Musings Part 2

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Preparing for a new puppy has churned up lots of memories of past puppies and other animals that I have shared my life with so far.  My Maltese Terrier Snowy came to me in 2007, in a most unusual way.  In the Summer of 2007 my ex husband  and I sent our yourngest daughter to her cousins in Vancouver for the holidays.  Chloe who was 14 at the time spent three weeks in Summer Camp in the USA and returned to Vancouver to spend a few days with my Mum.  Precious Grandma/Grandaughter time.  Following a day out they were involved in an horrendous car crash.  My Mum was killed outright and Chloe was severley brain injured and in a coma.  I got the call at 3am Irish time (on my birthday)  A call that changed and turned our families world upside down.  Her Father and I arrived in Vancouver Children's Hospital 24 hours later.  Chloe was on life support and in a coma.  We were told her injuries were very severe and it was touch and go for the following 48 hours.  As we had lost a baby to Cot death some years previously I made no deals with God.  I told him that I could not lose another child.  I put my grief for my Mum on hold and put every ounce of my being into willing Chloe to live.  Prayers and positive good wishes came to us from all over the world.  Many miracles occurred during those first weeks.  I am sure that my Mum was right there fighting with us for Chloe's survival.

 Coming out of a coma is not like it appears on the TV or the films.  The person does not just wake up and say hi!  It is a long and dreadful process to watch.  Each time Chloe did something new, from squeezing a hand to opening her eyes were miracles.  The Doctor's and nurses were all amazing.  Watching Chloe in those early weeks was like wathing someone with Altzheimers in reverse.  She did not know where she was, she called me Grandma constantly and was very confused.  She was unable to move her body and had to be tube fed.  Bathing her required eight people to hoist her and lower her into a tub.  I changed diaper after diaper, lifting her large 14 year old body until my back ached.  For three weeks she was in  critical care and then she was moved to a Rehabilitation Hospital.  Our family, her Dad and two sisters were with her all the time.  Six weeks later she was having physiotherapy, music therapy and speech therapy on a regular basis.  She was strapped into a wheelchair for an hour a day and we wheeled her around the corridors.  We discovered she could see when she said to her sister one day' Look where you're going you're wheeling me to the Therapy room'  There was a big sign saying 'Therapy room' ahead.  We rejoiced. We rejoiced over the tiniest of things, when the tubes came out and we could spoon feed her.  When she used a bed pan we jumped for joy because it felt like we had won the Lotto.

Chloe couldn't understand where she was or what had happened to her.  I needed to motivate her to want to walk, to have a purpose and a reason to go home to Ireland.  The Doctor's made a big poster which hung at the end of her bed.  It read'  My name is Chloe Harris, I am in Sunny Hill Hospital in Vancouver and I'm going home to Dublin, Ireland when I'm better.'

Up the road from the hospital was a big Pet Smart Superstore.  I passed it every day.  One day I went in and bought a big poster of puppies.  I put it up in her room. I also bought a dog buggy and some puppy toys.  I told Chloe that when we got home we would be getting a puppy and that she would need to be able to push it in the buggy so she would have to learn to walk again.  I reminded her that I have MS and that I had spent some months in a wheelchair some years ago and had, had to learn to walk again.  We hauled her out of her bed every hour over one weekend and walked her up and down the corridor.  We focused on the puppies and kept talking about them.  Over three days  we were able to ditch the wheelchair and by that time I had found a breeder in Ireland on the Internet with a Maltese puppy.  When the Doctor's and nurses came back in on the following Monday they couldn't believe Chloe was walking with a frame.

We brought her home after three months.  Chloe went to the Irish Rehab Hospital for a further nine months and I collected her puppy who came into the hospital every day.  Chloe is 18 now and back in her old school.  She is an Independent young lady.  Still with some memory and processing problems but a major miracle.  Snowy was part of that miracle.

[cheryl & oliver]

Thank you for sharing your story with us.  You and your daughter are both remarkable, you for your strength, and she for her strength.  I had one of those calls, and we were very lucky, our son was ok, but I know that fear of getting to the hospital, and being scared to find out what has happened.  They wouldn't tell us anything, just that their was an accident, and to get to the hospital as soon as possible....But you have been thru so much, May you and your daughters lives just keep getting better as time goes by.  I am so sorry that you lost your Mom, but I am sure that she was watching over Chloe, and helping her along the way to recovery....Bless you all...

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Thank you for all the kind words, Snowy, the Maltese Terrier is a clever little fellow and a real Mommy's boy and Chloe is doing really well.  Needless to say we never used that puppy stroller for it's intended use which we shlepped home from Vancouver but it sure did the trick.  It stood parked beside Chloe's hospital bed as a reminder to her that she would have to  get up and learn to walk to push her new puppy in it! 

PS. We know for sure that the Canadian paramedics in Vancouver and Vancouver Children's Hospital not only saved our Chloe's life but they gave her the best possibility to make the best recovery she could. They are true heroes and we will forever be in the debt for giving us back our baby.

[Lorraine Bromley]

That is an awesome and inspiring story. You have gone through so much loss in your life in such tramatic ways and yet have flourished. My sons best friend is on her second year of recovery after severe brain damage similiar in your daughters story. I know it is difficult. It is amazing how animals can change and give meaning to our lives out of the blue when least expected.

Best wishes for the rest of your lives and I am glad that our  Canadian Health Care was there for you when you needed it. 

[Dori & Rua]

OMD...that sure brought tears to my eyes, Nicky.  How absolutely devasting...loosing your Mom and not being able to deal with it while fighting for Chloe's life.  You are truly an inspiration the way you dealt with it.  Her recovery is truly a miracle and Snowy was so much a part of it, I am sure.  You are so blessed!  Thank you for sharing your story.  Can't wait to see your new puppy!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

First - you don't look like you could have an 18 year old - you gave birth when you were 10 right?!  Second - thanks for sharing your story - it truely does remind us to not sweat the little things in life and to be more thankful for all of the blessing that we do have.  Chloe sounds like a strong and determined your lady who will go on to live a full life, I'm sure that you are very proud of her.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thank you for posting your story of Chloe's miracle.  It is a clear reminder of how precious every single day with our kids is.  How sweet that a puppy could play such an important role in Chloe's recovery.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

And what a lovely girl your Chloe is. I love how the lure of a puppy helped her so much.  I hope this new pup brings you as much joy.

[F, Calla & Luca]

An inspirational story. You certainly survived a horrific time and I'm glad Chloe and Snowy turned out well.

[Joyce & Wilson]

I too have had one of those horrible phone calls in the middle of the night.  Mine didnt turn out as well.  I know your mom was there watching over you and Chloe and continues to today.  Thank you for sharing your story and showing everyone to never give up on hope and miracles.  God bless you and your family and many years of happiness!  Good job Snowy!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Blessing to you for being so strong during such a horrific ordeal.  I am sorry about the loss of your Mum, but so happy that your daughter survived and continues to get stronger.  And what a blessing Snowy is to your family!!