Saturday, January 19, 2013

Tess Report

Tess got to visit the vet this morning whom she adores. The cancer is aggressive now and her elbow is being affected. She is dead lame. It probably dissolved most of the radius (head of the elbow). She has been licking her leg this week so she is in pain. Her heart sounds fine but still is very enlarged and pressing on her trachea. We increased her Lasix for the heart issue about 10 days to help with her coughing and it had reduced it some, but she still wakes me up at 2ish with her coughing. I get up and rub her sides and cuddle her for an hour, until she settles down, then nap for a couple hrs before I go to work. As for the cancer, it is a day by day situation. We thought the heart would get her first but when cancer decides to be aggressive, there is no stopping it. The Tramadol has been increased to one every 5/6 hrs and she is still lame. She has been on Metacam since mid week when this all came about but it hasn't helped much. So needless to say, per the vet, when she quits eating or we see pain in her eyes when the pain pills are no longer effective, she will cross the bridge. Thanks to everyone who has been supportive in the last couple of weeks. We've been totally distraught the last week.

5 comments:

Luisa said...

Oh, Diane. My heart is breaking for you. Hugs to you and Tess -- you all are in my thoughts and prayers.

L

Mary Ann said...

Thanks for the update.

Windswept Farm said...

IF IT SHOULD BE
If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.
You will be sad, I understand.
Don’t let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.
We’ve had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fears.
You’d not want me to suffer so;
The time has come — please let me go.
Take me where my need they’ll tend,
And please stay with me till the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.
Please do not grieve — it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We’ve been so close, we two, these years;
Don’t let your heart hold back its tears.
— Anonymous —

Vicki Green said...

So sorry to hear. We've lost several dogs to cancer - it such a nasty thing for them to get and so frustrating that there is little we can do, but try to keep them comfortable and loved as long as we can.

geonni banner said...

I was wondering how she was doing. You too. Thanks, and so sorry about all.