Friday, October 28, 2011

GREAT NEWS!

The view upstream from the cottage just before sunset, a few minutes after we got back.

Because so many of you have been genuinely concerned and extraordinarily kind in your comments over the past couple of weeks, I just wanted to quickly share the great news re. Moon-the-Dog.

My fine old dog and I have just returned from the animal hospital in Cincinnati, where she had her 60-plus staples removed, along with follow-up blood work done to make sure the white-cell and liver counts were back where they should be and that no bile was showing up where it shouldn't following her emergency gall-bladder removal two weeks ago. 

The odds originally were not good, but today's news simply couldn't be better! Everything looks great, the staples came out fine, the incision is healing well. Moon can now get out and take walks and do those dog-of-the-manor activities at which she excels. I can quite worrying so much and possibly get a bit more sleep. The E-collar can go into the closet unless she starts excessively licking her still-healing scar.

God knows how we'll pay for all this…but hey, caring for your family and counting dollars does not equate. You do what's necessary and deal with the aftermath. 

Needless to say, I'm happier than I've been in weeks! 

Again, I want to thank you one and all for your many wonderful words and prayers and thoughts; they were most appreciated. I've repeatedly thanked everyone—surgeons and staff—at the C.A.R.E. Center for their wonderful work and personal support—the way they've called and kept in touch, been straight about things from the get-go, and willing to answer my many questions. But finally, I don't want to be remiss and fail to also thank God for taking care of my dog, Myladylove, and myself during this entire crisis. 

I am so truly grateful.   
———————

33 comments:

sage said...

I haven't been over here in a while, but glad to learn that your dog is better! Nice photo

Dawn Fine said...

So Happy for you and MOON!!

bonifer said...

Thank God for sure, Grizz!!! Such good news, so many of us were truly holding our breath and hoping Moon
the dog would be back to her old self very soon, so happy for you and your family!!

giggles said...

Truly fantabulous news!!! I am so very happy for you and Moon!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!

Penny said...

Such wonderful news, and I love the golden photo.

Deb said...

That is wonderful news indeed!

Scott said...

Based on your image, it looks like heaven's golden light was (deservedly) shining on you, your Ladylove, and Moon yesterday afternoon!

Grizz………… said...

Sage…

Hey, I've understood your absence—a fellow who's off gallivanting around the world doesn't have too much free time. But I'm glad you're back and decided to stop by…you're always welcome.

Thank you re. Moon.

Grizz………… said...

Dawn…

Yeah, me, too…on both counts! Thank you.

Grizz………… said...

Bonifer…

As you doubtless understand, given the odds, I was worried sick. I know my old dog can't be around forever—but I wasn't ready to give her up yet. I'm so glad—and so blessed—things worked out. Thank you.

Grizz………… said...

Giggles…

It's like the best-ever early Christmas present! Moon is looking and acting like she did two years ago. This has really given her a lift. Thank you!

Grizz………… said...

Penny…

Yes, great news, indeed. I didn't have time for a photo, really, as it was just on the cusp of sunset. But the light through the sycamores was so golden and pretty, I though it reflected how I felt and went with the post.

Grizz………… said...

Deb…

Yes, it sure is. I'm so glad things have gone well. Thank you.

Grizz………… said...

Scott…

A pretty view of a pretty stream at a pretty time of day…and appropriate to the great news and mood. And you're right, we were all wonderfully blessed.

Samantha said...

WONDERFUL news!
I agree- You can't put a dollar sign on family :)

The Weaver of Grass said...

So pleased with this splendid outcome Grizz - love means a lot to a dog you know and I am sure she has had plenty of it.

Vagabonde said...

I read about your dog and knew how much you were worried – our pet are family and it hurts when they are hurting too. It’s great news that she has gone through the operation so well and will be fine.
What a lovely shot of the river. We have to go to a wildlife federation meeting next week, two hours from home, and I have been looking at the map to see where we could go from there to see fall color – but we would have to drive up north as it is still not peak color around here.

Grizz………… said...

Samantha…

Absolutely not! There is no price. Blood, dollars, sweat, tears, time…and your heart are all out there and ready to be thrown into the fray when it comes to family. You do what you must. Period. No questions, no regrets.

BTW, love your dogs—especially that handsome Llewellin line English setter. Bet he sniffs up an occasional grouse over where you live.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

So happy for you Grizz. Your sense of relief is palpable.


Hmmmm - wonder why God didn't take care of my beloved dog ...

Grizz………… said...

Weaver…

I'm glad, too—and there's no question Moon receives lots of love. And I, too, think it means something to her, and I know it's reciprocated.

Happy Birthday (belated) and many, many returns.

Grizz………… said...

Vagabonde…

Thank you. Moon's recovery has been such a gift, and I'm so glad. She could still have problems, but chances are she's done dealing with this. I sure feel better about things.

Maybe it was my elation yesterday afternoon, but when Moon and I got back to the cottage and I saw the fading light on the sycamores and the golden leaves, I thought it was all quite lovely—hence the pix. I'm glad you liked it.

I guess finding some good fall color during your trip will depend on which direction from your home you have to head for the conference. North or west would be closest; south farthest, east-northeast the best, with some really spectacular country, rugged cliffs and highlands, plenty of hardwoods, and good altitude so that all you have to do is drive another mile or two to equal color current several hundred miles to the north.

Grizz………… said...

Bonnie…

Thank you…and yes, I guess it's pretty apparent how much better I feel and how relieved I am that things worked out.

Not to get into theology—or even belief. Or to minimize the role of good medical care. But the short answer to your question is, I simply don't know. What I do know is that as a child, I often asked my father for things. Sometimes they were given, sometimes not—which in no way meant he didn't hadn't heard my request or didn't love me by not granting what I'd asked for.

There have been many times that what I asked God for in prayer, has, in retrospect, been foolish, self-centered, or just plain wrong. So older I get, the more careful I am about my prayers. Prayer isn't an escape clause from life's trials and troubles. It is a conversation, if you will, with the one in whom you've placed your eternal faith. My prayer was that I loved my dog, understood her advanced age, would like to have her around for a couple more years…but ultimately didn't want her to suffer. I asked God that His will be done, and that I might be given both strength and peace.

My dear late friend, Frank, used to say, he finally decided to let God be in charge—that way, all he had to do was show up every day ready to work.

KGMom said...

Scribe--so very glad that Moon is on the mend, and released for roving duties once again.
I do so agree--when it comes to family members, money is not an object. Those of us who can afford such care are truly blessed.

Bernie said...

Hello old friend I have been away a while and am so glad to come back and find you and your family doing so well. I am not sure if I will post a blog but want to touch base with those who matter so much to me. So sorry you have been through so much but am so very pleased and happy that Moon is on the mend and will be with you for a few years yet. Take care/I care....:-)Hugs

Grizz………… said...

KGMom…

Thank you—and I'm glad to have my faithful old gal with me still, for however long. Re. the care cost, in our case we can't afford it, frankly, but we'll make the payments and be happy we can.

Grizz………… said...

Bernie…

You've been missed here. Whether you resume blogging or not, ot visit Riverdaze often, make sure you keep in touch.

My email is macscribeATgmailDOTcom. (Of course the AT means@ and the DOTcom means .com.)

You've been, and continue to be, a special friend, and I mean that. Please drop me a few lines, at the very least, from time to time,—let me know how you're doing and all. I care, too. Don't be a stranger!

Rebecca said...

Wonderful news! So very glad for you and Moon.

Keep well, Rebecca

Grizz………… said...

Rebecca…

Indeed, the news was great—and of course I'm elated. Thank you for your nice comments.

(P.S. Sorry to be so slow in answering…from midmorning yesterday on, we worked outside, loading and bringing down to the house from the neighbor's, two pickup loads of firewood. Then we added that to the stacked piles. After that, until almost dark, we split the too-big stuff. Finally, we drug ourselves inside, warmed bowls of soup, crashed on the couches for a bit, and ultimately gimped off to bed. I forgot to check my email and blog comments.)

Jain said...

Fantastic news, indeed, Grizz! So happy to read that Moon is doing well. I never doubted it. :o)

Grizz………… said...

Jain…

It sure is…but I have to say, while one part of me never doubted Moon's resiliency, I knew how sick she was, and how serious the operation and immediate recovery would prove. So I was worried to death and sick with fear.

Jain said...

Sorry, Grizz, I didn't mean to make light of your worry. I've been there and know how it feels. I was only trying to convey hope and confidence that she'd be all right.

Grizz………… said...

Jain…

Oh, wow… if my reply to your comment gave the impression I was somehow put off by what you said, I'm really sorry. I never thought for a moment you meant anything other than genuine friend-to-friend sympathy and understanding. And I appreciated every word. Please, don't give it another thought. We're fine, your words were fine. Okay?

Jain said...

Okay. :)