To say we are struggling is an understatement. It’s been 8 days since surgery and whilst I’m very much a realist, I also tend towards the positive. I have to admit, my positive is fast diminishing. Watching my girl emotionally struggle is harrowing to say the very very least and I find myself wondering if I have made the right decision. Felicity seems to be depressed and just does not want to be around me. She is eating at the moment which is a huge highlight and cause for celebration considering she was living on two slices of plastic cheese in the days prior. We have had little sleep and we are exhausted. Two days of great eating, drinking and going toilet gave us an immense amount of hope. Today – screaming, pain and depression seem to have taken a bit of that away. My incredible partner remains a pillar of strength in our home. He is just one amazing man.
So, this is our little update. It’s a rollercoaster right now. We haven’t given up at all, we are just struggling to find the positive. It’s a depressing kind of update, but our blog is about our journey – the good, the bad and the ugly. At the moment, this is what Felicity and I have.
undeniably scrawled with hope, by Cate
Flynn looks over sister Felicity, taking care of her xx
11 comments so far
11:58 am - 8-19-2015
This is so very difficult for me to read but so necessary
My beloved tripawd Dane has the same scar marking where a front leg and shoulder blade should be
She came to us that way and I can only imagine what it was like for her to go through that with the horrible people who starved her and left her alone and now I have read this blog and I just can’t stop hugging her
I wish you both well on this journey and p,ease know that there is hope and your pup will run and play again with your love and encouragement
Prayers for all of you and thank you for sharing . This website is so very helpful to all of us with our concerns
12:15 pm - 8-19-2015
I am so sorry you are all going through this. ..I know how draining it is emotionally and physically. ..sending you all strength and comfort! ♡
2:57 pm - 8-19-2015
Yes, roller coaster ride full of ups and downs, twirst and turns!
The fact that Felicity did eat is really good!! 🙂 Continue to do whatever it takes ro entice her to eat and drink.
Still not felling like running a race at this point is stil “normal”. I do have a question bout the pain though. When you say screaming…is it quick outbursts of loud yelping and then subsides quickly? Does she try to get up and “run away from the pain”? This could be phantom limb pain and Gabapentin is what helps that.
This leads me to my next question. What is her current pain dose and at what intervals? It sounds like she may still be having discomfort from the surgery. Also, lain meds can definitely make them feel like not doing much and not wanting to eat.
Maybe do a quick temperature check to make sure she doesn’t have a fever. Sometimes a quick trip to the vets for some fluids help perk them up and stimulate the appetite even if they are not dehydrated.
Now, all that said, it was three weeks before I finally felt like I had done this FOR my beloved Happy Hannah and not TO her!! Yes, we do have to constantly remind ourselves this is major surgery! Eight days into recovery is very, very early!
One thing you might try to help stimulate her is to have someone come over that she likes. Have them knock on the door loudly and bounce in with tons of energy and a cheesburger and see if that perks her up. It’s amazing sometimes how this little trick works!!
I’ll check back later, okay? Felicity is going to get her sparkle back! She will start turning the corner and get better! It’s impossible for us humans to be patient when our dogs aren’t feeling well and it’s hard to stay positive. Hang in tnere! You are doing great! As far as “giving up”? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Erase that thought completely out of your head! She’ll be herself in another week or so and this will all be behind you!!
Love and hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
3:59 am - 8-20-2015
Hi Cate. This is a very difficult time in both your life, and Felicity’s. I remember when my boy Max had his left front leg amputated, I felt I had done the wrong thing! This feeling stayed with me for quite awhile, because Max mentally just wasn’t himself. He went into the hospital my boy, and came out a different dog. Part of this is because of the meds he had to take, which I’m sure Felicity is taking many of the same. The meds really can mess with a pup’s mind and because of that, his/her personality will be different for awhile. All dogs are different in their recovery period. Everyone says “two weeks,” but really it can last longer (or shorter for some). My Max wasn’t “normal” again until about 4 weeks after surgery. That’s about the time I realized I had done the absolute right thing for him, and we were going to get through this together. And you and Felicity will too! Just be patient. Sleep when she sleeps. You are no good to her if you don’t get any sleep. If you guys have to take turns sleeping, then do that too. Whatever it takes so that your mind is clear to be able to take care of yourself and your baby. You’re in the middle of an extremely tough period right now. Reading your post brings back so many memories for me. Everything was a struggle for those first few weeks! Stay the course and take it one minute at a time, if you have to. We’ve all been where you are, so we know exactly how you feel, and the struggles you are having! Sending strength and positive thoughts to you and Felicity! Stay strong!
11:53 am - 8-20-2015
I agree with Sally. My first thought was that it has only been 8 days. Hang in there, it does get better. I think I was still sleeping on the floor with Ty at that point. Sally made several good pints on the phantom pain and pain meds dose. I guess I really just wanted to add my support and let you know that this does not sound real far from what most of us have seen. After 2 or 3 weeks, they usually have a big turn around. Lori, Ty & Gang
6:17 pm - 8-20-2015
I agree with Sally 100%
Most of us owners go through a similar depressing thought process at some point during the recovery of our beloved pet. Sally read my mind saying it takes time to shift the thought of having done this major thing TO our pet, to the truth of the matter which is that we did it FOR them. I don’t think anyone would choose amputation, what we choose is whatever is in our loved one’s best interests.
I also agree that you should double check some of her pain management and look into phantom pain, gabapentin is a medication this community has experience with. And I know my dog uses the Farabloc blanket frequently, he digs his scapula stump right into it!
It really is a great sign that she’s showing interest in food, the fuel for healing as they say! Do your absolute best to keep that hope alive, it’s the spark that will help you help her find her own sparkle again.
I know those early days of recovery are roughshod at best sometimes, we’re here to commiserate whenever you feel less than stellar.
All our best,
Rascal and Co.
1:20 am - 8-21-2015
Oh I so feel your pain! We are 8 weeks out of surgery. It was so very hard and painful for all of us in the beginning, especially our precious Banjo. I still worry about his emotions, as he doesn’t play like we are all accustomed to. Now that he can take walks as the scar has healed, he does perk up at the sight of others who are out on the street. But I totally agree with Sally above, who said to have a friend come over. Whenever the doorbell rings, Banjo is hopping up and wagging his tail, ready to greet visitors. In the beginning, he would not eat his dry food at all. So I did not hold on back on vienna sausage and anything else that would spark some interest. Felicity will come around. Keep loving her through it. You have given her the gift of life, she trusts you!
10:34 pm - 8-21-2015
The first two weeks are the hardest you will encounter. The depression sets in on the dog between days 3 and 7 and lasts until the stitches come out for most of them. THIS IS NORMAL! It breaks your heart and you question every day, if not every hour, “Did I do the right thing?” I want to be positive here but I have to be pragmatic. As long as there are no other complications, things will be back to normal pretty soon. This is Nixon about 6 weeks after amputation:
https://youtu.be/gPtEauvWjWY
But this was Nixon 4 days after the amputation:
http://ohmynixon.tripawds.com/2013/04/14/things-i-dont-recommend-doing-in-the-ca/
And then I recommend you read this one too:
http://ohmynixon.tripawds.com/2013/04/15/cold-laser-therapy/
“My human was in sad shape. She smelled like dirty human, dog pee, and I’m not sure when she last brushed her teeth. They sent her home to get a shower and a nap. They even offered to watch me all day. I’m not sure if I should be happy or insulted about that. My human wouldn’t think of it. She was going to get me at noon and that was that.”
6:03 pm - 8-24-2015
Sorry to hear you are struggling….they say it’s darkest before the dawn, and it’s true. Hang in there, one step at a time, one day at a time. We experienced everything you are going through last summer, now Nitro is hoppy and healthy and such a joy to be around. Stay strong! And get rest when you can like Sally said.
Paula and Nitro
1:28 pm - 8-25-2015
You have been a lot of great advice from people. I agree the first 2 weeks are the toughest. You will start to see some spark once those stitches come out. Screaming in pain? Could it be phantom pain that she is having? If so you can check with your vet & add Gabepentan which is for phantom pain.
Don’t be so tough on yourself. Remember this was a major surgery and it takes time to heal. She will come around 🙂
xoxox
Michelle & Angel Sassy
5:59 pm - 9-5-2015
How are you doing? We haven’t heard from you in a while.