Overrun with gratitude are we that Lilly is alive to celebrate Thanksgiving, when so many times this year that goal looked impossible. We made a little meme to celebrate. Amid whatever struggles you face may you find peace in even the smallest reason for gratitude.
I learned an important lesson last Friday. Hiking with a cat is quite a bit different from hiking with a dog. It’s a lot slower process, and it shocks the heck out of people you encounter on the trails. Meet our friend BUG … the adventurous kitty from Wisconsin.
Last weekend, Lilly got her 3rd cycle of cytarabine injections (4 sub-q injections over 2 days). She handles it like a champ. Honestly, other than the fact that everything about her reeks of medications, you’d never know she was getting pretty aggressive treatment for rabies vaccine-induced meningoencephalomyelitis (brain inflammation). This week, we saw some improvements.
You have our apologies for the lack of blog posts this week. Just too-too-too much going on with Lilly, with work, with my mom (who is terminally ill). Here is a little VIDEO recap of Lilly’s recovery so far.
Lilly made great gains in her recovery through about Wednesday. She hasn’t been as great since then. She seems weak, tired, wobbly, and droopy. I worry about her gums and tongue being pale. We’re not getting much sleep at night. BUT, Lilly can walk again — not well, but she can walk.
We’re so sorry about not posting Monday. Now that Lilly is home the demands on my time and energy have increased 10 fold, at least. So, that’s the headline … Lilly is home. She is still a neurological wreck, but she is improving.
More good news today! Mentally, Lilly is so much brighter, alert, aware, and responsive. Physically, her motor skills still suck, but she can push herself up into a SIT. She needs help keeping her balance, but she can use her front legs to push up. There is a good chance she can come HOME tomorrow, so I have a boatload of housework and preemptive cooking to do. Just a few pix from today’s visit (Sunday, Aug 12, 2012).
Evenings out are rare. Last Saturday, however, date night consisted of wine, tapas, and a painting class at Art on the Brix in downtown Golden, Colorado. So. Much. Fun. The results? Well … see for yourself.
Lilly and I took a short hike early Saturday morning since it has already gotten CRAZY-hot for summer. A few pix for your entertainment. Clearly, something GOOD is always happening out of frame.
When a vaccine essentially ruins your dog’s brain, you can expect some dog behavior changes too, assuming the dog survives the initial brain inflammation. Deep inside Lilly remains Lilly — despite the brain and nervous system trauma caused by her adverse reaction to a rabies vaccine earlier this year. Her emergency treatment and ongoing treatment…
