Conversations of the Heart, Part 2
Early in this unexpected and unwelcome journey, I began having heart-to-heart conversations with Lilly. These days, those conversations are a little different.
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Capturing Moments – Photos of Lilly
I’ve always taken a lot of photos of Lilly, but now that I accept that our time may be short, I feel more pressure to capture her essence and read the messages in her eyes. Here are a few recent favorite photos of our intrepid canine heroine.
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World Rabies Day 2012 – Insights After a Near-Deadly Adverse Rabies Vaccine Reaction
Today is World Rabies Day, which is meant to “raise awareness about the impact of human and animal rabies, how easy it is to prevent it, and how to eliminate the main global sources.” Nine months into a life / death struggle following Lilly’s severe adverse rabies vaccine reaction, I look at things a bit differently.
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Canine Chemo Dry Mouth
While we use cytarabine — a chemo drug with good anti-inflammatory properties for our needs — at lower doses than would be required for cancer treatment, Lilly still suffers from a dry mouth after her injections every 3 weeks. Her nose is also CRAZY dry (more from the steroids than the chemo), but not nearly as bad as in February, when she developed massive nosebleeds. Here is a recap of our solutions.
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Adverse Vaccine Reaction Relapse Recovery – Sept 2012
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.
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After the Crying: Our Way Forward
I am humbled and honored by your continued devotion to our troubled journey. Thanks to YOU and your chip-in help, we’ve been able to pay our bills this month. In a way, we’re starting with a cleaner slate. Not much money, but not much debt.
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Adverse Vaccine Reaction Update – What Lilly Can and Cannot Do
Taking care of Lilly now that the vaccine-induced meningoencephalomyelitis has reared its ugly head again means noticing what she can and cannot do. Here are a few examples you might find interesting.
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Champion of My Heart Anthem – I Will Wait for You
Local radio has been playing the song “I will wait…” by Mumford & Sons a lot lately. It has become a sort of anthem for me and Lilly — whether you consider it a recovery song, decision song, or potentially a crossing-over song. Video and lyrics below. See what you think.
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How the Relapse Differs from the Original Adverse Vaccine Reaction
I’ve been told in the past perhaps I pay too much attention to the little details of Lilly’s presumed recovery from vaccine-induced meningoencephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain, lining of the brain, and spinal cord). However, since we are together pretty much 24/7, it’s hard not to notice subtle differences. Here are some thoughts on how this recovery compares to her first recovery, right after the vaccine was given in late January 2012.
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Adverse Vaccine Reactions – The Price We Pay
A few weeks ago on Twitter, someone responded to one of our posts about Lilly’s vaccine-induced meningoencephalomyelitis by saying essentially this, “It’s the price we pay for having a low incidence of rabies in the U.S.” Oh, I get the realities and perils of population medicine. Yet, the comment got me thinking about money, suffering, and a potential higher purpose.