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November 5, 2012

Exhausted doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of our current state. All the worry, stress, and veterinary activity has caught up with us. These chemo weekends kick our @$$e$.

We also stayed mostly off social media last week out of respect to our friends in the wake of the big storm, including Sam and Marge on Staten Island. We didn’t want to clog anyone’s feed with our day-to-day hoohah.

BUT, it’s Monday (as I write this), and we’re looking for another fresh start. Here is a brief update on Lilly’s cytarabine injection weekend #4.

Lilly Chemo #4 Update

For the most part, everything went fine. Lilly seemed antsy and panted a lot during our trip down for her second injection Saturday. I asked the neuro team to check her temperature, and it was fine. On the high side of normal, but still normal.

Lilly also seemed antsy in the car Sunday, but I suspect that was from feeling sore. You see, Lilly sometimes forgets she cannot do the things she used to do.

Lilly made a flying leap from the back of the sofa Saturday night, and:

  • Split open her left lip.
  • Tweaked her left wrist and right elbow.

We didn’t see it happen, only hearing the THUD as she slammed into the tile floor, but we’re pretty sure that she did NOT hit her head.

I cleaned and coated her lip the best I could, and we iced her arms while we cuddled. She never really limped, but she was licking her wrist and elbow a lot, so we assumed they hurt.

It isn’t a surprise if being in her crate in the car for 4 hours on Sunday wasn’t exactly comfortable for her.

After her injections, I tend to notice every little deviation, like panting a lot. Lilly does, however, seem to handle the injections really well. I hope so, at least.

Sunday, she played food jug and slept in front of the fire between injections. When we go outside, Lilly throws sticks at us to start a game of fetch, so she feels OK, enough, for that.

best dog blog, champion of my heart, border collie playing with food-delivery toys

Other Important Notes

We’ve started taking short, real walks each day. We began slowly, like hardly up the road at all, but we’ve worked up to about a 1/2 mile per day. It’s good for both of us to get out.

We’re cutting out LUNCH starting today. I’ll still give her things like carrots, green beans, and apples around lunchtime, but she won’t get kibble anymore. She has gained about a kilogram each time between injections, and she is honestly looking a little tubby.

Other than one night, where Lilly barked for 90 minutes at around 2 am (for no reason), she continues to tolerate her x-pen bedroom in the basement and let us sleep. It’ll take a while to fully recover from such long-term sleep deprivation, but it is helping.

I often find wet blankets in the morning, but I was already doing extra Lilly laundry most days, so it isn’t that much of a change … except for more sleep.

So, that’s all the news I can remember to share in my tired (and possibly getting sick) state.

We hope all of you are doing well, especially those in the storm zone who’ve suffered so much.

***

I cannot promise will resume or maintain our usual 5 posts a week schedule. We are fresh out of blogging mojo.

There are times I think maybe no one notices (or cares) when we miss days or a whole week, but then I post again, and people unsubscribe via email in droves, so we know for sure people notice when we resume posting (but not necessarily when we don’t post).

 

 

About the Author Roxanne Hawn

Trained as a traditional journalist and based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, I'm a full-time freelance writer for magazines, websites, and private clients. My areas of specialty include everything in the lifestyles arena, including health and home, personal finance and other consumer interests, relationships and trends, people and business profiles ... and, of course, all things pet related.

I don't just love dogs. I need them in my life. Seriously.

  1. I’m not an email subscriber, so I check in periodically if you haven’t shown up on my reader feed.

    Really, I’m just happy to see updates. With how much attention Lilly (and the rest of your life) requires right now, I don’t blame you for not being at 5 posts/week!

    I did laugh when you mentioned Lilly throwing sticks at you! Elka will frequently throw toys at us, when she wants to play.

  2. I think lots of us notice (and care) when you don’t post. Speaking for myself and trying to imagine how you manage everything, I just presume there are times when something has to give. Totally understandable, but we’re always anxious to hear how Lilly and you are doing.

  3. Glad your getting a little bit of rest! I do follow you on FB and your blog is on my list that I check several times a week. Your hands are more than full so I don’t really expect to see a blog entry! Glad things are going well… still hoping for a (almost) full recovery!

  4. Truthfully, I love once a week bloggers as I currently follow too many people to keep up with reading daily posts. I hope you catch up on your rest!

  5. Thanks for the update, Rox. Love your note about Lilly forgetting she can’t do some things she used to – just like humans with physical difficulties! Hang in there – thinking of you.

  6. I guess I’ll have to make sure to comment when you don’t post! I do notice when you are absent and miss hearing about Miss Lilly.

    1. We often post Facebook pix and updates when we don’t blog, so you can always check the sidebar on the blog for the latest news. It’s just really hard to tell from this side if anyone is paying attention on the blog. Our traffic data shows a steady stream of visitors, but not necessarily to the most recent posts. It’s strange.

  7. Thanks for keeping us posted when you can. I always admire your spirit and attitude, even when you’re exhausted. And Lilly–what a remarkable, strong girl. It must be hard for her to cope with her illness, but all improvements and progress is hopeful! Hugs.

  8. I do care, and I do worry a little when I haven’t seen an update from you in a few days, but I also understand that you’re exhausted, and I’m sure blogging is often the last thing you want to even think about. Just know that good thoughts are always going out to you and Lilly.

  9. Hang in there! Some good news there, about starting the walks, weight picking up, Lilly wanting to play …

    Note: if feeling like getting sicks, get some raw garlic into your system (chopped up finely and mixed with/sprinkled on whatever food you’re having)

    (((hugs)))

  10. We’ve got you added in reader, and were assuming no news was good news – just no changes in general.

    We have been thinking of you.

    Sam

    1. Thanks, Sam. I’ve started reading more blogs on my Kindle Fire, and since I’m a terrible touch-screen typer, I often do not comment. I suspect a lot of people are the same way.

  11. Sounds like Lilly is holding her own and feeling better. Sounds like the humans at her house need some real rest… You have to take care of yourselves! (Sorry that sounds like scolding, but sleep deprivation combined with the stress you’re under is no good at all!) And we do notice when you post and when you don’t (says someone who reads, but rarely comments) Sending hugs.

  12. Wow! Lilly is so fortunate to have you. I hope she continues to improve and that life becomes easier. Thanks for sharing your news.

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