Hi Everybody:

Your words have been my strength for the last few days.

we went to the vet today, amazingly Tika's blood oxygen level is 98%.  That's fantastic to me. No fecal infections.  I just heard the news that her blood work is actually normal, even her BUN is normal (it hasn't been for awhile)

However, we think the Palladia is doing more harm than good, and I shall quote the Hippocratic Oath, first do no harm.  We hope after a few days getting clear of all meds except for some basic antibiotics Teeks will rally.

An interesting note, our vet said in her research, dogs do better with Prednisone early on, rather than late stage, not that she doesn't think it is not worthwhile at this point.

Tika was hilarious today, my husband was excited, but I called adrenaline, soon after the vet said, adrenaline.  She crashed while still in the exam room.  We got good video of her, but right now,we're having technical difficulties getting it off of iPhone to computer.

We had the hard conversation, how long? The vet confirmed my suspicion, before the end of October.  But now, I'm ready for this. I'm not overreacting, I'm prepared.  Several times this week, we thought, this might be the time.

I leave for business travel Saturday, I have a backup plan to come home if need be. We have already discussed euthanasia at home. I have a vision of her favorite place outside.

Tika is still being strong for me, I shall be strong for her.  There was a quote I heard once: When it comes, you can hear/feel your heart break.  I have this week.  But with that, peace has come, Tika has looked at me with her heart of the ancients and said, it will be all okay, momma.  And I shall heed her call.

I will always be here for you all, be strong. I'll let you know how things happen. I just want to know:  Who the hell hit the fast foward button on us????  I have a few things to say about that!  First is:  $#()*&@)*&#(*&#N$@#!!!!!!

Love, Tika & Kim

Hello everybody:

We've been finally getting a grip on everything.  Like I said, it was happening too fast.  We had a couple of more visits to the vet, they gave her some antibiotics and the Metacam delivered SubQ.  She had a fever, but we seem to have that under control now. Xrays confirmed lung mets have definitely grown.

Tika has perked up a lot, they didn't think she wanted to deal with more pills, so we are only on Pepcid now and I will be giving her a daily dose of Metcam subcutaneously.  I told my husband to watch out because of the original five members of the family, he and my kitty are the only ones I haven't chased after with a needle yet.

The metcam seems to be helping, she's a lot more alert, active as much as she can be, and although fussy with food still getting a bit better. She does have the energy now to sass and yell, and I can't tell you how much I missed that the last few days.

I have been mentally and emotionally preparing myself for this day. It still hurts, but for some reason not as much as the initial diagnosis and the first confirmation of lung mets have.  I just want her to be comfortable now.

She still continues to amaze me, she was very tired a couple of days ago but she managed to figure out how to poop by leaning against the house, I laughed and cried at the same time. She had this look like, well, ya gotta do what ya gotta do!  She tried to join Caya with some squirrel chasing but promptly stopped with a coughing fit, I rub her between the shoulders like you would a human and she seems to like that.  

The general prognosis is probably a few weeks at the most now.  I was supposed to travel this coming week, but my coworkers rallied around me and covered for me so I could be with my girl. It's the first time I broke down in front of them when they did that.

Now that we are getting things more manageable and not like a run away train, we are relieved and in much better shape to care for Tika.

I think she's relieved that Mom and Dad aren't basketcases around her right now.  

Hug your babies for me.

Love, Kim and Tika