Today Mr. B went in for an abdominal ultrasound to check if there were any more tumors or visible cancer formations. Good news there was nothing! I was going to wait a bit longer for chemo, but the oncologist said she thinks he’s healthy enough now to start so he also started his first treatment. When I picked him up he had more energy than usual and I could see more life in his eyes. (He didn’t have any tramadol today which i think is where his extra energy came from) however, the second we got in the taxi to come home he passed out on the floor, which is not like him. Normally he moves from window to window but he was calm this morning so I’m not worried. I was thinking maybe since he was walking well out of the hospital he would be able to walk a little bit home. Boy was I wrong he was stubborn and only wanted to walk the direction away from home. After standing in the same spot for 10 minutes I carried him to the end of the block and then made him walk the rest of the way home (which took a neighbor getting him excited to move).
In other news he has been able to walk down stairs with my assistance using the web master harness and walk up some. It is amazing that when he wants to move he can with no problem. He just learned if he stands still more people will come by and pet him.
Month: April 2016
First Week Completed!
It’s been a full week with new Tripawd Bentley! He’s doing okay. Finally started eating his food again slowly and on his time throughout the day instead of just pepperoni and hamburgers (that’s all he would accept). When we go for walks to pee he is enjoying getting carried up and down the 3 flights of stairs. He has walked down a few times when I hold his harness (webmaster) which I LOVE. Thank god for this site or I’d have no idea of anything. His ‘missing’ leg now twitches all the time. I’ve briefly seen this mentioned in posts, but not sure what it means? Is it phantom pains? Also when he goes outside he stands there for about 10/20 minutes then will move a few inches and stand again. Anyone else have experience with this? I’m just happy I see him getting a little less pain med sleepy and more alert and himself each day! Until then I’m enjoying my cuddle bug!!
First Hours with a New Tripawd
I picked Bentley up a little while ago and he came running down the hallway like he did when I first met him at the shelter almost 3 years ago. Of course I was so happy to see him but also freaking out he was going to slip and fall. My dad came into town to help me and him and his granddog are best buds, so that didn’t help B’s excitement level either. I brought him a new tennis ball to cheer him up if he was mopey, but he took it and jumped right on the bench to play with it. I didn’t hear anything the discharge vet was telling me so I’m glad they wrote it all out. I had a break down walking him out of the hospital seeing him hop and regretting the whole surgery, but I know he is no longer in pain. He’s getting some much needed sleep and I look forward to the ‘worst two weeks’ I’ve been reading about ahead. I’m so happy my baby is home!
Surgery Day
So this morning I dropped Bentley off for his amputation. He of course had no idea and gladly pranced away with the vet tech. I used the time to clean my apartment and rearrange some stuff. He already loves his new Big Barker bed so he will be use to that after surgery. I’ve been fine all day waiting for the call saying he’s okay but I called around 5pm and they said they were about to start. Poor boy has been there since 8am!!! I wish I could have cuddled with him in the hospital. It’s so hard to not go visit him but reading the Tripawd’s book I know it’s not good. I’m going to use this night to catch up on my reading about having a new Tripawd. I’m starting to second guess myself, but he even stopped limping as much and just started hopping the past few days so I know it’s the right choice because he will now be pain free!
Final Days on Four Legs
Bentley has been limping a lot more recently. We went to his physical therapy (swimming) and it helped some but I’m just trying to keep him as pain free as possible before his surgery. We had a consultation with the surgeon a few days ago and he will be having his full leg amputated in less than a week. The sarcoma has progressed too far into his bone for a limb sparing procedure to end with a good chance of removing all the cancer. His surgery is scheduled for Wednesday. As of now I’m in denial and feel like I have no more tears. I’m able to talk about it like its no big deal because I can’t realize how different our lives are going to change. I just ordered a Big Barker orthopedic bed, the web master harness, and a stroller. Living in the city I want him to be able to meander in the park and eventually come with me everywhere like he does now with the stroller. I’m just trying to keep him comfortable and ease myself into less denial, but it’s hard. I just want him to be out of pain, which will happen in time.