The end is in sight
On September 7th, Willow was diagnosed with lymphoma. It took a month to decide a course of treatment. The cost involved was projected to be in the thousands and on my meager massage income this was a monumental steep hill to climb. Through the generosity of friends, family, donations, yard sales, and the canine cancer awareness organization was able to make it Through. Many hours were spent on the computer search canine cancer organization who help pay for treatment costs for some cases and individuals. I applied to several and got half a dozen responses, and one approval.
Willow now has three more treatments and then we are on a monthly recheck. At first Willow had a hard time with the treatments, but after a month or two she began to do much better. Her Quality of life never faltered and her stamina for her walks remained consistent. She is truly an amazing creature. Her coat a bit scraggly today from her last treatment, her next is on Thursday. February 18th is scheduled to be her last in the five month protocol.
I nearly did not go the chemotherapy route, but after having done it I am glad I did. Sometime during the month of December Willowwould have been dying if she had gone without treatment. Instead I had and have a happy dog. We do not know where this will lead, but at least I gave it my all and so did she. The focus now will be on a holistic approach to help maintain and improve her immune system.
Willow is twelve and half years old; funny how at certain times in a dog's life those half year become so important. She has her share of arthritis and aching joints, but she still gets around pretty well.
This particular leg on my canine journey has taught me that in desperate times when all is impossible, try everything and anything, someone or something will come along to change the course of events.
Missed your mark
Dear Richard Willoughby,
I believe you missed your mark with your comment as my blog has little to do with the topic on which you write. Perhaps an error on your reply to the intended blog topic. In that case few will see it for I speak mainly of dogs.
Mary
Re “Bigotry and hatred” (Rev. Rachel Anderson, Monitor letter, Jan. 28):
I read Rev. Anderson’s letter in the January 28, 2009 Concord Monitor and wondered why she is against people expressing their opinion in a public forum. Presumably, she is against both the tone of the letters as well as their right to speak freely.
While I don’t agree with the Monitor’s editorial positions on abortion, gay marriage or capital punishment, I do have to commend them for allowing opposing dialog to occur. They do publish my own conservative opinions and my name is not withheld. For all I care, they may publish my e-mail address too. I have virus eradicators and a delete button.
I know liberals don’t like to have others, who have different opinions, express them selves publicly. They would do away with the 1st Amendment because they believe a difference of opinion must be bigotry or hatred, when it is solely a different point of view. I don’t hate fetus murderers or gay rights activists. I just think they are wrong. But, I have a right to say so.
My observation is that the Monitor, for all its socialist values, does publish letter writers’ names and cities of residence. It also gives Rev. Anderson, if she thought about it, the right to protest other letter writers. She wouldn’t want that right taken away. Would she? All of which is a benefit for the rest of Monitor’s readership. It provides a cross section of how we the people of the New Hampshire respond to current events for the people in California. It includes politicians who must also see those opinions.
Richard Willoughby