Another day on the Beau Beau coaster
2008-04-15 23:05 Filed in: Beau's
lymphoma treatment
Well,
there certainly haven't been many dull moments this
week. Here's another Beau Beau Blog entry from guest
blogger (and hound sitter) Lisa.
How do you define stress?
Had you asked me that question earlier today, my answer would have been as follows: a combination of feeling helpless, unsure, worried, and in the next instant joyful, relieved, and hopeful. The problem is this constant “roller coaster” of emotions slowly chips away the strength you try to maintain while dealing with the situation at hand.
As those of you following Beau’s Blog have already read, my first few days taking care of him have not been easy. This morning was no different. After going to bed late Monday night, I was up again before 5 to let the hounds out. Beau was on the couch in the basement, and at some point during the night had an accident – diarrhea. My first thought was “How could this be? He hasn’t been eating enough to produce anything!” The positive signs of improvement from the day before were quickly replaced with signs of regression. He was very lethargic, and had to be coaxed to go out back. He wasn’t interested in any water and food. Here we go again. I was back on the phone with South Paws. This time a doctor talked to me. Her words chilled me to the bone when she indicated his symptoms are probably not related to his last chemo treatment, and was concerned it could be a “progression of the disease.” I had to send Ken another text message telling him I was taking Beau back to South Paws.
Once there, I updated the nurse before they took Beau from me. I was dropping him off so they could run more tests and have the oncologist check him out. As I drove off to work, I remember thinking how I’d prefer to leave the South Paws parking lot NOT crying my eyes out.
A couple hours later Bitsy his nurse called me. Beau did NOT have a relapse. Yea!!! His CBC showed a mildly decreased platelet count. He was also dehydrated so they repeated Sunday’s treatment but were also putting him on Metronidazole (an antibiotic) and Prednisone. He was doing fine, and I could pick him up at my leisure. I penned another update to Ken and Caren.
Around 2 p.m. I was back at South Paws to pick up Beau. I was checking out at the desk when he was brought out to me. Oh my goodness!! What a commotion he made. The part whine and part howl of what I am positive could only be translated as “HOME! HOME! HOME! HOME!” could probably be heard by Ken and Caren in Kauai! We left with lots of chuckles and smiles coming from all the folks and staff in the waiting area. He had a spring in his step, a returned brightness in his eyes, and was wagging his tail all the way to my car. I drove out of the parking lot with dry eyes and a smile on my lips.
An amazing thing happened back at home. I warmed up some food to finally eat lunch. W-w-what? Who was that watching my every move? Of course Maggie, but Beau was right behind her. Wow! Who sat there while I ate it, in anticipation of a crumb to fall? Beau! Who ate a treat when offered one? Yes, Beau! This was NOT the same hound I left at South Paws that morning.
At dinner time, Beau actually showed interest in the meal preparation. I had received lots of advice on how to entice him back into eating. I appreciate all the suggestions sent my way. My plan was to try a little of the bland canned food South Paws gave me on Sunday mixed with a little dry food and a splash of warm water. Next step was to put the snoods on… and oh yes, success- he let me put his on! Now for the big question, will he eat? Wahooooooooo! Beau ate every bit of his food. He drank water. I gave him all his meds, and then waited to see what would happen. All three of us ended up taking naps in the living room. Three hours later, his food has stayed down. As for me, I was back on the happy “roller coaster.”
How do I define stress? Right now, at this moment with Beau peacefully resting on the couch with a full tummy, it is a feeling of anticipation. Anticipation of continued progress for Beau, and that I might actually be able to get off this damn roller coaster once and for all.
How do you define stress?
Had you asked me that question earlier today, my answer would have been as follows: a combination of feeling helpless, unsure, worried, and in the next instant joyful, relieved, and hopeful. The problem is this constant “roller coaster” of emotions slowly chips away the strength you try to maintain while dealing with the situation at hand.
As those of you following Beau’s Blog have already read, my first few days taking care of him have not been easy. This morning was no different. After going to bed late Monday night, I was up again before 5 to let the hounds out. Beau was on the couch in the basement, and at some point during the night had an accident – diarrhea. My first thought was “How could this be? He hasn’t been eating enough to produce anything!” The positive signs of improvement from the day before were quickly replaced with signs of regression. He was very lethargic, and had to be coaxed to go out back. He wasn’t interested in any water and food. Here we go again. I was back on the phone with South Paws. This time a doctor talked to me. Her words chilled me to the bone when she indicated his symptoms are probably not related to his last chemo treatment, and was concerned it could be a “progression of the disease.” I had to send Ken another text message telling him I was taking Beau back to South Paws.
Once there, I updated the nurse before they took Beau from me. I was dropping him off so they could run more tests and have the oncologist check him out. As I drove off to work, I remember thinking how I’d prefer to leave the South Paws parking lot NOT crying my eyes out.
A couple hours later Bitsy his nurse called me. Beau did NOT have a relapse. Yea!!! His CBC showed a mildly decreased platelet count. He was also dehydrated so they repeated Sunday’s treatment but were also putting him on Metronidazole (an antibiotic) and Prednisone. He was doing fine, and I could pick him up at my leisure. I penned another update to Ken and Caren.
Around 2 p.m. I was back at South Paws to pick up Beau. I was checking out at the desk when he was brought out to me. Oh my goodness!! What a commotion he made. The part whine and part howl of what I am positive could only be translated as “HOME! HOME! HOME! HOME!” could probably be heard by Ken and Caren in Kauai! We left with lots of chuckles and smiles coming from all the folks and staff in the waiting area. He had a spring in his step, a returned brightness in his eyes, and was wagging his tail all the way to my car. I drove out of the parking lot with dry eyes and a smile on my lips.
An amazing thing happened back at home. I warmed up some food to finally eat lunch. W-w-what? Who was that watching my every move? Of course Maggie, but Beau was right behind her. Wow! Who sat there while I ate it, in anticipation of a crumb to fall? Beau! Who ate a treat when offered one? Yes, Beau! This was NOT the same hound I left at South Paws that morning.
At dinner time, Beau actually showed interest in the meal preparation. I had received lots of advice on how to entice him back into eating. I appreciate all the suggestions sent my way. My plan was to try a little of the bland canned food South Paws gave me on Sunday mixed with a little dry food and a splash of warm water. Next step was to put the snoods on… and oh yes, success- he let me put his on! Now for the big question, will he eat? Wahooooooooo! Beau ate every bit of his food. He drank water. I gave him all his meds, and then waited to see what would happen. All three of us ended up taking naps in the living room. Three hours later, his food has stayed down. As for me, I was back on the happy “roller coaster.”
How do I define stress? Right now, at this moment with Beau peacefully resting on the couch with a full tummy, it is a feeling of anticipation. Anticipation of continued progress for Beau, and that I might actually be able to get off this damn roller coaster once and for all.
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