Hello to you wonderful humans. 

I hear all of you and you are right. It is still early on I am being impatient because I'm scared. 

This is Schlomo's 9th major surgery (if you count neuter) and the 5th one on that leg. I understand what you say about pain management and please don't think that's not what's been happening these past 4 years. My frustration yesterday was that if he needs to be on pain meds (which can be worked out in various ways) than maybe I could have done more on that leg. Though I don't know what anymore. He could barely get up without his leg cramping and him screeeeeeaming through the whole building. It was gut wrenching. 

This morning I had an additional experience that made me speechless so I think that didn't help in my frustration. My next door neighbor, a lovely older man, whom I've known for 10 years saw me and Schlomo, shook his head and asked/told me in broken English 'why I didn't just put him to sleep'. I know he doesn't mean bad. And that's it's a different cultural experience. But man...that sucked. 

Linda: You are right. It is really early on. I am trying to envelope him in a light of healing (this is when my Hippie parents really shine through...)

Jerry: Agreed. I specifically like your break down of pain management and pain medication. 

Amy: So true. I have a feeling this acupuncture Vet (he is also a regular Vet) might be our new guy. I called him a couple of times after we made the appointment and he answered immediately and did not rush me to get off the line at all. I will link his information in as well. 

Sally: I know you mean well with everything you say! I'm not offended at all. I will do whatever is best for him, the question is yet what is. He's been on pain meds these past two days. He always seems worse on them than before, but I will assess with the new Vet when he gets here. He'll be here in 30 minutes!!!

As an interesting side note to everybody:

I asked my Mother if she could perform Long Distance Reiki on him (I am from Germany and that is where she lives) as she is a Reiki Practitioner. I did not tell her where his pain was, she finds that out as she goes along. Here is what she found:

- Head: Confused

- Throat: Fear

- Chest and Leg area: No recognized pain at that moment

- Stomach: Fear

- Right Hip: Pain

- Knee: Pain

I'll update when I can

Mascha & Schlomo

Hahaha. She did do some on me later and was bringing in a sense of lightness!

Lighten things up indeed. 

I will report back to you guys in a bit.

xo,

M&S

2 weeks down.

I've been trying to catch up on work and have been bad about updating, but here we go 🙂

Sunday Schlomo got his staples out. Initially they had given me an appointment for Thursday but that would have been 15 days post surgery and people on here were adamant about removing them as soon as possible, so I changed the appointment to Day 11. Check. 

Schlomo had his second acupuncture appointment yesterday (I haven't written about the first one yet either  - coming soon) and this morning he woke up super energized and that is exactly what should happen. He dashed outside and then walked the length of 4 buildings, which is the farthest he has gone since the surgery. He looked like he wanted to do more. His coordination was really good, though weakening on the way back but that is to be expected still. 

He has his first hydrotherapy appointment on the 11th, next Tuesday, and I am looking forward to hear their opinion and learn about exercises and tips that I can do with him on my own. We have insurance for him for 4 more months before they'll likely kick us off as he will turn 12, so I am trying to get everything I possibly can in there. 

Schlomo has had a few episodes of residual nerve pain. He would yelp when laying down or being in another position. After Jerry mentioned Gabapentin in the chat yesterday I called the Vet and could pick it up an hour later at the hospital. We are going to address this more with acupuncture and I am considering getting the farabloc blanket. Do any of you have experience with it? From what I've been reading people speak well of it. 

I was also wondering about his scar and scar tissue. I want to start massaging it with Vitamin E, maybe some Arnica, to try to help minimize painful scar tissue. Have any of you done that and what has your experience been with that?

As for the walking/dashing: Schlomo is walking really fast. Faster than before. This is normal with them adjusting, right? Is it harder for them to walk slower on 3 legs? 

Happy 4th to you all! I hope your furry friends are in the least amount of stress possible today. I myself will crank up sound machines and classical music maybe?

Sending loads of hugs and love your ways. 

Mascha & Schlomes