Ethel’s Surgery and Recovery

Ethel had her surgery and recovered well. She’s adapted fairly well to three legs, and can even get down the stairs by herself. She’s not able to get upstairs herself, but I don’t mind carrying her up nightly. Getting runners for the wood and tile floors was the one thing that’s really helped her mobility around the house. She’s pretty agile outside, but her walking cadence is still forced and seems unnatural. She tires easily when she walks, but she seems to enjoy her walks as she asks for them several times a day. She even feels well enough now that she asks to go to the park in the morning,  just as she used to before her amputation. I decided to go the chemo route, and she had her first treatment last week. She did well and went to the park the next day. I’m looking at four more chemo treatments over the course of the next twelve weeks or so. I’m happy she’s doing well and seems to have adapted, but in the back of my mind is the looming thought that my time with her is limited. I plan to do what I can to make her happy, including taking her to the park each day that I can. 

6 thoughts on “Ethel’s Surgery and Recovery”

  1. Way to go Ethel! I love her name and her attitude. Sounds like she has been doing very well with her recovery and chemo, I’m so happy for you both. I know it’s impossible to stop thinking about the cancer but keep celebrating those milestones together – life really is measured in those happy moments. Keep it up Ethel!
    Love, Amy & Rusty

  2. Just enjoy every minute together! Everyone’s time is limited in some way, but that doesn’t mean that it cannot be great, high quality time.

    Guve her time on her gait. She is still adjusting to life on three – keep your walks short and go by her signals. If she is tired, rest. If she wants to go to the park, then you know what you have to do. (Confession – most tripawds are spoiled rotten by their owners. Not a bad thing from the perspective of the tripawd). 😀

    1. Yeah, she’s super spoiled, but it’s not cuz she’s a tripawd. She was spoiled rotten WAY before she lost her leg. We go on walks when she asks, and take my cues about going back home from her. She rests when she needs, and then we start again when she’s ready. She wants to go to the park daily, so most days, we go.

  3. All right Ethel! Take each day and live it fully like your Ethel is doing. Ethel just wants you fully present in each of her today’s. All she’s worried about is her “park time” and she needs you to drive her there 😀. And supper time. Cause all dogs worry about supper time….like is it now and what am I having? Hugs to you and Ethel you’re doing a great job!

  4. You are an inspiration Ethel!!! Enjoying every moment doing what makes you both happy. Glad she is doing well on chemo. We are here for you if you need anything. We don’t know how much time any of us is here for. What matters is what we do with the time we have. You and Ethel are loving each other and spending quality time together. Making more memories to cherish!!!!
    Yoshi, Susie & Will

  5. Ethel you are lookin’ good pretty girl! I’m glad that you are doing so well and getting back to your usual routines. Isn’t it great?!

    Cancer sucks for sure but you are handling it like a champ.

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