Monday, October 5, 2015
German Wirehaired Pointers!: The Fall Allergy Woes
German Wirehaired Pointers!: The Fall Allergy Woes: The Itches! This post is for owners with confirmed allergy diagnosis from a licensed vet. There are many causes for extremely itchy skin t...
The Fall Allergy Woes
The Itches!
This post is for owners with confirmed allergy diagnosis from a licensed vet. There are many causes for extremely itchy skin that can be quite serious and should be confirmed and treated by a professional. These are just a few ideas that have helped our dog Gretchen get through her seasonal skin allergies.
Nothing is more stressful to a dog owner when their pooch is going nuts itching. The thumping of the back leg mimics someone knocking on the front door, the constant discomfort, and the helplessness one feels. Before you run to the vet, try some of these simple remedies. Unless your dog has open sores which can be staph infection and require antibiotics, try these options.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil that is organic and cold pressed can help in healing irritated skin. It is a good supplement when put into food, good topical itch reliever, and many times takes the red out of sensitive skin. I have used it for myself for years, made my spa coffee exfoliate for the shower, added calendula for a healing ointment, added lavender oil for a relaxing hydration treatment, and of course as a bath oil. When my dog Gretchen came down with her worst seasonal allergies ever, I thought why not? Due to mold and high pollen counts, she was absolutely miserable. Some good advice can be found here
Frequent Bathing
It is a myth that bathing your allergy ridden dog will cause dryness. It has been suggested that wiping legs, feet, and belly after being outside can help wash away the allergen that is brought in on the fur. Our dogs can bring them in, and we may have a reaction too. Get advice from your vet on a medicated hydrating pet shampoo that can be used frequently to alleviate that horrible itch. Do not use human products unless recommended by your vet.
Fish oil capsules
Adding coconut oil or a fish oil supplement to a grain free food can help irritated skin and relieve itching. While these treatments may take awhile to see results, the topical application does help almost immediately. Be prepared however to apply at least twice a day. We use the organic cold pressed coconut oil applied under her front legs, chin, and belly.
Check with your vet for dosages on the fish oil. We use 1000 IU of wild Alaskan salmon oil daily for maintenance. We give a higher dose when fighting her flareups.
Probiotics
It has been suggested by some professionals that a good probiotic can work wonders. We have just started using one, so nothing to report on this. If you have had luck with probiotics, I would love to hear your experiences. Please post in the comments section.
Benadryl
Benadryl should only be given under the advice of your vet. Dosage is critical to the size of the dog, weight, age, ect. My vet has recommended a specific dosage for our 55 lb. dog. I also read labels making sure the main ingredient is diphenhydramine. Other ingredients can be toxic to your dog.
We do not use for more than two weeks during her flareups, and only when necessary.
Grain free foods
My dogs have always done better on a fresh grain free diet. When in rescue, we had many dogs come in with various skin problems, stress, allergy, mange, and thyroid issues. I had a rescue that came in with extreme demodex mange....we did a raw diet of 6oz protein, organic vegetables, cranberry and blueberries, and an organic brown rice. In all cases, they did better being grain free. Now that there has been a definitive link to pesticides in grain being used in dog food, it may be best to eliminate grain all together.
Read about findings here
Humidifiers
Some pet owners simply must have a humidifier. Dry air can also irritate skin in many dogs. We use our wood stove almost exclusively in the winter, so put a pot of water on the top to combat overly dry air from the stove.
I do so hope some of these suggestions may initiate dialogue with your vet, or help those with confirmed allergy diagnosis. While we only have problems in the fall, allergies can be lifelong in many pets. Keep a journal of questions for your vet, observations, food you are feeding, ect.
Now I am praying for the first hard freeze!
This post is for owners with confirmed allergy diagnosis from a licensed vet. There are many causes for extremely itchy skin that can be quite serious and should be confirmed and treated by a professional. These are just a few ideas that have helped our dog Gretchen get through her seasonal skin allergies.
Nothing is more stressful to a dog owner when their pooch is going nuts itching. The thumping of the back leg mimics someone knocking on the front door, the constant discomfort, and the helplessness one feels. Before you run to the vet, try some of these simple remedies. Unless your dog has open sores which can be staph infection and require antibiotics, try these options.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil that is organic and cold pressed can help in healing irritated skin. It is a good supplement when put into food, good topical itch reliever, and many times takes the red out of sensitive skin. I have used it for myself for years, made my spa coffee exfoliate for the shower, added calendula for a healing ointment, added lavender oil for a relaxing hydration treatment, and of course as a bath oil. When my dog Gretchen came down with her worst seasonal allergies ever, I thought why not? Due to mold and high pollen counts, she was absolutely miserable. Some good advice can be found here
Frequent Bathing
It is a myth that bathing your allergy ridden dog will cause dryness. It has been suggested that wiping legs, feet, and belly after being outside can help wash away the allergen that is brought in on the fur. Our dogs can bring them in, and we may have a reaction too. Get advice from your vet on a medicated hydrating pet shampoo that can be used frequently to alleviate that horrible itch. Do not use human products unless recommended by your vet.
Fish oil capsules
Adding coconut oil or a fish oil supplement to a grain free food can help irritated skin and relieve itching. While these treatments may take awhile to see results, the topical application does help almost immediately. Be prepared however to apply at least twice a day. We use the organic cold pressed coconut oil applied under her front legs, chin, and belly.
Check with your vet for dosages on the fish oil. We use 1000 IU of wild Alaskan salmon oil daily for maintenance. We give a higher dose when fighting her flareups.
Probiotics
It has been suggested by some professionals that a good probiotic can work wonders. We have just started using one, so nothing to report on this. If you have had luck with probiotics, I would love to hear your experiences. Please post in the comments section.
Benadryl
Benadryl should only be given under the advice of your vet. Dosage is critical to the size of the dog, weight, age, ect. My vet has recommended a specific dosage for our 55 lb. dog. I also read labels making sure the main ingredient is diphenhydramine. Other ingredients can be toxic to your dog.
We do not use for more than two weeks during her flareups, and only when necessary.
Grain free foods
My dogs have always done better on a fresh grain free diet. When in rescue, we had many dogs come in with various skin problems, stress, allergy, mange, and thyroid issues. I had a rescue that came in with extreme demodex mange....we did a raw diet of 6oz protein, organic vegetables, cranberry and blueberries, and an organic brown rice. In all cases, they did better being grain free. Now that there has been a definitive link to pesticides in grain being used in dog food, it may be best to eliminate grain all together.
Read about findings here
Humidifiers
Some pet owners simply must have a humidifier. Dry air can also irritate skin in many dogs. We use our wood stove almost exclusively in the winter, so put a pot of water on the top to combat overly dry air from the stove.
I do so hope some of these suggestions may initiate dialogue with your vet, or help those with confirmed allergy diagnosis. While we only have problems in the fall, allergies can be lifelong in many pets. Keep a journal of questions for your vet, observations, food you are feeding, ect.
Now I am praying for the first hard freeze!
Sunday, September 27, 2015
German Wirehaired Pointers!: New Digs
German Wirehaired Pointers!: New Digs: Emma Aka Issabel Vom Himmelbogan It's been awhile since I did a dog blog. For a year, I have been on a mission of renewal. My ol...
New Digs
Emma Aka Issabel Vom Himmelbogan
It's been awhile since I did a dog blog. For a year, I have been on a mission of renewal. My old life was turned upside down with the loss of a loved one, boys off to college and out on their own. The old house was big and quiet, and needed a new family. Mine had grown up there, and now I was facing quite a decision.
Transition has been difficult, I left my home of 25 years, neighbors that were family, my close friends, and the familiar surroundings of a town I had grown to love. I looked south, mainly to areas which I had grown up, and almost pulled the trigger on several properties. One of which was on acreage, good for the dogs and complete with darling little red barns. I was thinking having my horses again would be exactly what the doctor ordered. Then my close friends pointed out the obvious...long lane in the country, snowfall, equipment and so on.
I ended up to the north, and found homes to be much cheaper, taxes about half of what I was used to. Inviting Victorians just needing a face lift. I ended up looking at older homes that were move in ready. I deplore new construction, and their lack of privacy. I also yearned for a lake house, or log cabin...well, that's exactly what I ended up with. A lake house style with 60 acres (not mine), as a back yard. We have a variety of wildlife, which is a gift and a curse at the same time. I am not fond of the howling of coyotes late at night...nor one in particular that has no problem coming directly to the front door. My .22 is loaded by the front door, and as he appears to be diseased I have no problem asking him to leave.
The dogs love it, they have much more to observe and chase. They are in their element, and even though we are technically in town, we can have horses....so if I do get a chance to purchase a few acres behind the property, I certainly will.
I have a foster with problems, so we have been working with him. He is about ready to go to a new home so I will keep everyone informed. He is not a gwp....and I have enjoyed working with different breeds for the first time in 20 years.
So it goes....til next time!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
When Life Gives you Lemons...
The past four months have been tough. With the loss of my husband due to cancer, working with some very challenging fosters, a broken arm, and dealing with a 17 year old human going through a rough spot. Just when things were at a low point, all started to turn around. The world doesn't stop turning, and one can get through the dark periods with help of dear friends. I am very blessed in this regard....why I am not sure, but love them I do. God has taken care of all, and for that I am very grateful...
I have gotten a lot of email from readers....our blog is published on the website, wondering if i was still alive. So thought it time to update and share some jewels of humor from the Murray home.
Four days before Stan passed on, we got an email from a shelter that Copper must have a place to go. He was heartworm positive, and they had exhausted all avenues of finding him a place to go. It was not a good time for me obviously, but volunteers offered to drive him to my door. He was a tall lanky boy, overly friendly...but quite sick. We had him heartworm treated, and soon found out "why" he was in the shelter. Houdini would have been proud of this boy, in 13 years, have I ever had such a challenge. He can open doorknobs, cabinets, find any hole small enough to fit his head through in the fence, or create a hole. He loves to run, and if he were human would be an A student in math or physics. He gauges height, and problem solves. I have seen it, and it is scary. Copper had a terrible habit of marking on just about everything in the kennel room, including Emma, the performance bred Drahthaar...when he started opening her kennel from the outside is when he was taking life into his own paws. As it turned out, Emma likes this crazy dog. She has never been properly socialized, and spent her life in an outdoor kennel. The odd couple emerged...who knew?
We had the good fortune to place six of our fosters in Oct. and Nov. giving us all a most needed break. Stan passed Thanksgiving evening around midnight.
In walks Gunther....at a time I needed it.
Two weeks ago, I traveled into the Flint Hills to retrieve another long legged lanky pup named Gunther. A Freshly neutered adolescent. He was in good health, and well cared for. His owner, a Military officer had been immediately deployed overseas, and did not contact his breeder thus putting Gunther into a shelter. His breeder, a wonderful man that immediately offered to fly this pup home was quite dismayed and upset that this boy had been put into a shelter. Which I definitely do not blame him....however, angels abound around many of these dogs, and I was able to retrieve him. Gunther being an adolescent, comes with adolescent behaviors....needed to find his place, test the waters so to speak. He is highly intelligent, solid in temperament,and smart.
Is intelligence the same as being "smart"? Not really, as most are highly intelligent, the smart ones listen. What he does possess is a quality I look for in any dog to consider....respect. Eyes on me..."watch me"...and that he does. He is always watching for direction. What a wonderful quality. After two weeks of learning routine, obedience, crate training and potty goes outside...he has made incredible progress. He too has not been properly socialized with other dogs, much like Emma was, so this is our next hurdle. He is 11 months old, so we have the opportunity to mold him, and what potential! Do I like the smart dogs? Why yes, we all do....they make us look good. The difference between Copper and Gunther is cooperation. Copper carves, or tries to carve out his own path. Gunther possesses the intelligence, but looks to me for direction. Copper thinks for himself, which gets him into trouble. He has improved with time, and this is the key to most of our dogs. We just can't rush anything. They go out 10x better than when they came in, and it is due to time. I am most eager to raise this pup Gunther to his potential, and with his cooperation he will be a fine dog in time. We are constantly in working mode, and he enjoys it.
One of our most beloved dogs was SAM. She was our girl that came in from KY with a catastrophic fracture of the radius after being hit by a car. A year and a half of surgeries and rehab, I wasn't sure she would ever find the right home. Well, she found the perfect home with a lovely couple that have training down to a science. She has the life 'O Riley, on 500 acres of woods, and a family that gives her what she needs. Her Mom Zettie Jones is a Hall of Fame wildlife artist, with an incredible camera and knack of getting lovely photos!
If a photo speaks a thousand words, I think this one hits the nail on the head. Zettie has detailed SAM's life, much to our joy in photographs. We all LOVE the SAM photos.
Friends tell me it gets better with time, and although I argued that statement during the dark periods, they were right. As we get back to normal, whatever normal is....life just keeps going. We just have to hang in there.
4/14 the socialization process has begun. We have had two weeks of meeting through the gates. My male Baldwin is very socialized, trained well, and administered two corrections. When Gunther did not listen, he flipped him over and did some trash talking in his face. I called him off, pup Gunther got up, shook, and minded his manners from then on. Good Boy Gunther!
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Monday, October 22, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Oct. is adopt a shelter Dog month at OneTrueMedia.com
Shelter dogs make wonderful Pets! ADOPT a shelter dog!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Sam is finally home
Our SAM has finally gone home! Sam came over a year ago with compound fracture of the right front leg. She went through 4 ortho surgeries, months of leash and crate rest. She has had the good fortune to have gone home with Wildlife Artist Zettie Jones on her 460 acre farm. Zettie has trained Drahthaars and horses for many years. When their last DD passed on at age 15...they decided to rescue. We are so very grateful SAM has found the perfect home. Be a good girl SAM I AM...you taught me many lessons in patience.
Friday, September 28, 2012
GWP Rescue, Inc
Sept. 28th, 2012
Dear Friends and Families,
Please help us by voting daily on our video until Nov. 8th! We truly need your support!
Please Vote for our Video-We will win $5000. to Benefit our Dogs!
Hello Everyone,
We have had an opportunity for a win-win contest! One of our former adopters made this video for the PetPlan Wag the vote contest. We are asking you a favor. Could you vote daily until November 8th to give us a chance to win? We are in third place, and really need your help. Simply click on the link, put in your email address and hit submit. It is that easy, and will help us so much. With the economy slow, donations down and grants offered less and less, this is a way that costs nothing...could we Please count on your support?
Your email address will not be shared by this company.
Our adopter has been out of work, and needed surgery. She will also win $5000. for making this darling video. So it is a win-win and we so appreciate her entering us as her chosen charity.
Thank you so much...and Please Vote Daily until Nov. 8th...
http://www.wagthevote.com/gallery.aspx?ID=70
German Wirehaired Pointer Rescue, Inc
Olathe, Ks
Mary Murray
GWP Rescue, Inc
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Deadly Diagnosis
Our last post detailed the struggle of Halle and LuLu...Riley passed on Tuesday, LuLu passed on Thursday, and Little Halle on Saturday. Our test came in from K-State with a deadly diagnosis of distemper. Mama had been struggling, and broke with distemper Sunday, July 22nd. While she has some resistance, she is still very ill. We are hoping you could share our chip in to help us continue to care for her. This situation has been the worst we have ever encountered in rescue.
Thanks to so many wonderful supporters, we have had checks coming in and have met our goal! Mama is now known as Peaches, and we are treating her at home with our vet doing in home visits....we are giving subQ fluids in her back daily, nutracal, batril, vaporizer, eye drops as her membranes all dried out....but she is making progress. Unless something neurological takes place, she is on the mend. She is weak, and have ordered an appetite stimulant to be in tomorrow. Feeding the nutracal, along with a liquid diet and fluids has kept her alive. We are also supplementing with iron. She is holding her own....we are so grateful to all of those that cared so much for her and the babies. A little dog that could thanks to so many...
Thanks to so many wonderful supporters, we have had checks coming in and have met our goal! Mama is now known as Peaches, and we are treating her at home with our vet doing in home visits....we are giving subQ fluids in her back daily, nutracal, batril, vaporizer, eye drops as her membranes all dried out....but she is making progress. Unless something neurological takes place, she is on the mend. She is weak, and have ordered an appetite stimulant to be in tomorrow. Feeding the nutracal, along with a liquid diet and fluids has kept her alive. We are also supplementing with iron. She is holding her own....we are so grateful to all of those that cared so much for her and the babies. A little dog that could thanks to so many...
Friday, July 20, 2012
little Lulu and Halle are both in the hospital. Little Riley their brother lost his fight and passed on Tuesday. We are hopeful for the girls to recover. Their bills will be huge, so we are working on this chip in, and an online Ebay Auction through our Mission Fish Charity Page. Please share or donate even 5.00, it all adds up. Please watch for updates on the puppies...
Halle before she became sick.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Mama needs our help....
Please help us save Mama....she has come in with a severe upper respiratory infection as did her babies. They are just 8 weeks old, and all treated last week. Just when we thought we were out of the woods, she came down with a fever of 106.7 degrees, and was admitted to the hospital. She has a deadly diagnosis of closed pyometra, and we are asking your help. If you could give any amount, it all adds up and so appreciated. Her babies are on the mend, but miss her.
Please share her chip in....thank you! All donations are tax deductible, as we are a recognized 501c3 certified through the IRS.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Gus needs a home for a Gentle Giant!
Gus is a three year old GWP that is just awesome! Lookin' for a wonderful dog to share your life with? I am here!n GwpRescue.com
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Terms of Endearment
One of the most impacting movies I ever saw was "Terms of Endearment" staring Shirley Maclaine and Debra Winger. It is the story of a Mother losing her daughter to terminal cancer. I saw it at the movies way back when, and little did I know how very true the events depicted in the movie actually were. The last two hospitalizations I had a couple of the "terms" moments. The scene where Shirley Maclaine is at the hospital, an inch of gray from her roots, and looking like hell are pretty common for those of us caregivers. When pain medication was needed, I too looked like this and leaned in the window on the cancer ward nurses station..."We have been waiting twenty minutes..." I said...I didn't scream, I am saving that for future hospitalizations.
I am human, and did screw up yesterday. We had requested stronger pain meds, and anxiety drugs which our doctor agreed were necessary at this time. I missed the call from the doctor, called back and the receptionist told me they had called them in. I went to the pharmacy this morning, and it was explained to me the drugs are strong narcotics and must be hand carried. Came home to a near hysterical patient, and the doctor's office was closed. Got ahold of the on call physician, that in turn got ahold of the adjacent on call clinic next door, gave permission for them to go next door, get into his file and retrieve them. Oh what a relief that was, as the doctors said he could not go a day without them...
I threw on my favorite capri pants, as it is so sunny and warm today, my new flip flops a friend...actually more like a sister sent to me, and my favorite pale green shirt. Yes, I looked like Shirley once again, with gray stemming from the roots...but felt a bit better, thinking I was stylin', new and favorite stuff does that for ya. Got to the clinic looked down, and noticed I hadn't shaved my legs all winter. Oh well...it is what it is. I would have made Aurora Greenwood proud.
I took a month off work to get everything in order...contacted an attorney to look over everything to be sure nothing would go into probate. Took care of all the filings and so on, glad I did that. Shopped around for funeral homes, and looked at urns. He will come home with me, at least for awhile...his only request is to be one shelf "higher" than our dogs that have passed...which are in Urns also.
Speaking of urns, don't get one from the funeral home...unless you want to spend $800.-$2000.00 for a $50.-$400.00 urn. He doesn't want a service, being the Irishman he is wants a full blown Irish wake...a party. Now that will be interesting...He probably will want Holly there too. Which is fine and I know it is what he would want, haven't asked him but know he regards her as one of the family.
Holly is his wire...she has been with us eight years, came in high heartworm positive, pregnant, among other things. He has cared for her since the day we brought her home. Their daily outings for eight years have ceased, and she is not coping well. I am doing what I can to mimic their outings, but it is not the same.
Back to the urns...I have met hundreds of wire friends the past 12 years. The support of the wire community has been as passionate as the dogs themselves. Their loyalty always unwavering, a rock on which to stand and lean on. If I were to have earned anything through the mission of rescuing these dogs, it will have been for the incredible gifts of love and friendship. So with that said, the most amazing gift of all...a dear friend and of course wire owner called me yesterday. Her husband makes urns out of rare native woods. Her father a craftsman, taught him years ago as his business sold to funeral homes. So we talked about it, and her husband will be making the box which will hold his ashes. There are no words in my vocabulary to express what I felt after that call. Just the deep concern and caring, and she said they would be "honored" to be able to do this for me. I am honored, and so very grateful. How special a gift, more than a gift...again, there are no words.
Losing someone you love is hard, it takes you to the deepest, darkest recesses of your soul; places a person may have never thought existed. The love and loyalty of those around you support, and their unwavering sincerity one sometimes may feel unworthy of such kindness. But whether I am worthy or not, I am so grateful they are there.
I am human, and did screw up yesterday. We had requested stronger pain meds, and anxiety drugs which our doctor agreed were necessary at this time. I missed the call from the doctor, called back and the receptionist told me they had called them in. I went to the pharmacy this morning, and it was explained to me the drugs are strong narcotics and must be hand carried. Came home to a near hysterical patient, and the doctor's office was closed. Got ahold of the on call physician, that in turn got ahold of the adjacent on call clinic next door, gave permission for them to go next door, get into his file and retrieve them. Oh what a relief that was, as the doctors said he could not go a day without them...
I threw on my favorite capri pants, as it is so sunny and warm today, my new flip flops a friend...actually more like a sister sent to me, and my favorite pale green shirt. Yes, I looked like Shirley once again, with gray stemming from the roots...but felt a bit better, thinking I was stylin', new and favorite stuff does that for ya. Got to the clinic looked down, and noticed I hadn't shaved my legs all winter. Oh well...it is what it is. I would have made Aurora Greenwood proud.
I took a month off work to get everything in order...contacted an attorney to look over everything to be sure nothing would go into probate. Took care of all the filings and so on, glad I did that. Shopped around for funeral homes, and looked at urns. He will come home with me, at least for awhile...his only request is to be one shelf "higher" than our dogs that have passed...which are in Urns also.
Speaking of urns, don't get one from the funeral home...unless you want to spend $800.-$2000.00 for a $50.-$400.00 urn. He doesn't want a service, being the Irishman he is wants a full blown Irish wake...a party. Now that will be interesting...He probably will want Holly there too. Which is fine and I know it is what he would want, haven't asked him but know he regards her as one of the family.
Holly is his wire...she has been with us eight years, came in high heartworm positive, pregnant, among other things. He has cared for her since the day we brought her home. Their daily outings for eight years have ceased, and she is not coping well. I am doing what I can to mimic their outings, but it is not the same.
Back to the urns...I have met hundreds of wire friends the past 12 years. The support of the wire community has been as passionate as the dogs themselves. Their loyalty always unwavering, a rock on which to stand and lean on. If I were to have earned anything through the mission of rescuing these dogs, it will have been for the incredible gifts of love and friendship. So with that said, the most amazing gift of all...a dear friend and of course wire owner called me yesterday. Her husband makes urns out of rare native woods. Her father a craftsman, taught him years ago as his business sold to funeral homes. So we talked about it, and her husband will be making the box which will hold his ashes. There are no words in my vocabulary to express what I felt after that call. Just the deep concern and caring, and she said they would be "honored" to be able to do this for me. I am honored, and so very grateful. How special a gift, more than a gift...again, there are no words.
Losing someone you love is hard, it takes you to the deepest, darkest recesses of your soul; places a person may have never thought existed. The love and loyalty of those around you support, and their unwavering sincerity one sometimes may feel unworthy of such kindness. But whether I am worthy or not, I am so grateful they are there.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Thoughts
One of our followers sent me an email saying she wished she had written about her loss of a loved one to cancer. This really wasn't by choice, but more necessity. Keeping ones sanity to some means bearing all.
While in college, I became obsessed with psychology classes. I took classes not even required for my major, due to the fact I just couldn't get enough info on the human psyche. One particular class detailed the stages of death. That of the patient and the family members detailed into thoughts, feelings and emotion. I kept that textbook oddly enough, something inside me guided me in that particular decision and the book is on my nightstand. We have made it through the anger and denial, now we are on the road to acceptance.
Aggressive cancer is like a runaway train. Careening out of control down a steep slope, it veers to the left, and swings to the right. There are ups and downs, and one prepares themselves for the inevitable....then everything shoots up a steep hill again. The patient goes through so much fear, and while they seem in my circumstance to be able to let it go for a bit, not wanting to get legal paperwork signed as it signals the end is approaching is tragic actually.
I cannot say how I would handle being the patient...that is only evident if I would be in that situation. I am a coward, and do not like the unknown...I am impatient, and selfish when it comes to control over my own life and decisions. I don't think I would allow a disease to make those decisions for me. Then my faith becomes the voice of reason, and lets me know that the spoiled child inside should never go to that dark place. That each and every moment is carefully orchestrated to provide closure to those left behind. Then I feel ashamed for even entertaining such thoughts. This is what happens when there is too much silence, and grasping at the psyche of the loved one losing the battle. One thinks a bit too much.
I am not the steel magnolia I thought I was....how could I have been so wrong about myself? For today, it is what it is. Time to come out of isolation maybe. Walking is good...the dogs need a walk. Our daily walks and outings have come to a halt as of late, and they look out the bay window with longing. So thank you furkids for perching those muzzles on the window seat. I get the message...thank you for that. Nothing will happen for that hour, and all will be waiting when we come back in through the door.
While in college, I became obsessed with psychology classes. I took classes not even required for my major, due to the fact I just couldn't get enough info on the human psyche. One particular class detailed the stages of death. That of the patient and the family members detailed into thoughts, feelings and emotion. I kept that textbook oddly enough, something inside me guided me in that particular decision and the book is on my nightstand. We have made it through the anger and denial, now we are on the road to acceptance.
Aggressive cancer is like a runaway train. Careening out of control down a steep slope, it veers to the left, and swings to the right. There are ups and downs, and one prepares themselves for the inevitable....then everything shoots up a steep hill again. The patient goes through so much fear, and while they seem in my circumstance to be able to let it go for a bit, not wanting to get legal paperwork signed as it signals the end is approaching is tragic actually.
I cannot say how I would handle being the patient...that is only evident if I would be in that situation. I am a coward, and do not like the unknown...I am impatient, and selfish when it comes to control over my own life and decisions. I don't think I would allow a disease to make those decisions for me. Then my faith becomes the voice of reason, and lets me know that the spoiled child inside should never go to that dark place. That each and every moment is carefully orchestrated to provide closure to those left behind. Then I feel ashamed for even entertaining such thoughts. This is what happens when there is too much silence, and grasping at the psyche of the loved one losing the battle. One thinks a bit too much.
I am not the steel magnolia I thought I was....how could I have been so wrong about myself? For today, it is what it is. Time to come out of isolation maybe. Walking is good...the dogs need a walk. Our daily walks and outings have come to a halt as of late, and they look out the bay window with longing. So thank you furkids for perching those muzzles on the window seat. I get the message...thank you for that. Nothing will happen for that hour, and all will be waiting when we come back in through the door.
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