Clippers and Claws

Back in January 2009, I was about to start to groom a dog when I discovered the lump in my breast. I carried on with my job as if nothing had happened but I must admit it was a dreadful time.

Once I was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of weeks later, I had to make the heart breaking decision to close my business. I physically would not be able to work after surgery and chemotherapy and certainly could not risk the chance of infection.

The side effects of treatments and then a second breast cancer has left me with chronic back and joint pain for which I have to take pain killers. Funnily enough though, running is one thing which actually helps my pain.

I honestly didn't think I would ever be able to work again as a dog groomer and my heart was heavy. I felt completely robbed and even more so when I discovered a groomers had started up in my village.

After a lot of thought and consideration I have decided to relaunch my business again, except that this time I will be offering a mix of mobile dog grooming, on site dog grooming, dog walking and pet care to include small animals and horses.

My pain is under control as long as I manage it properly and take my medications regularly so I am hoping I can do this.

I was honoured to have been asked to organise and judge the dog show at the annual St Peters School fete which took place today. It was such fun and I got a real buzz out of talking "shop" with fellow dog owners.

I have already had quite a bit of interest shown in my company Clippers and Claws and I am hoping that within this year I will have a workshop and I can get my business going well again.

Its been scarey and I am still scared about getting back into grooming after such a long time. Although the truth is I have always groomed throughout - my dogs and those of my friends. Plus its something I love doing with all of my heart.

For a while after my cancer treatment finished I have been acting like a victim.... Well enough is enough because I am not a victim, cancer has not taken anything from me in fact it has given me so much more..... more strength and determination not to mention the wonderful friends I have met along the way.

So there you are.... Clippers and Claws is back!

Bad Luck

I thought 2011 was a bad year for me with the sudden death of my much loved Aunty Heather, the tragic death of my best friend Poppy (dog), a so called friend turning out to be nothing of the sort and some online bullying and my fight with depression.

2012 has proved to be a right shiner so far and we are only five months in.......

I found out that I had a second breast cancer, my back has been killing me, my dog was seriously ill, the insurance company is turning down my claim for him, Cola hurt his back and Jason has dislocated his shoulder. I don't think I can take any more!

Having said that alot of good things have happened too so I  can't be all gloom and doom!

The first and best was the arrival of Snowy, our white miniature schnauzer and little monkey!!

The Gathering in Pontins was completely awesome and we met some fabulous friends.

....and I have some fab plans for the rest of the year!

I am off to a friends wedding next week and that will mean my meeting up with some superb people. I have gigs booked and am going with an excellant friend "Black Stone Cherry" and "Tyketto", quite possibly "Killing for Company" and I am walking up Snowdon to raise money for the Love Hope Strength Foundation.

Snowdon is one of my most favourite places in the world so I am looking forward to that very much.

Although bad has happened to me this year, good has come from it in a funny kind of way.

Into the Countdown - Wilbur

I received a phone call on Monday offering me an appointment for an MRI scan on Wilbur on Tuesday - the next day. This was such a great weight off my shoulders because I had been told it would be Wednesday and I have an appointment myself first thing for the results of my biopsy.

I discussed Wilbur at length with the vet and scheduled the appointment in Nantwich for 10.10am.

Very nervous not just about the MRI but driving to an unknown place and on my own.

8.50 came and my lovely friend J arrived, telling me she was going to drive me there. My ace neighbour F took Harry to school for me and the star C turned Cola out - such a network of brilliant friends supporting me when I most needed it.

We got to Nantwich in good time despite the fog in Rossett although our first port of call was to an Ostepaths clinic. After considering the place for a few minutes we realised that we were definately in the wrong place only to find the vetinary hospital staring us in the face over the road.

When we met Mr Mayo he was lovely. He was very direct and very open about the matter. Upon examining Wilbur and looking at his Xrays and notes he was 99% certain that he would be dealing with a prolapsed disc. He explained the procedure in such a great way I really could visualise the operation they would carry out.

Mr Mayo gave Wilbur a sedative which contained morphene. The morphene made him a little sick but once the meds worked he relaxed for the first time in weeks.

Mr Mayo took him away and promised to telephone me when the op was over.

So you can imagine my surprise when he phoned me (while I was in Pets at Home) to say that Wilbur had had the MRI scan and it was not a prolapsed disc. He had an area of internal inflammation which was pressing on his spinal cord. He needed to take a biopsy to find out what this was.

Worst case scenario - cancer. If that is the diagnosis then there will be no treatment for my little boy.

However, Mr Mayo was certain that this wasn't cancer, that it was a genetic auto immune disease which caused inflammation. He had seen one other dog with this condition and although he didnt appear to respond to treatment initially, suddenly, he was better and has never looked back.

So now, Wilbur is staying in the hospital overnight so that they can monitor him. Hopefully I will collect him tomorrow and bring him home with some stronger pain killers.

The results of the biopsy come through on Friday and then his steroid treatment can begin.

I must admit that my first reaction to this news was "why me?" Not only am I facing test result myself I now have to wait for them for Wilbur.

I really thought that after today, Wilburs pain would be over and he could start his healing process.

I just have no luck with dogs at all.......

This is Bobbi, she was my rescue dog and my "wish come true" my little soul mate. She died of cancer aged just 5.

Morgan was aged 4 and had to be put to sleep because of a neurological condition.

Poppy although not my dog, she was like my god-daughter dog died age almost 5 in my arms having been run over by a tractor.

Sometimes I really dont know if I can handle any more pain of loss.

Why me though?