Flying solo

please-let-me-be-lucky

Fingers crossed FD is better today and you managed some rest Xx

*Robin*

Good morning Diary and Dear Friends, :hello:

Thank you to everyone sending positive wishes this way.

It's been over an hour since the day staff came on duty at the pet hospital. They haven't 'phoned, which I guess means good news - no overnight bad events to report.

They're usually pretty busy on Saturday mornings, so unless I hear otherwise will stick to the plan arranged yesterday, and go in when Dear [Boss] Vet is on duty early this afternoon. The tests should be back by then so hopefully DV can give me diagnosis / prognosis for my poorly little girl.
Actually poorly old lady - FD is fourteen and a half, which didn't stop her fighting against us when DV was trying to get a needle into her. I ended up holding FD in my arms** because five of us couldn't keep her still enough on the table - it took six attempts to draw blood and place the IV line correctly.
** Young Galahad had taken CD outside by then, because FD's distress was making them both very noisy - didn't want to risk anyone getting bitten by CD trying to defend FD! There was also a huge queue of patients waiting; my two were setting off all the other dogs and the one cat looked terrified (though was safe in it's basket)!

Had to plug m'self into the TENS machine as soon as CD and I got back to the Nest last night. It's been running ever since but my back is still protesting at yesterday's exertion. Every so often I turn it up a bit more.. (This isn't an ME symptom; riding career ended with three smashed vertebrae that have never let me forget about 'em - TENS machine gives best relief ).

Today another friend is coming into town with me, just in case FD is well enough to return home but is still too wobbly to walk. Or can't walk if the worst-case scenario becomes reality.

Haven't heard from DS2 - presumably he found his keys to PC's cottages? Don't want to cause GF unnecessary upset so am not going to initiate contact until back from town.

Fingers crossed for a positive result, eh? :cool2:

*Robin*

Hello Diary, :hello:

Well. Yesterday turned into what the kids would describe as "full on".

Little Girl** was out of intensive care.
The nurse who is a personal friend had managed to coax FD into drinking, and then eating a little, so they removed the drip and Nurse took her outside where they've got a lovely shady patio (with a herd of goats to watch in the field next door).
FD staggered to her feet to greet CD, obviously still very sick but better than the day before.
(** translation of her RL name ).

Good news: Heart attack and cancer both ruled out.
Bad news: Liver function tests appalling.

Given FD's age and history, the available treatment may or may not do the trick. Boss Vet said that normally, they'd keep such a patient in hospital for the next three days, by which time it would be clear whether the medication was working.
They allowed me to bring FD home, with a big bag of drugs and support from Nurse if needed.

Little Girl is not in pain. In my heart I know she's getting ready to leave us, so far better to spend her last few days with her family than in the pet hospital.
Lying on her own bed, FD is very relaxed. Last night she could eat gobbets of chicken (disguising the twelve pills a day she needs to take). Today I'm having to put the pills down her throat, a couple every time she wakes up.
FD is wearing Blind Dog's old running harness so that I can support and guide her on wobbly toilet trips outside, but each time it exhausts her and she sleeps for longer afterwards.
Doubt FD will make her next appointment with Dear Vet on Tuesday - but, as the medication builds up in her system DV told me that FD does have a chance of recovery - so this might be the dark before the dawn?

Maybe some readers will think I should have asked DV to send Little Girl to Rainbow Bridge yesterday?
Well; two vets, Nurse, Friend and I were all in agreement that FD is not showing any signs which might indicate she is in pain. Both vets said it is worth trying these three days on medication. Nobody suggested euthanasia - although the unspoken comment hanging in the air was that it will be, if there isn't a significant improvement by Tuesday.

Clever Dog is lying next to Little Girl, within nose-licking reach. I can feel that bubble of love forming around us all, which always seems to herald approaching death. It will grow stronger, until the spirit is released into it's safety and both float away on to the next stage of existence..

Ug. Reading back this post so far, it's clear my thoughts are being pulled two ways.
I surrender; what is to be, will be. Peacefully. Shall do my part.


Still haven't 'phoned the bank.
Or DS2.
Garden hasn't been watered for days.
:think: ..RL is calling.

Fudgefund

I really hope Fat Dog pulls through Robin, she sounds like such a lovely little soul. Whatever happens, I'm sure she is much happier at home being fussed over by you.

debtfreewannabe321

I don't think you should have put her to sleep unless she was in pain, and as you say she isn't so I would have made the same decision as you xxx I hope she does pull through for you she sounds like she has fight in her still

(((hugs))) for you both xx

kissjenn

Robin my thoughts are with you.

This is such a difficult thing to have to go through and you can only make what you feel to be the best decision at each turn in the road. For what it's worth I'd have done exactly the same.

xx

missrlr

Pah, Rainbow. Bridge can just hold fire for any FD companion for a while. She is in the best place for her, right now.

I do so hope tis the dark before the dawn.

Love and hugs for you all.

She may like a bit of normality so perhaps time for some RL tasking, she will let you know when things are a changing

Hugs x x

please-let-me-be-lucky

Thinking of the 3 of you Xx

HeadAboveWater

Ditto all of the above. Thinking of you all *hugs*

HeadAboveWater

Miss you. Hope you're ok Robin.