Phase Two Part Two Addendum A: Still Healing

When someone you love is recovering from an illness or trauma, you feel the stress.  There is often sleep deprivation and vigilant attendance to, and anticipation of, every physical and emotional need.  There are accommodations made to schedules and routines and meals and sleeping spaces.  These stressors are common in everyone's life, and I do not find them distressful, but when I cannot meet every need my loved one has, the resulting feeling of helplessness is distressing to me.

I felt helpless yesterday.  Foster's incision did not look right to me.  Some swelling, some opening, and an issue with one of the stitch and skin-supporting stents.  While every aspect of surgery is important, a patient can manage surgery fantastically, but be overwhelmed and damaged by improper wound care. I don't compliment myself often, but I know I'm a great caretaker.  Foster's incision issues were beyond my sadly vastly experienced wound care skill set.  Thank You God for animal emergency rooms.

That top stent just looks like it's causing problems.

The forced separation in ERs and hospitals is distressing to me.  I have been getting around the prominently displayed rules of visiting hours, MRI procedures and ICUs for years, but there are some areas OSHA just won't allow non-employees to go, and I have to comply in the 60-75% range.  I was helpless to OSHA in one area at Doggy ER.  The separation was short, but strongly felt, and the diagnosis was validating, surprisingly positive, as well as distressing.

My Little Fosse is just plain worn out from the stress of trying to heal...and who wants to spend time in an ER???

I was concerned about swelling, wound opening, and what appeared to be decreased vascularity in one area.  I was really concerned about Foster's skin becoming necrotic, or at the very least infected, due to swelling around one stent which was appearing to cut his already compromised thin skin.  The report was no abscess, no wound opening, no necropsy, no infection, but all potential if swelling was not reduced.  Unfortunately, the anti-inflammatory prescribed post-surgery was causing stomach upset.  Stomach upset/Loss of appetite is the first sign of potential ulcers with this prescription, so its use had to be discontinued immediately.  One hundred sixty two dollars later, Foster had No abscess, No necrotic tissue, No open wound, No infection and No ulcer, but No Real Remedy.  Helpless, I felt helpless.  Somewhat relieved, but helpless.

Knowing I was not truly helpless, I secured an appointment with the surgeon, our original and favorite vet, today.  She agreed that my area of concern would benefit from the removal of one stent, and while the wound would appear open, the subcutaneous stitches were holding and Foster's skin would granulate and fill in the gap.  Stent removed, Foster feeling GOOD!  Yay for Foster Dog!!!!

Though parts of Foster Dog's healing process have been distressing, and I've felt helpless, I know that I am not powerless.  Though his care costs money I am unable to earn when I have to run to the vet, I am secure in another way.  When I am able to speak for my family members who depend on me for everything, I feel strong and as if I can spread that strength.  It is wonderful how many lessons are learned, and how much confidence is created, by the dogs in my life.  I am blessed.  Sometimes I am distressed, but I am always blessed.

The Big Cone had to go on.

Foster Dog is showing you how happy he is about that.