Duna Hospitalized

The last couple of days Duna hasn't looked like she's feeling so great. Today she had a couple of accidents. So I thought I'd drop by the vet's office with her so he could take a look at her. He agreed she wasn't looking so well and wanted to do blood tests to understand what was going on. They showed that she is severely anemic, her kidneys aren't functioning so well, and her liver is barely working. He was frankly surprised she was even walking around. He recommended she stay overnight at the clinic for intravenous fluids. I was a little reluctant to leave her, but after discussing it I agreed with him. The vet told me he will be doing rounds every couple of hours during the night and that he would call me if there is any major change for the worse.

I just talked to him and she is doing well. Eyes a little brighter, and resting comfortably.

Duna is such a trooper. Just yesterday she brought me a toy for me to throw for her.

I was so grateful to our vet for taking a full hour to check her, discuss with me, work around increasingly restless small children, run blood tests on the spot, clip Duna's nails and brush her out while we waited for results. He has given us very good care and bedside manner and I so appreciate it.

I guess tomorrow we'll discuss further what comes next. But it sounds like this is it. I am very sad for Duna, that she is enduring this illness. But I am relieved that these obvious signs are coming today, and not the day before we leave or two weeks after we leave. I pray that we will have a chance to spend some quality time together, and then ideally that she would die peacefully in her sleep. But if it has to be through my decision I pray for her peace and mine with it.

Electrical, Duna, and Bad Beef

Today our electricity was out for 5 hours as planned. I was very impressed that it went out and then back on at exactly the times they indicated. I was able to effectively work around it.

I talked to the vet today about Duna. He thinks maybe she has an ulcer which is causing her to vomit after she eats. He is going to get some meds which will hopefully help her out. He is also going to explore boarding options for her. I don't hold a lot of hope but at least I'm exploring that avenue.

Today I cooked a roast beef. I was at the store yesterday and saw what looked like a nice roast and thought, "how hard can it be?" Well kids, let me tell ya. It was inedible. Mom, when I'm there you're going to have to walk me through the ins and outs of roast choosing and cooking. I need private tutoring!

Lately

Last week was kind of a grumpy, yelly week. I was hoping that this week would be different. Monday morning began with a power outage during my shower. No power to the pump meant no water to the shower. Afterward, while I was gingerly changing the fuse, Micah let out the dog we're taking care of and dispensed water everywhere. I admit it- I yelled. I felt terrible as usual and I need to find a different way of dealing with my frustration. Eva asked me yesterday, "Does Claudia yell at her baby too?"

Micah is becoming a real handful!! He is a very busy boy. I have begun, in particular, dreading supper. Not only is it challenging to find ingredients to make a nutritious meal, and to put together a meal that everyone will enjoy, but especially to actually make it. I am constantly chasing after the little fella- getting him down from the top of the spiral staircase outside, cleaning up the water he's dispensed, "plunged" or "scrubbed" everywhere, getting him down off the top of tables, stopping him from strewing articles hither and about, that sort of thing. Yesterday as a last resort I strapped him into his booster seat. I expected loud protest but surprisingly there was none until right at the end! I'm not dumb enough to expect that this magic solution will last, but I'll enjoy it while I can. I guess he likes to watch me cook. (What can I say, I'm masterful ;) ).

Micah is starting to want to choose his clothing. Today he wore a pink t-shirt and a kilt all day.

Andrew offered to do engagement and wedding photos for one of his staff so I lined up a babysitter for last night. The engagement photos fell through but we still had Bertha come over and we headed out to take some photos together downtown.

Andrew excited to get out on a date and to take photos of a Torreon evening

La Alameda- the main plaza

It was neat to get out just the two of us but almost not worth it. We were both exhausted and missed our vegging time. We asked Bertha to stay til 11 but we were home by 9:30. Eva heard us come home. She got so wound up that she didn't get to sleep til well after 10. Sure enough, this morning she had a serious meltdown and then napped longer than Micah did.

The electric company came by this morning and peeked at the wiring to our house. They said it definitely needs replacing- the wires are just kind of wrapped together rather than being properly connected. The good news is that they're doing the maintenance tomorrow. The bad news is that I'll have no power from 8:30 to 1:30.

I've been trying to get in touch with the vet. Duna is doing remarkably well! She doesn't cough anymore, she still has a great appetite, she still follows me from room to room. I don't think she's going anywhere anytime soon. I want to talk to him more about his opinion of her condition and whether he knows of any 'nicer' options that kennelling her at his clinic. Praying that something good for her will work out. I'd really do not want to kennel her for so long.

Duna

A couple of weeks ago I called the vet just to check in with him about Duna's condition. I told him about her extreme weight loss, her goopy eyes, her coughing, the abdominal breathing, the beginnings of a desperate look in her eyes. He thought that it was just about time to euthanize. I knew it was pretty close but wasn't convinced that it was Time just yet. I was kind of expecting a clear sign, like her not getting up one morning, or stopping eating. (I am praying she won't have a major terrifying respiratory crisis.) So I thought that within days or maybe a week it would be evident that it was Time For That Decision.

Fast forward to this week. Duna is doing unexpectedly well. Better, even! So weird. She is not really coughing much anymore- and not waking us up at night like she used to. Her eye goop is gone. The bump on her nose has also gone. Her breathing still takes a lot of effort but she doesn't do the same sucked-in abdominal breathing. She still has an excellent appetite, though she hasn't gained any weight. She doesn't look desperate anymore. She still follows me around the house and escapes occasionally. She even joins us for walks. Toddler speed is perfect for her.

I had the vet come over just to see her status for himself and give me an opinion. He agreed that it wasn't Time yet. He was surprised and impressed. She is such a trooper.

I am wondering if this is kind of a 'calm before the storm' situation... that she will seem to improve and then deteriorate rapidly. I am prepared for that. At this moment she is doing ok. I am so glad for her excellent pain meds- she doesn't seem to be experiencing any pain from the cancer in her bones.

I am trying not to stress about our upcoming vacation. I know that boarding her at the vet would surely kill her. And I'd hate to ask friends to be responsible for a terminally ill dog. But I cannot imagine euthanizing her just because we are going on vacation. I pray that God will work this out.

Birthday Pampering!

Tomorrow morning I will enjoy my birthday gift from Andrew- a 90 minute hot stone massage! This following a chance to sleep in, and preceding lunch out. NICE!!!!!!! I'm very excited!

Here is a shot from last month: Eva post-braid removal.

People: do NOT rent License to Wed. What a waste of a Friday night. Geez.

The vet came over today to check Duna. He thinks/hopes she has an infection that's causing the breathing troubles. It could also be the cancer invading her lungs. He gave her a couple of shots that really hurt (poor girl!!!) and prescribed antibiotics. She seems a little better right now... hopefully she has a better night.

Queen Duna

Duna has been having a tough week in the breathing department. She has been coughing a lot and breathing has been very noisy. A couple of days ago Andrew had to carry Micah so Duna could take his place in the driver's seat of the stroller- she couldn't keep up on the walk. Last night she took Eva's spot. I am telling myself that this could be related to the weather- it is a particularly windy and dusty month. Many people are congested as a result. But I am realistic too- I realize that this could be a turn for the worse. Last night was particularly bad. At 4am I got up with her, sat and patted her for a while. Immediately she sounded better as she relaxed. The rest of the night was much better. My poor bubu.

Eva refused to be part of the group shot but insisted on this photo.

From Chronic to Terminal

Good news and bad news. The good news is that Duna is much more herself the last couple of days. Lots more energy, bright eyes, tail up. It's great to see! The bad news is that she feels better because she's now on meds to control pain from bone cancer.

The vet is 80% sure of his diagnosis. From what he's said and what I've read, Duna's life expectancy is a year or two, and treatment may include chemo and amputation! The cancer is in her leg for sure and we don't know if/where it's spread. She has a weird, growing bump on her muzzle and the vet suspects the osteosarcoma may be the cause.

Right now I'm just so happy to see her more "herself" and am kind of in holding pattern until the diagnosis is certain and a course of action is determined. My poor little bubu.