Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Some judge needs to shut this circus down soon.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. let’s win this.

I did not have telepathic declassification on my 2022 bingo card.

JFC, are there no editors left at that goddamn rag?

If senate republicans had any shame, they’d die of it.

The revolution will be supervised.

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

They fucked up the fucking up of the fuckup!

And we’re all out of bubblegum.

Let there be snark.

Technically true, but collectively nonsense

In my day, never was longer.

You can’t attract Republican voters. You can only out organize them.

They traffic in fear. it is their only currency. if we are fearful, they are winning.

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

Nothing worth doing is easy.

Their freedom requires your slavery.

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

So it was an October Surprise A Day, like an Advent calendar but for crime.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

Accountability, motherfuckers.

Historically it was a little unusual for the president to be an incoherent babbling moron.

Take hopelessness and turn it into resilience.

You are here: Home / Pet Blogging / Dog Blogging / Lily Update- “She’s Not Playing By the Book”

Lily Update- “She’s Not Playing By the Book”

by | 198 Comments

This post is in: 

Apparently Lily has her own damned agenda and we’re just going to have to work around it:

I woke up this morning fully expecting today to be one of the worst days of my life. I drove to the big city to pick up Tammy and Samantha so there would be someone safe driving afterwards because I knew I would be a hot mess, and we drove up to the hospital together. It was a very quiet, unpleasant ride.

When I got there, I went to the desk and said that I was there to pick up Lily, talk to the doctor, and settle my bill, and the lady at the counter told me that “Oh, the Dr. has been waiting to see you. She wants to talk to you.” I’m in a pretty volatile and fragile state at the moment (one bonus- when you cry for 72 hours straight, you can lay off the Zyrtec cuz there just isn’t anything in the sinuses to cause you a problem), and all I could think was that Lily had passed and they wanted to tell me in person.

It was the busiest I had seen the place, and we had to wait for about 25-30 minutes, and man is that agonizing. You’re just waiting to hear the worst, all the while watching some people happily reunited with their beloved pet and others shuffling out looking like I did yesterday. Every minute is an eternity.

Eventually, I heard them say Lily, and I looked up, and there the doctor was, carrying her around like it was no big deal. We went back into the consulting room, with her carrying Lily like a baby (which is exactly how I carry her everywhere), sat down, and the doctor basically told me that things have changed since yesterday.

The change was obvious- yesterday, she would not even get out of her crate, and I had to pick her up and she was just limp with her head sort of dangling around. Today, she was alert, awake, recognized me, her nose was wet and cold, and the doctor said that she went for a walk and has been eating and drinking and is doing well, considering. While we were there, the Doctor said she was going to go get a snack, and brought back a half a 16 ounce can of food on a paper plate, and Lily inhaled it:

From a diagnostic standpoint, they were very upfront that they just don’t know what exactly is going on. Dr. Dickinson (the women pictured above with Lily consulted with Dr. Jett, yesterday’s physician), and the phrases “she’s not playing by the book” and “she’s acting like a cat” were uttered a few times. Her platelet count is still negligible, but her red blood cell count, which was 20 on Tuesday, 13 on Wednesday, low’s 20’s yesterday after the transfusion, was now 29. So that is moving in the right direction. If it is the IPT they initially thought and not cancer, they don’t expect her platelets to start recovering for a while- small changes after a week. This is only the 4th day of treatment with steroids, so maybe something will start to get better.

I asked about the results of the sonogram that showed the liver being so large, but the bloodwork shows it is functioning and this Dr. stated it may just be because she is old. Additionally, the fluid (later determined to be blood) they found in her cavity has decreased significantly.

What does this all mean? Well, we all agreed that nothing conclusive came out of today. She had a good day. She could just as easily have a bad day tomorrow and we might be right back where we were yesterday or worse. But it does mean that all of us agreed that putting her down right now is simply not an option. The doctor said I could take her home and continue the steroid therapy there and check on her, and I declined. I made the choice to keep her overnight, go up tomorrow and check again, and if she is improving keep her there on Sunday, rinse and repeat. It was an easy choice- obviously I want her with me, but my obligation to her requires that if she is fighting, I do everything I can to help her. If she is not giving up, I’ll be damned if I am. The eating and drinking is really the most positive thing.

It needs to be recognized- Lily is still a very sick dog. I am as clear-eyed about this as can be possible. I was fully prepared to be sobbing in front of the keyboard writing a remembrance right now, and I am fully prepared for things to take a turn for the worse overnight. But a good day is a good day, and you string a few of those together and who knows what happens.

And now I am tearing up because of you all. The bill to date is about $3800.00, and it is going to probably cost about 500 a night to keep her for however many nights are necessary. You glorious bastards took care of the current bill, and have paid for at least two nights, more if the doc’s estimate was wrong. I don’t know what kind of words you say to the people who are helping you perhaps save your dog’s life, but thank you.

So that’s where we are now. Positive, but anything can happen, and I will deal with that should it come to it. She apparently looks like one of the Doctor’s former dog Honeydew, so she is getting lots of attention and rubs and treats from the staff. Here’s another picture of Lily on Tammy’s lap:

Cross your fingers. I guess the best way to put it is that nothing has really changed but everything has changed.

Reader Interactions

198Comments

  2. 2.

    zhena gogolia

    Wow, she looks much better. So happy to hear this. Dear Lily. I sent a check in the mail yesterday and will be happy to do so again. You can see some of us talking in the thread below this one about how hard it’s been all day, being sad and not really being able to explain why to concerned colleagues without their thinking we’re a bit cracked . . . . But everyone here understands!

  4. 4.

    debit

    I am ugly crying right now.

    edited. John, I’m so relieved and happy. Even if things turn take a turn for the worse, I know she’s fighting. God, I’m just so glad and thankful.

  5. 5.

    b1narys3rf

    True Stoicism, without the baggage of expecting your emotions to be neatly regulated. Good man Cole. And great dog Lily!

  6. 6.

    zhena gogolia

    Also, I would agree you should keep her there. That would be my choice for sure.

  7. 7.

    EveryDayIHaveTheBlues

    This was very emotional. I’m so glad that she is better, JC. We lost our beloved rescue greyhound three days before Christmas in 2017, and our much beloved cat (who was actually more of a dog in October 2015). I’m still not over either of those, and so I’m so very happy for you that she seems better.

  9. 9.

    Cheryl from Maryland

    I hope from each day on that Lily gets better and better. Take care of yourself John Cole — up and down and up and down is hard.

  10. 10.

    vickie feminist

    Big Love for the staff, Lilly, you, John Cole, and all the people you care about you and Lilly. We’re rooting for her.

  11. 11.

    Juju

    That’s nice news. I know I would have loved a little more time with any of my dogs. I’m crossing my fingers and toes for Lily.

  13. 13.

    ruemara

    Good. Fight on, Lily. It’s your life, you don’t have to take any diagnosis sitting down. Sending up all the healing vibes I can.

  16. 16.

    Cckids

    Wonderful, clear-eyed news! ?As you say, a good day is a good day. Face what tomorrow brings when it gets here.

    All strength and power to the Lily!

  19. 19.

    Baud

    I don’t know what kind of words you say to the people who are helping you perhaps save your dog’s life

    A simple “I hate you all” will suffice.

    Hoping for more positive news in the days ahead.

  20. 20.

    terraformer

    Goddamn I love this blog and the people who frequent it. Helps maintain my faith in humanity.

  22. 22.

    Chat Noir

    Fingers crossed!

    Pets get their paws around your heart from the moment you adopt them and they never let go.

  23. 23.

    Olivia

    Now I’m crying! I realize she is very ill but how lovely that you have a bit more time with her.

  25. 25.

    AndyG

    I’ve been nervously checking for updates, and am so happy to see her looking better. She’s a fighter!

  26. 26.

    Villago Delenda Est

    I am, like you, John, cautiously optimistic. Lily is obviously a fighter (acting like a cat? Can’t decide if that’s a compliment or an insult) and is hanging in there. Anyway, continued positive thoughts being sent your way.

    Do you know what a fox is? A fox is cat software running on dog hardware. I think that’s also Lily!

  31. 31.

    Kifaru1

    When you said there was blood in her abdomen yesterday it reminded me of my 15 year old lab-mix Mocha, who had an internal bleed (they thought it might be a hermangiosarcoma). I took her home, expecting a few days maybe. She was really good for 2 more months, even playing with her favorite hedgehog (baby/grunt-grunt) toy and then one morning she was so lethargic she could barely move. My girl who literally freaked out at the vets her entire life was as cool as a cucumber….that is how we knew it was time It sucks no matter how it happens. Hugs to you and Lily.

  32. 32.

    Ohio Mom

    Finally, a Friday afternoon news dump that leaves me happy.

    Breathing a sigh of relief for now but also keeping all fingers and toes crossed.

  33. 33.

    Sis

    So glad sweet Lily had a good day. Saying a little prayer and thinking good thoughts for both of you.

  39. 39.

    pnwjmk

    That amazing news! Pets never cease to surprise the people who love them. I grew up with a larger than life Bernese Mountain Dog, who ended up fighting a long losing battle with cancer, but who fought every minute of it until the very end. We had to confine her during the day and I came from from work one day to find her seemingly cut in half by a baby gate. I was freaked out and horrified until I figured out she had wanted to get out, crawled through a small break and got herself stuck. My Mom and I rushed around and had to carry her out to the car on a homemade stretcher and we thought she was done for or at least that she’d never walk again. We took her to an amazing pet hospital, and the next day we had a terrible drive just like you did, but that crazy dog was up and walking like she hadn’t scared the peas out of us! She lived and kept on fighting. I’m betting that Lily is a fighter too…

  40. 40.

    Sarah in Kingston

    Oh my god, Lily! You are such a strong girl. I’m so happy, John!! I hope it’s the first good day of many.

  42. 42.

    Edmund dantes

    Awww… holy jeebus I shouldn’t be crying right now, but I am. Really hard to explain at work. Keep fighting!!!

  43. 43.

    Yarrow

    Oh, my gosh. I am crying I am so happy for you and Lily. She’s amazing! So glad to see this news. It’s good to be realistic, but she looks so much better than yesterday and is eating too. How wonderful that you get to spend time with her now when she’s feeling better. That bottom picture of her on Tammy’s lap is just…awwwwwww. She is the cutest, bestest doggie. Such a good girl. We love you, Lily!

  44. 44.

    I'll be Frank

    a quick reminder from Lily to live in the now and shed fewer tears for the future that has not yet happened.

  45. 45.

    Bonnee

    Long time lurker here, I hadn’t realized just how long until yesterday. Been waiting for news. One day at a time. Holding you and Lily in my thoughts and sobbing because it was not the post I feared.

  46. 46.

    raven

    @pnwjmk: Raven had an anal carcinoma. We decided to go full blast and do surgery, chemo and radiation. It was fucking awful and we have said we won’t put another dog through that but he recovered and lived 2 1/2 after diagnosis. If a dog year is 8 human years it was pretty good.

  49. 49.

    SFAW

    So, dummy that I am, I was thinking (until a couple of minutes ago) that today’s high point would be the DNC suing the Party of Traitors and the Head Traitor’s campaign.

    I am so happy I was worng.

    Glad for the news, John, and love to your puppy.

  50. 50.

    hedgehog the occasional commenter

    /sobs/
    Fight on Lily! So glad for her and for you, John, that you have more time with your sweet girl. One day at a time….

  53. 53.

    kindness

    Yeay!!!! Go Lily! I can’t wait till you take her home John. I’m surprised you didn’t take her today but tomorrow is good.

  54. 54.

    The Moar You Know

    I know I’d mortgage the house to get just one more good day with my my long-departed cat or my wife’s not so long departed dog. Glad you got one, John.

  55. 55.

    beth

    i have everything crossed it’s possible to cross. i have been holding you and lily in my thoughts all day, john, and i’m so happy to hear she’s fighting on.

  57. 57.

    Riley's Enabler

    Hurray for Lily! Hurray for John and Tammy and Samantha and all the staff at the Hospital!
    We will take the better news as it comes in.

    Thank you for updating. I can drive home smiling.

  58. 58.

    stinger

    This is not the post I was expecting!!! Thank you for taking the time to update us, when there are other things on your mind and on your to-do list.

    One day at a time, keep on keeping on, the both of you. I especially love that bottom picture. She’s a total sweetheart — and so are you, John Cole.

    I’ll chip in more next payday.

  64. 64.

    HeleninEire

    I don’t believe in miracles and I certainly don’t pray but, please, please, please, just this once. Please.

  65. 65.

    Yarrow

    I just love the photos of Lily in her “hospital gown.” Of course they have those for dogs. I just didn’t think about it until I saw Lily modeling hers. She’s so cute even when she’s in the hospital.

  66. 66.

    Fair Economist

    It’s great to see Lily better. You might talk to the vets and ask how plausible it is that Lily has an infectious disease (i.e. probably treatable) rather than advanced cancer. The course here – rapid onset followed by quick partial recovery – sound more like a disease. A little googling indicates there are indeed diseases which could knock out her platelets and the other symptoms could follow from that, although nothing looks like a spot-on diagnosis. Of course, the world has lots of poorly studied diseases as well.

  67. 67.

    MaryL

    @Kifaru1: My most beloved of dogs was also diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma after a very scary night in which she went into the garden and began digging a hole to die in. She survived the bleed, thank god, but we were told that without surgery and chemo, she would only live a few weeks, max, and even with surgery and chemo we couldn’t expect more than 6-9 months. We made the decision not to put her through the trauma for such a short extension of life.

    Welp, it’s more than 9 months later and you would never in a million years guess that she was sick at all. What’s crazy is that she could still apparently burst a blood vessel at any moment and bleed out, but I’m so grateful that she doesn’t have to deal with a slow and painful decline. Every extra day we get with her at this point is bonus life that she is enjoying to the fullest.

    Moral of the story – pets surprise you. I’ll keep Lily in my thoughts.

  68. 68.

    Anne Laurie

    YOU CAME BACK FOR HER! SHE HASN’T BEEN ABANDONED! YOU STILL LOVE HER LIKE SHE LOVES YOU!!!

    Yup, “acting like a cat” — but then, toy dogs (Lily is at least part toy, I swear) are notoriously cat-adjacent breeds, bonding strongly to one person & letting their emotions affect their physical health. As you say, she’s still medically fragile, but it has obviously helped her enormously to know that Her Person is on her side.

    Holding both of you in the light!

  69. 69.

    Barbara

    Wow! What great news! Okay, it might not be so great tomorrow or the day after, but my fingers are crossed that Lily still has some very good days left to share with you and that she will not go gentle into that good night for a good while to come.

  72. 72.

    Barbara

    @Fair Economist: Chiming in ONCE AGAIN to say that this is exactly what happened to my dog, whose internal bleeding was significantly complicated by undiagnosed Lyme disease. Once we treated the Lyme, he rebounded overnight.

  74. 74.

    Mnemosyne

    Hooray! I’m so happy to know that, while there will inevitably be a Bad Day, today is not that day. I hope she continues to improve and can come home soon for as long as modern veterinary medicine allows.

  75. 75.

    mai naem mobile

    I like to think this turn of events is due to all the positive thoughts shooting towards Lily from all the BJ’rs. Haha.

  77. 77.

    J R in WV

    Well, that’s quite a shift in expectations! People (and cats and dogs) are individuals, which doctors of all flavors need to remember. Also very glad we lurkers and commenters are able to help cover the bills! Hang in there Lily, and you too J G Cole!!

  78. 78.

    beabea

    OMG (blinking away tears). Animals live in the present, and so should we. And at this present moment, there’s much reason for joy, relief, and gratitude. All the best to Lily and to you, John.

  80. 80.

    narya

    In the summer of 2016, 17-year-old Zippy (the cat) had a second “episode” (still don’t know for sure what it was), and we were figuring that we’d be burying her next to Joe in a couple of days. Friend left for home, I came home from Pilates, Zippy was still on the couch cushion. She hadn’t really walked for a couple of days, or eaten much, so we figured this was it. All of a sudden she popped up and started wandering around, looking for food. She was still not quite all there, but she hung around for another three months and seemed to be enjoying her self until the last week of her life. I still miss that little fur ball. And I’m so hoping that you get that reprieve with Lily.

  81. 81.

    Ruckus

    Great news. One day at a time.
    John, it sounds like you made a good choice on letting Lily stay put till you find out one way or the other. You put her needs ahead of yours and that’s good.

    All animals have good days and bad days. Sometimes a lot of good days in a row, sometimes ups and downs. I have them. Like Lily they don’t know what I’ve got yet, but they keep looking and trying things. There are good days, not so good days and bad days. So far it’s about even.

  84. 84.

    SC54HI

    Yay, Lily! You go, girl! You are doing it all right, John, including keeping her there for the next few nights. Aloha & vibes that things continue to go well.

    “Acting like a cat” — love it!

  87. 87.

    arrieve

    I came here expecting bad news and wow. Sometimes a little bit of hope, a little bit of time, is the greatest gift the universe can give us. Lily just has the sweetest face. No wonder you love her so much. And she rocks the hospital gown! Sorry, something in my eye….

  88. 88.

    Anotherlurker

    I had a similiar experience with Bella, my first rescue Golden. She was diagnosed with Cancer and she started to go down quickly.
    I had dropped her at the Vet’s for a final evaluation and possible euthanization. I had to carry my poor old Girl into the office. The Vet told me to call later, so I went into the City to hang with my GF and have some moral support when I called the Vet later to find out what was what.
    The phone call was horrible. The Cancer had spread and she wasn’t doing well. I’m glad my ex-GF was there, because I broke down sobbing, right on the corner of Broadway and 83rd. St. I ended the phone call and headed back to the Island to do the right thing on the saddest day of my life. Tears were running down my face for the entire ride on the L.I.E.
    When I got to the Vet’s, I could barely talk, I could only sniffle and try to understand what comes next.
    The Dr. and the Vet Tech led me to an exam room and told me to wait while they brought her in. Brought her in? She couldn’t walk when I brought her to the office?
    The door to the exame room opened and in walks Bella, the Tech and the Doc. Bella has a spring in her step and she gives me her usual enthusiastic, face licking greeting , concluding with a flop on her back for he customary belly rubbies.
    I was in tears, again. How could this be? Doc said, “Jim, she is not ready to go today. Take her home. Give her whatever she wants. She’ll let you know when she is ready to go.”
    We went home and had some wonderful time together.
    When she was ready, she let me know. We sat on the floor together, her head on my knee. She licked my knee, moved her head to my lap and stopped breathing. She was gone.
    It was the saddest and sweetest thing that I had ever experienced.
    John, again accept my condolences and give Lilly a skritch on the ear for me.
    Apologies for a very long post.

  89. 89.

    MazeDancer

    A good day is a treasure. She looks happy, she’s eating, she has people fawning all over her, as they should, she got to see her beloved dad and friends. This is good stuff for dogs.

    Especially good she looks like the doc’s dog of yore.

    (Knocking wood for more)

  91. 91.

    StringOnAStick

    @Villago Delenda Est:

    (acting like a cat? Can’t decide if that’s a compliment or an insult)

    I had a vet I was interacting with socially tell me that the joke among vets is that “you can toss a bag old old bones in a closet and it will self assemble into a cat”. I think that’s what the vet meant, that cats are tough and have amazing healing qualities.

    Such good news for John and Lily. Never take any day for granted, and sometimes the universe surprises you!

  92. 92.

    b

    This is great news!

    Having fought IPT with one of my dogs, I know that it is scary and long term. As I said previously, it took months for her platelet counts to be normal, and then more months to wean off the steroids.

    I hope it is IPT and that the steroids succeed in suppressing the immune system, and you start to see improvement in the counts so that you feel comfortable taking her home.

  93. 93.

    satby

    Wow.I’m so happy that there’s a glimmer of hope where none existed before. That’s good news. Keeping all digits crossed for you and Lily!

  97. 97.

    Keith G

    Good way to start a weekend.

    And yeah, It’s easy to fall in love with the wonderful people who staff animal hospitals. Seeing the care and emotional investment they put in for one of my girls totally left me a happy sobbing mess. I had to live off reduced rations for over a month, but right now she’s here staring up at me waiting for dinner. So worth it.

  99. 99.

    Fair Economist

    @Barbara:

    this is exactly what happened to my dog, whose internal bleeding was significantly complicated by undiagnosed Lyme disease.

    Which is one of the diseases that comes up on google, although there are other symptoms that John didn’t mention.

  100. 100.

    Gin & Tonic

    I don’t know if there’s any relationship between ITP in humans and in dogs, but some time back my son had ITP, and it took a *very long* time for his platelets to come back to near normal. For anybody who knows about blood counts, he was admitted with a platelet count of 3,000. Yes, it was scary as all hell. This takes time.

  101. 101.

    Mary G

    It’s taken me half an hour to click on the grey bar to read this post. Such good news. When my cat Sophie was 18, she stopped eating and drinking and grooming herself, and peed next to, instead of in, her litter box. I took her to the vet thinking it was the end and he said leave her overnight, she looked like a goner, but you never know. She stayed two nights with IV steroids and antibiotics, and then he called and said she could come home.

    She lived three more years, all of them good ones. So let’s hope Lily is “like a cat” like my Sophie, but even if you only get a day or two more you will treasure them. That picture of her eating is giving me life. She’s in the scarf it down position! So happy for you.

  103. 103.

    retr2327

    That picture of Lily on Tammy’s lap is worth a thousand words – and a few more bucks in the tip jar. The good news here will be expensive, but well worth it.

    All the best –

  106. 106.

    Miss Bianca

    Wow! Those days of joy when your pet rebounds!

    And dammit, I’m gonna have to send a check to the Lily Fund, because i *cannot* get the PayPal link to work!

  111. 111.

    Scott Alloway

    I was afraid to come on BJ but bit the bullet. What a relief to hear the latest update. It was so hard when Tunch died. Lilly would have been another hard thing to take. Our best to you and the critters John. Your a good guy, as most of us here know. May more good Lily news be forthcoming.

  112. 112.

    Lottirose

    Oh what a different picture than yesterday. Lily, keep on keeping on. One good day hopefully followed by good weeks, months and years.

  114. 114.

    Mary G

    @Baud: Or “fuck all you goddamned people with your whining and stop signing me up for emails from Erick Erickson” we used to get every couple of weeks.

  116. 116.

    Joy in FL

    Lily is clearly some kind of Wonder Pup. Also all the love going her way surely helps.
    You just never know, and sometimes that’s in a good way, like with Lily and you today.

  117. 117.

    'Niques (lurker; occasional commenter)

    This is the BEST news! Happy tears today, and hugs to you both!!

  119. 119.

    Stardus614

    Today’s tears are much better than yesterday’s tears. Sending you and Lily all the strength and positive thoughts I can generate.

  120. 120.

    martian

    This turned out to be a happy day! God, it’s good to have a happy surprise, isn’t it? May Lily’s happy surprises continue.

  121. 121.

    SWMBO

    I’m going to second asking the docs to test for tick diseases. Pixie was diagnosed with erhlichia when we first got her. Two weeks of antibiotics and all better. She got bitten again and was on antibiotics for 5 months. While she was getting treated that round, my mother was dying. She got to the point that she couldn’t walk from her chair in the living room to the bathroom without stopping to rest in a chair. The doctors were completely baffled. She went to a blood cancer specialist among others. They told her there was something wrong with her but they had no idea what it was. She was bleeding internally and they told her that her digestive tract looked like it was abraded like a scraped knee. Looked up erhlichia and she had every one of the symptoms. It took 2 months after that to convince the doctor to test her for it (the doctor had never heard of it). It takes 2 weeks for the human test to come back. The doc started her on doxycycline and on the third day she thought she was going to live. She was on antibiotics for 2 years but she bounced back (just like the dog did. Lily has a lot of the symptoms of ehrlichia and you can get her tested relatively cheap. Have them do a full tick panel. Best wishes and Go Lily!

  123. 123.

    b

    @Gin & Tonic: I agree. If it is ideopathic IPT, it could be a long time before Lily’s platelet counts are normal. It was months in the case of my dog. And she was in the stage of potential catastrophic hemorrhaging for about 6 weeks before we got to the stage where we did not need to take as many precautions.

  124. 124.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Wow, John! Haven’t read any of the other comments yet, but I am crying again, this time from relief and guarded optimism, and sheer joy that, for the moment anyhow, Lily is doing so much better. What an emotional rollercoaster.

    You were never far from my thoughts today. Will continue to hold you and Lily in my heart and mind. I don’t know how to pray, but I expect this comes pretty close.

  126. 126.

    WaterGirl

    I love that bottom photo of Lily!

    Cole, your story reminds me of my experience with my dog.

    Decades ago my cocker spaniel got blood tests a week before her teeth cleaning, but when I brought her in that day for her teeth cleaning, I told the surgeon that she just didn’t seem right. She said people know their pets, so she re-ran the blood tests – just in the week between tests, she was shown to be in kidney failure. They ran a bunch more tests, and every vet at the vet school – where I worked at the time – told me that I should put her down immediately because all her blood tests were fucked up and she would be dead within a day, and an unpleasant one at that.

    Except Sandy Manfra, the surgeon. She said “I don’t care what the tests say, she is barking at us indignantly in the ICU because she wants more food, and this dog is not ready to be done. Fast forward a week and she was coming home with me. I don’t know if you’ll get your happy ending, but I am so glad you got to see Lily today with Lily being Lily. And she is adored by everyone there, to absolutely no one’s surprise.

    I love you, Lily.

  128. 128.

    Leto

    My wife and I have thought about you two all day. Hoping this continues on the upward trend and shes able to go home soon. We’ll keep sending posi thoughts/love to the Cole clan.

  129. 129.

    skyweaver

    Aww, John. I’ve been thinking about you and Lily all day. I’m the only one left at my work and while reading the update was nice, it was the pic of Lily’s sweet face that brought me to tears. I know it’s one day at a time, but I’m glad today was a good day.

  130. 130.

    Rob

    I’ve lurked here for probably 15 years… I think this is my second comment in that time, and the first time I’ve ever contributed monetarily to a blog or news source I follow. But as soon as I saw the “she’s not playing by the rules” I instantly started crying tears of hope and happiness. We’re all pulling for her!!

    John, you’re a wonderful man with a huge heart; If giving more helps at all, makes it any easier, helps you sleep one more wink or increases Lily’s chances one iota, please tell us.

  131. 131.

    Gustopher

    Hooray for a good day! I hope it is just the first of many, but even if not, it’s still a good day. Lily is a sweetheart.

  132. 132.

    b

    @Fair Economist: When my dog went through this, it took awhile before the blood tests came back that tested for these type of diseases.

    I should say that at least MDs in WV dont believe that Lyme disease has reached WV. I live in Maryland but travel to north central WV weekly (4.5 hour drive one way) to work. I once got to work and found a tick that I was reacting to (rash, etc). I went to a WV urgent care near work and had to argue with them to do a Lyme disease test. They assured me that WV ticks didn’t have Lyme disease. I told them Maryland ticks do and this was probably a Maryland tick.

  133. 133.

    HRA

    Well, John I must explain why I will comment on Lily with the addition of ptui, ptui, ptui first. It is dictated by my heritage. Lily, you look lovely today. ptui ptui ptui.
    Glad to read about your plans and agree with them, John. As soon as I find your address, there will be mail for you.
    Best regards,
    Hope

  134. 134.

    Casey

    Best. News. EVER.

    I am so happy to hear this.

    Animals can surprise you. My long-gone beloved Siamese, Shayna, was already an elderly cat when she came back from total kidney failure to live another 2+ years.

    You go, Lily!!!

  136. 136.

    la caterina

    So happy and grateful that Lily had at least one more good day in her. I hope there are many more to come.

  138. 138.

    Gravenstone

    Optimism, no matter how guarded is very welcome. Particularly today. Embrace each day together going forward.

  139. 139.

    workworkwork

    @Gin & Tonic:I had ITP a couple of years ago and it was no fun. Almost 3 weeks in the hospital and they had to remove my spleen.

    Great news about Lily, though! She’s adorable!

  142. 142.

    Gin & Tonic

    @workworkwork: We escaped the splenectomy with my son – I think they were about a day away, though. He was hospitalized for about 10 days, and finally responded to rituximab.

  143. 143.

    Yoodow

    Thank you Lily!
    Today I was having a really shitty day. I was dreading to read your post announcing, what I thought was the inevitable.
    Instead, this is the best news ever!

  144. 144.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @MazeDancer:

    she has people fawning all over her

    I’m glad you said this. I’ve always thought Lily looks like a fawn. In fact, when John first got her and was looking to change her name (from “Missy”?), I may have suggested either Bambi or Falene as being appropriately fawn-like. So it’s entirely fitting that everyone who meets her ends up fawning over her.

  146. 146.

    Geeno

    This is qualified great news. You’re looking at things just right – hopeful, but not recklessly so.
    You and Lily keep up the good fight. We’re all behind you here.

  147. 147.

    Tara the Antisocial Social Worker

    Fingers and toes crossed. We’ve all known how special Lily is, from the day she decided to be your owner.

  150. 150.

    Kifaru1

    @MaryL: So glad to hear that you have had such a long time with your baby. Yes, my Mocha was playful during those months, but she was also already going through early stage dementia where she paced endlessly at night. She had a wonderful long life and for that I am thankful. I lost my best basset girl Holly last year at 8 years old to sudden onset lymphoma. We tried 5 different chemo protocols and none of them worked. We let her go while she was declining but still eating and showing some spunk…I never want to go through that again….longest 2 months of my life.

  153. 153.

    low-tech cyclist

    If Lily is “acting like a cat,” trust me, ANYTHING can happen.

    We’re rooting for you, dogger!

  154. 154.

    b

    @Fair Economist: Good to know. The county that John lives in is not on the list. But the county just north is.

    None of the dog owners where I work in WV worry about Lyme. It doesn’t seem to have crossed the mountains yet to that part of WV. On the other hand, in Maryland in my DC suburb, all the vets always have posters about Lyme because it is everywhere here.

  155. 155.

    MomSense

    I have been a nervous wreck all day waiting to hear. This is such a happy twist. C’mon Lily girl! We are all rooting for you.

    It’s hard to type when your tears make the screen all blurry.

  156. 156.

    randy khan

    Fingers crossed, and toes. And I just kicked in. If there’s extra, buy some treats for the family members you’ve been neglecting while you take care of Lily. (Actually, do whatever you want.)

  157. 157.

    errg

    So happy to hear she’s doing better, best wishes and thoughts! What a little trooper Lily is…

  158. 158.

    b

    @Fair Economist: And I want you to know that I am sensitive to your point. I had another dog die young from complications from Lyme disease (kidney failure) despite the fact that we treat for ticks and vaccinate for Lyme, so they didn’t suspect it at first.

  159. 159.

    RedDirtGirl

    I’ve ben avoiding the blog all day. I know things might still go south, but what a beautiful reprieve!

  161. 161.

    trollhattan

    Wow, went off to do actual work and come back to this? Maybe Friday ain’t so bad after all.

    So very pleased at Lily’s renewed vigor. However long it lasts, enjoy each other! Fingers, toes and whatever else crossed!

  162. 162.

    MazeDancer

    @SWMBO:


    Ehrlichiosis     looks like blood disorders in humans, too.

    Was thinking about it for Lily. Because I’ve had it.

    Wacky blood counts is the hallmark.

    Fortunately, I live in an area where every small town ER knows to put tick diseases higher up the list than heart attack, or even flu. And if you have symptoms and your blood work looks like inexplicable cell counts gone insane, they say, oh, ehrlichiosis, and it’s doxycyline for you.

    Maybe the Pittsburgh docs have already considered, but not all big city docs are completely “tick aware”.

  163. 163.

    MazeDancer

    @Quantumman:

    How do we donate?

    PayPal link on upper right of front page. It’s the regular PayPal link, but since John is in charge of it, goes straight to him.

  166. 166.

    Fair Economist

    @b: So sorry that you lost a pet even after taking all reasonable precautions. It’s a nasty, sneaky disease (as typical for spirochetes). Just for example, Morgellon’s disease, which was long thought to be psychosomatic, is probably actually yet another manifestation of Lyme disease. The CDC had even issued a “case closed, it’s psychosomatic” policy, largely driven by the fact that the majority of people with Morgellon’s have psychiatric issues like depression or delusion. I don’t see any research on it yet, but I’ll place my bet that those psychiatric complaints were *also* a manifestation of the chronic Lyme disease.

  167. 167.

    Shell

    What a beautiful little face. ,John, is that your t-shirt or did the hospital give it to her?

  168. 168.

    Nyrobbin

    Bestest Friday news ever!! I hope she keeps fighting. Never thought of myself as a dog person until I started hanging around this site. Lily just has the sweetest face!!

  169. 169.

    p.a.

    Good news.
    When I read the bad post yesterday I was at the Y on an x bike, sweating, so a little extra water on the face went unnoticed. Guess today I blame allergies.

    ETA: Now this is a Friday news dump we can get behind!

  171. 171.

    Jean

    John,
    Love is love–whether the object is our child or our pet/beloved friend.
    May you have much more time with your beloved Lily.
    (One of my favorite internet times was you and Lily meeting and everyone helping you help her be a dog after all her days with cats.)

  173. 173.

    Bill

    I do like some good news. Here’s to a good day. Here’s to more good days. Good man, good dog.

  174. 174.

    Citizen Scientist

    good news indeed! Keeping my fingers crossed and sending postive vibes Mr. Cole.

  175. 175.

    Monkeyfister

    Good news is good news, and the clarity in Lily’s eyes, today, says she on it, now. Plenty of work going on in her beautiful little body. More power to her, and you, John. EAT. Love on the pack at home. We love ya, buddy.

  176. 176.

    Skepticat

    Such good news. Please keep it coming.
    Oddly enough, a number of years ago, my human body went through much the same thing. I could barely sit up, was intensely fatigued and nauseated, and barely was able to get to the doctor the next day. An ultrasound showed an abdomen full of fluid–blood–and an enlarged liver. My blood work was much like Lily’s. Apparently I had an undiagnosed case of mono or something like it, so my spleen enlarged, and when I put too much strain on it (laboriously rigging and tightening a cable on a tree threatening the house), the spleen ruptured–but only inside the capsule, so blood oozed rather than gushed out. It took weeks of rest for me to recuperate, but I did. Anyway, that’s a long, self-involved way of saying I hope it only seems much worse than it really is (though it’s bad enough) and that Lily’s catitude triumphs.

  177. 177.

    Garbo

    My own variation is the ugly-cry-relief-laugh. I’ve been thinking of you two all day. Lily’s in the driver’s seat and that’s as it should be until it’s time for John to “take the wheel” on her behalf. Every extra day is an extra damn day. Good news.

  178. 178.

    Binky

    Good girl! Keep fighting!

    Thinking about Lily today, I signed up my greyhound to be a blood donor at our local vet.

  182. 182.

    nicdanger

    Hooray for Lily ! And good on you John,for being realistic,yet joyful at once.I hope things continue to improve.For both of your sakes.

  183. 183.

    Ida Slapter

    {{{John + Lily}}} Holding you both in my thoughts and the light. Hoping for more good days to come. You GO, Lily!!

  184. 184.

    Elizabelle

    Wow. Stay with us, Lily. Hope she continues to improve. Roller coaster, but how great to have that lovely dog still in the world.

  185. 185.

    petesh

    My sympathies, John. Lily seems to be in a somewhat more advanced state than our 15-year-old Jack Russell. He’s been up and down for while, and the vet says he’s pretty much lost kidney function but we changed his diet (my partner cooks vats of chicken-and-veg, basically) and the old bugger started jogging again. He thinks it’s galloping. Still up and down, but looks like being with us for a while. Hope that’s true of Lily too.

  187. 187.

    Melissa Dively

    I could not post anything last night, I was too upset to think of anything to say that would help you in any way , but with this unexpected post, there is some odd hope and I send all that I have your and Lily’s way

  189. 189.

    jill tasker

    Lily. I love her so much. I want her to live and be with you. If she can’t do that, she will still give you the gift of her love to hold in your heart. From your very first post about Lily, it was clear that she was your *heart* animal–the one who owned your heart.

  190. 190.

    debg

    Such hopeful news! Looking forward to more good news about her over the weekend. Sending you both love and healing energy.

  191. 191.

    David Hunt

    John, I am so happy to here that Lily has had such a good day. I hope that the days continue to get batter. An no matter what happens in the future, this was a good day. All my hopes are with you both.

  192. 192.

    BCHS Class of 1980

    @Mary G: Honestly, I clicked immediately. I knew what the book said, so if Lily wasn’t playing by it, I figured that it was some variation of good.

  194. 194.

    Donna Hurst

    There is no love like the love of a senior dog. My husband and I foster nothing but seniors and we lost five in one year a couple of years back. Three fosters and two of our personal dogs. I know what you’re going through, John, and you and Lily have my fiercest good thoughts coming your way. Hang in there. Both of you.

  195. 195.

    Ol'Froth

    John, I literally live next door to the pet hospital Lily is at. If you need anything, be it a meal, a place to stay, or whatever, please email me.

  197. 197.

    NotoriousJRT

    Hoping for Daily improvement until Lily has recovered her health. I continue to send my best get well vibes to her.

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