Friday 17 August 2012

My fluffy Princess is really sick :(

Morning peeps.
We have had some really sad news. We took our gorgeous fluffy princess Holly for her normal vet check up on wednesday night. She wagged her tail as she went in and was a really good girl for the vet so the vet started off with her normal vetty checks and then the bombshell came. As she checked her anal glands she found a golf ball sized tumour on her right anal gland. She was quite shocked at the size so she got another vet to check Holly out too. She also told us the same. That it was a golf ball sized anal sac tumour and that Holly's prognosis was not looking good but that they would take some bloods to check and let us know the results in the morning. We were completely dumbstruck, she has not showed any signs of being unwell at all :(

So we came home with our waggy tailed girl and she went for her usual walk down the fields with scott whilst I got Mo settled down for bed.

At 7:25am yesterday morning as I was getting ready for work and Holly was enjoying another run in the fields with scott, the vet rang to ask how Holly was. I explained she had gone off on her usual walk and the vet seemed shocked. She went on to explain that Holly's calcium levels were so dangerously high that their testing machine could not read them and was coming back with the highest reading it could do which was very dangerous for Holly and she really should be much poorlier. She also explained that there was some damage to Holly's liver and that she would need a very risky calcium flush to try to save her and could we take her as soon as they opened at 9am to be admitted, could I ring scott and get him to bring her straight home incase she was unwell whilst walking. She also told me to prepare for the worst and Holly probably wouldn't make it through the flush.

Now I am not a strong person when it comes to my babies being ill and I have to admit I kinda lost it as I put the phone down. I was sobbing uncontrollably and it carried on all day :( I tried to ring work to let them know I would be late in but they were awesome and told me not to go in. I am so thankful for that because I just would not of been any good to the gorgeous little peeps I look after ...or any of the staff..yesterday.

We dropped Holly off giving her huge huge loves incase we didn't get to see her again and then a day of phonecalls and conversations with the vet began. Our vet was just amazing, she is such a kind and caring lady and I am thankful for that too. She understood what a shock to us it was and explained things so well. She couldn't believe how happy and waggy taily Holly was so she tested Holly's bloods again and again they returned dangerously high. By the afternoon Holly was really missing us and getting a bit sad so the vet decided against doing the flush first as it had a very high risk of killing her and decided to sedate Holly to calm her down and give her an ultrasound instead.

The ultrasound came back showing not only the tumour in the sac but also a lot more in all the lymph nodes of her tummy and around her aorta :( the biggest ones are the anal sac one and the one squishing her aorta. Due to this the vet decided on no flushing and no surgeries as Holly just won't make it and explained to me she has roughly 1-2 months left to live so it would be nicer to bring her home and we went to fetch her right away.
The vet said she was still so surprised how happy Holly was and that it was such a nice way to be when she is so desperately ill so 1-2 months feeling like that will be a zillion times better than invasive treatments that will not work. She sent us home with drugs to help slowly flush the calcium out by making her pee an awful lot and some steroids. She explained to us that Holly will either become so sleepy from the tumour on her aorta or not be able to poop due to the anal sac one blocking her bottom and that is the time we will know to let her go. She said quality is better than quantity and to enjoy her for the time we have left.

I think she Holly is like me. She is powered by love and so we are going to dote on her as we always have done, give her her lovely walks until she is too sick to take them. We are all so lost and sad but trying not to let Holly see that. We are going to enjoy every last minute she has and we have made a list of all her favourite walks that we are going to try and get her on before she gets too ill, her favourites are the ones where she can run and paddle...and swim!! in water. we will surround her in love until it is time for her to go over the rainbow bridge and the keep her in our hearts until we meet her again.

Sorry for such a long post but its easier to type than talk at the moment as I am still very tearful.
thank you for popping in on me and reading about my beautiful girl
huge hugs Lou xxxx

39 comments:

  1. Oh Lou, if I could climb through this monitor and give a you big hug I would. I'm going to be sending every possible healing energy I can muster your way. Some people don't understand, but our pets are our kids too. I fully know how it is on that same cusp. Oh dear, my heart goes out to you.

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  2. Big hugs for you Lou....so sorry to hear this news.

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  3. Dear Lou
    i am so so sorry to hear about your poorly dog, she is so lucky to have you to care about her, and to give her so much love until the end, keep strong
    we will be thinking of you all
    hugs ali

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  4. Aw hunny I am so sorry to hear about Holly, my heart goes out to you. Our pets are our family and its hearbreaking when anything is wrong. I've had to say goodbye to our two faithful kitties of 18 yrs, one late last yr and one in april.
    Like you say...enjoy her while you can and treasure the time you still have her.
    Sending you massive hugs, Emma xxx

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  5. Oh so sad sending you all hugs I dont really know what to say but it's a testiment to Holly to be so poorly but still remain strong and happy hoping a miracle heads your way xxx

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  6. Oh Lou such sad news. I know exactly how you feel, I used to show and breed dogs and of the 7 I kept not one died naturally. Every time I had to make the decision it was heartbreaking. But we are kinder to animals than people at times and at least you know that you will make the right decision when the time comes as it is the last loving thing you can do for this member of your family.
    Do as you're doing and enjoy the time you have left. She does sound as if she is a lovely dog.
    My thoughts are with you.
    Eileen x

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  7. Oh Lou sweetie,i am so sorry to read how poorly Holly is,she must be very special to be so strong and truly send you,Hubby and Mo a very BIG hug- thinking of you lots.hugs Lou.xxxxxxxx

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  8. Oh Lou....I am crying reading this, I am so so sorry....she is so lucky to have you guys who love her to bits
    Sending you all some huge huggles xxx
    Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  9. I'm so sorry to hear the heartbreaking news about your gorgeous...you will find the strength to deal with what lies ahead knowing that you are doing the best thing for Holly...sending great big lots of love hugs from kath & buddy xxx

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  10. Oh, I'm so so very sorry! So glad she has a family such as yours with lots of love...will be thinking about you and Holly...hugs! Leah Ann

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  11. Such a hard time for you Lou. We went through the same thing when our lab had a tumour. We love our pets so deeply and they give us that love in return. Keep strong and treasure the time you have left with her.
    Big Hugs
    Sharon. x

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  12. Oh Lou,this is so sad and difficult for you. Poor Holly. I know you will be giving her all the love and care you possibly can over the time she has left and when the end comes you will have many happy memories of the time she spent with you. thinking of you and sending hugs xx

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  13. Awww Lou :( I am so sorry to hear your bad news...holly has had a great life with you and that is the best thing to remember...sending you lots o love and you will be in my thoughts over this hard time xxx

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  14. Oh Lou I'm so sorry.Thinking of you all. Sending you lots of love and hugs.Anything you need just shout.Hugs Debbie x

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  15. Oh my dearest Lou... I can't tell you how sad I am with you... I am feeling your pain and I wish I could be there with you and give you the biggest hug ever... You will be in my prayers Sweetie... Lots and lots of hugs and love from Catherine

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  16. My heart is breaking for you Lou, We have been through it with our old dog Harvi and you know when the time is right, but it is so very hard not to be selfish as you want to keep them for as long as you can, Enjoy the time you have together while Holly is happy. She knows she is loved. Sending you all massive hugs, Fleur x

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  17. Dear Lou, I am misty just reading about your dear family member, you are doing the right thing and I am sending you and yours bunches of hugs. Sandi

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  18. Oh hunny what can I say, this is the hardest thing to go through and my heart goes out to you all. I know how special your beautiful furry princess is to you but just remember how happy and loved she has been since finding you.
    Be strong hunny
    Sending huge hugs
    Clare
    xx

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  19. I am sad and teary with you. I know what it is like to lose a beloved pet. May God keep his arms around all of you.

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  20. aw hun i am so sorrry to hear about your furbaby.treasure all those moments.


    xx coops xx

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  21. So very, very sad but at least she has your love to help her along. I am always broken hearted when one of my dogs leaves us, but feel a little better when I know that they know they were loved. Thinking of you and sending you hugs xx

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  22. Oh you poor, poor thing...how awful for you all. I do have an inkling of what you are going through, though...our beautiful black Labrador, Bonnie, has only a short time left....huge tumour on her liver, and our vet said much the same thing as your did. That was 6 weeks ago, but Bonnie seems as happy and waggy as ever...no pain that we know of, too, which is such a blessing. She's actually 14 years old which is very old for a Lab, so we have been blessed.
    You are all in my prayers, sweetie...enjoy what you have left with her.

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  23. So sorry to hear your sad news Lou. xx

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  24. Lou, I am so sad to hear your news. In fact I just can't believe it. Sending my love to you all.
    Anice xx

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  25. Lou, sending big hugs to you and your family and a huge one for Holly to! Good to hear that she's in a good mood atleast for now! =)
    You are in my thoughts!
    Hugs, Elenor

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  26. Oh Lou, I'm in tears writing this. I am so sorry you will have to go through this. Please give Holly a big hug off me and also one for you and Mo as I know what you will have to face,
    Hugs
    H xx

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  27. Oh Lou, just got home and saw your post, and sweetie, I'm crying right along with you. Big cyber hugs for all of you, and I'm praying for sleepy and to enjoy every possible minute.

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  28. I'm so sorry and this post must have been very hard to post. I know how you are feeling but my lucky pup made it through his operation (wasn't a tumor but wasn't sure if he would make it. He needs more surgery but I'm scared for the results on this one.) I got all choked reading this and my heart goes out to you, I'm sending lots of love and hugs your way, I know it won't make it any easier but hopefully you know there are people out here that care.
    We found out that our other baby had a tumor a few months back luckily they caught it early but she was happy as anything, she only went to the vets to get stitches in her paw.
    Have sent you an email x

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  29. Oh my....I follow your blog because I love your coloring etc. I don't know you personally but this really touched me. I so hope you have some cherished time with Holly before she passes! She certainly is very loved!

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  30. Oh, my goodness, Lou! I had no idea that you were enduring such a tragedy right now! I'm so terribly sorry to hear this dreadful news about your lovely Holly. I was crying as I read your post because it has only been a few months since I had to put my Greyhound, Chet, down due to osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in his shoulder and only weeks ago that I had to give up my other Grehound boy, Derek, because of my impending move. My heart breaks for you, my dear. That's the hard thing about loving our animal friends as we love our family and friends... they are only on loan to us for a little while. Biggest warm and fuzzy hugs to you.

    Anne xx

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  31. aw, yes, me too, crying my eyes out, please give her loads of hugs and plenty of what she loves. She'll know when the time comes and tell you. It's wonderful to know she has the best family to look after her.
    ((hugs)) Lyn

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  32. I'm so sorry for the sad news you received about your beloved Holly :( Dogs are so much more than pets, and losing them is so difficult. I hope you and Holly are able to enjoy your days together in very special ways. Sending big {hugs} your way.

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  33. I am so sorry for the news Lou. Your dog looks so much like our lab Cooper. I was crying just reading about the ordeal. It's good that you have time to spend with her and love her...you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

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  34. Oh Lou I have just got back from hols and seen this. I am so so sorry about dear Holly. I hope that her remaining time with you is as fun and full of love as ever, it must have been a terrible shock with her showing no signs of being poorly. Massive hugs to you and Mo and all the family and of course for Holly I hope you all enjoy your last weeks together
    Hugs Rebekah xxxx

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  35. I am just sitting here crying my eyes out. I'm so very sorry, Lou. I was going to say it's not fair that you have to deal with this but then I realized that Holly is so much better off with you and your family.... you were the ones chosen to take care of her. I hope that gives you some comfort, my friend. Sending you a big old hug. xoxoxoxoxo

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  36. Lou you got me crying my eyes out too, I know ho much she means to you Ih ave 3 little dogs and the are lik emy children, this is so upsetting, im sure you will give her all the love in the world but living every day with these thoughts willbe pergatory darlin, I really dont know what to say except that love for an animal is a wonderful thing and so long as Holly fells that she will know she is safe, im thinking of you sweetheart I really am and Ihop ewhen its time she goes peacefully, its just so sad, love and big hugs to you all and Holly, love June xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  37. OMG sweetie I saw a pic of your dog when I read todays post, I'm behind on commenting, so I scrolled down to read this post. I'm crying so much for you hun I'm truly gutted & heart broken for you she is a gorgeous dog & its not fair for yous. I really dont know what to say but I will say if ever you need to chat or anything I'm just an email away. I'm sending you all so much love hun & will keep you all in my thoughts. I feel for you all so much hun......

    Lotsa hugs to you all Vicky xxxxxxxxxx

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  38. I really am so sorry & I cant stop crying now but I just want to say that altho she has this awful thing happening to her she is the luckiest dog as she has had the best family EVER to look after her & the fact that she is still so healthy proves how much love there is between you all.
    MMWAH love you sweetie. xxxxxxx

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