Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Tough times

Things around here are bleh. For one, I think my "winter blues" (yes, I'm technically diagnosed with SAD but I hate saying it) are worse this year than they've been in the past.

Secondly, both dogs are having health issues that are scary and unpredictable and I hate that. They're my babies, I want to protect them!

Third, I'm having anxiety about every. little. thing. Everything feels like this huge weight on my shoulders and I'm stressing about everything and nothing. It sucks. I'm guessing it's a byproduct of items 1 and 2.

So - puppy health. First, Jacko has what's called a 3rd degree heart block or complete heart block. The two parts of his heart (atria and ventricles) don't talk and his heart rate is incredibly low. There is no cure. The options are to do nothing or do a very pricey pacemaker surgery and hope it helps. After hearing the cost of the surgery and doing some research on the risks, we've decided against it. So now we just wait for him to die. I know that sounds awful, but it's true. He is going to die, sooner rather than later, and all we can do is wait and watch and love on him a lot while he's still here. It's a fairly rare condition so there's not a ton of information on it, but the research there is tells us we have anywhere from a week to 6 months or so with our beloved pup.

While that's all happening, Cody decided it'd be cool to be epileptic. He had a grand mal seizure at 3 am on Black Friday, scaring Ricky and I half to death. He's fine now, and the current treatment is "watch and wait." The medication to prevent seizures has enough side effects, and serious enough side effects, that the vet advised we not use them unless he's having more than one seizure every 3 months. As far as we know, the seizure he had on Friday was his first, so for now we're just waiting and hoping it doesn't happen again.

Add all that to the crappy weather and you can understand why every little thing is stressing me out. I need a vacation from my life.

4 comments:

rach said...

oh Laura, I am so sorry to hear that you are walking through a tough season. I will be praying for you and the pups (Ricky, too!). Please let me know if I can do anything for you. Much love, Rachel

Laura said...

Quit making me cry, Rach! Truly, I think what would help would be hang out time with my friends. Pretty please?

Unknown said...

Laura...I am SO glad you posted. This IS a season of challenge and you WILL emerge a stronger woman! I will be praying for you and Ricky as you cope with sick pups and sad hearts. Hugs from far away.

Mom said...

I know these are tough times for you. Being the Mom, I have two words for you - light box! 20 minutes in front of it would probably do you more good than the
20 minutes of extra sleep.

And then, three more words for you - Love you much!