It’s shameful how long it’s been since I’ve posted. Mostly it’s a sign that things are going well so there’s that. I’ve dropped from worrying about Isa daily to every other day, so life has crept back in to distract me. Oh, and impending house guests arrive Monday.
Isa is doing really, really well. Third round of carboplatin was two weeks ago. She was definitely down for the count for 48 hours afterward (subdued appetite and professional-level napping). By mid-day Sunday she was back to herself and we made a trip to a local park. Threw the ball for her, mostly to her. I can’t remember the last time I saw her so happy – she lit up when she saw the ball – I can’t begin to tell you how happy that made me. We have also during that and subsequent trip(s) introduced any number of young children (and parents) to tripawds. Isa was very free with the dog kisses, particularly with the kids at her eye level.
We’re still dealing with weekly vet visits for bandage changes on her elbow, not to mention two rounds of antibiotics. BUT! there is a rumor circulating that the sutures are out, the wound is closed, and the bandage will come off for good and all next Monday! I don’t believe everything I hear but how awesome would that be! I couldn’t even tell you how long we’ve been trying to get that thing healed, I can’t remember anymore. Maybe that’s a good thing? “A beautiful mercy to forgetting.”
We’ve had three rehab visits. I’ll head to the forums for that discussion. I’m having some difficulty with perspective on the issue and could use any/everyone’s two cents. Perhaps an issue of unrealistic expectations?
Thankfully, there’s not much to tell at this point. Isa is happy and healthy. The cortisone for her back worked miracles – she doesn’t appear to be in any pain. Although she was panting a lot last night – way to freak out mom. I don’t know what that was about, it certainly wasn’t hot. Oh, but it was a thunder and lighting storm. Duh – subtract points from mom for being a dufus. Isa has never liked thunder. About a month after I got her from the shelter, way back when, I woke up in the middle of the night because I was having trouble breathing. Woke up all the way to realize there was a thunder storm outside and she was sitting on my chest. Can’t imagine why I couldn’t breathe.
We still have stair issues, as in I’m still sleeping on the floor in the living room. We have gotten her upstairs a couple of times but most definitely not under Isa-power. By the time we get to the top, I know I’ve pushed her limits, maybe even too much although we do rest partway up. I’m jealous of people/tripawds that get upstairs sooner rather than later. Maybe they’re smaller and/or younger dogs and/or less long/steep stairs – there’s no way to know. In theory, I know better than to think in comparisons. Maybe it should be chalked up to frustration and sub-optimum sleep. And someone’s bad habit of barking at dog-knows-what for big chunks of the night.
Which is also, technically, a sign of her feeling better. She did zero barking through most of the summer and we’re now back to near-normal levels. Good news/bad news. But mostly good.
So there’s the State of the Isa as of today. If that damn bandage does in fact go away Monday there will be pictures and celebration!
