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Keven · 05-04-2009, 07:49 PM

Evening, ladies ...

Miss Catrina is spoiling Mom again tonight. They are both in nap mode on the sofa right now. It is a match made in heaven.

Chemo and dogs ... as I mention in my first post, this is Mom's round three with chemo and radiation. She's always had a best friend (Yorkie) to cheer her though. Thank goodness and Natalie, now she does again. Her doctor has actually heard about Catrina when all this started and completely supports and fosters their relationship. I'm sure there are oncologists out there that probably would not be in favor, because of dropping white counts, etc., but those I know are all for it. Dogs are good for the health - just reaching out and touching one can lower the blood pressure! Besides, let's face it: some doctors go home to dogs and others don't.

Mom's an old pro at this cancer stuff. My goodness - what a terrible thing to be good at. She's struggled with the white count up and down too many times to count, but believe it or not: she's never once had to have a transfusion to balance the count. That's just this side of amazing for the amount and levels of chemo she's had. A trick she's found: take two teaspoons of Steen's Pure Ribbon Cane Syrup every morning to boost your iron. There must be something to it!

I promise you that I've thought it all through. We realize that this time is different than the past. I have a dear friend that's also my dogs' trainer standing by to pick up Catrina and take her to visit if it's a "bad day" and I'm in Texas - or if Catrina just needs to get out. I have another dear friend about an hour away that is on stand by for "days to weeks" ... in case we are in the hospital or otherwise incapable of taking care of the girl for a little while. I house sit and keep her two little babies and great dane when she takes trips. These ladies and I share the same level of care of our dogs. And, well, I'm the long term plan and my home is and will always be opened to her as her own for all her days.

We lost my little brother to his first bout with cancer. Not a day passes in any of our lives that we don't think of him - with a tear and a smile. The reality is you simply can't always pull through and come out as "a survivor". We have to fight a tough fight and can't tell the future. I can assure you that I'd never have even begun the search for this precious little "best friend", who I now call my little sister, if I didn't have all the ducks in a row. We realized that this is a long term obligation and responsibility.

I'd love nothing more than to celebrate Catrina's 17th birthday with her- no matter where the party may be. No matter where it is, I already know my Mom will be attending - in body or spirit.

Catrina is a blessing in so many ways. I don't kid myself I can even begin to count them all yet.

05-04-2009, 07:49 PM	#128
Keven Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hurst, TX, USA Posts: 13	Evening, ladies ... Miss Catrina is spoiling Mom again tonight. They are both in nap mode on the sofa right now. It is a match made in heaven. Chemo and dogs ... as I mention in my first post, this is Mom's round three with chemo and radiation. She's always had a best friend (Yorkie) to cheer her though. Thank goodness and Natalie, now she does again. Her doctor has actually heard about Catrina when all this started and completely supports and fosters their relationship. I'm sure there are oncologists out there that probably would not be in favor, because of dropping white counts, etc., but those I know are all for it. Dogs are good for the health - just reaching out and touching one can lower the blood pressure! Besides, let's face it: some doctors go home to dogs and others don't. Mom's an old pro at this cancer stuff. My goodness - what a terrible thing to be good at. She's struggled with the white count up and down too many times to count, but believe it or not: she's never once had to have a transfusion to balance the count. That's just this side of amazing for the amount and levels of chemo she's had. A trick she's found: take two teaspoons of Steen's Pure Ribbon Cane Syrup every morning to boost your iron. There must be something to it! I promise you that I've thought it all through. We realize that this time is different than the past. I have a dear friend that's also my dogs' trainer standing by to pick up Catrina and take her to visit if it's a "bad day" and I'm in Texas - or if Catrina just needs to get out. I have another dear friend about an hour away that is on stand by for "days to weeks" ... in case we are in the hospital or otherwise incapable of taking care of the girl for a little while. I house sit and keep her two little babies and great dane when she takes trips. These ladies and I share the same level of care of our dogs. And, well, I'm the long term plan and my home is and will always be opened to her as her own for all her days. We lost my little brother to his first bout with cancer. Not a day passes in any of our lives that we don't think of him - with a tear and a smile. The reality is you simply can't always pull through and come out as "a survivor". We have to fight a tough fight and can't tell the future. I can assure you that I'd never have even begun the search for this precious little "best friend", who I now call my little sister, if I didn't have all the ducks in a row. We realized that this is a long term obligation and responsibility. I'd love nothing more than to celebrate Catrina's 17th birthday with her- no matter where the party may be. No matter where it is, I already know my Mom will be attending - in body or spirit. Catrina is a blessing in so many ways. I don't kid myself I can even begin to count them all yet.