Adventures of Bailey

(2) Spooine Sisters (Madison POV)

Ever heard of the word “spoonie”, well when I first heard it, I was confused about what it means and what it does have to do with health. The term “spoonie” is a term used by people with chronic illnesses, there is also a theory that comes with being a spoonie, which means a way of describing the experience of chronic illness and its limitations using a metaphor. For example, you are sitting at a table and you have twelve spoons, what do you use them for? Well, you use those spoons for things like using energy, doing daily tasks like making food, showering, homework, or going places like the hospital for a medical appointment throughout the day. Each spoon means when you act, you "spend" a spoon.

If you think this is confusing then you should learn all about service dogs, different chronic illnesses; disabilities; mental health illnesses, and everything that comes with it such as multiple different doctors, treatments, therapies, and many other things it will make your head feel like it will explode.

Anyways When I started learning all of this at a young age, my head felt like it was going to explode with way too much information processing through my brain, it just feels overwhelming with learning new things that can either keep you alive or end you dead. It took a long time to realize that I will always be a spoonie and someone whose life has changed in a snap of a finger.

Today was one of those long spoonie days where my sister and I get to spend the whole day at the children’s hospital for multiple testing for our illnesses, but we do not have to go alone because Bailey will be with us. She never lets our day at the hospital be boring, when I am doing a test such as MRI or CT, Bailey keeps Morgan busy and I mean like take her around the hospital to say hi to many staff while I am doing a test because sometimes Bailey can't be in the room due to being a sterile but that's alright it's for her own safety as our own.

Anyways, I forgot to mention what kind of illnesses I have which are Dysautonomia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Mast Cell Activation Disorder and the list goes on, you probably are thinking "whoa this girl has a lot of complex health issues" or "she is probably faking her health to get all the attention", I can't help that I am stuck with many chronic illness that can kill me in a snap of a finger. Sometimes online I get mean and rude comments about faking health conditions, going to the hospital for attention or even abusing my service dog. I was told to just ignore it and don't even bother trying to tell people they are wrong because it will start lots of drama or even other problems. I honestly don't really care what people say about me, I mean it's just people who want to get under my skin and just bring me down by making me feel like I am worthless.

Anyways while at the hospital my sisters and I got to do our appointments together because it was easier for our parents and we'll be easier for the doctors that we share. My sister always goes first because she hates waiting for long periods of time and rather get it down and over with so she can take Bailey for me while it's my turn. Today it was our monthly check up to see if we are healthy and hopefully we don't have to get our blood drawn or have to get another surgery or something. While entering the primary family care office area we heard a little kid and a mother "Oh my god, the dog is wearing booties and let's pet the dog" we kindly told them..

"Sorry the dog is working and we appreciate it if you give us space" my mom said calmly to the woman.

"Oh, my son just wants to pet the dog, it shouldn't be a problem" she said while holding her son's hand.

"Actually it is a problem, your son can distract the dog from alerting to my daughter's heart rate and blood pressure. If she misses an alert she can fall on the floor and black out from her heart condition. We really don't need anything like that to happen." My mom told her and then smiled.

"Oh I'm sorry, I just wish he can pet the dog but I definitely understand and I'm sorry" she said and went to walk back to the seating area with her son.

"I am so glad that went well and hopefully the kid doesn't try to run off and pet Bailey when his mom isn't looking" Morgan said and sat down in a chair in relief.

"I am just glad the kid didn't come running over and grab one of her ears or tail like that one child did while in the emergency room waiting area while Morgan was getting admitted to the ICU for one of her major health conditions" I told them while looking down at Bailey and gave her a treat from my treat pouch.

"Madison and Morgan, we are ready for you both, if you please follow me. How is everyone doing this morning?" Ashley the medical assistant asked.

"Well they both have a lot of doctor's appointments today, like back to back for hours but that's okay it's a good thing it's all today and not any time this week because we are really busy with other things like school and dog training" mom said as we are walking to the back to a private exam room with Bailey taking the lead.

After twenty minutes of the medical assistant asking us questions and taking our vital signs, our family doctor finally came in and started to ask us more questions and then examine us. Morgan always goes first but this time I went first, I asked her if she wouldn't mind checking on Bailey while I was sitting on the exam table. I noticed that Morgan likes to give Bailey some extra treats from the treat bag when mom or I aren't looking but this time I caught her giving her treats. Bailey would do anything for a treat especially when it's from her, when I work on training with Bailey, Morgan likes to help and I help her by showing her how to teach Bailey more tricks and tasks so she can teach her own service dog in the future.

After I was done with my turn, Morgan gave me Baily back, so she can get examine by the family doctor and she tends to look at Bailey for comfort because being at the hospital tends to scare her after almost dying in a hospital after being admitted from having a very serious health scare. Every since then she doesn’t want my mom or me leave her for anything such as a test and if course Bailey comes to help. Once we were done with our morning doctor appointments, my mom asked us..

“Hey girls, what do you want to eat for lunch and yes I did remember to grab Bailey’s travel bag for her food and water” she said while clicking the keyboard on her phone.

“How about we just eat in the cafeteria, I think it’s chicken nugget day and we all know how much I love chicken nuggets” Morgan said while hitting the elevator button.

“I hope there are ice cream sundaes, last time the cafeteria was out and I was sad” I said while fixing Bailey service dog vest.

“I just hope we get down there fast or I will eat Bailey’s dog food” mom said joking and Bailey suddenly had this what the hell look on her face...

“Remember dad almost ate Bailey’s special sandwich with wet dog food and medication in the bread.. ah. the face that he made when we told him the sandwich was for Bailey and not him” Morgan said and laughed so hard while walking out of the elevator with us.

“Omg I remember that; his face was so red he looked like a ginger tomato with bad sun burn” I said and laughed.

“Alright girls you go get your food while I give Bailey her food and water. I will at our table and can you guys get some food for me.” Mom said as she gave us money as we walked into the cafeteria.

“Sure mom, I get your food and drink. Can you make sure Baily get some ice cubes for her water bowl” I told mom while collecting the money and gave Bailey to mom.

After we got our food and of course the sundaes, we went to a few more doctor appointments for the rest of the day. After six hours at the hospital, we went home, Bailey falls asleep on Morgan’s lap while on the way home. Once we got home, I let Bailey off duty and let her be normal dog for once. Morgan and Bailey played in the backyard until dinner. Once dinner was done, we watched some of Bailey’s favorite movies. I swear Bailey has the biggest dog crush on Air bud, she gets too excited when we put one of the movies on. We all ended up falling asleep on the couch while watching the third movie of the Air Bud series.