What an emotional roller coaster the last three weeks have been around here! First, I want to thank all of you for the kind words, love, and support for Scout. It's always nice to know there are folks out there saying a prayer.
It's been 3 weeks since Scout's surgery. And, whoa. It's been strange. She spent two nights in the hospital post-op, but I really feel like she should have stayed another two. Those were tough days...and nights. I mean hard. The Hubs and I felt so uncertain about how this was all gonna go. For two weeks, the alarm on my cell was going off constantly to give meds. When they tell you that you'll be staying home with your pup, they mean it. The Hubs took the week off work, since it was really a two man job - taking care of a two-year-old and a post-amputation pup. I'm not sure who needed more attention.
We have steep steps to the back yard, so the Hubs had to lift her in and out every time (I'm nursing a shoulder injury and can't manage 60lbs of dead weight on those steps). She actually had two surgical sites: the amputation of her rear right leg, and another tumor removal on her front right leg. That made maneuvering her around kind of tricky. We were so nervous she was going to blow out her sutures, so we were extra careful.
We set up camp in our bedroom since it has carpet and a door to the backyard. One of us was constantly with her in the days before we finally got a big ol' crate. Wish they had told us before the surgery that we would need one-it saved our lives! Except at night, when that stupid "cone of shame" around her head would drag across the metal crate every. time. she. moved. Every. Time. (Picture an old-timey prisoner dragging the metal mug across the cell bars. Awful.) After about ten days, she was hopping around a little better, so we let her out of the crate to sleep at night. We all slept well after that!
The Hubs had to go back to work, so my parents graciously drove up from Florida. We were so relieved to have them here, but felt like total asses because Scout made a complete 180 moments after their arrival. She was headed back to being her old self. And two days later, when the sutures came out, she rocketed her butt into the backseat of my car before my step-dad had a chance to even pick her up. Since then, she's figured out how to maneuver up and down the back steps, how to hop around the backyard, and is even starting to show interest in playing with her bff, the neighbors' shepherd mix, Rory. We got the go ahead to start walking her on a leash, for short trips as she builds up her strength and stamina, and took our first walk yesterday. She was so happy to be back out in the world!
Z has been amazing. She's curious about the scars, and I've caught her staring at the peg-leg (I refuse to call it a stump.) and trying to figure it all out. She has said many times, "Cow's boo-boo gone." so I feel like she's put a few things together. Z helps me feed Scout and helped me give her a bath. Everything is slowly getting back to normal. A new normal.
We have steep steps to the back yard, so the Hubs had to lift her in and out every time (I'm nursing a shoulder injury and can't manage 60lbs of dead weight on those steps). She actually had two surgical sites: the amputation of her rear right leg, and another tumor removal on her front right leg. That made maneuvering her around kind of tricky. We were so nervous she was going to blow out her sutures, so we were extra careful.
We set up camp in our bedroom since it has carpet and a door to the backyard. One of us was constantly with her in the days before we finally got a big ol' crate. Wish they had told us before the surgery that we would need one-it saved our lives! Except at night, when that stupid "cone of shame" around her head would drag across the metal crate every. time. she. moved. Every. Time. (Picture an old-timey prisoner dragging the metal mug across the cell bars. Awful.) After about ten days, she was hopping around a little better, so we let her out of the crate to sleep at night. We all slept well after that!
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| Don't worry...the door isn't locked! The crate is one of Z's favorite places to play! |
Z has been amazing. She's curious about the scars, and I've caught her staring at the peg-leg (I refuse to call it a stump.) and trying to figure it all out. She has said many times, "Cow's boo-boo gone." so I feel like she's put a few things together. Z helps me feed Scout and helped me give her a bath. Everything is slowly getting back to normal. A new normal.
So now for the shitty news..Scout does have cancer. This is information that I've decided to pack up and send away, and I think the Hubs has done the same thing. She just seems so...healthy. Not 100% who she was before, but not sick either. We decided not to pursue testing or treatment, partly because of finances (who can spend that much on their pet?!), but mostly because it isn't a cure and will only add months...not years. We don't know how bad the cancer is, or where in her body it has spread. We don't know how long we have. The veterinary internist told us that this type of cancer is especially nasty and moves quickly, which is why chemo isn't that effective. He gave us 3-18months. Kind of a vague timeline, but short no matter how you look at it. The vet gave us signs to look for when things start getting bad, and right now we haven't seen any of them. So until we do, we consider Scout a healthy, happy tripod!
Sorry to bring y'all down with this post. I had hoped it would come out a bit lighter, but it's been a heavy few weeks around here. We're coming out of it now, as things get back to normal. And if I can just get Scout to eat on her own, without being hand fed (spoiled!!), I'll be so happy!!
If you are facing amputation with your own dog, or are just interested in learning more, visit tripawds.com.
If you are facing amputation with your own dog, or are just interested in learning more, visit tripawds.com.
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