PJ's profile~~~WITHOUT the OCEAN..I ...PhotosBlogListsMore  |  Tools Help |
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30 July A JOURNEY OF LOVE Part IISince my last entry there have been numerous veterinarian visits. After the needle aspiration was sent to California, it really did not tell us as much as we needed to know about the C-A-N-C-E-R. Mr. PJ and I decided that a second opinion would be wise. We made an appointment with a local Animal Hospital and Urgent Care Center and saw a Dr. Bradley. By this time we had the files from Dr. Webb's office faxed to her. She thought it necessary to to take x-rays to see if the C-A-N-C-E-R had spread to other organs. The good news was that it had NOT spread. The not - so - good news was that the x-rays could not detect the tumor due to the fact that it is "tissue" on "tissue". After a long consultation and many questions answered by Dr. Bradley, we decided to seek the professional opinions of an Oncologist as well as a Surgeon in this field. This decision is based on Miss Mattie's age. She is only 5 years young and Dr. Bradley said that if she was a bit older..then she would not even suggest further options. The decision was left up to us, of course. We will be taking Mattie to them @ 8 A.M. on Thursday, August 2nd. This is the only time that we could get in until a few months later. Time is of the essence. So, Thursday..we hopefully know whether to continue this journey of love or leave what is best for God to do. In the mean time; we are giving her a different antibiotic to keep the infection from spreading and also a mild pain medication from a syringe that is squirted into her mouth behind her canine tooth.. She has been eating but not nearly as much as I would like to see her eat. She is still enjoying her "outings" every day. As a matter of fact I took a few photos of her sleeping on the native stone around the water garden as she listened to the relaxing sound of water. She has Mommy in her.
 Gotta love that serene sound of streaming water.  O.K. this is NOT the last say on my part. I really wish to THANK ..each and every one of my faithful visitors for the prayers and comments left for me. It means more than you will ever know. Again..THANK YOU ALL!
 I will update as soon as possible on the next Oncologist/Surgeons visit. We are keeping our fingers crossed and just loving her more and more. She is the light in my life and that shall never change.
I shall close with this quote from one of my favorites.
I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to Earth, I knew not where;
For who has sought so keen and strong,
That it can follow the flight of song.....
The song from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
~*~PJ~*~
P.S. The beautiful piano composition is the original..not yet published.. by the musician..which is a friend of mine. Enjoy it as I do.
21 July A JOURNEY OF LOVE (ADOPTED JANUARY 19, 2005 )
JANUARY 25, 2007
It started out as an unfamiliar sound. The sound of a person snoring. Very unusual...never heard this from her before. Perhaps allergies? Nothing to worry about I thought. Just keep your eyes and ears open as you are loving her. The "snoring" effect never subsided. Concerned..I phoned the Doctor to inquire of his knowledge about these things. "Have you done any remodeling lately"? I thought about it and responded "yes, we had new carpet installed not long ago". "It could be she inhaled all the dust from the older carpet and is having some allergic reactions to it. Just keep watching her and if she doesn't show any signs of improvement ..make an appointment to see me. It could be asthma as well. Keep a fan going at all times and use a drop of "Ocean" nasal saline in each nostril." Thanking him..I hung up the phone and went about my business.
March 14, 2007
A month and a half have passed since I noticed the "snoring". It seems to me that she may be wheezing, but she doesn't show any pain or discomfort. Her temperature is normal. She has not lost her appetite and she looks healthy..but something is not right. Could she have asthma? Or perhaps a touch of pneumonia? I make an appointment to see the doctor. It is set for March 19th.
March 19, 2007
After a thorough examination and all seems great; with the exception of the occasional snoring/wheezing sound..She is healthy as can be. Healthy lungs, healthy teeth and gums. Perhaps she may have a polyp in her nose or several. Not to worry Paula unless she seems to get worse. Gratefully thanked, I pay the bill and leave with a smile.
May 19, 2007
She still shows no signs of a serious illness; although there are times I see her having a bit of trouble swallowing. I figure it may be a tooth that has gone bad. I open her mouth and look at the one tooth the Doctor and I had discussed and it seems to be healthy. "You just worry too much, Paula" I tell myself. It is my birthday. All is well.
July 2, 2007
I am convinced that something is NOT right. I discuss her actions with the Doctor. He re-examines her. She is healthy. Every tests is negative. Her weight is good. She is just showing signs of hoarseness occasionally. Another clean bill of health. Once again, I leave smiling.
July 5, 2007
It has been only 2 days since she was at the Doctor's office. In that short amount of time, we find a "knot" on the right side of her throat. I immediately call and take her in once again. The Doctor is in disbelief..perhaps he "missed" this knot while examing her. I told him..I do not think so doctor, we would have noticed it before. It is large enough not to MISS. It is as if..it appeared overnight. Now she is having trouble eating and swallowing. She has lost some weight as well. Not much..just 3/10 of a pound. He takes her temperature , once again. The results..normal. Heart and lungs..Healthy. He shakes his head in disbelief and is writing non-stop in her chart..the entire time. I knew what he would say when he finally decided to speak to me. The dreaded "C" word! C-A-N-C-E-R. The growth that is 1 1/2" in diameter ( in less than two days )is right on her lymph node. She would not be still enough for him to draw her blood. He said that in order to hit the jugular vein, he would have to sedate her. He did not want to miss and hurt her. We decided that we would try antibiotics in hopes that perhaps she had earlier had a puncture wound that may have become infected. Antibiotics for two weeks for what we hoped would be a bacterial infection. If no smaller in those two weeks, call and come back in. I left not smiling, but hopeful.
July 20, 2007
Today was the final straw as to the "guessing". She has lost weight and the lump/knot/growth was no smaller. I thought at one time it felt smaller; however he explained and showed me that what I was actually feeling was her "adam's apple". The knot/lump/growth was no smaller at all. He then put her "under" and drew the blood sample. He studied it under the microscope. He came back in and told me that there were cells that he was not familiar with and the rest of the blood sample would be sent to California for further testing immediately. This way..we will know exactly what kind of C-A-N-C-E-R we are dealing with and the options that we may pursue. He now thinks it may be Cancer of the Thyroid Gland. It is Friday...the weekend..so therefore; I will more than likely have to wait until Tuesday or possibly Wednesday for the results. But rest assured..He will call ASAP with all the information. I cried..I wept..I cried..I wept. Just keep loving her Paula and make her as comfortable as possible. She loves you and needs you. I need and love her more than anyone could ever imagine. My heart is breaking. I will try to be strong..for her..but I am only human. We will just go for our walks daily...loving one another..until we get the news. At this point..she is not too uncomfortable..just hoarse and not eating much..if at all. I left with tears streaming down my face. But I had a smile...because Miss Mattie was in my arms and purring. It's all about the Love!
This journey has not been an easy one. I am still in denial. Time and tests results will put an end to the mystery of not knowing how this could happen to my beloved pet..Miss Mattie...I have an email message that was sent to me by a friend. It says it all and very eloquently, I might add. "Mama" loves you baby girl..and I know that you love me. Below is the message for my baby.
Dear Miss Mattie, You know how much your PJ loves you. You have been a light at the end of each day in her life. I pray that the lump you are feeling is nothing serious. Miss Mattie, you are loved and whatever happens nothing will change that. PJ rescued you from the animal shelter and gave you many many happy days. You in turn loved her each and every one of those days. Nothing can take that away.
~*~PJ~*~
13 July Evening BeautyHope everyone's Friday the 13th was a lucky one! Thought I would share with those that came by and wished me well about Miss Mattie's outcome. After conversing with Dr. webb via telephone and trying to explain her behaviour/demeanor to him, we have decided to continue this course of antibiotics for the entire two weeks. She has one week left. She seems to have regained her appetite, but with different brands of food than normal. She is a CHICKEN fanatic. Literally, that is what we finally got her to eat when she had a cold..way back when. She seems to be less lethargic; however her meow is still so deep and when she purrs..it sounds like it may hurt her. The huge lump seems to move a bit..and it is soft..not hard like I thought it would be. It also feels smaller..just a bit..to me. So after this upcoming Friday, I shall take her back to Dr. Webb and we will make some decisions. THANK YOU ALL for your support on this matter. It means an awful lot to me.
I took some evening photos of our water garden with the lighting around it. I was trying to teach myself how to use the different "scene" settings/modes on the camera. Some came out beautifully..while others did not, but I am learning. Also in the photo album will be nothing other than the elegant and beautiful MOONFLOWER as it unfurls and blooms. Oh my gosh, it is so amazing to me too actually sit on the deck and watch this as it takes place.
There will also be a few miscellaneous photos above, as well. I hope that each and everyone of you have a most pleasant weekend!!
Ciao for now. Be safe and well.
**Incidentally the name of the Santana tune playing is "EUROPA", which is also MOONFLOWER.**
~*~PJ~*~
06 July LOVEMy Miss Mattie has fallen ill. We are not sure of the outcome. It may be Cancer / Leukemia. If antibiotics do not help reduce a 1 1/2 diameter lump on her lymph node that appeared Thursday, then surgery will be required to take a biopsy. I am devastated.
LOVE
. . . love . . .
. . . is you.
. . . is love. . . . is shared. . . . is forgiving. . . . is understanding. . . . is shared secrets. . . . heals many hurts. . . . is not judgmental. . . . is shared laughter. . . . is slow and steady. . . . can be angry at times. . . . is dependable and true. . . . is more precious than silver or gold. . . . is meant to be savored like fine wine. . . . is not perfect, much like we are not perfect. . . . does not hold grudges or demand perfection. . . . makes all the wrong things in life, right somehow. . . . is meant to be gulped like lemonade on a hot summer day. . . . is always there, through times of trial, happy times and hard times. . . . just happens, but once discovered, needs to be tended like a beautiful garden. . . . is a road to be traveled slowly, remembering the sights and sounds. . . . is strength when you are too weak to notice its there. . . . is a cherished moment of mutual understanding. . . . reaches into your heart and grabs a firm hold. . . . is a refreshing rain on a hot day. . . . is sunshine through the clouds. . . . cannot be forced or induced. . . . is relaxed and comfortable. . . . is a shoulder to lean on. . . . is an ear to whine to. . . . gets better with age. . . . is shared tears. . . . is shared pain. . . . is shared joy. . . . is shared. . . . is love. . . . is you. ~*~PJ~*~
04 July July 4th, 2007 Happy 4th of July, all!!!
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG,
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS,
ONE NATION UNDER GOD,
INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY, AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
~*~PJ~*~
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