Friday, January 27, 2012

New Skills

Well, I can now add successfully administer a catheter to my resume. We took Paolo into the vet on Tuesday because I wasn’t able to manually express his bladder. The vet put a catheter in Paolo and showed me how to maintain it at home. It actually makes life a little easier for me now that the urine soaked mountain of laundry is eliminated. He was supposed to wear this lampshade around the clock so he wouldn't pull out the catheter but he ate the damn thing right off his head while I was at work.  I'm not too worried about him getting to his catheter because I honestly think he's too chubby to to reach his penis.  Poor thing! 

Also, while we were at the vet the doctor put a clamp on Paolo’s tail and Paolo yelped which means he felt it! The vet didn’t want to get our hopes up too high but he did say that’s a very good sign and a step in the right direction.  I also keep having very vivid dreams of Paolo walking.  We're trying to stay as positive as possible. 

This whole experience has had a profound impact on my family. It’s crazy to think that one little incident, like falling off a bed, can change a life and the lives of those around you so much. There was a song that came out over a decade ago called The Sunscreen Song and there's a verse in that song that has always stuck with me—“Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.” Paolo’s injury has blindsided us but has also put things into perspective for us.  The stupid shit I worried about two weeks ago seems so trivial when faced with this.  

Monday, January 23, 2012

Paolo's Recovery

Paolo is much happier to be at home with his pack.  The life is back in his eyes and if he could wag his tail I’m sure it would be going crazy!  Paolo remains paraplegic and caring for him is an exhausting and daunting task.  He has no control of his bladder or bowels so his bedding needs to be changed every two hours.  His positioning need to be rotated so he doesn’t get bed sores and his legs need to be exercised to prevent atrophy.  It’s like caring for a newborn and to be completely honest I wonder if we made the right decision by putting him through this surgery rather than putting him down.    

And then I see how happy he is snuggling on Bruco or one of the kids and I know that we made the right decision.  We didn't choose the easy path as our lives have been turned completely upside down but I have to believe that Paolo will recover and live a normal life.  He just has to—he’s a fighter and he has moxie.  Keep the prayers and healing energy coming.  

Muffins For Moms

On Friday Currier's Kindergarten class had "Muffins for Moms".  While we snacked on muffins, the kids got up in front of the class one by one and announced why they loved their mom.  Some of the kids had some funny reasons: "I love my mom because she lets me drink coffee in the morning" or "I love my mom because she has good hair" but Currier's was simply put, "I love my mom and she loves me."  

Disclaimer: Neither of us had time to shower that morning hence the bad hair and greasy face. Don't judge.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Benvenuto a Casa Paolo

We picked up Paolo today at 4pm. At discharge he was still unable to move or feel his hind legs and he requires bladder expression (I only milk those I love!) but he was in good spirits.  The surgeon warned that the recovery may take several weeks to months so we brought Paolo home to do his healing.     

Hearing him snoring in our bedroom is music to our ears!  My family is complete again.  Thank you for all the positive thoughts, prayers and well wishes.  Please keep them coming! 

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

You say Virginia, I say Vagina

So Currier and Rya are roughhousing and Rya screams, "Ouch, my penis!" and I correct her, "Rya, you don't have a penis. You have a vagina" and Currier adds, "Yeah Rya you have a vagina and vagina is also a state." I then correct him, "No vagina is not a state. Virginia is a state!"

Monday, January 16, 2012

Prayers for Paolo

Paolo's failed attempt to jump on our bed yesterday turned into limping last night and paralyzed hind legs this morning.  I rushed him to the emergency vet at 6AM this morning and jumped on an exhausting, emotional roller coaster ride.  We were forced to decide between a VERY expensive surgery that doesn't guarantee Paolo will ever walk again or put Paolo down.       

We took a leap of faith and a very, groggy Paolo woke from spinal surgery late this afternoon.  They fixed a herniated disk and hemorrhaging of the spinal cord.  He'll be staying in the hospital for a few more nights before he can be released to his long road to recovery at home.  Please send prayers and healing thoughts to this extraordinary dog that we're not ready to say good bye to anytime soon! 

Friday, January 6, 2012

Happy New Year!

We went to Florida to celebrate the New Year and Trent's 40th Birthday with his family.  His sister Kathy hosted the party at her house with an incedible Greek themed dinner followed by cake and a champagne toast. 

I can't think of a better way to ring in a new year and celebrate a milestone birthday than with this crazy crowd!