Those 70ish Girls

I thought some of you might like an update on the McNinch infirmary.

We almost lost our golden retriever, Cyndie. Her kidney numbers were between stage three and four, which is pretty bad, and she was also suffering from pancreatitis. She was weak and had stopped eating. We took her to our vet who gave us very little hope, but said, “Let’s look into her eyes and see if she still has some fight left in her.” We all agreed that Cyndie wasn’t ready to go to doggie heaven, so the vet kept her on an IV for three days. She seemed to be feeling better, and knowing the challenge was going to be getting her to eat, we brought her home.

For the first three days we had to feed her with a big syringe filled with blended beef, chicken and sweet potatoes. Once it was in her mouth, she tolerated it and swollowed enough to help her get some strength back. She has since graduated to eating full servings of soft kidney friendly dog food twice a day and seems to be enjoying life. We take her for long walks in the mornings and she can go up and down our front and back steps without a problem. She takes a medication to help with arthritis in her back legs, and she doesn’t seem to be in pain.

Cyndie is thirteen, but we’re hoping she has a couple of good years left in her.

I’m also doing well. My CT scan and blood work all looked good yesterday. With my recent history of test results, I was more than a little relieved. I have one more operation to complete a little reconstruction, and a very small area on my left side will be checked for cancer cells. The surgeon is 99% sure there won’t be any. That will be done in September. I am very grateful. Since all of the cancer was sugicaly removed, I don’t have to go through chemotherapy or radiation. I will have to take a cancer fighting medication for ten years, but I can do that. There will be lots of scans, blood work, and colonoscopies in my future, but that I can handle, too.

I will never forget the support I have gotten from my family and friends. Thank, you again for the prayers, and the many gifts of love.

Take heed, my friends. Schedule all of those tests that will catch cancer and other diseases early, because that is the key to survival. Cancer is a scary word. A very scary word. Do all you can do to prevent hearing that you have it.

A lady who sits behind me in church tapped me on the shoulder last Sunday and said, “You look so good…like all the poison is gone from your body.” Those words were like music to my ears.