Puppy heaven

It is with great sadness and an even heavier heart that I write this tonight. Peanut, our puppy for almost 7 years, passed away at 7 tonight. He was so strong and fought such a hard battle against a monster of a disease. A disease with no known cause, explanation, or real hope for survival. He was special because he was our first dog. Not a family dog, but a dog that made us a family. He was our pride and joy. If you knew him, you know why.

I have so many memories I would love to share. But tonight, I'm feeling greedy and I want them for myself. Maybe some day when it doesn't hurt so much, I'll post some of them. In the meantime, here's an entry about how we got him.

I'm writing this from bed...where one little, loveable pup used to lay next to me. I am officially empty inside.





Here's to Peanut. I love you more than coffee loves sugar, toast loves butter or rainbows love pots of gold. You're my forever. I'll love you always...

Puppy

So my once cancer related blog is now going to turn into a puppy related blog. Here's why:

My puppy, Peanut, is currently in the hospital. He began throwing up on Sunday morning. Matt took him to the 24 hour hospital and they gave him some nausea meds and a fluid injection under his skin called subcutaneous fluid. It's basically a portable IV. I tried finding a picture of it online, but didn't have any luck. He was then sent home. Sunday night was okay, but he didn't want to eat. The doc said that was okay considering the meds. On Monday morning, however, he began throwing up again. Matt took him back in and they did x-rays and blood work. They first diagnosed him with an enlarged spleen and were going to do an ultrasound before surgery. The ultrasound, though, came back negative. He was then diagnosed with IMHA or Immune Mediate Hemolytic Anemia. For a detailed description, you can read about it here. Basically, Peanut's immune system has turned on him and is now attacking his red blood cells. Sound familiar??? Maybe a little like Hodgkin's? Okay...so not the red blood cell part, but the part about the immune system turning on you. Eerie coincidence.

So Peanut was admitted to ICU on Monday and given a blood transfusion and steroids. These are not working like they're supposed to. Now he's on 3 types of meds and has been given several blood transfusions. His PCV is fluctuating between the low teens and low 20's. We received our first bit of "good" news just tonight: his PCV count went up to 23 tonight. And he ate a little.

I wrote this first half last night before my computer crashed on me. Seems that's happening all around me...so to continue...

I called twice before going to bed. He was resting during both calls. The tech said he had eaten a little bit more and they were going to do a blood test at 8am. I called at 6am to check on him and he was still hanging in there. The tech called Matt a little after 8 and Peanut's PCV went back down to 15. I called the on-duty doctor and was told that his prognosis was dismal, that she was afraid he would go into cardiac arrest and that we should head up there immediately "just in case". So, in a panic, I left work and Matt did the same.

So here's where we are now: the chief of staff for the clinic is now his doctor. They put him on oxygen to help what red blood cells he does have. They're not going to do another transfusion because it'll make his immune system work too hard and the by-products of it are harming him. He has some fluid in his lungs, which they gave him meds for and another reason why they put him on oxygen. He was given more steroids and a little pain medicine to ease his stress. Unfortunately, during this process his IV blew again (it happened the first time the other night) and after several attempts at getting it back in, they finally gave up and will try again later. Once that's in, they will start him on plasma, which is the white part of the blood. After that's finished, we're trying human gamma globulin, which you can read about in the above linked article. It's pretty much our last resort, so we're praying it takes and he responds well.

Update @ 1:46- during the writing of this, the doc called and they finally got his IV back in. They put it in a back leg after attempting to put it in his ear. Now the plasma has started (a 3 hour drip) and after will come the globulin (a slow 12 hour drip). Keep your fingers crossed and the prayers coming. We need all the help we can get.

Update: @4ish--Peanut is still on fluids and oxygen. They just finished his plasma and are now starting the globulin. His temperature has dropped quite a bit, so they have him on a bair hugger blanket (which is similar to an electric blanket). It looks like this:

Well...fancy that. Dexter and I really DO have something in common.

Not so long ago, I wrote an entry about "fun facts". Now, while some of you didn't think my facts were so fun, I still found it very interesting. It consisted of notable cases of Hodgkins. I would like to add to that list. I heard tonight that Michael C. Hall, of Dexter fame, is in remission from Hodgkins. Click here to read about it. I find this interesting because I'm OBSESSED with Dexter, as noted here.

Also, it's time again for Pasta for Pennies. Last year, our school raised over $2400 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. And we won the pasta party because my class raised the most money! Help us raise money (and win pasta)! Go here for more info.

Thanks for reading! Goodnight!

P.S. I would like to apologize for my last couple of posts. Apparently, I've been a little hyperlink happy. So...sorry. :)

Holy crap...add another.

So I wrote recently about my friend, Tanner, getting a purple ribbon tattoo. And now it's time to add another.

I've known Christine for 3 years. Her son is (somewhat) in my class. We share many things in common and not too long ago tattoos came up. Today, she came in and dropped off some boxes for our class to use. After sitting for a couple of minutes and listening to calendar songs, she called me over to where she was. She then took off a bandage revealing this:

Can you believe it?? I already wrote about feelings of friends vs. family members getting tattoos. What an unbelievable honor!!!! She wanted me to know how I affected them and what an impact I had on their life. And then I cried. So I called Mom down and she cried, too. And now Christine is officially an honorary Booher. Thanks again, Christine! It means more to me than I can express.

Thanks for reading. Goodnight!!

Another new year.

I'm writing this entry from a different state...where there's snow outside and it's freaking cold. Looking back on 2009, I never dreamed this is where I'd end the year. But I'd rather end it no other way. Absolutely perfect. ;)

I have so many goals for 2010. I'd call them "resolutions", but I'm not a fan of that word. I'm listing them on here to keep to them. I say I want to do this and that, but never quite get around to doing them. So...here goes:

1. Publish my blog to a book (one can dream, right?)
2. Race a car (like, on a track. Not down 20 or in Dalworthington Gardens. Those don't count.)
3. Volunteer/work in the prison
4. Go back to school (I have a couple of options for this one...)
5. Travel
6. Learn sign language

Hmmm...I thought I had more, but they've slipped my mind. I guess these will keep me occupied. :)

So to end this blog (and this year), have a happy, safe, healthy, and most importantly, FUN new year. May yours be filled with as much mystery, surprise and happiness as mine is sure to be. Love to all.

Merry Christmas and (more) tattoos

I've written in the past about the loss, and gain, of friendships over my illness. I try to not dwell on the friendships lost, but embrace the friendships gained...for these are the few that I will forever cherish. When I was diagnosed, my mom promised a tattoo when I was officially diagnosed in remission. Many months later, she and four other family members held true to their promises. And now I add one more.

Last year at this time, a promise was made to me in passing at my cancer free surprise party. I've known Tanner for many years now. We've traveled, been to many a punk rock show, and hung out in hospitals together over the years. And yesterday, he did this:


It was an honor when my family did it. To mark something permanently on your skin for someone else is no less than amazing to me. And that FIVE people did it...wow. And now Tanner. I am beyond honored that someone NOT related to me would do such a thing. I had to laugh, though, in his description. Apparently it hurt like hell. :) So, thank you, Tanner. You've just proved that whoever doesn't get a tattoo isn't a real friend. Ha! Kidding.




I happened to be wearing this shirt yesterday. Funny. I wear it sometimes, but not often. And I never get asked about it. But yesterday, I did. We went to eat and a guy asked what I was a survivor of. He gave me a high five and a "God bless" when I told him lymphoma, but I was in remission.



Now I must go. Still have stuff to do before tomorrow. Oh and on a sidenote...Tanner made Mom and I beautiful glass vases for Christmas. He does pinstriping and is awesome at it. I will post pics of those in the next couple of days. :)

Thanks for reading!

I should've been a race car driver.

Unfortunately, the Dalworthless, I mean Dalworthington, Gardens police don't think so. I just got a ticket. 50 in a 40. I suppose with my driving, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Jerks. Nonetheless, I'm not very happy with "their kind" right about now. Ha! Yes, that goes for you non-Texas cops, too. ;)

I need to go running now. Anyone up for a midnight run through Veterans? I could get us there fast. :) Takers????