I think I knew there’d be hard days. Ones like the past few for us. Just when I thought Finn’s pain was under control, he has spent most of the last few days trying to get comfortable, lying in bizarre positions (assuming trying to get comfy), occasionally whining and making it almost impossible to get him inside after potty breaks – simply refusing to move. He just looks pathetic. He’s even resorted to lying on the floor – a place this dog has never slept. I’ve really been struggling to not think that his recovery is going in the opposite direction. Two days ago was the first day I second guessed the decision to amputate his leg.
I’m letting you all in on our hard days because I feel like it’s real life. I think it’s really difficult not to question your decision, especially when you feel like recovery is not going at all the way you planned. We are 14 days in, why isn’t he getting better? I find it also hard to read other recovery journeys which are going much better than ours. “STOP COMPARING,” I keep telling myself. I know every journey/dog is different. But I can’t help it. It’s easy to let the negative thoughts come swarming in.
The good news to all this is we took him back into the vet yesterday and nothing seems to be glaringly wrong with the big guy. There could be multiple reasons for his discomfort but probably nothing rest and time can’t fix. Along with our continued massages and ice/heat therapy, the vet has also added amantadine to his mix. Meanwhile, I’m praying to all the dog gods that this helps and really wishing I could have a cocktail or 10 (I’m 5 months pregnant).
To add on more good news, Finn did get his first immunotherapy vaccination yesterday from the Yale clinical trial. For those interested about it, you can read more about it here. Dr. Mamula was incredibly responsive and helpful with all my questions and concerns. The logistics have also been wonderful and easy. We got our histopath report back Monday morning confirming the osteosarcoma so Dr. Mamula and his team were able to overnight the vaccination to our vet that day. Next step is to receive his second dose in 3 weeks. We then have to wait another week before starting chemo.
So, here I am now trying to get my positive pants back on and know that we will get through these hard days of recovery and back into our (new) normal. I appreciate all the love, healing and support you guys have sent us so far and continue to. Hopefully our next report is full of smiles and tail wags.
Xx,
Finn and Casey
Casey, your honesty is so needed for people to know that not every journey is easy or quick. Thank you for being so willing to talk about how it feels to be in your shoes. It’s not easy but you can do this! Fourteen days is hardly any time at all. Try to imagine how you would be two weeks after amputation surgery. I know that I wouldn’t want to go outside or do much of anything. Finn is very human that way, and I’m going to bet that in a couple weeks (hopefully sooner) he is going to turn a corner.
Hey you forgot to share a photo of your sweet pup!
And thanks for the Yale link, I’ll share that in our Forums for ya.
Hang in there! And have a mocktail when you start to feel down, I’ll bet it can help a little.
Hi Casey! I really appreciate your honesty in this post. I feel blessed that Griffin’s recovery has been smooth and I also feel guilty sometimes when I post because I know that most other dogs don’t bounce back quite as quickly. However, Finn will bounce back! And, he has made improvements from when you first brought him home. He is just 2 weeks out from surgery and you are still working with the vet to get his meds just right, and so it is natural that he might plateau or regress bit while figuring out how to live a tripawd life. I’m so excited that Finn has started the Yale trial and I will always be grateful to you for sharing that information as that is now part of Griffin’s treatment plan. Jerry’s idea of a mocktail sounds great – I hope you are making sure to take care of yourself as well as you are caring for Finn. Sending lots of hugs from NYC! ~ Stacy
Hi Casey and Finn,
We all know how hard the 1st few weeks can be. My dog Lucky had a pretty smooth recovery, but there were definite ups and downs. I remember having those same feelings wondering if the surgery was a mistake. He couldn’t get around as well, he couldn’t go up the stairs to sleep with us anymore, he couldnt jump up on the couch, etc. It was depressing. But then, before we knew it, he started getting around just fine, he learned to jump up on the couch, and then relearned to go up and down the stairs. Before long, he was back to chasing squirrels in the backyard (not as fast, but faster than I would have ever thought). Hang in there!! Finn will get his spark back!
Have a great night,
Pam and Lucky
Hi Casey,
What worked for Finn? I’m living quite the nightmare with my dog Spencer. He’s about 7 weeks post surgery. He seems to be getting worse by the day. Yelps out, jumps up as if something is stabbing him. So restless. Panting like crazy at 2 am (and often throughout the day). I’m getting no sleep. He looks miserable and it’s breaking my heart. I’d love to know what kind of meds have helped him. I’m been trying an assortment and nothing is doing the trick. Feeling so helpless.
Tamara & Spencer
Sent you a direct message, Tamara. Let me know if you don’t get it!