Last Wednesday Tami went in for her right front leg amputation. I was on the edge of my seat all day waiting to hear how the surgery went. Around 1pm I finally received a call from the vet saying that the surgery went as well as it could have and I was finally able to breath. Her vet was very hopeful for a quick recovery. Not only was her limb removed but also her shoulder blade and fortunately not much muscle had to be cut, which usually means less pain.
Knowing that Tami was comfortably medicated and being cared for by professionals for the night allowed me to relax for the evening and mentally and physically prepare myself for the recovery process. My good friend and roommate took me out to a nice dinner to celebrate the small victory and I was able to get a good nights sleep which was much needed.
Thursday morning Tami’s vet called again with an update that she ate breakfast, took her meds, pooped and peed. Woohoo! She also informed me that I could come pick Tami up at noon. I was so excited to have my best friend home again. When the vet brought her out from the back, I could tell she was as happy to see me as I was her. She came hoping out, smiling and tail wagging. I opened the door to the truck, turned around to say something to the vet and before I knew it Tami had already hoped her remaining front leg into the truck and was waiting for help to get in the rest of the way. Even her vet was impressed and said that she is “truly amazing”.
There have definitely been ups and downs but all and all Tami is doing great. She’s been eating and going to the bathroom regularly, thanks to the canned pumpkin and green beans I’ve been adding to her food. Our house looks like a rug shop but it has been very helpful for Tami in getting around and improving her confidence since shes not slipping around on the tile.
I hope I’m not speaking too soon but one week into recovery and things are going pretty smooth, the biggest challenge now is keeping Tami from being too active. She already climbed halfway up the stairs on her own while my friend was watching her (she was using the restroom and the stairs weren’t blocked off yet).
The next hurdle will be when we get the results from the biopsy and see if the cancer has spread to the surrounding tissues and lymph nodes. Then it will be decision time on chemo or no chemo. Not really sure what to do there yet, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it hasn’t spread.
Oh sweet Tami Bear! Your pictures are melting my heart! What a sweet, gentle soul you are! You look exceptionally pretty in the photo where you are enjoying the sunshine.
Sou ds like you are REALLY doing well in your recovery…maybe even ahead of the “curve”. as fsr as recovery oes! CONGRATULATIONS! Now stay away from those stairs for awhile, okay? Sometimes feeling good so early can cause frisky pups such as yourself to overdo a bit!
Just keep takingne day at a time and keep it chunked down. You don’t need to make a decision about chemo yet…just focus on a continuing great recovery for now. Keep giving Tami all the loving and spoiling she can stand! Each daymis a treasure. Just keep making wo derful “forever memories” and stay in the NOW! No worries” All is great in Tami’s world!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Happy Hannah
This post lifted my spirits and my heart! I’m so happy to see that all is going well, and both of you are so upbeat!
My choco lab, Bosco is scheduled for amputation of his right REAR leg tomorrow, due to a cancerous tumor, and I have so many questions about what to expect! I live alone, so I will be his caretaker. Luckily, I’m retired, but have 30 other animals keeping me busy (I’m a Rescue) and don’t even know where to begin in Bosco’s recovery. I’m afraid chemo and radiation aren’t an option…I support all of us on my retirement check, so money is always an issue around here. Quality of life is my primary reason for this surgery, and I will do my best to keep him happy and pain-free for whatever remaining time he is given. Osteosarcoma and all cancers, are such a challege! I guess that the months we thought he had an artritis problem (he is 10.5 yrs old), was time wasted. I can’t dwell on that now. What I need is information on daily expectations til he is healed from the surgery, and how to handle it by myself! If you can give me helpful ideas , I’d be eternally grateful!
And that picture of her smiling is a heart melter too!
I’m getting ready to take Bosco to his Vet for the amputation of his hind leg! I’m nervous and had a sleepless night, hoping I’m making the right choice for him! Pray for success!