Today is Isabelle's six month ampuversary. I'm so incredibly grateful to have her happy & healthy today. Last August, I really didn't anticipate reaching this point. I can remember counting the months, wondering what would be going on at Christmas, would we see the New Year together, would she be at the next Super Bowl party (big costume day for her…), how would we manage when the weather got bad, etc. I was preparing myself for the worst, so I've found myself quite unprepared for the best. Over the past two weeks, Isabelle had every diagnostic, short of an MRI, because as soon as something was normal, I focused on a new, sometimes, imaginary problem. Over the past few weeks, she's had some issues with her back leg. I spent so much time worrying about the worst differential, when the elephant was stepping on me….She had a huge surgical resection last month. Of course it's easier to keep the leg flexed! Serious problems don't disappear when there's a friend to play with, a rabbit to be chased, or walking in the treadmill faster & longer than ever before!

I've been very emotional about reaching this milestone, somewhat unscathed…This entire journey with Isabelle has been a series of crappy events, over which, for some reason, the stars all lined up. We have been so blessed.

Isabelle spent the eight months prior to her OSA diagnosis, in aggressive rehab for her L-S arthritis, so physically she was still in terrific shape, with the exception of her L rear leg. She'd lost an incredible amount of muscle mass in that limb, making her amputation easy because of the diminished blood flow. All those months seemed like preparation. Had her OSA been in the R leg, she wouldn't have been able to walk. Her recovery was lightening fast (with, what I'm certain, was some very annoying pre & post-op micro management, on my part. Thank you to a very patient surgeon & anesthesiologist!) and she was up & active from the time she got home and back in rehab immediately. When her MST was diagnosed last month, the only reason she was able to have a successful wide resection was because of it's location and the well developed muscle mass in that leg. We're unbelievably fortunate to have unlimited access to not only our rehab facility, but two others, if we needed them….the expense will soon have us living in our car, but Isabelle can run!! 

I don't know what next month, next week or tomorrow has planned for us. I know that today, my sweet girl is healthy and happily playing with her best friend, who came to stay for her celebration. It's time to dry my tears, put my anxiety to rest and savor these moments, so that's what I am doing. I am taking the next two nights off (something I never do, since I only work on Friday & Saturday) to spend with the dogs. I'm always saving my time "in case Isabelle gets sick". Well, now I'm staying home because she's well and she will be thrilled!

The dogs are having cooked chicken (neither of them live in a household where meat is ever cooked, both think it only comes raw…they are beside themselves with joy!!) and broccoli, they love it, I don't know why… Isabelle will dance for broccoli!

Many thanks to everyone on this site. No one else would understand.

Cynthia