What Am I Missing?
I’m asking myself that question a lot, having cancer and undergoing chemo. And, for the record, the cancer might have been killing me slowly, but the chemo is kicking my butt big time.With little things. All the things I’m missing. For instance –
Other People’s Dogs
One of the best parts of this job, blogging for Jones Natural Chews, is meeting and treating other people’s dogs. I’m missing that now, since I’m not really allowed to interact with animals not living in my own home full time.
OMD – I do truly love this part of my job. And why can’t I interact with other people’s dogs? Chemotherapy weakens my immune system. It’s working hard to kill rapidly spreading cancer cells, but is rather indiscriminate, also killing healthy cells. My immune system can’t handle stray germs being introduced. So, while my own dogs have familiar germs, other people’s dogs do not.
And it’s not just dogs, it’s children with runny noses and sick people in general. And my own cats, since they roam outside at night.
My Backyard Farm
I miss hanging out with Jimmy and the girls. The chickens are my compadres. For now, I have to be content standing in the doorway, tossing them chunks of bread.
Being Awake All Day
I know, I know – you probably think this is highly underrated. But being awake all day is one of those things I miss. I wake up dizzy. I stumble to my chair and go back to sleep in the morning. The little dogs climb on my lap and settle in. And I wake up about noon. I can’t tell you what a chore it is to keep my eyes open and focused right now. I’m hoping this passes soon. It’s not till about two in the afternoon that I can be awake and functioning.
Speaking of Little Dogs …
My cutie pies, Gadget and Chewy, head to Grandma’s Doggy Daycare every morning. Hunny drops them at my mom’s on his way to work and they spend the day playing with her Honey dog and chasing squirrels.
While this means that they’re very happy little dogs, having a playmate and plenty of attention, it also means that they’re a little depressed, being away from me and their routine all wonky. And why am I missing them? Why do they go to grandma’s house? When they’re home, they want to go outside about thirty times a day. And I let them. Right now I can’t be getting up and down all morning long. I walk like a drunk. That might be entertaining for you, but it’s not for me.
Speaking of which, I just got up to give the big dogs a Soft Blend Chicken Taffy and let them out, and could barely make it to the back door. I wind up hanging on to things as I go. It’s crazy. But I’m not nauseous, so thank God for small blessings.
Giveaway
So that’s what living with cancer and dogs looks like from my side of the fence, so far. It might look completely different for you. My advice is – Don’t get cancer.
Our giveaway is nearing the end! Have you been tweeting every day? You’ll want to enter, if you haven’t already! Pop over to the entry post and do that Rafflecopter thing!
Spreading the good chews …
Flea
