freckles

They kept Freckles at the surgery center last night. I got a call this morning that she is doing well but still is experiencing pain – but it sounds like they did have had her up on her 3 legs. They are going to keep her on the drip pain medication another day and she will spend the night there again. They hinted that she may need to stay yet another night, but they said they will assess her and make a decision and call tomorrow morning. Of course, I want them to take care of her as long as they think is necessary. But I am starting to hear a draining sound…I think it may be my bank account! What ever it takes! I so look forward to getting her home again.

The doctor just called; almost 3pm central time. It appears all went well and she is fine. The surgeon said that the skin was a bit “tight” at the surgery site and it is imperative that when I get her home that she does not move around or “chew on herself”. She also said to let her know immediately if the wound weeps excessively or there seems to be any problems. The “front desk” reception lady told me this morning that they usually only keep dogs overnight. She said it is usually only “big dogs” that have to stay for 2. Freckles may be he exception to that rule… I have my own doctor’s appointment at the VA tomorrow morning. The surgeon told me to call the office when I get home and she will assess if Freckles is ready to come home or needs to stay over another night. At this point I am just glad to hear she is alright. Again…Huge thanks to all of you for your support. More when I get her home.

I am running around like a madman looking for more carpet runners to finish out the paths she might take through the house. OK … no pressure. We’re ready! I know Freckles is going to take this as a champ. She loves her couch and I have a mattress that is about the same firmness. I think she will like it. The surgeon has me giving her Benadryl 50mg twice a day…SHE HATE PILLS as I have said before. The hotdog thing worked for exactly 3 times. Once she bit instead of swallow…it was over. I hate it, but the reality is the only way to get her to take her meds is going to be open her mouth and drop the meds in the back of her throat and stroke it until she swallows. Of course, she get plenty of kisses and praise along with a few treats when we have finished. I guess this is going to be the way it is when she gets home as well. We all went on our last big park walks this weekend. Our Saturday mornings walks are usually solitary. However, there are quite a few “regulars” at the park we visit on Sunday – it has a small lake and they go to fish. They all know us so we again got lots of encouragement and support from them. Today (Monday) we went on our regular neighborhood walk. Of course, I have talked with some of the neighbors about Freckles and those who were outside this morning wished us the best for tomorrow. We have a definite plan for Tuesday. A very short walk first thing – both dogs expect it! Then take Freckles to the doc about 8 (they accept patients between 7 and 9 am). Drop her off with lots of love and kisses and then off for some breakfast at Denny’s or somewhere to take my mind off “things”. Then shopping for more carpet runners and anything else that is on my list to finish “preparing” the house. Then home to wait. The surgeon said that they will probably keep her for 2 nights. I think I will be fine when I drop her off. A few kisses and hugs. It is when I go to pick her up that I have to be strong! She reads me so well after 6 years together…she knows what I am thinking before I do! I was wondering – how do they bring her out after? Will she be wrapped in something? Do I need something (a body sling or something) to get her from the office to the car…car to the house? These are questions I have written down to ask when I drop her off tomorrow. Plans are set. I am – somewhat – ready for this. With her strength and the support of all of you wonderful folks and my friends…we should get through this with no problems, fingers crossed! More again tomorrow.

I am spending the weekend getting everything prepared for my baby when she comes home. I don’t want her to come home and find everything changed. I have gotten several carpet runners to cover routes she may want to take when she gets home – our home is almost all hardwood and tile. They are all laid our. I purchased a baby crib mattress and put her usual bedding on top to get her ready for this to be her “recovery” bed. She has “noticed and sniffed it” and has walked on it a couple of times. I have raised her food and water bowls on pieces of Styrofoam to get her used to a raised food and water bowl. She is a “food hound” so this should not be a problem. The surgeon told me on our last call to give her Benadryl twice a day. She sleeps well a few hours after she gets them. She is a notorious “bad” pill taker. I read a lot of articles and though it has not worked before…she is taking her pills in small pieces of hot dogs. YEAH! It helps that my terrier will eat anything – so I start by tossing the small hot dog pieces to her. Then Freckles is VERY interested. After a couple of “regular” small pieces of hot dog, I slip in the pills and Freckles eats them up! I am trying to get her in the habit because I am sure there are plenty of pills coming soon and I hope this will work then as well. She wants to lick her “sore” a lot. She is such a good girl – I tell her not to lick her sore.. but she still does. I found that if I just lay an old t-shirt over the sore and she not longer licks it and will not try to pull the t-shirt off and lick, though there must be some pain or intense itching there. What a good baby! However, I have ordered one of those stiff collars to use when she gets back – this is definitely the only choice for her. She is very CLEVER! She would definitely get out of the “blow up” type and I can not imagine forcing her into one of those barbaric “Elizabethan cones”. She will hate even this collar…but it’s best for her. Of course, I am giving LOTS of love and kisses. We have talked several times about what was going to happen. In my family..”gone, gone” means everything has been eaten or “gone away”. As I pet and talk to her I gently grab her leg and quietly tell her “gone, gone”. She seems to understand. We have 2 weekend parks we go to EVERY week. It is hard to believe that this will be the last time she will go there…with all of her legs. But, as I said before she is a very strong and healthy girl and we are both determined that when she is ready, we WILL go back to those parks and conquer them again! She loves to chase squirrels. 3 days until our appointment.

Just got word yesterday from the surgeon that amputation is the best choice for Freckles. It has a lot to do with were the cancer is located (upper thigh). The surgeon does not think we can get all of the cancer otherwise. My new vet agrees. But I am still celebrating. Because Freckles has the possibility of living a long life without the cancer. She is a very strong girl and I know she will come through this and will be the same baby I have loved for 6 years. I look forward to the possibility of at least 6 more. The surgery will be Tuesday, Sept 15.
When I do get her back a couple of days later, there will be lots of adjustments. One is my Terrier Scruffy. She is all energy and play. She is not going to understand why dad can’t take her on our daily walks or to the park on the weekends…at least for a while. When I feel comfortable leaving Freckles on her own for a short time, I can start walking her again. And, of course, as Freckles improves I will be taking her on very short walks and building her up as well.
So, in the next week, I am preparing to get all of the items I will need when I get her back home. Any suggestions are appreciated…something I might forget about. Today I am shopping for carpet runners. My floors are hardwood and tile and from what I have read, tripaws have real trouble with hard surfaces. So, until Tuesday, I am absorbing all of the information I can about what to do and expect when I get Freckles home again. Wish us luck! And again…thanks so much for all of the support.