Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Tank


So I had a whole post typed up yesterday before I left for work but wanted to check over it and make sure the pictures were all the right size. I was going to size all the pictures and post it when I got home.
Well I got a little distracted when I got home and ended up spending the evening playing with the dogs and cuddled up in blankets watching The Bachelor.
(I have never watched a whole series all the way through, of any tv show, and I decided that I am going to do that this year - Finish a television series while it is actually on tv. No renting or watching later!) 

So that post would have probably went up this morning it would have been a normal tuesday.
But today is not normal.

Today is not a good day.
Today is a sad day.
Today is painful.
Today is numb.

Today Tank went to the vet for his x-rays. 
I had convinced myself along with a lot of convincing from family and friends that what was going on is just a broken ankle or even a sprain.
Thursday when we were there I was warned and pretty convinced when leaving that he had cancer.
Anthony and everyone calmed my fears and opened my mind up that it might not be. 
Of course in the back of my mind I was allowing cancer to still be a possibility.
For the last 5 days I have been praying to God that it is something else, anything else.
My mind has been foggy while inside I have been a complete mess.
We followed the directions for the sedation that he would be getting this morning, no food after 6 p.m. and no water after midnight.
Got there at 7:00 a.m. and dropped him off.
Felt like I was dropping my son off to preschool for the 1st time.
Anthony and I went out separate ways.
He was already late for work and I still had to get ready so we drove separate cars.
I cried my whole 10 minute drive home and hugged Diesel when I got home for like 20 minutes before I could even get up to get ready for the day.
Our house is so quiet without Tank there, and all I could think of "is what is this going to be like if there is something really wrong with him?"

no more slobbery kisses.
no more towels around every corner to wipe his face.
no more nose prints on the sliding glass door.

On my way to work at 8:45 I got the call.
I thought they were calling to tell me that his ankle was broken and needed permission to operate.
Not the case and not the news I was wanting to hear.
Dr. Osborne told me that his x-rays showed that he does have bone cancer.
Cancer.
She said the C word.
I do not remember my drive down Maple Avenue.
I don't remember if the lights changed. 
I don't know I used my blinker to make my turn.
I just remember listening to her tell me our options.

1. They can amputate his leg. It can be done right there in the office.
She warned that this would not change his numbers or increase his life expectancy.
Then she said what I was dreading to hear. 
3-6 months.

2. They can refer us to a specialist. The specialist can do a biopsy and that will tell us if there is anything that can be done (this would tell us if chemo is an option or not) There are no guarantees and it will be expensive. 

3. Keep him comfortable and enjoy him for the time we do have left with him. 

I told her I would need to talk to Anthony and would call back at 1:00 to see when he can be picked up. She apologized and we got off the phone.
At this point I was sitting in the parking lot at work and called Anthony and just started balling my eyes out.
He obviously couldn't do much because we were on the phone.
I gathered myself and went into work.
The girls at work could tell something was wrong and I broke down once again.
The rest of this morning has been kind of weird. Due to the cold temperatures no one is really venturing out and I am just getting paperwork done here at my desk. I have called three times now to see how he is doing and we are picking him up after 4:00 when I get off work.

I want to keep everyone updated and let you know that as of right now we are choosing to keep him comfortable and on medicine to keep the swelling and the pain down. We are going to thoroughly enjoy the time we have left with him. Doing the other options would take away from his quality of life and not extend our time with him any longer. I am reminding myself that I need to not be selfish and keep him happy
We are going to continue to pray for Tank and ask God to let us know when it is time.
I cannot thank you all enough for the prayers we have received in the last 5 days. It has been overwhelming and we are so grateful. I will definitely keep you all updated because I know you care about our big boy and probably want to know how he is doing. 
Thank-you all so much!!! 

11 comments:

  1. Brittany,
    I am so very sorry. As one dog/animal lover to another I know exactly how you feel. When I lost my Golden Retriever, Milo two years ago I was devastated. I never thought I would cremate a dog and place it on my mantle but that is exactly what I did do. I still get teary eyed about the memories and it was two years ago. Thankfully two days after he died a friend found a stray and we adopted him, hence Otis. Love him to pieces but still miss Milo. I hope your time with Tank is long. I read something once that explained why dogs do not live as long as us. It is because they are already perfect and do not need to be here on earth as long. I think it makes sense. As you know ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN. That is my story and I am sticking to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Kim! I never even thought about cremation for him, but might consider it. Then again I have lots to remember him by when he is gone. We have a full wall full of pictures of him and Diesel so I am sure that is going to be hard enough to pass by on a daily basis. I know it will probably never be easy or get better but we just make do with what memories we do have. ALL DOGS DO GO TO HEAVEN and thanks for the reminder!

      Delete
  2. Tank came into our life as this little bundle of clumsy energy and made a huge imprint on our heart as massive as the big boy he has grown into. Tank is not only my grand dog but is a Grand Dog with amazing personality. In the short amount of time we have had him he has blessed us with some pretty special memories. It breaks my heart to know that he is going through this but also my heart aches for the pain you are going through I wish there was some way I could spare you but I know that I can not. Continue to keep your head up and embrace him as long as you can. Love you honey!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He really is a GRAND dog mom!!! I will not ever forget any of those memories but am definitely going to miss making more memories with him. We have to just take it day by day and thank God each day for blessing us with another.

      Delete
  3. I can't imagine what you are going through. Do enjoy your Tank as much as you can while he's still able to enjoy life semi normally. My two dogs are my babies and it's hard to think of them getting old and having health issues down the road. But I don't think about it, I enjoy every day with them like its their last day. Remember, all dogs do go to heaven! After all dog is just God spelled backwards :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your sweet comment, it is so hard to think about it and even harder when that time is actually here. I do not think my heart has ever ached as much as it has in these last couple of days. I am sure it is not going to get any easier but just like you said I am going to be thankful for each day and not dread the future.

      Delete
  4. You're so right I should have grabbed tissues! I'm so sorry to hear this :( I'm praying for your guys' and his comfort. You're doing the right thing by loving on him and keeping him comfy. I can't imagine how hard this must be. Hang in there and give Tank a hug from me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Alyssa!! I will give him hugs for you. I always knew that his life would not be as long as other breeds due to his size but I never imagined I would only get half of his life expectancy. 3 is still very young. We are definitely going to enjoy the days we have left with our big guy and thank God for each one!

      Delete
  5. :'( So heartbreaking. I'm so sorry to hear this. I can't image how you feel but I do know I felt the same dealing with our eldest dog. It's heart breaking. No matter how much you think you can prepare yourself, it's never enough. I send much love, thoughts, and prayers for you during this time. <3 XO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Julie! Especially for being here for me the last couple of days!!!! Even though it is in text message it means so much to me. You are a great friend and I am so thankful that we are friends now. One day (hopefully not too soon) our boys will be playing together in Heaven. xoxo

      Delete
  6. I'm so sorry Brittany to hear this news. we lost our precious baby Rudy in March of 2013 to cancer with no warning and no time to say goodbye. My heart aches for you but I do know that ALL dogs go to heaven & I do know that the biggest animal lovers I know, Uncle Jim & Granpa Kenny , will be waiting up there for your precious baby Tank when the time comes. Clancy & Rudy will be there to greet him as well. Prayers for peace & no pain.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for stopping by! Feel free to leave me a comment and I will get back to you. Hope you have a great day!