I realize I do not post here as often as I should – I tend to be a bit hermit-y. ;) However, I’m here every day, reading virtually all the threads in the Pet Forum. If you or your pet has needed prayer . . . I’ve been praying for you. But now, Tazmin – our precious Keeshond – needs your prayers, as well as DH and I, and I’m having to overcome my natural reticence to ask you for it.
On Wednesday, November 19th, Tazmin was diagnosed with a tumor on her heart – a chemodectoma. It is not operable. This was discovered only after she was diagnosed with pericardial effusion – fluid build-up in the pericardial sac around her heart. They tapped and drained it, and the fluid indicated cancerous cells. She clearly feels ever so much better – she’s playful and relatively energetic again – but to undergo that procedure every week or so is not a solution. It is painful and distressing for the dog, and the build-up of fluid can create scar tissue on the heart.
So on Tuesday, November 25th, Tazmin will probably undergo a surgical procedure in which a veterinary surgeon will go in between the ribs and using a scope will create a hole – a window – in the pericardial sac so that fluid can no longer build up and place such a burden on her heart and lungs.
If she does not undergo this procedure, and we do nothing else, her time left here on earth would be measured in weeks. Although she is not a young dog – she’s 10 years old – we’re not yet ready to let her go if we don’t have to. In every other way, Tazmin is in great shape, so we are willing to do whatever makes sense and/or whatever makes her feel better to keep her as long as we can.
I had always hoped, as I know we all do for our pets, that Tazmin would live to be an old lady. Her mother lived to be almost 17 years old and her father is still kicking around. But both John and I refuse to keep her going just for us – we want her to have quality of life. And when it’s time to let her go, we pray we’ll do so with love, allowing her grace and dignity as she leaves this world. She has been nothing but an absolute joy for us these 10 years and we just adore her.
So I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers for Tazmin as well as for us, that God will grant us the wisdom to make the right decisions, and if it is His will, that Tazmin remain with us for how ever long is right for her.
Thank you.
~Marilee
