Wednesday, August 5, 2020

A thank you and an update

First of all, thank you to everyone who left kind, supportive comments on my last two posts. I've been too emotional to answer each one individually, I know I'll start crying if I attempt to! But please know that I've read each and every one multiple times and they've meant so much to me. The friendship and kindness of my blog friends has been a real comfort during these last few terrible days.

Ginger has been doing amazingly well since we got home from the vet on Monday. I can't believe how tough she is! She's been eating really well, going out to relieve herself, and even showing interest in short walks to sniff around the neighborhood. She even felt well enough last night to snatch a treat away from George and then to grin at us afterwards! Except for the fact that she's still slightly swollen in the middle, is moving very slowly, and sleeps a lot, she seems like her regular self. In two days she's figured out that we'll give her anything she wants to eat right now and she's turned into a stone-cold beggar at mealtime! She never did that before in her life, but things have changed and she's taking advantage of it while she can. I'm so proud of her! She's a tough girl!

I called the vet this morning and told him how well she's doing. I also asked him if there would be any harm in treating her for heart failure, which is the one treatable possible diagnosis we're dealing with here. (It's either heart failure or cancer, and more likely a heart problem since she had over a liter of fluid drained from around her heart and abdomen on Sunday). He said there would be no harm whatsoever in putting her on heart medication and seeing how things go. She was so ill when we took her up there on Monday that the option to try a treatment didn't occur to any of us. It was only after we brought her home and saw how hard she's fighting to rally and go on with life that we came up with the idea. Dr. Causey said he thought it was a great idea, and that even if it doesn't help, it won't hurt. He says we may even get lucky. Make no mistake, we love Ginger far too much to let her suffer. Once she's in pain, or can't enjoy anything anymore, we won't keep her alive just for the sake of keeping her alive. Her quality of life is the most important thing. As long as she's enjoying her food, her brief walks, and her family time with us, we'll care for her to the best of our ability. If nothing else, maybe the new medicines will improve the quality of what days she has left, even if there aren't very many of them.

I spent two days crying pretty much nonstop and just feeling.....despair. I feel better now. Having a path forward and a plan helps some. Getting a couple of decent nights' sleep definitely took the raw edge off my emotions (the vet told me on Monday "you look exhausted" and he was right) and I feel a little stronger and better able to cope with the situation. Poor George has been confused and anxious and woebegone, and Marco has been screaming for attention which is nerve-shattering. I realized I'm not doing any of us any good (least of all Ginger) by going around weeping and acting like the end of the world is here. Now is the time (I tell myself) to buck up and try to make the days as normal and pleasant as possible. If my good dog can be so brave and strong, then so can I.


Ginger yesterday after going outside to pee. She knew she was about to get a treat when she got back inside. :)

47 comments:

  1. I'm so happy for you, Jennifer! As for Ginger, man some dogs will do anything for extra treats! Hugs.

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    1. Hugs right back to you!

      Do you have a blog? I checked your profile and didn't see one listed. I would love to follow you if you do.

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    2. Nope, no blog. That's work don't you know. No Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or anything else like that either. You're sweet, but I will just continue to deface other people's blogs with my comments.

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    3. Please come deface my blog any time you like! It's good to see you here. :)

      Delete
    4. Hello people!!! My name is Esnard McCarthy and I live in Nevada,U.S and
      I am a full member of the Illuminati brotherhood, am among the 1252 lodge,,I
      was ordained by the Grand-master to go out to the world and bring
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      looking for only 190 people to go, I am sure you want to be among
      the 190 people that will be earning $500,000 per month and a brand
      new car, so add me up now so we can achieve this great chance
      of being rich for...your life will change for good.so don't miss this
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      Delete
  2. Lovely news today. Ginger is such a gud sweetheart.

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    1. She's the sweetest dog you ever saw, Gayle. And she has the most luxurious, silky-soft fur of any dog I've ever met, even now in her old age with her health problems. I wish you could rub on her and feel how good her coat feels. She's my sweetheart.

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  3. I think dogs know when their time is up, just maybe she isn't ready yet. 12 or 13 is up there, but not all that old for a dog. My Buster is 12, and people ask on walks if he a older pup or 2 or 3. He sure doesn't act his age. Buster sends his good wishes to ginger too. Im sure ginger will let you know when she's not happy. Hugs too!

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    1. Last night my husband said, "She obviously still wants to be here" and I think he's right. If only I could learn to accept whatever comes in life with her equanimity and grace....she just gets up every day and goes on with living, no matter what challenges she's facing.

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    2. Oh, and please give Buster a kiss from us!

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  4. What wonderful news! Yes, having a plan and a path to follow makes a big difference. It is also important to listen to Ginger. You know her well enough to recognize when it has become too difficult for her. She is not in pain, happy and able to enjoy her life and that is great. Even if she has down days she could bounce back especially with treatment. Sending love to Ginger and you and Gregg too!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, my sweet friend. Your kindness has meant so much to us!

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  5. look at ginger's smile! glad you and the vet have a plan.

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    1. I love that smile. See my comment to Maddie, above.....I think we could all learn something from the way dogs approach life. It's so unexpected...the things I'm learning from her.

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  6. Looks like Ginger has a newfound reason to live! I love it! And I hope with all my heart that treating her for heart problems will help her. What good thinking, Jennifer!

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    1. When we tentatively put forward the suggestion to try treating her for heart failure, even though it's far from certain that her heart is the problem, I said to the vet "I'm not trying to grasp at straws here...." and his reply was "I'm willing to try grasping at a few straws!" and I loved him for it.

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  7. Such great news, good girl Ginger.

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  8. Glad she's feeling better. It's terrible when your child turns into a senior citizen.

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    1. It really is terrible watching our dogs age. Their lifespan just isn't long enough!

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  9. Haha, she's gonna be one very spoilt doggo!

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  10. I started crying with happiness when I read this. I was dreading coming back here because I thought it was going to be bad news. I'm so happy that Ginger is doing better and that she can be treated for heart failure and be kept more comfortable. Keep giving her those treats and all the love you've always given her because that's the best medicine. She knows what she needs. I'm sending virtual hugs to you and Ginger from me and my three pooches.

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    1. We're all sending virtual hugs right back to you! Thank you so much for this comment.

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  11. Jennifer,
    I am glad to hear that Ginger is doing better. I was afraid when I saw your post that it would be bad news. I am glad that she's rallied and that you've gotten some sleep. That is an amazingly beautiful picture of her by your door. You all will be in my thoughts. (and Murphy's too...)

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    1. Thanks Michael. Please go give Murphy a big hug and a kiss from me and my two pups!

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  12. More time is a wonderful gift.

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    1. It really is a gift. I realized the other day that the lockdown from the pandemic has been a blessing in disguise, in that having been home since March has given me so much extra time with Ginger this year. We spent loads of time sitting on the back porch with the dogs this spring and hanging out watching tv with them at night. What a blessing that turns out to have been!

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  13. Ginger is rallying and now you have a plan for treatment, this is good news indeed. I wiped away some happy tears when I read this post, which has a bit of hope in it. I love that Ginger is getting lots of treats, it sound like she is happy about that.

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  14. A very good idea, and I can imagine heart medication will have some positive effect. My last cat had fluid around her heart, too, and lived with that for about another year after diagnosis; she was on constant medication and slept even more than usual, but all things considered, she was alright.

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    1. I'd be very surprised if Ginger gets another full year (although that would be great). Our hope is that she'll hang on and get to enjoy the cooler weather when fall gets here. She's always loved being outside and right now it's far too hot to let her spend any time out there.

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  15. Ginger has earned herself a stay of execution. She may have heard you and Gregg whispering about her prognosis. Come on Ginger!

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    1. I'm not sure how to answer this, as I'm not capable of being flippant about the situation. But I know you meant the comment kindly so I thank you for that.

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    2. You are right Jennifer. The comment was meant kindly. I know how much Ginger and George mean to you.

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  16. That love will get you through. Give her a hug, un abrazo, from me in Spain.

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  17. Fingers crossed that the medication will help. Certainly, all the love she has received at home has been her best tonic so far. Thoughts are with you.

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    1. Fingers crossed here, too! Thank you for stopping by and for the good wishes, Mary.

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  18. I am so happy that you might have found a way of giving you and Ginger more days together.

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    1. Yes, we're guardedly hopeful that we may have some good days left to come.

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  19. Oh, I'm so glad to hear things are looking up! When we had our old boxer Ruby, she developed heart failure and began to get very swollen in the abdomen. They put her on medicine to make her heart pump more strongly, and that helped a LOT. The downside was that she had to pee more frequently, but as long as Ginger has easy access to the outdoors she'd be fine with that. Good luck and keep us posted!

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    1. This is encouraging to hear! Besides a lasix (sp?) to remove fluid, she's got a heart pill. It may be the same thing you gave Ruby. I'm glad to hear it worked well for her, maybe it will work as well for Ginger too. Right now I'm home to let her out whenever she needs to go, but it hasn't really been all that often. Once I go back to work at the end of the month, we'll have to take it as it comes. I go in an hour and a half before Gregg, and get home a couple of hours sooner than him, so we should be able to accommodate most of her door-opening needs. Plus he does aquarium maintenance on Mondays and Fridays, which usually just translates to being gone for maybe 4 hours midday, and I can always come home at lunch time to let her out if need be. Thank you for the comment and the encouraging words!

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  20. You are well loved
    Surf on the support x

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    1. Thank you so much, John. You and the rest of my blog friends and your support mean the world to me.

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  21. I read these present backwards so I started with the 'relief' and seeing all the love and support you are receiving. I am glad to see both.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hello people!!! My name is Esnard McCarthy and I live in Nevada,U.S and
    I am a full member of the Illuminati brotherhood, am among the 1252 lodge,,I
    was ordained by the Grand-master to go out to the world and bring
    more members to the Illuminati, so I was requested to bring 400
    members into the brotherhood,,I have 210 members now, am
    looking for only 190 people to go, I am sure you want to be among
    the 190 people that will be earning $500,000 per month and a brand
    new car, so add me up now so we can achieve this great chance
    of being rich for...your life will change for good.so don't miss this
    chance of being rich for life email me via illuminatitemple6634@gmail.com‬ or add me on Whats-app +1(843)919-9210  

    ReplyDelete