10 years ago I started something called Maggie's Chronicles through email. I would send out thoughts, events, happenings to a group of people, about the antics of my puppy; for that was what was available.... I started this blog as a "modern" posting of stories, thoughts, events, and perhaps opinions, through the eyes of my dog. It was a big project, I faltered over time. Now I think I am in need of Maggie's Chronicles again.
I want to believe our 4 legged friends live forever, that you have all the time you will ever need, but they get older and their lives unfortunately are so much shorter than ours. Miss Maggie turned 10 this year, "Old Lady" age, this summer she seemed to slow down, she was gray, age was showing, I was hoping for 2 good years, 3 if I am lucky and praying for 4. But God has his own plans and they don't always follow ours.
Christmas Day night (the 25th) Miss Maggie stumbled and fell, she got back up and was alright. The next morning walk all was alright, our next walk proved to change things. She stopped leaned up against a tree and paused, I could tell she was not feeling right, further along she sat, then laid down... I knew then that we were off to the Vet. Upon arriving they found fluid in her belly and sent us off to the Emergency Vet. There we found the fluid was around her heart sac, in the pericardial sac. This was certain death. The fluid was drained and she bounced back right away. They kept her the night, some fluid returned, they tried to drain that but couldn't get it all. Cardiology doctors looked at her heart, it was good, strong, she did not have a heart problem. This was good news, encouraging.
As I arrived to pick her up that evening, the results of the first tap were back. She has Lymphoma, Cancer... one that is not curable but treatable. So it was up to talk with the Oncologist to figure out what this means. We have no answers yet, options, but not sure what they really are. Last night they started her on Chemotherapy Elspar... I figured she needed a chance, give it a shot, try a dose, see in a week what it does, is the Cancer going away or not, is she better or not. Then we can redefine what our options are with better information.
Oh I know there is cost, there is sickness, there is limits on time, but most of all there is Quality of Life... I hope to keep foremost in my mind. This is to be about her Quality of Life, not about my wishes... and it will be another hard decision I will have to make in life. I hope with the support, insight, and reason of the great people who will read this, I will be able to know and do what is right for Miss Maggie, to give her the best life and chance I can. I only hope that one day someone loves me enough to do the same for me.
Most of all that look in her eyes of excitement & life there at the beach, playing in the waves, is what drives me. As long as that look is there then she deserves all I can offer her.
