A New Dog

Leo is like a new dog!
His nodes are still small (thank you, treatibles?) despite the prednisone reduction. He doesn't seem to be in pain, the swelling in his ankle is nearly gone and he's supporting his full weight on it, his elbow is not longer a horror show and his shoulder is healing nicely. To be blunt, it is a miracle. He's not running around like a pup, but he has asked to go into the dog run (um, no...) and takes me to the store at the park every time we're out.

Testimonials

Reports are that Leo is doing better! In fact, the latest I hear is that the swelling in his ankle has gone down, he's walking better, has more energy, and has done the front steps at L's house for first time in a while.
The medicine is certainly helping - pain killers and antibiotics! The shoulder no longer being infected is helping - while raw, it's healing. The arm healing is helping - that has to feel better now that it's not as raw.

Conversations with Chuck

I had a really good conversation with Chuck the other day. He lost one of his dogs at 12 1/2 to liver failure last year, and has gone through this several times. I've been thinking over the last few weeks - are we doing too much, holding on too tight, and should we let him go? Chuck gave me an answer different than most folks. Most folks say "You'll know" or "they'll let you know". Chuck said "he doesn't want to go. If he can eat, go to the bathroom, and he's not in pain, he wants to stay". And while I'd seen some resignation in Leo the last few weeks, for most of the time, he wanted to stay around. There's still Leo in there, and I'm going to treasure that.

Concern and a bad night

Leo improved over the week in some ways, although his elbow is raw and his ankle seems to be getting worse. He's having a more trouble getting up - L can't get him to stand on his own, and he sometimes does the Bambi-on-ice. Even the doctors are concerned, and yesterday's developments didn't help.

Leaking

Leo has sprung a leak. He had some pressure sores on his elbows from laying down (especially on hard floors), and apparently the one on his right elbow became inflamed. It abscessed, and I noticed it leaking on the night of the 4th (of course). Back to VERG we go...

This was a tough week

Leo has improved, in some ways, and is failing in some others. The chemo and the cancer and old age and the ravages of all of these things have taken a toll on his body. There's a light in there, and a happiness to be out in the park or pushing around bally or just sitting around, but there are some problems, too. And while his lymph nodes haven't swollen up yet, that's only a matter of time before they come back.