Lord, you've got your own Animal Planet-911 show going on. Hang in there. The rat dental work is a little disturbing. Thanks for sharing.

[candace]

I knew that dental news would get to you Lenette. I have a ratty photo coming up to view, so get ready for that one. ;)

Thanks for your thoughts Jamie Sue!