Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[Pea-n-Me]

I don't think you need to hide your emotions from Snappy. I'm sure there have been many times she's seen you crying when you're upset and this is simply one of these times. I prefer them to give a sedative ahead of time, as if they were getting the pet ready for surgery. It makes it less traumatic for the people, and for the pet. I would ask the tech to bring that along also, it's an intramuscular injection. It takes just a few minutes to take effect, but once it does, the pet will not struggle or move, which can make it difficult to see and to get the needle into the vein, etc. After last time when we did it this way, I won't do it any other way from now on. (Even Woody had a little inhaled sleep medicine before the final injection. We were planning to leave**, but the ball started rolling while we were still there, so we stayed. ) God, this is so hard to do with our beloved pets. I talked to the owner of the crematory about our dog while we were there and I felt so awful. He was nice, though, and I left there reassured. It's just so hard to think about this whole process with our babies, though. I believe that once it is over, you will feel relief in the midst of your grief. I know I will feel that way, also, because I've felt it before. When they're sick, we get so caught up in the day to day of taking care of them and worrying about the end, that we don't realize how hard it actually is on a daily basis. We are in that stage now, too. But I am still struggling with it all as well. I am really glad we got the puppy, as he has brought some laughter and smiles to our household to counteract some of the sadness we have here with our girl and with Woody.

** We would always stay with our dog, but because the injection to the hamster was going to be more traumatic to witness, or so we thought/imagined, we were planning to leave. As a matter of fact, the small animal vet we had used previously said it was their policy to not let people stay for that procedure. As it worked out, we used our own vet, and he was ok with our staying. He's put two of my dogs to sleep for us already and he knew we'd be ok, apparently. It was the first time our kids witnessed a euthanization, but they did fine. I was worried DD would be upset afterward, seeing as she was his caretaker/Mommy, but she wasn't, other than missing him generally and feeling badly about what he had to go through, etc.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Snappy is sleeping peacefully right now. I am going to try to do the same.

Do get some rest.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Laurie Thinking of you during this difficult time with your precious furbaby.

 

[snappy]

Thanks MaryAnn.


Is your knee feeling better yet? I bet it is painful riding in a car too. You are smart to delay the replacement as long as possible, my sister has that same approach for doing the second knee replacement on her bad knee. Do both of your knees need surgery?

Were you able to schedule the reclast infusion?

We are hanging in here. Snappy was actually begging for some of DD 18's baked Irish potato! It's on the list of suggested human foods for a canine kidney disease diet so why not!

Good to see typical snappy behavior.

I actually got the swiffer out and mopped the kitchen or tried to anyway. It certainly needed attention. Needed new batteries and even with the new set of batteries I couldn't make it spray right. I was ready to pitch it, but DH took it apart and I had one of the batch of batteries in wrong he reports. I think he's wrong since it did spray for me but only in a trickle. I am not a fan of mopping gadgets.

 

[robinb]

Laurie {{hugs}}. Snappy loves you and knows that you are doing what's best for her. Monday will come too soon for you but she will be ready.

 

[Feralpeg]

Both Snappy and I did have good results..... it was mixed into my long winded post! Lol.... mammo clear and tumor markers down to within normal range Snappy also had good news! Like my mom used to say "clear as mud and covers the ground"

Yea! Excellent news!

Laurie, .

 

[CherylDan]

Laurie, I'm so sorry to hear that Snappy is not doing well.

 

[CherylDan]

Trying to keep up with everyone, just wanted to say yay for good test results!
GAGWTA!!

 

[snappy]

Thanks Robin, Peg and Cheryl. I appreciate the support. Snappy and I both slept better last night.

Cheryl, have you bounced back from the effects of the last chemo? How are you doing? I hear you about the Vicodin. I have a few left from 2010 when I had significant problems with muscle spasm while I was trying to attend a training session in Orlando not long after my rotator cuff injection. That med really dulls the pain. I did sleep a lot too as I remember. Regular muscle spasm meds did not cut it.

GAGWTA!

 

[smiley_face2]

Laurie, I am so sorry, we have been there before and it is such a hard time. We have 3 cats who come to visit from the neighbors these days, and I have bought treats for them....After our last fur baby went, I felt I could not take any more loss for a while, then after our son that was really it .... but I have a feeling it wont be too much longer before we give some furry critter a home, probably a homeless one. I hope you have a good day today with Snappy, have some peaceful time together.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

Sadly, Snappy has not improved since she had a third hydration done Wednesday. I took her to see the vet Wednesday since she lost her appetite even for her chicken and rice. I think we should have had the vet come yesterday but we had DD18's graduation photos scheduled in the afternoon, after a trip to get her hair cut. I am sorry now I did not arrange for the vet to come over last night.

Yesterday Snappy did take two short walks and seemed to enjoy them. I noticed she was coughing the night before and even while we were walking some. More coughing this morning.

We have grieved as much as we can since November. We have had many family discussions in the last few days, so I think we are all resigned and as much at peace as possible. The clinic closes at four so I am hoping the vet will come over afterwards. If she can't we will have to bring her in today, but during the long conversation I had with this wonderful vet, she said she makes this a priority in her practice. I think she will come tonight.

This is hardest for me, as Snappy is completely devoted to me, but I have to say DH, DD18 and DS 25 are all sad too. They have comforted me to no end.

Both DD34 and my brother Tom have said their goodbyes when they were here in the last few months, and my mom and my sister and brother were at our house for Easter and I am grateful Snappy was up and about just 6 days ago.

At this point though, I will not let Snappy suffer any longer.

What gifts she has given us. I have been journaling all the special moments we have had with her over the years, I actually started that back when she first got sick in November. I have more things to write though, there have been so many it is amazing.

Sorry to post such heart break here, as I have unburdened myself here before, and I do not like to bring everyone down. Instead, help me celebrate my great good fortune to have Snappy give me such joy for over 14 years. I think you all understand my connection with this wonderful little being. She has ministered to me over the years in countless ways with her great big heart, today I minister to her. One last gift I can give her.

Love to you all.

I am a bit teary eyed after reading your post. I am truly sorry to read about your sweet Snappy. Snappy is so lucky to have you and your family, to be so loved and cared for.

For those of us, who love our pets like family its so heartbreaking when the end is near. Less than two weeks ago, we lost our cat. She was only nine and in perfect health. She was literally herself one moment and the next crying a terrible cry and unable to get up. I had no idea what happened and could barely compose myself to call my husband. I think he had a hard time believing that she could be in such dire straits, since he had just played with her hours before.

I called my son at school and he came right home and drove us to the vet. My husband met us there. it only took a minute for the vet to tell us that our girl had a massive stroke. She was paralyzed, blind and her heart wasn't beating properly. We were all in a state of shock as we put her down.

I haven't had a good nights sleep since we lost her.

I am sending comforting thoughts your way for you, your family and Snappy.

 

[snappy]

Fortwildernessishome, I can't imagine losing a beloved pet so suddenly with her in obvious agony. I think your loss must be very hard. I am sorry for it but glad you shared.

I feel fortunate to have had these 2 days to say a proper goodbye to our family's first dog. It is difficult but in a way cathartic to say goodbyes, have last walks, etc. I have prepared myself as well as I can. I have gathered some items for Snappy to take with her on her journey, photos of our children, my mom, my mother-in-law, my sister and her husband and my brothers, and of course my husband and myself.

I also cut a few strands of my hair and placed them in an envelope with a letter I wrote to Snappy, a beautiful prayer my sister sent to me today called Prayer at the Death of a Pet, and a bible verse that resonated with me back in April 2004 when I was diagnosed.

It's rather a coincidence that Snappy is leaving me almost exactly 10 years from that fateful day. I like to think that she is leaving because God wants her in heaven since she does not need to take care of me anymore. Her work helping me heal is over. Comforting to me.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Laurie - thinking of you today

Cheryl - How are you feeling? Thinking of you

Jillyb - How are the rads going? Thinking of you too

Lots of tears at my house. Yest. ds2 found out that a boy he met on his college campus last year died in the tornados. He was a student at Alabama State and I think he lived in Miss. I havent talked to ds. So sad. Ds could barely speak and had tears. He said another boy he met posted it on facebook etc.

Now today tears from ds1. He went to the ortho and he said ds needs a hip replacement. He is only 26. He said he thinks his knee pain is from the hip. The ortho from the group who originally operated on ds knee has retired but they want hi to have a knee mri and are pulling his old chart. Of course ds is not the wealth of medical information. I would prefer dh or ds3 go with him etc. He said the ortho told him even if he went for a second opinion another surgeon would still tell him the same thing. I am trying to wrap my head around this. My heart breaks for ds and my head is spinning.

I am getting the reclast infusion next wed.

Ds2 and 3 are going into the city today to see the David Letterman show. Its something they wanted to always do and are happy to do this as Dave is retiring etc.

GAGWTA. Thinking of you all.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Wanted to make sure this gets over here, it's a thread about Laurie (Snappy) losing her dog, Snappy.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3269149&referrerid=70088

 

[snappy]

Lots of tears at my house. Yest. ds2 found out that a boy he met on his college campus last year died in the tornados. He was a student at Alabama State and I think he lived in Miss. I havent talked to ds. So sad. Ds could barely speak and had tears. He said another boy he met posted it on facebook etc.

Now today tears from ds1. He went to the ortho and he said ds needs a hip replacement. He is only 26. He said he thinks his knee pain is from the hip. The ortho from the group who originally operated on ds knee has retired but they want hi to have a knee mri and are pulling his old chart. Of course ds is not the wealth of medical information. I would prefer dh or ds3 go with him etc. He said the ortho told him even if he went for a second opinion another surgeon would still tell him the same thing. I am trying to wrap my head around this. My heart breaks for ds and my head is spinning.

I am getting the reclast infusion next wed.

Ds2 and 3 are going into the city today to see the David Letterman show. Its something they wanted to always do and are happy to do this as Dave is retiring etc.

GAGWTA. Thinking of you all.

Sorry to hear about your DS1 needing a hip replacement. I hope you are able to get more info soon as to this issue.

I can't imagine how worried you are.

I hope your DS2 is coping better with the death of the boy he knows from school.

Young people have to learn to deal with grief. DS25 told us Monday evening after we said goodbye to Snappy that aside from having trouble letting Snappy go, the reason he did not want to be present during her last moments, he remains troubled by an event several years ago at a large job site where he was working, when a worker for another company had a fatal accident. DS25 was close by and witnessed it, and had the idea Snappy's passing would be like that horrible event at the job site.

We talked at length and he verbalized that Snappy's passing was about as different as could be possible.

I thought it was good that he talked with us about it, and also that he joined the rest of us while I said several prayers just after Snappy passed and was able to sit on the grown and lovingly pet her and say the final goodbye.

No regrets, which what I was afraid he might have had he not seen her one last time. My DS is a strong but infinitely sweet young man.

 

[smiley_face2]

LMP and Snappy..... you guys are very much in my thoughts and prayers. so many very difficult things to be dealing with Lmp I hope all goes well with your son.... he is young and that is a huge thing in something like this! it is amazing how well young people recover from things right?!
Lmp and Snappy..... I know the men, 2 in particular, one young one older, who were on hand at our sons work place accident and death. the older one was also a close family friend. he does not work anymore. the younger one who was also a friend of our sons, had about a year and half off work, some of that time in a mental health facility. he had tried to perform cpr as well. I know people focus on the family at that time, but I do know just how bad it can be for everyone inovlved, and especially anyone who witnessed the event.

 

[smiley_face2]

Ok, getting too upset in the last post decided to start a new one! It has been so beautiful here with the sun shining and warm temperatures!! feels like summer! perfect because my laundry room has gone through it's gutting and is almost finished with the drywall. 2 of the walls are going to be old fashioned beaded board to give it that coastal seaside cottage feeling. Found a beautiful apothecary/hurricane style light fixture and the color of the 2 beadboard walls and the center panels of the cabinets are going to be harbor fog, the other 2 walls a sort of antique white. I just could not justify the thousand dollars for the antique style tile for the floor though...it is just a laundry room! so that is just vinyl tile the good tile is reserved for our main bathroom which is the next job. This fellow is working so fast! which is a very good thing because when the money is gone so is he and I really hope he can get it all done! lol.....
oh and the tile selection I made based on tile I found at Disneyland!! lol.... California adventure, in the Toy Story Midway Mania ride....the area and the building are ocean side boardwalk from the 20s when Walt first came to California, so is designed with that flavor. I even posted in another DIS forum thread asking if anyone had a pic of it to make sure....someone is there right now and took pics for me and posted so I could be sure to get the same kind the one there has little pale blue and pink squares in it though....I am just doing a solid antique white. Anyway....GAGWTA!!

 

[snappy]

Oh dear, Smiley, how very insensitive of me to post that above. I am truly sorry. I so regret the upset you feel at this moment.

Another sign I am just not thinking right, but there is no excuse for my action.

As fas as renovation is, I am glad it is moving quickly, which means all the sooner it will be complete. I love the idea of beaded board walls. It will be wonderful. I hope you post some pictures of the tile for you kitchen, as well as of the projects in process and when completed.. I think it will really resonate with posters on these boards, due to the connection with Walt.

 

[snappy]

Ok, getting too upset in the last post decided to start a new one! It has been so beautiful here with the sun shining and warm temperatures!! feels like summer! perfect because my laundry room has gone through it's gutting and is almost finished with the drywall. 2 of the walls are going to be old fashioned beaded board to give it that coastal seaside cottage feeling. Found a beautiful apothecary/hurricane style light fixture and the color of the 2 beadboard walls and the center panels of the cabinets are going to be harbor fog, the other 2 walls a sort of antique white. I just could not justify the thousand dollars for the antique style tile for the floor though...it is just a laundry room! so that is just vinyl tile the good tile is reserved for our main bathroom which is the next job. This fellow is working so fast! which is a very good thing because when the money is gone so is he and I really hope he can get it all done! lol.....
oh and the tile selection I made based on tile I found at Disneyland!! lol.... California adventure, in the Toy Story Midway Mania ride....the area and the building are ocean side boardwalk from the 20s when Walt first came to California, so is designed with that flavor. I even posted in another DIS forum thread asking if anyone had a pic of it to make sure....someone is there right now and took pics for me and posted so I could be sure to get the same kind the one there has little pale blue and pink squares in it though....I am just doing a solid antique white. Anyway....GAGWTA!!

I checked out the photo of the tile on the Disneyland thread you referred to above. I love that style of tile. I think you are right , it will be nice in solid antique white. What color grout are you thinking of? I regret the white grout I picked out the white tile on all of the vanity tops is our bathrooms since it is hard to keep clean.

 

[smiley_face2]

Oh dear, Smiley, how very insensitive of me to post that above. I am truly sorry. I so regret the upset you feel at this moment.

Another sign I am just not thinking right, but there is no excuse for my action.

As fas as renovation is, I am glad it is moving quickly, which means all the sooner it will be complete. I love the idea of beaded board walls. It will be wonderful. I hope you post some pictures of the tile for you kitchen, as well as of the projects in process and when completed.. I think it will really resonate with posters on these boards, due to the connection with Walt.

Oh my gosh!! I did not think that at all!! It is a very upsetting subject, and I just know how hard it is for all involved!! Please there is nothing to say sorry for!!
I am glad it is moving fast! a lot faster than when it was just hubby doing things.... The bathroom he started must be 5 years ago....will finally be done! hurray! I guess because Disneyland was started by Walt so many years ago, and his choices were based on his travels in Europe... for example, in the Peter Pan ride queue the wooden rails and posts were hand carved to match those he saw... the light fixtures are all authentic, everything is just done with such quality and care and attention to detail.... even places like the bathrooms in places like the Grand Californian, or the Carthay Circle theater restaurant....even Arials Grotto....so beautiful!! lol.... When we stayed at the Disneyland hotel I took pictures of the light fixtures in the lobby and again in the Emporium in Disneyland, because we were looking for light fixtures and I wanted as close as I could get! lol.... The fan we got for the stairwell is just stunning! hand carved wooden blades, it looks like it should be in the hotel we had dinner at in Hawaii....it's a really old one right on the beach in Waikiki...can't for the life of me remember the name right now. It the oldest hotel there.... anyway...I love to have things around me that remind me of the nice places I have been, especillay Disneyland!