Sit. Stay. Read.
obsessed with dogs
Ever since I mentioned on Instagram that Emmett started acupuncture, so many people have asked me the same question: Really?! Can dogs get acupuncture? Heck, yes! And with it comes tremendous benefits. First, a reminder that I’m not a vet. I’m not a vet tech or an acupuncturist or in medicine in any way, shape, or …
In April, toward the middle of the month, we will pass a milestone. It was then, two years ago, that an oncologist looked at us and said that Emmett would likely have another three, maybe six months. If he were an odds beater, we could hope for a year. Two years ago. You could say, …
That Dylan Thomas poem has been swirling around in my head for weeks now. The first stanza, anyway: Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Lucas has been having a ball. He is absolutely raging. Heck, …
That’s the only question these days, and it doesn’t have a straightforward answer. He’s great: He loves our micro-hikes and fast food trips. He loves friends dropping by with beef stew, cheese, bacon treats, and snuggles. Lots and lots of snuggles. He loves taking super slow strolls with lots of long pauses around the block. Then, …
At his checkup yesterday, Lucas was amazing. He has come so far since those early, fearful, aggressive days when the front desk staff would have to clear the lobby just for Lucas to even walk through the door. No, yesterday, he nailed it. Dogs on flexis, big dogs, little dogs, owners on their cell phones… …
I wrote this post while staring down at my belly button… please forgive its length and self-absorption. When John started his new job, one of the benefits was a spousal life insurance policy. So, of course, I filled out the paperwork. And got turned down. For life insurance. Why? Because, and I’m paraphrasing here, at …
We heard the elderly couple express their fears of administering an oral chemo at home to their dog, Dixie. Their concerns centered around one theme: What if something goes wrong? We heard them tell the oncology resident about Dixie, about how she literally saved their lives from a burglar and how she, as his farm-hand, …
Since December 6, 2011, the day I got my diagnosis, cancer has ruled my life. After that, it was four surgeries followed by a year of chemo followed by five years–currently in progress–of quarterly tests and checks and appointments and driving to and from Indy a million times for blood work. In the midst of …
Last week, Lucas and I had another 12-hour Purdue day. We left the house right at 6:30 in the morning and arrived home just after 6:30 in the evening. Such a long, exhausting day. This schedule requires a balancing act that feels like juggling while riding a unicycle–neither of which I can do. We’re trying …
After I wrote the post on osteosarcoma and amputation, I wanted to write one about chemo, too. But it was such a roller coaster those first few weeks. I thought I’d wait until things settled down. And then I realized: Duh. Chemo IS a roller coaster. It’s not going to settle down until it’s over, so …
No doubt about it. On Wednesday when I wrote something like, “Oh, blah blah! Got the appointments together! Saving a whole day! Should get back in town to get Cooper just before daycare closes! Yay for plans working out!” That? Jinxed us. They expected to have the boys finished up by 4, which would’ve gotten us …
I’m starting to feel like we need to rent an apartment in West Lafayette. Both Emmett and Lucas have appointments today, and I’m very grateful we were able to coordinate for them to go together. It’s usually a 10- to 12-hour door-to-door day, and Emmett was originally scheduled for next week – so two of …
“You chose to amputate the leg,” the oncology resident nodded. “It’s not an easy decision but, I think, the right one.” Frankly, for me, the decision wasn’t a difficult one: Without amputation, this insidious cancer, osteosarcoma, would take Lucas in only a few months, if not weeks. With amputation, his prognosis expanded to around four …
(To the tune of “The sun will come out tomorrow,” of course!) The stitches come out tomorrow! So, they gotta hang on til tomorrow, come what may! Tomorrow, tomorrow no sutures tomorrow! It’s only a day awayyyyyy! No? Ahem. OK, I hate to even type this sentence because there are still about 20 hours until these …
Yesterday morning, we emerged from the fog. Lucas came home from the hospital on Thursday. We knew it would be hard. We had no idea how hard. On Thursday, he did well. We arranged our living room so that he was corralled into one area with a mattress. We put throw rugs, door mats, and bath …
I am the type of person who likes to have things under control. I plan, organize, and list as much as possible. There is nothing in control with this Lucas situation. So, I’ve been pouring my energy into getting everything prepared for his recovery. Here’s what’s been going on around here lately… His amputation is …
I’ve had this refrain, practically a mantra, that I’ve been repeating over and over. “When things get back to normal…” When things get back to normal, I’ll restart my running/training plan with Cooper. When things get back to normal, I’ll finally sweep the melted snow and sand and ice out of the garage. When things …
It’s pointless to complain about life being unfair. It is the simple, unrelenting truth about life. Over the past few days, Lucas developed a small limp on his front left leg. Lucas limps often because his back hips are so bad, so it was noteworthy that this was on the front. Of course, he had …
Yesterday, Emmett had his round of tests at Purdue’s small animal hospital. He was due for a battery: blood work, x-rays, ultrasounds, and aspirations of three new lumps. These Purdue days are very long days, and yesterday was compounded by John being out of town. It’s about 2.5 hours each way. I left the house …
Yesterday, we left home at 7 am to drive up to Purdue for Emmett’s next round of tests. He was having blood work, x-rays, and an ultrasound as part of his chemo check-up. His appointment was at 9:30, but then the tests were spaced throughout the day, so we had to leave him there all …
On Saturday night, I had the honor of holding Emmett’s leash as he donned his black tie to attend PetSafe’s annual gala benefiting the Morris Animal Foundation’s canine cancer initiatives. We were thrilled when PetSafe asked Emmett to be their guest of honor. Of course he accepted! Clearly, cancer research and prevention is a cause near …
Phew! What a day! We’re tucked into our hotel after a looooong day of driving. Much longer than I anticipated. We hit a huge traffic jam just outside New Orleans because of – what appeared to be – an outdoor church service for bikers? I couldn’t get a read on what was going on other …
As we get ready to depart – this weekend! eeee!!! – I wanted to share the final details of Emmett’s road trip (item #10 on his Bucket List). The map and dates are all below. If you’re near the locations of the events, shoot me an email so I can send you the details to …
Today’s Emmett’s surgery. And – sigh – his brother Lucas will be keeping him company until his surgery later today. Emmett’s surgery was scheduled two weeks ago. I took him in because he was having some skin/rash issues, and a little red bump on his thorax had changed into a much bigger purple bump. The vet …
