Rusty Update

[Chuck Holliman]

The last time I was online was about two months ago; my Mom (who was 91) had been in and out of the hospital and I was going over to see her (six hours each way). Unfortunately, she continued to have serious health issues and passed away at the end of October. The end came so quickly, which was good for her, that I was unable to make it back over when she passed. My Cousin was with her and we were talking on the phone when Mom closed her eyes and slipped away.

Rusty had a checkup two weeks ago; his diet for the past two months has been vanilla ice cream only, ½ cup four times a day, along with vitamins and meds for his stomach and appetite. His liver functions have improved over the past two months and his kidney issues have also improved since being on the ice cream diet. Dr. Macy threw up his hands and said that there was nothing from a medical standpoint that makes sense.

Rusty has such a strong determination to live, which along all of the love and attention that he receives, is keeping him alive. We have tried almost every low protein food out there and he will not eat anything else other than an occasional hard boiled egg. He is very happy and enjoys every day, but is showing more signs that the liver issue is taking its toll on him. We are taking it a day at a time and making sure that he enjoys each day, even if it crimps some of the things that we want to do. We are so close that we hope that he makes it through Christmas, but are very aware that he could drop at any moment.

He is now 34 months post amputation and is still cancer free; if not for his other complications he would have easily surpassed his original prognosis of 18 to 36 months.

Chuck & Rusty

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

My sympathy on your mother's death, but I am glad to hear that it was fairly quick.  I lost one parent in an instant and another over ten years.  Quick is hard, but slow is much much worse.

My DH would go for the ice cream diet.  Did I miss how you came to feeding only ice cream?  So glad to hear you are living every day to the max with Rusty.  We should do that anyway.

Have a blessed holiday season.

 

 

[Leigh & Allie]

I am praying for peace for you and your family.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

So sorry for your loss-Rusty is a trooper. You are blessed to have such a great dog, who IS HAPPY.

Always thinking of Rusty-I hope he can enjoy Christmas with his loving family.

[Leslie and Halas]

I'm so sorry about your mom.  Enjoy every day you have with Rusty.

[BG and Gavin]

My sincere condolences on your mother's passing.  I hope that you continue to enjoy your time with Rusty as long as God wills.  Best thoughts to you and your family.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am so sorry to hear you have suffered the passing of your mother. I hope you are comforted with good memories.

Rusty is a gift each day! I'm so glad to hear he is holding his own. I am astounded that an ice cream diet is helping in anyway! Let's all give that a try! ;o)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Thinking of you and your family.  I hope he makes it to Christmas.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm very to hear of the loss of your mother. I hope Rusty continues to fight and you all have a peaceful Christmas together.

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

I am sorry to hear about your mother.  The loving bond Rusty has with you and your wife is extraordinary.  He is quite a testimony in his strong determination to live and to the power of love  between dog and owner.  My heart goes out to all of you and even though this is a bittersweet time I pray that it is a time of peace.

[GBK]

Thanks so much for the update on Rusty.  What a rough couple of months for you, so sorry about your Mom.  Rusty sounds like a fighter, enjoy the time you have left, and prayers that it is much longer than the prognosis.