u/Soymilk_tea

Hi everyone, this is kind of embarrassing but i didn't know where else to post.

Around easter of last year, after Pope Francis passed away, I started to, for lack of a better vocabulary, get into Catholicism. I checked out books from the Library, started researching and watching videos and found that I wanted to learn more.

I started attending Daily mass when possible, and was really enjoying it, and reconnecting with God, and decided to look into the Parish's OCIA classes. It didn't work out.

I had gotten into a college program about 2 hours from home, I had a class on the day the OCIA classes would be held, so I wouldn't be in town to attend. So I decided to look at the Parish in my School's town, they had already started their OCIA program, and were actually incredibly full and I wouldn't have been able to attend.

I'm pretty frustrated, just because my brain feels like it's running out of time. My schedule for the fall semester would line up with me being able to be in my hometown for OCIA classes. I drive home on the weekends to help my Mom as she is older, and my brother is busy caring for his own family.

OCIA classes at this parish begin in August. My class schedule would allow me to attend, I would just have to drive back the day of classes. I will graduate in December, and am worried about what will happen if I have to relocate for work halfway through the program.

Someone suggested I email our Parish's Faith Formation Deacon, and talk with him about scheduling as there might be a way to start OCIA early/ meet on a different day. But I'm unsure of what to say. I'm pretty sure I've never met him. I'm pretty nervous about the whole thing. I haven't even worked up the courage to attend a Full Sunday Mass yet.

What should I do? What do I say if I email him?

* Species: Canine
* Age: 3 yrs
* Sex/Neuter status: neutered 09/2024
* Breed: Great Dane
* Body weight: 147 lbs
* History: Suspected Acid Reflux, Suspected food sensitivities
* Clinical signs: lip licking/ smacking
* Duration: 3-5hrs
* Your general location: South East USA
* Links to any test results, X-rays, vet reports etc. that you have: N/A

My boy has been dealing with suspected Acid reflux for the last year. He first began having it back in March 2025, with acid reflux bouts occurring every 2-3 months. I know many would be happy with this time range but it's clear he is uncomfortable when they occur, and he always has a slight cough ( 1-2 coughs only) after they are done.

His veterinary clinic has a variety of Vets who work there, and on a few occasions I brought him in for this, before I knew what it was, he saw about 2 of them, you don't get to decide when they stay for the day as there is an 'in patient team'. One suspected reflux, the other tried to get me to have a $7,000+ procedure (endoscopy & swallow study) done at one of the two Vet schools, both quotes were similar and both are about 6hrs away.

I finally decided only his vet could see him. After a long vet appointment, we're pretty confident he has reflux, as X-rays didn't show anything abnormal (thank God). We trialed medicine - 3X Pepcid complete twice daily, and 70mg of Reglan divided between morning and evening meals.

He got worse after we started the Reglan. More lip licking/ smacking than he did before, and bilous vomiting due to an empty stomach. Vet suggested we stop the Reglan.

We did, he's still taking the Pepcid, and there seems to be less lip smacking than before but he still has the most ATROCIOUS breath. I'm trying to get him nice and healthy/ comfortable, but this has also given me great anxiety as there's never a warning sign before an acid reflux episode. He could be on the same food with perfect bowel movements and still randomly have one.

He's currently fed 3 times per day: Breakfast, right after my mom or I gets home from work, and dinner about 5ish hours later. We just switched him to a low fat food ( today is day 2 of fully being on it.) He also gets a probiotic, Cosequin, and Zyrtec (as prescribed by his vet).

The only other tests his vet has recommended so far are a Fecal Antigen test, and a Texas GI panel. Which I should be able to schedule soon.

https://preview.redd.it/820ok5g9jnxg1.jpg?width=378&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9d5c83d88b7ff589918f6a1e55d60216f838c3f6

This shampoo has made a major difference in the health of my hair, but I'm trying to switch to all cruelty free products. I'm having a difficult time matching this product though. Ideally I want a salon brand, and I'm really trying to match the softness this gives my hair. Some people have recommended the Pureology Nanoworks Gold. I haven't tried anything from that brand though. But I'm willing to give it a shot.

I have tried the Innersense brand products and they were not hydrating enough for my hair. I tried all of the lines with no success, which sucks because I really wanted it to work for me. I also tried the AG care Balance and Boost line, and it also wasn't enough. I haven't tried the curl line yet, because it has a fair amount of protein in it, and I have low porosity hair.

Any recommendations would be helpful!