Sunday, February 17, 2008

A rather long day

What started off as a beautiful morning became a fun filled afternoon with piggies having another day out in the yard while I did some cleanup out there. But this evening brought sorrow - Caleb vomited blood, necessitating a trip to the emergency vet an hour away. He received fluids subQ, and an injection of a new antinausea drug, and three hours later when we returned home he brought up clear fluids again.

He is such a good boy - no complaining, no balking at all the prodding and probing, and still alert enough to enjoy the car ride and to take an interest in the cat when we got home. He just had another drink of water, and is expressing interest in a little bland pureed turkey and veggies.

I have tentatively booked a home euth for him this week, but will cancel if he begins to be able to retain his food and fluids. It is not clear if his immediate problem is due directly to the lymphosarcoma (that is, a swelling of the mediastinal lymph nodes) or is the result of ulcers or gastroenteritis caused by the prednisone used to fight the cancer. It has been a week now since the vomiting began, and four days since he was able to retain any food, three days since he stopped eating. But he will tell me when it is time for him to go. Fortunately it is midterm break and I have most of this week at home with him. We plan to enjoy it to the fullest for as long as we can.

He is one very special boy.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Prayers and positive thoughts sent to you and Caleb, enjoy your bonus time.

Susan from Chicago

Anonymous said...

Jean, we'll be thinking of you, Caleb and the rest of your crew, wishing there was something we could do to help or to make things different. Thank you for sharing your experiences -- we can and will learn valuable life lessons from you and from the mighty Caleb.

And I have to add, I'm so glad Belle found you (for many reasons). She's a special little old dog, who deserved a special person like you.

Take care,
Deb, Riley, Rupert & Jasper
(Belle's former foster family)