Taylor's Home!

"I'm going home!"

Three cheers... our furry patient is officially home!

Andre's night as an only child has been cut short. I got a call this afternoon that Taylor was a patient ready and wanting to come home. So around 5:30 p.m. we left the CSU Cancer Center with a happy dog in tow. Sorry Andre, we'll make it up to you!

His surgeon Dr. Clara and our student Jon said he did wonderful! Dr. Clara said she got some good margins and showed us the area (about 3 inches long by 1 inch wide) she removed of his muscle. Ouch! He is so much tougher than I am. The thought of surgery gives me goosebumps. He was sent home with pain pills (Tramadol) and anti-inflammatory (Carprofen/Rimadyl)... this time we are being proactive and have started him on a probiotic and low residue food (bland diet) to help his tummy. I don't know what flavoring is in the Rimadyl but Taylor thinks that is candy... he will actually take it out of a hot dog and chomp it on it's own.

We should have the pathology report in the next 48 hours. Hopefully, we got all of the tumor this time. Dr. Clara felt good, but we have learned our lesson about this disease. Be prepared for everything.

We did have a first today... Taylor met his first cockatoo in the waiting room of the vet hospital. (yes a cockatoo!) We first saw it flapping it's wings this morning but it was back again this afternoon with a cone around it's neck. It was so cute to see Taylor watching this new animal... he just didn't know what to think of it and went running over to Dr. Clara for protection.

"Dr. Clara said I could have SOME food"

Once we got home it was déjà vu... Taylor didn't want to lay down. He just wanted to be in the kitchen with us as we got ready for dinner. He ate a little bit but seemed to be more tired (finally) than hungry. He is now relaxing with Jim and Andre in the living room. It's been a long day and it's only the first of many in our second surgery recovery.

Thanks again to my wonderful work and boss (thanks Jeff!) - I'm going to be able to work from home with Taylor this week and take care of him. We have begun our regiment of pills, icing, food and potty breaks... by now it's like a well oiled machine. Our calendar is out and we everything scheduled on it for the next two weeks. We'll try to sleep and who knows... we may actually get a couple hours tonight.

Sweet dreams and speedy recovery

Cancer is a horrible disease that changes many lives every day... but is those that surround us that get us through. I have learned this first hand many times. Again, I have been taught to be thankful for what I have... not only my three boys... but our extended family, friends and co-workers. The support we have received for Taylor has been amazing and we are so lucky for everybody!

So for now we will enjoy the evening and our time without being coned. Tomorrow will be a new day with new adventures.