Learning A New Way of Life
Comments(12) Well we’re home! Boagey came home yesterday evening and it’s already been a rollercoaster ride….I had my doubts when i picked him up yesterday, he wouldn’t even sit up on his own all he seemed to want to do was lay on his side, and the nurses that worked at the vets were having to hold his head up for him, i was begining to fear that maybe we hadn’t done the right thing. Well let me just tell ya, we got in the truck on the way home and he sat right up all on his own and was just like his usual self, well minus one of his limbs. We headed home and when we got there i thought all was going good, we helped him out of the truck and then he decided it was time to nap, right there in the middle of the driveway! so needless to say he had to be packed into the house, all 120 pounds of him, LOL. The first trip outside was a little scary, but he seemed to be doing okay and was managing with the help from us. And he’s went out twice today (which he has always only went out about two times a day, sometimes only once!) and each time he seems to be doing okay, he hops around and i hold him under his head to help him balance, but i think we will be just fine with a little work and practice. Now to me being a worrier, i have called the vet’s office twice already and we havent even been home for twenty-four hours! and you would think that me being an RN that i would be better prepared for what to expect and everything, WRONG! LOL! It is entirely different when your patient cant tell you if he’s in pain or if he’s okay or if he feels funny and its different when its your baby. Anyway the first phone call was concerning the drainage, it seemed everytime he got up or even sat up his wound would drain a lot of bloody drainage and when we would got out it would drip, this was starting to alarm me but when i called they said that it was normal and for me to just keep a check on his mucous membrane and thier color and make sure he doesn’t start to get weak. Okay we are going to be fine, or so i thought. THe second phone call was concerning a large blood clot that came out between the stitches the last time we got him up and took him out. it worried me, i called, was told again that this was normal and what to watch for. Okay so i think that i need to find something to do with my spare time seeing as Boagey is back to his favorite activity, which is lying on his bed beneath my feet sleeping, he sleeps a lot, but its normal for him. It was heartbreaking seeing him for the first time without his leg, but i’m getting okay with it. I still feel kinda bad for putting him through it, but i keep telling myself that we are doing the right thing and that it is what needed to be done if we wanted to have him around much longer. Oh yeah, we haven’t started chemo yet, the was an issue with the supplier and the dosage concentration being wrong when they recieved it so they are getting it from another supplier so we have to wait until next week. I willl keep holding onto hope, because that is all we have. I keep praying that Boagey will do okay, I think i will feel better when he can walk on his own though. I’ll keep ya’ll updated! Ashley
oh good luck good luck, Magic had his amputation on March 11, so we are three weeks out…he was 114 pounds and my body feels beat up from “persuading” him to do certain things!!! He has lost some weight and that has helped. I know EXACTLY what you are going through…
Don’t feel bad. Boagey will thank you. It’s still very early in his recovery. While there may be ups and downs, just take things one day at a time and before you know it he’ll be surprising you. Sounds like things are going as well as can be expected. Thanks for the update!
Thank you for the update!
It is a new way of life, for sure, and takes a little adjustment for everyone. Boagey doesn’t have the pain from the bone cancer any more; really, it’s a good thing you did for him.
Many warm wishes for a speedy recovery!
Hang in there Boagey and Ashley,
The first few weeks are the hardest and it should only get better from here on out. We are all here for you if you have questions!
Here are some “FAQs” from Jim and Rene but don’t hesitate to post if anything else comes up…..
http://tripawds.com/2008/11/17/the-top-10-questions-about-amputation-for-dogs/
Lots of good tripawd vibes winging their way to you from the Oaktown Pack, and keep us posted!
xoxox,
Codie Rae
You might want to consider using a sling to help Boagey with his balance while he is adjusting to the loss of a leg. After the staples/stitches come out I would recommend a ruffwear harness. It will really be easier on you and him as you help him get around. I don’t expect he will need it for regular running around but if you hike or he has troubles getting in and out of the car it would be well worth the money.
Keep your spirits up. It will get better.
Debra & Angel Emily
We all know what a hard decision this is to make but I sure don’t regret my decision. Ruthie has adapted so well and I’m sure Boagey will too. I bought rug runners to cover the kitchen linoleum and hardwood floors which were a huge help. As Emilysmom said, it will get better. Keep posting so we know how you’re doing!
Tail Wags from Ruthie & Me
Best wishes for a good recovery for Boagey! The first few weeks can be some ups and some downs, but once he gets through that hopefully it will be smooth sailing. We’re keeping fingers and paws crossed for him…
Hugs,
Holly and Holly’s mom
No estб seguro de que esto es verdad:), pero gracias a un cargo.
Dougles
What excellent question
What remarkable words
Hello everyone, I am not sure who it is or why but there are some people leaving some not so nice comments about me and my decision (i have not approved any of them) and i just wanted to tell everyone who feels that i have not done the right thing to move on and not read the post and not bother commenting, because you are not here and you are not in my situation and we did what we thought was the best thing we could for our dog. So please leave me alone and stop harrasing me telling me that we are wrong and that we havent done the right thing, beacause we feel that we have!