Recovery- Amazing what a good nurse or two can do!

Friday night Boscoe was released from the hospital. He was tired and weak but happy to be home. Every- time my sweet boy got up he would hack and cough. We had friends coming from out of town with their two small girls and although I wasn't the best company I was happy to have them. They were so understanding and compassionate towards what both I and Boscoe were going through. I honestly think their visit helped both me and Boscoe. Never once did I feel I had to entertain or pretend to be happy. They were happy letting us just be which in the end helped me to move away from Boscoe's side giving him a much needed break from crazy mom and give me the needed down time. Thank you for being such good friends!

Here is a photo Elena, who was Boscoe's favorite nurse this weekend. She got him a feel better card. Boscoe could barely keep his eyes open but he let her know he was thrilled with his first ever get well card! Thanks "RUFF" Elena. Sniffs and Kisses from Boscoe!

Friday night was long. I got up with Boscoe every couple hours to make sure he got up and walked around - this would ensure the liquid didnt pool to one side of his lungs. I also gave him a coupage treatment at 3am. Coupage is a treatment that involves percussion therapy to help move the secretions in the lungs. Not sure he enjoyed this too much. He really just wanted to go to bed after his exhausting stay in ICU. I imagine he thoughts went something like this "really woman, I spend 48 hours fighting for my life all while you stare at me and blubber like someone stole your bone, then I finally get sprung and home to my comfy bed and you wake me up to beat on my chest for 10 minutes in the middle of the night? If I haven't confirmed it before I have now.. your raving mad!"

Saturday morning he at very little but he did eat which was positive. As the day went on he would move from his sofa in the main room to the sunny front room where he would lay in the sun and watch the cars go by.
He also enjoyed some special one on one nursing time.

Nurse Elena spent a lot of time reading to him. At first she started with sweet silly books about love and dogs but as he started to perk up she thought he was ready for some grade 1 reading homework. As you can see Boscoe was highly engaged and should he recover I have no doubt he is ready to write the Grade 1 reading test!

He had some very special nurses throughout the day Thalia ( our 2 year old) who felt singing to him would make him feel better and Serena who read him piano and music books. This special care must have been just what he needed because Sunday when the Zima family where getting ready to leave, although still very tired he surprised us all and got up and sniffed around them and grabbed his Kong for Elena to throw to him. She threw and he fetched for about 5 times before he tuckered out. It was as if to show the girls that their special care had helped and to make sure they knew he was OK.

After they left it was back to lots of rest for the day. He was still not very hungry but I believe that is a side effect of the antibiotics. At least that is what I am hoping. I had a lovely email conversation with Tea's mom in Chicago. Tea is a sweet little dog who also has ME. I met her mom through the yahoo MegaEsophagus group, which has been a godsend in terms of providing me with support and information. She gave me good advice which was basically stop crying and put your efforts into his recovery! Advice taken L. Thank you!

Sunday night I got up with him 3 times but he seemed to be coughing less. Monday morning came all too quick. This was the morning I would have to leave him by himself for the day while me and my husband were at work. Again he didn't eat much.Which of course sent me into an emotional spiral thinking he is getting worse, he wont get strong and of course leading to the grand ol' what if.. What if he chokes during the day, What if he dies, what if, what if, what if..

It was nice to get to work and have a nice email from Ryan (whose dog Syd has ME in Ohio) checking in on Boscoe. One thing I can say are the people I am meeting with ME dogs care as much about the well being of others and their dogs as they do their own. It is nice to know that someone out there is genuinely asking you how you and your dog are instead of calling you the crazy dog lady behind your back *( you know your calling me that ;-))

I spent most of the day worrying. To the point when I came home and he didn't come to the door I was frozen with the what if... but when I came in I was happy to find him lounging comfortably on our new sofa's (shhhhh don't tell daddy) and he looked fine although he had managed to get his collar off. I searched the house and there were no signs of regurgitation or other so it appears he had an OK day! Thank god!

I have spent a lot of time researching homeopathic remedies which once I locate a Canadian company I will start him on and I am interested to see what comes of Reiki treatment that a friend is doing for Boscoe but I will save those for a future post!

For today I sign off thanking god he is still with us and thanking his wonderful weekend nurses Elena (7) Serena (2.5) and Thalia (2.5)....your love and care and sharing of your laughter and smiles no doubt aided in his recovery!