Pets

Charlie Update: Home at last

It’s amazing how your priorities and expectations can change in a matter of hours.

Last week I went from wanting Charlie to get at least a year of life out of chemo for her cancer.    Then 3 months, when I heard it was a worse cancer than expected, and that it had already metastasized to several more of her abdominal organs.

Then, when Charlie developed post-operative complications right before she was supposed to come home, all I wanted was for her to come home and have at least a few more days with us. That is ALL I wanted.  I couldn’t get the song One More Day out of my head.

They said she’d have to be hospitalized in the ER, so I stopped working and went straight over to see her.

To say I was devastated would be putting it lightly.   The awkward part was when they receptionists stopped me, saying I needed to sign a new estimate and release form for the hospitalization in the ER.  Even though I’m accustomed to the cost of good veterinary care, I still had a moment of “holy crap” when I saw that a 24-hr stay could cost as much as $1600.  For a moment I thought about calling Ryan to see what he thought before I spent the money, but I knew he would be on board.

Speaking of Ryan, he has been nothing but amazing.  I always think of the pets as my responsibility that he got stuck with by way of marriage, but the fact is that he truly loves these pets like his own. (Ok, except maybe for my cat Aretha, because she has never forgiven him for medicating her once 4 years ago.)

So once the awkward financial business was taken care of I got to visit with Charlie and sit in her cage . . . basically staring at her and petting her.   She was back on strong pain medication, and it made her groggy.  But not too groggy to rest her head on my leg.

I was terrified that Charlie might never come home, because with old, sick dogs that does happen sometimes.  So Ryan and I continued to visit her throughout her stay, despite my seeing that the medical chart mentioned “Owner visits for extended periods of time.”   So what if they thought I was a nut job.  I know how horrible a hospital is for humans, and it’s no better for puppies.

At every visit she was more emaciated and her coat was dry and dull and flaking.  She smelled the food I’d cooked for her – salmon, chicken, liver, bison, turkey, egg – and turned away.

Charlie Food2

It took every ounce of determination to make myself concentrate on sewing up custom orders for Janery on Saturday, and even then I still was distracted and made some mistakes.  Also, I worked at approximately the speed of a slug.  Unfortunately I then had to send some awkward emails to customers.

Fortunately that night she did get to come home.  We were beyond relieved and oh SO HAPPY TO HAVE HER BACK HOME!

Charlie Home1

We crated her at first to keep her calm and quiet.

We meet with an oncologist this week and will start whatever chemo he recommends, since she is in good spirits and eating and moving well.  Our plan is that, as long as she acts normal and comfortable and happy, we will pursue treatment. But when the day comes that she no longer is happy or comfortable, we won’t force her to keep trying.

The important thing is:  I got my wish.  I got my Charlie home, and I got to cuddle with her.  So every day after this is just icing on the cake.

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11 Comments

  • Reply Ashley from Sweaty Girl in a Fur-Covered World at 10:54 am

    Tears. I’m so glad she’s home, too!

  • Reply Jeannine @ Small & Chic at 11:51 pm

    I’m crying while reading this. I’m so, so sorry.

    I almost lost Baxter when he was just a puppy (he had to go to VRCC in Richmond) and I was devastated. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if the same thing happened to him after all these years that we’ve had him.

    I’m so glad Charlie is home!!!!

    • Reply Jane at 10:21 pm

      Oh my gosh, as a puppy? Yikes. I can’t imagine how traumatic that could be. Thanks so much!!

  • Reply Kiri at 6:39 am

    I am very, very glad Charlie is home. I will keep praying for you all.

    • Reply Jane at 10:21 pm

      Thanks Kiri – we appreciate your thoughts and prayers!

  • Reply Tara at 2:50 pm

    So sorry to hear that Charlie’s sick, but glad she got to come home. My parents lost their 8-year old doggie earlier this year after a long unexplained GI/absorption illness…. and I tear up every time I think about saying goodbye to our Pepper. Thinking of you.

    On another note, do you want my tiny sweater fabric for use in your shop? If so, e-mail me (arness.tara@gmail.com) your mailling address; would love to have it “upcycled” in some way (but you do not have to make anything for me!).

    • Reply Jane at 10:20 pm

      Thanks Tara! I really appreciate it. And sure, I’ll shoot you an email about the sweater 🙂

  • Reply Wendy & Alex (@OldTownHome) at 9:41 pm

    Jane –

    I wanted to let you know that Alex, Lulu, Mel, and I are thinking about Charlie, and are sending thoughts of love and health her way. After what we went through with Oliver’s cancer, I can say I have a pretty good idea of what you’re going through…and know it’s simply heart wrenching. She’s lucky to have you and Ryan as parents, and we’re thinking about you.

    • Reply Jane at 10:19 pm

      Thanks Wendy, that is so sweet of you. And we appreciate it!!

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