My husband had his second total knee replacement 4 weeks ago. The surgery was very successful, but his rehab appears to be much harder for him than it was last year when he had the other knee done. He has exceeded the goals set by the surgeon's protocol, but the knee he is forced to rely on now is the one that is weaker from the stroke he had in 2005. I stayed with him in the hospital and have been working around the house like a crazy woman and taking care of him at the same time. In the beginning, I used to be so exhausted at night that I'd drop like a rock into bed. And I was in so much pain from doing all these things like cooking day and night , sponge bathing him and cleaning his commode and everything else, and he didn't get that just because he had surgery my MS didn't take a hiatus. I finally sat down and explained it to him and he did try to be less demanding, but I thought that I was going to flare for sure. Thank goodness that didn't happen but oh, the pain.......
Then last Wed. I took our newest pit bull rescue Gibbs to the vet for a dental cleaning. Not 2 hrs later the vet called to tell me that the bloodwork that they always do before dental work showed that his kidney disease had advanced to end stage renal failure and she wasn't going to do the dental but was going to push fluids all day and again the next day to see if she could get the BUN and creatinine levels down. When we went to see her Thursday afternoon she said that it hadn't worked. I asked if he was in pain and she said that he was uncomfortable. When I asked her what was going to happen she described it and said that he probably had less than a month, and that he would begin going downhill very quickly and then he would be in pain. He was already in the first stage of his body simply breaking down. We made the only decision we could at that point, because we didn't want him to suffer just because we couldn't bear to part with him. So I held him in my lap and stroked and kissed him while the vet gave him the medicine and it happened very quickly and peacefully, but I was hysterical and my husband was crying as well. While we did the most unselfish thing I think we could do, my heart is still broken. Hope all is well with all of you. Will start reading posts and answering as soon as I feel better. Love and good health to all. Sukie427
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I'm so very so for what you are going through right now with your husband. I'm also so very sorry for the news on your dog, it is never easy when something like that happens. My thoughts are with you.
I’m so sorry for all you and your husband are going through. It does seem that life’s troubles never trickle, but come in deluges. You’re both in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to hear about your furbabie 😢. They are so much of our family and we become so attached 🙏. That’s really hard taken care of yourself, let alone your husband 😫. Bless you and my prayers are with you 🙏🐾😉. Ken
Thanks to all of you for your prayers and good wishes. There are such wonderful people on this forum. kind and caring. Hope all are doing well, and may everyone have at least one day of sunshine without symptoms!
Oh Sukie427 I am so sorry 😐 for your loss of your dog 🐕 I also hope your husband gets better in his walking soon. I hope your MS stays at bay you all are in my prayers 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Sukie427 🤗 🤗 🤗 it never rains but it pours! This past year has really been challenging for you but you are obviously a very strong woman. Please look after yourself, and I hope and pray that your pain will subside, and with all the stress you do not relapse. As for loosing your dog, my heart goes out to you. I dread the day when it’s Razor’s turn to go to the rainbow bridge. Loosing a precious friend like a companion is like loosing a close family member. I am so, so sorry Suki, lots of love and hugs, Jimeka 🦋 🌈 🤗
Hi, Jimeka. Losing our companion animals is just awful. For a dog on the street, life is one horror after another. Gibby suffered so at the hands of humans; he had been kicked so badly by who knows how many different "people" that he had a spinal injury that caused him to drag his right hind leg, a broken right hip that some jerk "vet" had tried to put together with chicken wire, he was used for target practice and carried a .22 slug in his chest, and finally the kick to the kidneys which finally killed him. The only thing that I do know is that for 7 mos. he knew nothing but love and kindness. My heart is still broken but I know that it was the right thing to do. There was no cure, no hope, and nothing but increasing degrees of pain that would have already begun. It wouldn't have been fair to keep him alive because we were too selfish to let him go. I think that there must be a special place in hell for people who torture animals and children, the most vulnerable creatures among us. We still have our two other pitties, and I don't know what will happen to us when it's their turn to go over the Rainbow Bridge. They're both 13 1/2 and I won't even let myself think about it. Thanks for your support and love. It really means a lot. Love and hugs back, Sukie427
Sukie427 Isn't it a gift to have this forum where we can speak our hearts? When we put pain and sorrow into a post, we have opened the hurt places - allowing air, and light, and the support of community to help us heal. I join the friends here to listen, to empathize, and to send my thoughts for brighter, easier days to come.
goatgal , I couldn't have said it better. I always know that when I have hit the wall and feel like I just can't take one more iota of anything, I can turn to my friends and fellow MS Warriors on this forum for some kind words, support and understanding. Thanks to all of you for your love, support and caring.
Oh Sukie, it's Fancy1959. I know the pain you're going through because I've been through it before and I wish I could do something to relieve it but I know I can't. God bless you for making your rescue dogs last few days peaceful and full of love. Now do your best with your husband and keep talking with him face to face in adults adult like you just did so that he understands he can't run you into the ground either. You certainly have your hands full. Is there anyone, friend or family member you can call to help perhaps give you a break for an hour or two during the day? I think it's time to rely on others to prevent yourself from just let allow your MS to blow up! I wish I were closer so I could do something to assist you. But instead I'm forced to send you this big hug through this Electronic Connection and send you prayers and good wishes that this time of overload on you will pass quickly. Don't worry about the chat room take care of yourself in we look forward to speaking to you when your home life settles down significantly. Keep your chin up and take care of yourself until we speak again. Fancy.
You absolutely gave Gibbs the most unselfish gift you could. You put his needs before yours. I understand that your heart is broken right now. I pray that the wonderful memories will replace the pain very soon. Gibbs is running free now and I believe that he will check in on you often. He will miss you too 🐾
Awee, precious Sukie, i too am sorry bout what's all goin on, 😥 i cry w/u two, but you both shall see him in the True Kingdom again, 🐶🐯😻 we all shall see our precious animal family again!🙏Many Prayers for you both. Speedy recovery & healing to u& hubby! In Yahshua's Wonderful, True name! & stay as Strong as you are, but stay well, take care of you, so you can care for him. k.💜💞💘💗❤💕😍Many Blessings---Jazmine
Sukie I am just heartbroken 😭 for you. It is so very, very sad to lose one of our dear fur buddies. You have just had too much on your plate. I am so sorry. I always picture our puppers who we have had to let go, just playing together in one big happy 🐶 doggie place. Treasure your memories, I know that always comforts me. Sending you warm, loving hugs. And my dogs send some sloppy kisses. Love you, Kelly
My dear Kelly, thanks soo much for you kind words. Every time we have to let one of our precious dogs go we swear we won't do it again because the pain of loss is so terrible, but somehow we do go back and do it again, every time. We need to heal, and we still have our other two rescue pitbullls to love. I am still looking for a service dog, too. I got turned down by CCI in LA but it looks like the one in Atlanta is going to accept me but not for 3 yrs. Hubby is getting better, and I am exercising and trying to get rid of the pain in my legs, back, shoulder and hips. Exercise, rest and cannabis have been big help. Tonight I am going away with a dear friend who has MS and is in a wheelchair. We are going to have a glass of wine together and hear some music. She has been my psychological and spiritual mentor on this miserable MS journey. Sloppy kisses back to your pups and love you too. Sukie427
Thanks, Kellyj44 , and to everyone else on this forum for your love and support. The kindness that everyone has shown just shows how amazing everyone on this site is. I wish all of you love, peace, joy, and as many symptom-free days as possible!
Thank you, mrsmike9 . We knew he was sick with stage III kidney disease the day that we adopted him from the humane society and him completely worked up.
She explained that renal disease is so rare in dogs, that it was probably due to an insult to the kidneys some time in his life which basically means someone kicked him in the kidneys. She changed his diet and gave him 7 mos to a year. That was in January, so we had him for 7 mos. What comforts me is knowing that at least in those last 7 mos. he knew nothing but kindness and love. What kills me is that out of 12 or so years of his life, he only was really loved and treated kindly for 7 mos. I miss him terribly, but I have good memories and I know that the pain of loss will heal with time, and then we'll go back and do it again......
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