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llm51807

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Posts posted by llm51807

  1. I'm so sorry for your loss; 7 is so young. Cancer is so not fair and Miles sounds like he was an awesome boy. The suddenness of all it has to make it even harder with no goodbye. Not that the long, drawn-out feels much better, I can attest.

     

    I don't have any experience with this, but I do know there is an increase clot risk with orthopedic surgery for humans, so I imagine the same with dogs.

     

    I just wanted to say that you were doing your very best for Miles and that's all you could have done. He knew you loved him dearly and now he's pain-free.

     

    So sorry.

  2. They're all gone. I'm so sorry they are and so very sorry there will be others in here soon to replace them.

     

    Jen, I have nothing to offer to make you feel much better given where you are. I'm two weeks ahead of you to the day and I'm still struggling. Lots of second guessing and that's one thing, but then there's just the heartbreak of missing my boy. Those eyes were always on me and our worlds revolved around each other in many ways. And now he's just gone. I guess I'll move through this and I guess you and Carol and Miriam will too. I've been pretty absent here because I have so little to offer by way of comfort. I just hurt.

     

    I am not on the ground in heap; I get through my days and do just fine, but my I am overwhelmed many time in the day and just take a few minutes to get myself together. We have Cecil's ashes in his beautiful urn, but I also got a small but lovely stainless steel circle pendant threaded through a little velvet rope that holds a few of his ashes and a tiny tuft of his hair. I felt weird about this choice at first, but still compelled to buy it and pack his remnants into it. And now, I think, it has brought me more comfort than absolutely anything else (even though I still think it's a little weird - but, I have no issues with weird, thankfully).

     

    It will be better for all of us soon enough. We have our Jet, our Skye and Violet, and our Greg to love on and care for. If I have one wish that could be granted it would be for Crouton, Cecil, Zuri, and Macy May to be the last of the osteo hounds in this thread. :brokenheart I'll do what I can to support those causes. xoxo to you Jen, Miriam, and Carol. And always remembering those beautiful hounds and loving humans who came before us.

  3. Jen, been thinking of you and hoping for an update. Just not this one. I've not had a good day (measured in terms of how many times I break down in tears) and as I walked over to my laptop to check-in, I had a feeling it wouldn't be good.

     

    Not any amazing powers of precognition. Stories don't end well in here. But we have each other and I can't tell you how comforting that has been for me. Jen, I hope you, and Carol, and Miriam feel the same; even though I know we'd trade it all to get our beloved boys/girls back to us healthy and happy.

     

    Cecil and Crouton will be waiting for Zuri and Macy.

     

    xoxo to you and Carol and handsome Zuri and sassy Macy May. We will be heartbroken together.

  4. Oh Carol, I'm so sorry. The final days are so hard knowing you're likely doing the "lasts" of everything with her. We tried to enjoy our time with Cecil after his osteo diagnosis, but the last few weeks were just so hard. You and Jen have been on my mind all weekend. It's hard for me to be here - I can't bring myself to read the poem that was posted and I can't bring myself to write my 6 words for Cecil, even though I know what they are.

     

    Roux, good to see you're keeping busy; it's good for an aching soul and I suppose I should get up to something myself this weekend.

     

    On a brighter note, Carol, Greg may surprise you. Our Jet sure has surprised us. After a rough week or so shortly before we let Cecil go and then a few days after, Jet has blossomed in his new position as the one and only house hound. He even learned a new trick over the last few days (as I've mentioned Cecil was the serious smart one and Jet was the goofy one). We never expected much out of Jet in terms of tricks; we just wanted him to behave and that was challenge enough with him. We still struggle to keep Jet from jumping on guests and licking their faces. Cecil barely acknowledged guests and sometimes wouldn't even bother to get up from his bed! But if I grabbed the clicker and the treat bag Cecil's eyes would light up and he turned into a different dog. He loved learning new things and I always said he'd learn to dismantle a bomb for a treat. God he was smart. But Jet learned to speak in just 3 sessions over the last few days. And he jumps into bed with me every morning and cuddles, and he's been left completely alone for 4 or 5 hours in his crate and has been calm and relaxed when we get home. I'm so grateful for that.

     

    Carol, sending hugs and peace to you and your family and your sassy little Macy May this weekend. xo

  5. Roux, great to hear from you. So glad you're doing well.

     

    Awesome news about Macy May; it really is a day by day situation and you absolutely must have easy access to and the support of a vet. I don't know what we would have done without that. Good for you for firing your vet, Carol! Hopefully the in-home vet will be a good fit for you and Macy May. So happy she's back to her demanding self!

     

    Jen, terrible timing on the A/C! It's been so super hot. I hope they're able to fix it today.

     

    We're still hanging in there. Jet's getting even cuddlier with me and he's been such a good boy. He's still a little afraid and paranoid about flying things when we're in the backyard after the bee attack last week, but I think we're getting past it. He's been fine on his own with zero separation anxiety when he's left alone. We crate Jet because he's a famous shopper and will get into drawers and cabinets like he has opposable thumbs. He starts perusing the minute you walk out the door. But in his crate, he's perfectly content. Cecil was always the one to remind us when it was time for anything; he'd be in your face 2 minutes beforehand giving you the stare-down. Jet just waits patiently. New rhythms, but we'll learn.

  6. Hope Zuri is having a good weekend, Jen. Seems things are going well for him and I love your futon mattress idea. Cuddling is everything now. He's such a handsome gentleman - great photos!

     

    Carol, I'm sending good thoughts to Macy May that some of these changes with the meds start kicking in for her.

     

    We're hanging in there. Jet is back to normal and has been such a good boy. Jet and I went to pick up Cecil's ashes on Friday and then we stopped at our favorite park and went for a walk in the woods and then to DQ - Cecil's favorite things. I had ordered a beautiful turned-wood urn for his ashes from an artist in Columbus, OH and it also came on Friday. Today we'll take some time and reflect on how wonderful Cecil was and how lucky we were to have loved him for six years. And we'll put his ashes in the urn. It's a beautiful piece of art and perfect for his final place of rest. We'll love looking at it for the rest of our days.

  7. Just checking in on everyone. Jen, keep the good news coming with Zuri. Sounds like he's doing well aside from his zonked out period on the Amantadine. We didn't try that for Cecil so I don't have any advice. Just glad to hear he's still doing well. And good to hear Macy is feisty! A little sass goes a long way.

     

    I'm reading posts, but I'm not in a very good place for responding much right now. I poured myself in Cecil the last few weeks and now I've got a lot of work piled up and I'm not in prime condition to do, so it's really taking it out of me. I don't have much left.

     

    We're hanging in there (even though I'm using a thread) and Jet is bouncing back. Bloodwork all looks good except thyroid was a little low and we all know that greyhound story, so I"m not worried about it at this point. He has no other symptoms and the vet agreed. He's eating again and back to his goofy self. And he's jumping into bed with me every morning, and for that I am grateful.

  8. Just checking in. It didn't go as smoothly as I'd hoped. He struggled against the injection of the sedative and was very vocal about it. Traumatic for all of us, really. In hindsight, I actually think he would have done better at the vet's office where he was used to be needle-stuck and prodded. Once the sedative started to kick in we had a very peaceful 20 minutes or so with him as he drifted to sleep. I'm heartbroken, but relieved he's no longer in pain. As you all know this last week was really tough. He still managed to eat steak and ice cream until the very end, though. Forever my chow hound.

    Jet jumped into bed with me after Geno got up this morning and he curled up next to me and put his head on my chest just like Cecil always did. Jet rarely gets onto the bed, so I was so happy he came up. He's been off his food and vomited yesterday; he's been acting like he's afraid. I know he knows something is wrong and has known, but I was concerned this was related to the bee attack on Saturday, so I took him in today for a check. He did eat a little this morning and drank a little and took treats from our vet. Vet said his vitals were all good, but we drew blood to make sure it's nothing worse. Please, please, please, nothing worse.
    My heart is aching and I feel like someone punched me in the gut. Our bond was very strong. I'm trying to reflect and gather my thoughts so I can make posts like this, and maybe here in the Remembrance section, and certainly on Instagram where Cecil had so many fans and friends. But the eloquence isn't coming. I'm hurt and sad, a little angry and feeling guilty too. And I'm not feeling very philosophical about it. Just raw.
    Life goes on like it does and I don't have much time to sit around and cry. The last few weeks of hospice care for Cecil took up so much of my time and attention, I now have some catching up to do with work. And I need to make sure my sweet Jet boy is okay too. Our day has been so quiet. Cecil was quite routinized and to be honest, rather demanding when it came to what was going to happen and when it was going to happen. If you did it once and he liked it, you better be ready to do it again forever after and at that same time everyday. If not, he'd use his telepathic greyhound powers to will you into it! Jet just kind of goes with the flow. This new rhythm is a big change for our home, and that's in addition to just plain missing Cecil's supremely handsome face. I work from home and he was my shadow; even when he hurt, he'd get up and follow me into the other room.
    Jen, I am so rooting for Zuri. He seems so happy and he really is a handsome man. I love the gray faces. Jet is getting more and more gray every day and will surely look much like Zuri in a few years. His young man photo is just stunning. What a looker! Glad the consult with the at home vet went well. Thankfully some of Zuri's peripheral problems seem to be under control. We all talk about pain and quality of life around here, but I can imagine an itchy butt is no fun especially when you've got other things going on too!
    Roux, thanks for continued stories about your current and past pack. Your conversation today with Jen about being good hospice caregivers brings me some perspective. I think I'm pretty good at it as well, at least in the moment. Right now though I feel like a bomb went off inside me. Honestly, Roux, I'm hoping you rush right out and adopt another. You are obviously fabulous greyhound parents and I simply cannot wait to see what name you choose for your next greyhound family member!
    And thanks to all those coming into the thread checking in on us and sending good thoughts. I can't tell you all how much it means to me.
  9. Thank you for your good wishes Roux - or I should say Miriam - both are so lovely. You really have the name thing down in your family! Jen, good to hear you two are out enjoying the weather and I'm sorry to hear this has been such a full year of loss for you. Sending you strength and wisdom energy this morning; well, as much strength energy as I can muster anyway.

     

    Got him to sleep around midnight and he stayed settled until 4AM and then he started pawing at me for comfort. I cuddled with him for an hour or so, but he wanted to get up and get a drink and then get up and go out. I could see his anxiety building up again and the MJ Sundae didn't help much this time. He's calm now after breakfast thankfully. The vet is coming around 4 or 4:30. I just can't believe I won't lay eyes on his handsome face again or smell that familiar Teddy Bear smell of his ears. And he has the softest bunny fur on his head and neck - like silk. Still, I'm relieved we made it through the weekend and I'm grateful we can do this at home. He's been eating grass-fed filet and gingersnaps this morning. We'll have more steak and some ice cream a little later. And lots of cuddles.

  10. Thanks to all who are checking in and sending good thoughts. I found GreyTalk shortly after adopting Cecil in 2010 and this community has in some ways always been a part of my relationship with him - like his instruction manual. I have found all kinds of opinions and experiences here that have helped build my understanding of this incredible, quirky, devastatingly beautiful, breed. That I would also find support along with information in the end shouldn't surprise me, but I've always been more of a consumer of the data here and not an active community member, and for that, I'm sorry. I'll be better in the future and hopefully pay this kindness forward.

     

    Roux, I'm tickled you went out and bought that book. I've been thinking a lot about the power of hope and the pain it can cause (although, I'd never give that up, it's who I am), so the quote you cited was perfect. And thanks for the feedback on the tylenol. My vet did give us tylenol 3 on Monday and we've been doing twice a day - I bumped to 3x and I think it's helping. Also, just want to say, it's a good thing Neils was all the way in the Beautiful Ozarks back in 2013 or I may have driven over and snatched him up for myself. I am an absolute sucker for a scruffy dog. Have you seen Tricia's (45MPHK9) River? Your Neils is so handsome!

     

    Jen, I hope the rest of your day is going well with Zuri. You'll know the right thing to do tomorrow. And yes, it IS a freaking emotional roller coaster...with a swarm of bees on top! Sheesh!

     

    Our day improved significantly. I'm giving credit to the MJ Sundae and the extra Tylenol 3. Pain seems to be controlled and he's been peaceful most of the day. My hope for today and tomorrow day is just that he's calm and pain-free when he's lying down. He's still eating and begging for food like nothing is wrong. I seriously think he may have the munchies from the CBD oil; he's hungrier than usual (which I didn't think was possible!). Jen, have you seen that with Zuri. They said that wasn't a side effect, but maybe? I don't think Cecil will give up on his food like Crouton. If he did, that would certainly be the sign, but it's not necessary. I see the pain and fear in his eyes. That's enough. I pray we do not end up with anxiety again tonight. That's horrible.

  11. Crappy news about Zuri too, I'm so sorry. You can always change your mind and we won't pass judgment. I will say though, Zuri is comfortable enough for you to spend quality time with him tomorrow lazing in the sunshine. I think we passed that with Cecil. I've had plenty of time for that - 9 months to be exact, but that's gone and these last few days are going to be bad and hard for him and us. I waited too long.

     

    I just gave Cecil vanilla ice cream with the cannabis oil on top and that seemed to help - let's pray for the magical powers of a Mary Jane Sundae. Hopefully he sleeps for a while. I was just at the vet yesterday and could have gotten the trazodone, but he was fine anxiety-wise yesterday. And who knows, maybe it is pain. He's so hungry though and perks right up for meals and snacks. Really want to try to make it until tomorrow afternoon so we an be here at home.

     

    Roux, have you read that book I mentioned a while back? It's fiction and called Sighthound. It's an easy read and won't win any best literature prizes, but it's a great little story and the main characters are a Scottish Deerhound named Dante and his human. It's all first person and every chapter is devoted to the perspective of one of the main characters. Dante has osteo and is a tripawd. I think I may re-read it if I can get through it. It's sad but comforting at the same time. Neils and Pi sound like Dante and his dingbat sister Rose in the book.

  12. We're really having a rough go. I should have had the vet come on Thursday when she was available. Our appointment is at 4PM tomorrow at home, but if he doesn't settle, we may not be able to wait and I hate to think it, but we may have to take him to the E-vet. Pain level seems about the same but his anxiety won't allow him to settle. The second I take a hand off of him, he looks at me and begins to fidget. We didn't sleep at all last night. All he wants to do is eat and be rubbed. Poor sweet boy. Any advice on how to settle him? Could be pain, could be meds. He actually seem a little more comfortable on the leg, so I'm thinking it's the meds.

  13. So when it rains it pours apparently. I had to rush Jet to the vet this morning for a shot of Benadryl and steroid after he, Geno and Cecil were attacked by bees this morning. Cecil was only hit a few times and seems OK but shaken up at the time. Geno got stung 5 times on the face and legs and Geno said they were all over Jet and suspects he was stung many, many times. It was total panic and chaos here. I was in the bedroom changing while all this went down and was only alerted something was wrong when Jet bolted into the bedroom panting with his martingale still on. I ran out to see and assumed it was Cecil, but Geno was still getting bees off himself and Cecil and trying to get in the house. Yellow jackets had a nest in the ground and Jet disturbed it and they attacked. I put some clothes on, decided Cecil seemed OK, gave him some Benadryl and left him with Geno. I took Jet right to the vet. Everyone seems OK, but it was all I could do not to pour myself a drink when I got back from the vet's office at 10:30AM. Safe to assume that's not a sign of good mental health. Poor Geno is even worse since he not only got stung but witnessed the trauma of it all and had to figure a way to run away from the bees with a dog who can barely walk let along run. I'm generally glass half-full, but this has been a really, really bad few weeks.

     

    Jen, Zuri looks great in the video. It looks like everything you're doing is working and he seems very happy! So glad you got him up on the bed for snuggle time; I really don't think there's anything better. Cecil was so aloof when we first got him and he'd skitter away from me if I even tried to touch his head. Now he's the Snuggle King and next to food, spooning is his favorite thing. We'll be doing a lot of both today and tomorrow. The vet is coming around 4PM on Monday, so we can let him go. He's no better; still painful when he has to get up and his walking looks painful. He's still putting weight on it, but not much and it looks really bad. Swelling in that shoulder hasn't budged two weeks after the fall. This isn't going to get better. Extra meds are keeping him comfortable while he's resting.

     

    Roux, thanks for checking in on us. How are you doing? I know you have other furries at home, but I'm always taken aback at the void, that empty space and quietness of where they should be. It's startling for the first few days after they pass; thinking about it now takes my breath away.

  14. Another rough night, but we're having a better day so far. I upped his Tramadol - now giving 200mg every six hours and he seems more comfortable (and sleepy, but that's OK). I think I'll add another Gabapentin in as well so up to 500mg every 8 hours. I called the mobile vet for an appointment on Monday and I'm waiting to confirm that.

     

    We just need to get through the weekend; worst case I can take him in to our regular vet today or tomorrow if things get too bad and then we'll just have to worry about Sunday. The E-vet is NOT a place I want to take him. Really hoping we can let him go at home.

     

    Hope Zuri is having a good day today and Roux, I sure hope you got a little sleep last night. If not, at least you were in good company! :wacko:

  15. Today is Cecil's 6th Gotcha Day. Not much of a celebration this year, but we did a lot of reflection instead. As I lie next to him listening to him breathe and smelling that familiar teddy bear smell, I just want him to be with me forever. Yeah, I know I'm supposed to say something profound about love and loss here, but I just want him to be with me forever.

     

    I know he won't be with me very much longer. Roux, your advice to just love him and your reminder of Greysmom's word's are perfect. I'll carry them through this mostly likely last weekend with him. Thank you for checking in on us and giving us the support you know we'll need for what's to come even in your time of grief.

     

    And also thank you to the others who dare to venture into this thread and offer kind words and good thoughts. This isn't an easy place to be, but I'm guessing you already know that. So sad for all of us.

     

    Jen, please post more videos of Zuri enjoying cheeseburgers! In the midst of all this heartbreak, it feels good to see that kind of happiness. I sure hope he's game for many many more burgers.

  16. Thanks for posting Roux. I've been thinking of you since last night. I'm so sorry Crouton is gone; I don't doubt you have a huge greyhound-shape hole in your heart. Today, tomorrow, mid-October, whenever you are ready is the right time to open your home and your heart to another. I'm relieved to hear her passing was peaceful.

     

    Cecil is about the same today and that's not good. I emailed the mobile vet to get on her schedule for Monday, but there's a part of me that thinks that may even be too long to wait.

     

    Jen, day by day. The fact that Zuri is still happy and wanting to run and play is so positive.

     

    Will check back in later; I have to run, but I'd also been waiting for Roux to post and wanted to get back quickly. Roux, again, thanks for asking about Cecil and Zuri in spite of your broken heart. Thinking of you :heart

  17. Roux, I'm so sorry. If they don't want to eat and/or go out, that's definitely a sign (at least for my guy and it sounds like Crouton too). I don't think I'd hesitate to add either the Gaba or the Tramadol today to keep her comfortable. We're up to 4 Gaba at a time and when we increased we did see some wobbliness for a few days until he adjusted, so maybe keep that in mind. Please keep us posted and we'll be sending comfort to both of you today. :heart Still hoping for another miracle for Crouton though. :hope

     

    Curcumin is another option Carol. We've been using that for a while now. It's an anti-inflammatory, but works on all pathways not just the Cox 2 (I think it's 2?) like Deramaxx, etc. Also supposed to have anti-cancer properties among many other amazing things. :P There are a very few contra-indications and at high doses it can be blood thinning so if you were going to do a surgical procedure you'd want to keep that in mind. But Zuri has done well on it. I actually just doubled it on Monday thinking can't hurt, might help.

     

    Yes, we also do Curcumin (CurcuVet also from Amazon). And regarding piroxicam, most of the anti-cancer findings have been around bladder cancer and not osteo, but worth a try. We had a Beagle Retriever mix who had bladder cancer and was given months to live. He took piroxicam every day until he passed at 16 y/o four years later!

     

    And, Jen based on what you said about the Arteminisin, I'm dosing wrong. I'll look into this. Thx.

  18. I've been reading back several pages and want to wish Cecil, Crouton and Zuri more pain-free days. It's definitely been a roller-coaster for all of you :(. I've been hesitant to jump in because we really don't know if Macy May does have bone cancer. Dr. Couto thought he saw some bone changes in her proximal right femur and recommended repeat xrays. My vet and the radiologist see nothing that would indicate cancer.

     

    I honestly can't tell if the changes we're seeing in her are related to back end/LS type disease or if she's actually limping, she certainly doesn't seem painful most of the time. She seems to be having most trouble lifting that back right leg, and struggles a bit on our 2 steps to the house, and no longer will get on the couch (new over the past 3 weeks). That said, she's a wreck at the vet and if we do confirm cancer, we're not going to change anything we're doing (medications). I think she's getting what Crouton, Zuri, and Cecil are getting (minus tylenol). It's the same combo we were using for Mork for the last year or 2 of his life to manage his old dog woes (likely LS, arthritis)

     

    Anyway, that's my long winded short story, to ask a question about Artemesinin. I figure it can't hurt to add it, but want to know what brand I should look for? I bought some many years ago when my Matty girl was first diagnosed, but hers was so advanced, I never got to use is, and I can't remember the brand.

     

    Thanks for maintaining this thread, it's invaluable.

     

    Let's hope Macy May's X-rays continue to show no cancer. We've been giving Cecil Arteminisin since February. We use Swanson Full Spectrum Wormwood. It's available on Amazon (just watch for a reputable seller) and he gets one capsule at dinner. Also, the hemp oil/CBD oil is supposed to have anticancer effects with little/no side effects and so does piroxicam (part of metronomic therapy). We tried piroxicam for Cecil instead of the Rimadyl as his NSAID but he had immediate GI issues and we switched back to Rimadyl. If you're already giving an NSAID, it may be worth switching to piroxicam if she can tolerate.

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