This ain't no day at the beach
2008-04-15 02:14 Filed in: Beau's
lymphoma treatment
Ok, so this is supposed to be Beau's second "rest"
week. We're here in gorgeous Kaua'i for a vacation
with my mom, my sister Ingrid, her husband Henry, and
their 4-year old daughter, Paula. During our trip,
our dear friends Lisa and Pat are keeping watch over
Beau and Maggie. So, today's Beau Beau Blog entry is
by "guest blogger" Lisa. Let's see how things went
for her...
"Don't Worry!" I said....
Two words I have often used when entrusted with the care of a precious loved one -- whether human, feline, or canine. While Ken and Caren are on vacation in Hawaii, I have moved in to care for Beau and Maggie. Naturally, I reassured them both everything would be fine as we hugged goodbye on Saturday and I watched them drive off to the airport. Words that easily flowed from my lips... after all, I have done this many times before.
Sure, with Beau's chemo and resulting bladder problems, I knew this wasn't like old times, but he was doing much better. I even did a "dry run" going with Ken back on President's Day for one of Beau's earlier treatments in preparation for this responsibility. I studied Ken's instructions and the report from Beau's last chemo trip the night before they left. Heck, if anything I was more concerned about taking him to his vet for his blood test since this week was a rest week. (The fact they take it from the "jugular" in his neck just makes me really squeamish!) So less than an hour later, off we went. Beau was great as usual even though the doctor had to draw from both veins in his neck. After coming home, we all cuddled together on the couch the rest of the afternoon, and dinner was served as normal. I did notice he didn't drink water after eating...hmmm odd. Then everything changed.
An hour after dinner, Beau's stomach had enough and sent it all back up. Uh oh. One of the symptoms listed on last week's chemo report to look out for. I called Ken - just as they were boarding the plane on the last leg of their trip. He told me "that happens...it could be due to the cupcake (from Maggie's birthday the night before)...monitor and if you need to, call South Paws." Ok. As the evening progressed I got more worried as he seemed lethargic and wasn't interested in water, or even a treat. All symptoms noted to watch for after his last treatment.
Early Sunday morning Beau was not right. He was still lethargic, and was totally not interested in breakfast (major red flag) and not drinking water. Decision made, I called the South Paws emergency number. They recommended bringing him in since he wasn't eating -- especially since (to quote the doctor) "Bassets live to eat." Sending Ken a brief text message indicating I was taking Beau to South Paws was one of the hardest things to do. "Don't worry" I had said not 24 hours before. Right.
A little later there I was at South Paws. I just didn't expect to be there for another 8 days to start his first week of cycle 3. The staff there was wonderful, from the receptionist who answered my phone call , to the nurse, and finally the doctor. They were trying to get the results from Beau's blood test the day before. The doctor examined Beau, and after finally getting the test results, declared the white blood cells were "well within the normal range." Whew. She wanted to give him fluids, an anti-nausea shot, and send us home to monitor. That was much better news than the alternative of hospitalizing him, giving him antibiotics, and monitoring. They took Beau to the back to proceed, and I waited in the main waiting room. When the nurse brought him back out, I was shocked! He had a bubble back! Seriously, on his back there was what looked like a huge bubble (8-10 inches in diameter)! I must have had a horrific look on my face, because the nurse blurted out "it's all right-- it will go away soon!" I assumed the fluids would be given intravenously, but in this case was given under the skin. We headed home, and I am sure if anyone had seen us both at that moment they would have seriously scratched their heads to see a bubble back basset and a blubbering baby at the wheel.
"Don't worry" I had said..... and it was too late to take those words back.
Since then, he's not eaten a regular meal. This morning I was uplifted when he actually drank some water and I coaxed him into eating a few bits of his dry food. Tonight no supper, but he is drinking and ate only a couple of bits of dry food. I will keep monitoring, and I pray he gets his appetite back soon. As for me, I will never use the words "don't worry" again without thinking first of this experience. Only now do I understand the depth of meaning these two words have. It had become easy to offer them because more often than not, nothing ever happens. This time something did.
In closing, I will periodically send an update for Ken to post. I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers for Beau. Just now he came downstairs wagging his tail and drank some more water. I will take those and an exposed belly waiting for a belly rub as good signs, even if he isn't eating yet. So as I sign off and head off to try and get some sleep, I will try to turn these positive little signs into another phrase.....
"Don't worry.... Be happy!"
Lisa
"Don't Worry!" I said....
Two words I have often used when entrusted with the care of a precious loved one -- whether human, feline, or canine. While Ken and Caren are on vacation in Hawaii, I have moved in to care for Beau and Maggie. Naturally, I reassured them both everything would be fine as we hugged goodbye on Saturday and I watched them drive off to the airport. Words that easily flowed from my lips... after all, I have done this many times before.
Sure, with Beau's chemo and resulting bladder problems, I knew this wasn't like old times, but he was doing much better. I even did a "dry run" going with Ken back on President's Day for one of Beau's earlier treatments in preparation for this responsibility. I studied Ken's instructions and the report from Beau's last chemo trip the night before they left. Heck, if anything I was more concerned about taking him to his vet for his blood test since this week was a rest week. (The fact they take it from the "jugular" in his neck just makes me really squeamish!) So less than an hour later, off we went. Beau was great as usual even though the doctor had to draw from both veins in his neck. After coming home, we all cuddled together on the couch the rest of the afternoon, and dinner was served as normal. I did notice he didn't drink water after eating...hmmm odd. Then everything changed.
An hour after dinner, Beau's stomach had enough and sent it all back up. Uh oh. One of the symptoms listed on last week's chemo report to look out for. I called Ken - just as they were boarding the plane on the last leg of their trip. He told me "that happens...it could be due to the cupcake (from Maggie's birthday the night before)...monitor and if you need to, call South Paws." Ok. As the evening progressed I got more worried as he seemed lethargic and wasn't interested in water, or even a treat. All symptoms noted to watch for after his last treatment.
Early Sunday morning Beau was not right. He was still lethargic, and was totally not interested in breakfast (major red flag) and not drinking water. Decision made, I called the South Paws emergency number. They recommended bringing him in since he wasn't eating -- especially since (to quote the doctor) "Bassets live to eat." Sending Ken a brief text message indicating I was taking Beau to South Paws was one of the hardest things to do. "Don't worry" I had said not 24 hours before. Right.
A little later there I was at South Paws. I just didn't expect to be there for another 8 days to start his first week of cycle 3. The staff there was wonderful, from the receptionist who answered my phone call , to the nurse, and finally the doctor. They were trying to get the results from Beau's blood test the day before. The doctor examined Beau, and after finally getting the test results, declared the white blood cells were "well within the normal range." Whew. She wanted to give him fluids, an anti-nausea shot, and send us home to monitor. That was much better news than the alternative of hospitalizing him, giving him antibiotics, and monitoring. They took Beau to the back to proceed, and I waited in the main waiting room. When the nurse brought him back out, I was shocked! He had a bubble back! Seriously, on his back there was what looked like a huge bubble (8-10 inches in diameter)! I must have had a horrific look on my face, because the nurse blurted out "it's all right-- it will go away soon!" I assumed the fluids would be given intravenously, but in this case was given under the skin. We headed home, and I am sure if anyone had seen us both at that moment they would have seriously scratched their heads to see a bubble back basset and a blubbering baby at the wheel.
"Don't worry" I had said..... and it was too late to take those words back.
Since then, he's not eaten a regular meal. This morning I was uplifted when he actually drank some water and I coaxed him into eating a few bits of his dry food. Tonight no supper, but he is drinking and ate only a couple of bits of dry food. I will keep monitoring, and I pray he gets his appetite back soon. As for me, I will never use the words "don't worry" again without thinking first of this experience. Only now do I understand the depth of meaning these two words have. It had become easy to offer them because more often than not, nothing ever happens. This time something did.
In closing, I will periodically send an update for Ken to post. I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers for Beau. Just now he came downstairs wagging his tail and drank some more water. I will take those and an exposed belly waiting for a belly rub as good signs, even if he isn't eating yet. So as I sign off and head off to try and get some sleep, I will try to turn these positive little signs into another phrase.....
"Don't worry.... Be happy!"
Lisa
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