Update

Well, I apologize for the lack of posts. Human mum broke her wrist and had surgery on Monday.

I am moving around well. I had my first chemo treatment last Thursday. Now I have to pee a lot. Ugh. I'm enjoying the outdoors. As soon as possible. I'll post pictures!

Moving along

Yesterday, I visited my veterinarian at home. I expended a lot of energy going outside, peeing, getting in the car (with mum's help), riding to the vet, and getting out of the car (with mum's help again). By the time I got inside, I definitely needed a nice BIG drink of water. I drank some water and the nice vet tech brought me into a room. She weighed me and I have only lost eight pounds since my surgery! And remember, some of those eight pounds is my left front leg. No problems eating here! The nice vet tech trimmed my nails and asked some questions. The nice vet came in and examined me. Finally, my bandage came off and the incision looks super duper. Mum brought a t-shirt for me to wear and it's a little big so she has to tie it up in the back. I'm a handsome man, baby! Because I still ache, hmmm, wonder why, the very very nice vet gave me an injection of medication to relieve my pain. Within a few minutes, I was relaxing in happy land. We returned home and I sacked out for the night.

Today I'm doing fine. I ventured further in the backyard when mum came home. She's making me wear these dumb booties for more traction. I look like a dork. Maybe she will take them off at some point. Other than that, it's looking good. Just baby stepping it along.

Ten Things I Can Do:

1. Get up by myself.
2. Walk up to 20 feet by myself.
3. Step up one step to go outside without help.
4. Step down one step to go inside without help.
5. Go to the bathroom without being held up.
6. Eat standing up at my regular place.
7. Wag my tail.
8. Give kisses.
9. Look cute.
10. Take my medicine without complaining.

Up and at 'em!

I am doing an excellent job of surprising everyone. Yesterday, I got up by myself and took a few steps. Last evening, mum brought me outside and while she went inside to get a treat for me, I got up, walked over about five feet, and stood up and peed all by myself. When mum came outside, she got so excited that I'm surprised the neighbors did not come over to see the fuss. I got up on my own and did the same thing this morning. Tomorrow I will have my incision checked and hopefully, I will get to have this hideous bandage removed and begin wearing a t-shirt. When I am looking a little less "patient-like", mum will take and post pictures of my new "look" - so to speak.

A little better...

Okay. Mum is a wreck. Shocking. But she came home at lunch with a friend and you know what I did. I got up ALL BY MYSELF. HA! Showed her. It's tiring though. I'm trying hard. I walked ALL BY MYSELF a few feet. I figured out how to turn myself around on the grass. Better gripping. I had a treat. Yum. I'm drinking and eating. But alas, it is a long long road.

It's very hard...

It's very hard for mum to see me this way. I'm now home and as everyone should suspect, it's very difficult for me to get around on my own. Hey! The surgery was only three days ago. I can now get up on my own but I have not figured out the walking. Mum and dad use blankets as slings to bring me around. I can walk with my back legs alright but I'm a little unsteady. I'm drinking and eating but mostly resting. I must take two different types of antibiotics, I have pain patch, an anti-inflammatory, and Pepcid to counteract the meds. I get pretty tired after I have been around. Mum is trying to be strong for me but I know that it's hard for her. I give her kisses to let her know I'm ok.

I made it!

Wait. Waiiitttt. I know something is missing. My keys? My collar? Hold on. I went through something like this before when I was a puppy and the doctor removed my...you know. What the HECK? Jeezum crow! My freakin' leg is missing! (yes, we need a little humour in this sort of situation)

Seriously now. I made it through surgery. The surgeon completed my surgery sometime around seven last night. I think they lost track of time or something because they neglected to call human mum and dad. Mum made dad call because she was afraid something had happened and couldn't deal with it. Dad called and the woman on the phone said I was fine and resting.

While mum was doing work related stuff, the other surgeon called and left a message telling mum that I was healing well and doing great considering the surgery I had just undergone. Mum called back and got all the info. They had to put a urinary catheter in because I was not ready to pee yet. I was able to move around some with assistance but WHOA! I did just go through a MAJOR surgery. I'm on morphine and that is helping with the pain. I am not quite interested in eating yet but that won't last long. Mmmmmm...kibble..... Mum can visit tomorrow while dad runs experiments at work. YEAH MUMMY VISIT! I can probably go home by Sunday. Go me!

Nothing yet.

The human folks drove me to the hospital last night and got me there around 8:15. My surgery is a little later because an emergency came in that they had to deal with so no news on the time of the surgery. Sigh.

Human mum's nice secretary (via her kitty) sent her an e-card for me. It's a cool picture of an Irish Wolfhound!

Keeping thinking good thoughts for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nervous

Human mum is very nervous about the surgery tomorrow. Tonight the human parents will drive me to the veterinary clinic to leave me overnight in preparation of my surgery tomorrow. She cannot stop thinking about the risks involved including stroke, blood clots, death, and other assorted horrible hazards associated with surgery and recovery. I know she will be an absolute positive nervous wreck tomorrow and anytime she hears the phone, she will leap ten feet in the air.

Mum loves me very much. I have been her companion and buddy for the last 6 years. I helped her get over some tough times out west and protected her while she lived away for two years. Okay, protection might be an exaggeration but I did cause many people to cross to the other side of the street when we walked together. Or maybe mum was just really scary looking...

Hopefully, I will learn fairly quickly how to ambulate on three legs and mum and I can go for walks. When someone gives us a stupid/rude/mean comment, she will craft some witty comebacks and show them!

Again, think good thoughts...for all of us.

The BIG Day

Yesterday, human mom and I headed to Cleveland, again, for our appointment with the surgeon. And yet again, I was not allowed to eat in the morning just in case they need to do tests on me. That was not okay. I felt pretty nervous when we entered the vet clinic because last time mum brought me, she left me and they took a piece out of bone out of my leg. OUCH! As we waited for the appointment, mum talked to two women who had a Samoyed with lymphoma. I saw this dog and what a fatty! Woof. Pretty dog though. We were called into the exam room where the vet tech asked me about my health and I gave her a lot of kisses. Next, the vet came in to the room and did a quick examination. Mom asked questions and then the vet left again. She really didn't do too much at this appointment besides listen to my heart and palpate my abdomen.

After a few minutes, the receptionist came in with the *GASP* estimate for surgery. The surgery is this Thursday but mum and dad will bring me Wednesday evening. This time, they will also bring my own food. I know mum is very nervous for me, especially after seeing all the risks associated with the surgery. Mum did ask about what type of monitoring that they did during the surgery. The vet tech said she was the first one to ask that question in the six years she had worked. Go mum! (mum was a vet tech though). Everything from an ECG to blood pressure to pulse oxymeter. Wowzer.

We drove back home and mum brought treats so I could have something to eat in the car. I thanked her by having stinky toots. Because it was a hot day, the A/C was on the whole time so the windows were closed. Every time she got a whiff, she opened the back windows. Hey! It's not my fault!

Anyway, surgery is July 6th so think good thoughts for me!