One Step at a Time – Just Keep Swimming sequel

I’ll keep this short tonight because I’m writing this on my iPhone (very small screen).  First, the update on my wiggle-butt.  She’s doing really good.  She’s back to her old bad and good habits.  One of the good habits that I cherish is that when I come home she runs to greet me and brings me one of her dollies.  Tonight was her little purple tiger.

The main reason I’m writing tonight is to let out a bit of what I’m dealing with.  I am burning the candle on more than both ends.  This week I’ve had to sort through my feelings about chemo on my baby.  And now I’m hyper-vigilant about watching her for any side-effects.  On top of that, a dear friend of mine has entered a hospice facility to end out his days after a battle with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.  so I’ve been going up to the hospital and now the hospice center to support him and his wife.  Work is crazy busy.  I didn’t even manage to eat until 4:00 today.  And then I have my own health issues that I should be working on, along with an appointment in the morning.  Whew!  I’m tired just writing it all down.

My intent, as it pertains to my friend, is to visit every day until his time is over.  The doctors are thinking a week or a little longer.  I am so sad for him and his wife (whom I am also very close to).  When they moved here, they kind of adopted me and took me into their home.  So I really want to support them through this.

So…I am very much focusing on what is in front of me.  I wake up and worry about my baby girl.  Then I rush to work and focus on the tasks that I have in front of me there.  Then I head to the hospice center and spend my time trying to comfort my dear friends.  Then I rush home (worrying the whole way that this may have been the day  Brendol didn’t feel good).  I take care of all my fuzz-butts (2 dogs and 2 cats).  Brendol so far makes me so relieved once I’m through the door.  And I’m trying to make sure that all my sweet peas are getting plenty of attention!  And then it’s time for bed so I can do it again tomorrow.

Therefore, “just keep swimming…just keep swimming.”

Guess this wasn’t all that brief. 🙂

Author: Karma

My furry family and I live in Atlanta. I care for a 12 year old pittbull mix (Brendol) who underwent an amputation of her front right leg for bone cancer. I also care for a 10 1/2 year old chow/border collie mix (Aissa) and two sister cats that are 3 (Mathilde and Morrigan).

One thought on “One Step at a Time – Just Keep Swimming sequel”

  1. Karma,

    I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. Sometimes everything all seems to hit at once it seems huh? 🙁
    You are a terrific friend for helping them through this difficult time.
    As far as Brendol’s chemo side effects, I tend to be hyper vigilant after jill’s treatments, always thinking “when’s the side effects gonna happen!?” my oncologist pointed out to me that sometimes they just dont and when they do, trust me, you’ll know and you’ll figure out what to do. Brendol will lead you, just follow her lead. That’s the best lesson I’ve learned throughout this journey thus far.
    For now, you’re probably exhausted, so take some time to breathe, lay down at night and squeeze your babies tight 🙂

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