2020 started off fantastically with me finally having my last breast surgery to make nipples then the Gathering at Llandudno only to be struck by the Covid pandemic.
Along with many others all over the world I had to learn a new way of working and living. I converted my grooming shed into an office and that has been my base for more than a year.
Shortly after going into lockdown my colleagues were furloughed. This included my manager leaving myself and the facilities manager to represent our department. That really was a stressful time for me, not only with the fear of the virus, learning a new way to work, making up new systems and learning parts of my colleagues job.
Credit to Pintrest
I was completely broken by the time their furlough was over. My mind was beyond tired and my nerves were frazzled. I had three weeks annual leave, the first was spent recovering and the last two were with my husband home based.
After Christmas which was completely ruined by the pandemic I at last have been able to adapt to this new way of working. Mainly because everyone is back at work and things are starting to pick up.
During 2020 I suffered two very great losses. My beloved companion and shadow Wilbur suffered a short and sudden illness and died leaving me lonely and bereft. Six weeks later, Pickles died in my arms.
Lots of big adjustments and changes so its no wonder I am suffering from anxiety and struggling to do even the simplest things.
I feel that I have turned a corner though and while I have quite a way to go I am on the right road to recovery. I started back with Weight Watchers three weeks ago and my mind set seems to be in the right place and I am even managing to exercise more. Only walking at the moment but Rome wasnt built in a day and in the future I aim to be running, road marching and weight training again.
I hope to get back into blogging too so lets hope that this is the first of many to come.
Looking at my blog I can see that I haven't been so good at posting! Life is so busy and the days turn into months and then years and before you know where you are a whole decade has passed.
2020 hasn't been a great year for anyone in the world, its been horrendous with Covid19 and trying to find a new normal.
Its been a nightmare for me on a personal level. Dealing with working at home, colleagues being furloughed has messed with my head. Add to that the sudden death of my beloved dog Wilbur after a short illness then six weeks later my darling Pickles and you won't be surprised that I have hit the booze more than I would like to admit.
There! I said it! I have confessed and how good does that feel.
So today I woke with another horrible hang over, I looked back at my weekend and realised that wine had stolen it from me.
I didn't get an opportunity to write up my blog yesterday so I am combining days 3 and 4 of happy.
Day 3 of Happy (Yesterday)
Christmas Eve
I was relieved to have completed all that I could for the Christmas festivities. I thoroughly enjoyed giving out gifts especially the ones I had made. I receive great pleasure in giving. I felt a bit sad though because losing mum and my not feeling well this year meant that I didn't make what I wanted too. Wrapping gifts for my boys made me happy. Don't get me wrong.... I really don't enjoy wrapping but doing it for them makes me happy. I enjoy putting quirky messages on J's gifts and then arranging them just so..... I took a great deal of pleasure in writing up my review for a blaster which I received via Amazon vine. I asked a special little boy to use the blaster on the condition that he produced a critique. This boy is 9 years old and the most sociable, chatty, engaging boy you could ever wish to meet. I honestly didn't expect a huge amount of detail.... but just look at this wonderful picture and write up.....
Day 4 of Happy (Today)
Christmas Day
So many things to make me happy today, just where do I begin? The wonderful gifts given to me in love which have brought me alot of joy because of the thought, care and love behind them. Spending a couple of quiet hours with my J and watching him open his gifts. Spending Christmas morning with cheeky Cola, even getting wet in the rain didn't dampen my spirits. Watching my rabbit Bolt run around the garden for hours.... jumping, binking and generally loving life. During this time he was accompanied by some garden birds, a very busy male blackbird who kept jumping at my honeysuckle in order to retrieve berries then hopping over to the lawn to pick up worms. Some other birds flitted here and there. What amazed me was the fact that none of the birds were afraid of Bolt who continued to hop around the garden. I also didn't think that he had noticed the birds but he must have because he purposely went to investigate the honeysuckle where the blackbird had been feasting. Cuddling with my dogs Pickles, Wilbur and Snowy..... Giving them their own Christmas dinner once we had finished ours then coming into the room to find them sleepy and content.
I am sure there is alot more happy to experience today but so far its been lovely. Merry Christmas to you all. Bless you with healthy, love and joy now and always.
Its been one hell of a year to be honest with you. Started off in December when my friends horse died. He was old and ailing but I helped her out with him and being stable buddies not only did I have to deal with the loss of her horse but her as well. At the start of January following the installation of my special "shed" I received notification from the council that somebody had reported me for running a dog grooming business from home!
Really? If the council had camped outside my house for a month they wouldn't have seen a thing because I only groom dogs as a hobby these days in order to keep my hand in. FFS my health won't allow anything more. That really did shake me to the core I can tell you especially as one of my original customers back when I was grooming died suddenly and I was diagnosed with a third breast cancer. I can't really explain how it made me feel. I felt violated, watched, I felt as though I had the evil eye on me..... It was dreadful. Whoever did that to me .... well .... shame on them!
After that .... everything that could go wrong DID go wrong and what followed were months of operations, antibiotics, pain, pain and more pain.....
I do think that the shock and upset of the council report did have an impact on my immune system which isn't the best after my other illnesses and contributed to the hell that followed. So now I am at a point in my life where I am taking time out to draw breath and heal my emotions. I have had some reiki healing which has helped alot, its a great energy which goes where its needed.
I have forgiven the person who reported me to the council. I feel sorry for whoever they are because if they felt that insecure about me or hated me that much then they must be very sad individuals. I won't waste any emotion on them other than pity and sadness.
As for the cancer and what the failed reconstruction has left me with.... well ..... thats more difficult. I still can't look at myself or touch the area. It feels strange anyway and I have been left with a dishing effect so prosthetics don't sit well either. The prosthetics cause pain too and yet I feel exposed without them.
It is going to take a long time to come to terms with all of this mess and my new body image. Time is a great healer and I am sure that once I have accepted what has happened I will come to accept this new me - or will I?
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.
We are having a little bit of a heatwave here in Wales!!
I hate it!!!!
It's been about 30 degrees here today.
Couldn't sleep last night.
Can't function today.
I think its because we are just not used to it here in the UK. We rarely get temperatures this hot for extended periods so we don't get the chance to aclimitise.
I have a beautiful black Fell pony.....
His paddock has no shade at all so I worry all of the time about him over heating.
However,
Most of all during weather like this.....
Remember not to leave your dogs in cars .....
Two dogs died this week as a result of being left in hot cars.......
Healing Hands Animal Care......... What do you think of that as a name? I loved my job as a dog groomer, such a successful little business and I enjoyed the fact that I was helping scared dogs and new pups - very rewarding. However.... almost 5 years after my first cancer and 2 years of treatment I have come to the conclusion that.... 1. Mobile dog grooming is too physically demanding for me to do on a full time basis 2. As a carer to my Autistic son I need to be flexible in my work and with those things in mind I have decided to invest money into quite a bit of training so that I can set up an animal care business. The idea is to be able to cater for all types of animals from fish through to horses. Care on a regular basis or care for holiday cover. Having done my Reiki level 1 I want to go on to get my masters and also train to use crystals for healing and Shiatsu. I can then offer holistic treatments for pets and their owners. I want to include dog walking, vet taxi, dog grooming, behaviour, training and nutrition. Will there be money in it for me? - doubt it Will I be happy? - most definately I was considering a change of career and working with disabled children as a teaching assistant but I think it would eat me up, caring for somebody without curing. Animals have always been in my life and are such an important part of it. My animals have got me through both of my breast cancers and my horse has most definately been my life coach and therapist on my journey of recovery. I would be really interested in any feed back on my ideas........
I was going to blog about trees because I have some pretty spectacular ones in my village, all shapes and sizes with a story to tell but instead I am going to talk about something which is close to my heart, inspired by something a friend posted on facebook today........
POSITIVE ENERGY
and her words were "THINK POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND THE WORLD AROUND YOU CHANGES, POSITVITY ATTRACTS POSITVITY !" I live by this code or at least I TRY my best too. When something "bad" happens to me I try not to sit there and cry or wallow in it, I try to see the good in what has happened and grow from the experience. True.... it's really hard to find the good in some things but trust me, if you look hard enough and if you are patient you will find some! In this cruel world, things happen which are beyond our control..... You have to ask yourself on a scale from 1 to 10 what is the absolute WORST thing that could happen to you. You then have to "grade" that bad thing with that matter in mind and then you can see that its truly not so bad after all. I count my blessings. As I live and breath and experience beautiful things I give thanks. Sometimes its a Robin come to visit....
Or it could be a baby rabbit hopping across my path......
Or like yesterday, the fact that the farms dog chose to come along and share the ride out with me and my pony.......
Good things in life don't need to be bought with money, they are all around you! Everywhere and free to enjoy. Wear a smile on your face - it makes you prettier, more handsome and more attractive. Think happy thoughts. If you have a bad thought try to challenge it! The best weapon you can have in life is a postive mental attitude.
I was diagnosed in 2009 with a nasty breast cancer. Having said that, ALL cancers are flippin' nasty aren't they!!
2012 I had a second breast cancer, other side this time!
I don't carry the breast cancer gene, I don't tick any of the boxes for being at risk of the disease, I suppose I was just a bit unlucky.
Anyway.... blah blah blah I had lots of treatment, surgeries, chemo, herceptin, radiotherapy and hormone treatment.
I was on tamoxifen at first but because another hormone sensitive cancer grew in spite of this they changed my hormone treatment to;
* having my ovaries shut down with monthly injections (for 5 years)
* letrozol
Well..... the thought of having abdominal injections every month for years didn't really appeal to me PLUS the fact that the injections put me into a chemically induced menopause so in 5 years would I come off the injections then go through a natural menopause???? The thought of going through all that twice really filled me with dread so I PUSHED (and I had to push hard) to have an elected Oophorectomy - the best thing I ever did!! Keyhole surgery - recovery time was quicker than my breast ops and the discomfort was minimal.
The letrozol made every bone in my body hurt so I was changed to Arimadex. Although that it is better than the letrozol it still makes me tired, my brain fuzzy and my bones hurt.
On Thursday I am waiting to see my GP to go through some statistics so that I can decide whether or not I continue with the drugs.
My gut feeling is that I have had my ovaries removed which produced 80% of my oestrogen and with me losing weight and toning up my body I will naturally produce less.
I have been on cancer treatment for almost 5 years now, I have lost so much during that time and the side effects have been so hard to live with that I honestly can't face further treatment for another 4 years.
I am extremely lucky to live in Wales, UK so I have the NHS and the North Wales Health Trust has provided me with the best care I could ever have wished for. They are thorough beyond belief and leave no stone unturned.
I honestly want to get on with my life.
Back in 2009 I had to shut down my successful Dog Grooming Business "Clippers and Claws". Living with the side effects I have been unable to restart it and now another groomer has opened in our village. I am angry, I feel cheated and frustrated. If it hadn't been for flippin cancer I would have a salon right now and a successful one too.
So I have to put my frustration to one side and stay focused on the fact that;
1. I am alive
2. I can still groom dogs only not as many at the moment
3. I am taking very positive steps to cure my back pain
I am at a point in my life where I am being reminded of my faith in God. I have always kept my dialogue going with Him but from time to time you need to bring yourself into line and remember that if you put yourself into His arms, He will look after you.
All my life He has cared for me.
Whatever I have asked Him for He has given me, maybe not in the conventional way but He has always answered my prayers.
I could fill a book with examples of this but I won't do that, I will just cherry pick a couple of my life experiences.
One of my oldest memories as a 3 year old was praying for a rag doll and one day, out of the blue my Nain visited us bringing with her a rag doll she had won in a raffle. I couldn't believe it! I called her LuLu, she was an ugly thing but I loved that doll not just because it was what I wanted but because of what she represented to me.
Our family dog was a rescue called Patch, she was in our family before I was born! I loved her so much and was in awe of her connection with my mum. I longed for a relationship like that with a dog and I used to sit at the bottom of our garden and pray for a dog, a special dog. She would be small and scruffy and she would follow me and love me........ I waited 20 years for that dog and in a random way she came to me in my wonderful soul mate Bobbi. I always refered to her as my "wish come true" and "my gift from God".
Bobbi was with me for such a short time but she got me through a very difficult time in my life. Trying for a family. I used to confide in her, cry on her, she was my rock and when my Joe was born..... she had cancer at age 5 and she left me. Her job on this earth was done and I hold her in my heart forever.
I need to find it in myself to put myself into Gods arms again. I have big things in my life right now, things which will affect others and I need His guidance and His care to make sure I follow the right path.
Hey!!!! I am well overdue some good luck in my life!!!
I have had a number of health worries; aches, thirst, gums not healing, lethargy, finger swelling etc. My doctor ordered a full and comprehensive set of blood tests.
Well.... with the way I feel right now and the bug I had a couple of weeks ago I thought I was going to be told some grim news.
So with reluctance I saw my doctor this morning and do you know what?? Clean bill of health. No signs of any types of arthritus, my white and red blood cells are fine, no to diabetes, my kidney function is good and so is my liver. Relieved is not the word! So I can officially put down all of my "health issues" to side effects of the anti cancer drugs I am taking. Relieved, happy and thankful is how I feel right now.
Now the only two things I have in my life to really be worried about are (in order) my dog Wilbur and his infections.
These are the drains fitted with his first lumbar infection.
I have googled it but can't find anything on the subject. The infection he has now is a different one to the first and its coming out rather than just in.
Twice he has been put on antibiotics and twice its cleared up only to come back worse than before so the stage we are at now is waiting and observing. They tried to aspirate the lump but nothing came out this time so it could be an infection which his body is fighting but its a wait and see situation.
The lump is the size of the top of a tennis ball and when you place your fingers around it and apply pressure it goes deeper, very deep. He is not in pain, he has no temperature, apart from the lump he is fine and happy.
The vet has suggested removing the tissue but because it is a deep routed infection there is no guarantee that they can get it all away and they will have to take away muscle as well as tissue.
So... I am a realist when it comes to my animals. I love them with my entire soul but I don't think I could subject my lovely boy to this sort of surgery especially with an unknown prognosis and the fact that this is an extremely rare situation.
I think I am going to return to the vet this week and ask if they can put him on a max dose of antibiotics for as long as possible to try and kill the infection this way. If this doesn't work then I am afraid all other doors are not an option for me.
The second worry I have is about the insurance company I am with, Animal Friends. They are refusing to pay for Wilburs first treatment on a technicality and so I have had to scrape together the funds to pay for this which not being in work and still recovering from a second cancer is extremely hard as you can imagine.
Today I posted a letter to the financial ombudsman with a prayer in the desperate hope that he rules in my favour or at least asks for a compromise.
Life is not easy.
Its full of stumbling points and pit falls and along with those comes the tears.
However, its easy to stay on the floor and give up the only answer is, to pick yourself up, dust yourself down and continue the journey.
I am sure that at the journeys end it will all be worth it.
Funny title for a post really but it kind of describes the last few weeks for me perfectly.
Since Snowdon Rocks its been a strange time, lots of changes, lots of challenges and lots of worries.
The first thing that happened was the Rossett Village Fete and I judged the dog show. I was really nervous because its a popular show but once I got into the swing of things I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I know what I could have done better so hopefully, if they have me back next year (which I hope they do) it will much improved.
One of the ideas I have is for a cup or a rosette called the Love Hope Strength Pet of the Year. Basically, well before the show I would be giving out entry forms for people to nominate their pet for the award. All I would be asking for is their reasons as to how their pet has given them Love Hope and Strength. All entry fees taken would go to the charity itself and the winner would be chosen before the show and presented there. I would also like to put up a display board of all the entries as well.
I would also change some of the classes and definitely include one for young handler.
The same day as the show I came down with a virus. I was ill for over a week with a tummy bug, I have never been so ill with a bug in my life. I couldn't eat or even drink for days. How I did the show I don't know I think it was just through grim determination.
My youngest son started High School.
He is pictured here with his friend. We are neighbours and they were born within weeks of each other. Its nice that they have each other to go to school with.
It has been a big change for me because I now no longer have to do the school run. This gives me almost and extra hour a day!!!
Wilbur is still poorly! He developed a new infection in his side and has been treated with antibiotics but as soon as we finish a course it swells up again.
I took him to the vet on Friday and because not much fluid came out when she aspirated it she recommended leaving him for a week and monitor the swelling, it could be the natural healing process. He is happy in himself.... eating, playing, barking!!
I have had to find the money to cover the enormous vet bill we had from his previous illness. The insurance company Animal Friends wouldn't pay the bill because although I took Wilbur to the vet after the exclusion period, the vets notes said "Wilbur has been off colour for a week" they are saying that it takes us into the exclusion period.
I wouldn't have agreed to the MRI scan had I known the insurance company wouldn't pay, I just didn't think! This is the reason you take out these policies!
I have been selling off my Steiff Bear Collection to raise funds to cover the bills and we are getting there slowly but it has been a huge weight on my shoulders.
I am so frustrated because its put us in an even tighter financial situation and I am not quite well enough to return to work. I could get a part time job in an office but that would give us child care issues and my heart is set on returning to dog grooming which is the job I love. However, I can't see me being able to cope as a mobile groomer so then I have to think about financing a salon.
I have been for genetic counselling and I have decided to get tested for the breast cancer genes. I feel that it is better to have the question answered than not. I have agreed to take part in a research programme, you never know it might help them to find out why these things happen especially as I was young and have had two breast cancers.
Whenever I go to these types of appointments I end up having a down day and Friday was the day for me. I might add that I had my Zolodex injection on the Monday so hormones may have had a part to play in it. The Zolodex injection flippin hurt, I nearly hit the roof and even the nurse was upset for me. I am going to see my GP and ask for the injection to be changed to monthly because the needle is smaller.
So.... it has been a bit of a funny few weeks as you can see.
Note: words or sentences which are highlighted are linked to pages on the web so if you would like more information on the subject, click on the highlighted words and it will take you to the right page.
The aim of this world wide cancer charity is to provide cancer resources in every country. It also has a huge bone marrow donor drive and Mike is campaigning to reduce the donor age of people in the UK. At the moment you have to be 40 or under whereas in USA its 60. If you follow this LINK you can read a bit more about what the charity is about.
Fighting cancer one concert at a time.
So thats what we did yesterday, me and Jason.... we joined Love Hope Strength to climb to the summit of Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales to raise lots of money for this great charity.
We set off in the morning starting with a few words from Mike Peters and some tunes.
It started to rain and soon it was belting it down. By the time we got to the Halfway House we were completely drenched. A sandwich and a drink soon helped lift my mood and then I was amazed as Mike and Chris Summerill and Matt all did a song each.
I had to laugh at Mike and Jules young son, mimicking his dad behind him and when he was asked was he going to be a rock star when he grew up he said very firmly "a footballer".
I found that first trek very difficult mainly because I was over heating and yet having to wear waterproofs to keep me dry. Many times I saw that train on its merry way to the top and I wished I was on there!
It was lovely to see mini versions of Cola on the way up. This little chap was quite happy sleeping whilst being over looked and watched by the rest of his pack.
I especially liked meeting up with friends, Sue O, Shirley G, Joff N, Nigel and Sue A and their daughter, Chris S and his wife and lovely dogs not to mention Dave S! The man with the flag!
People were so friendly going up, it was inspiring to see young and old all going up with one aim in mind - to climb that summit and raise money for this cancer charity.
When we got to the top we were treated to more songs and then a well deserved hot chocolate and a warm before we went out into the elements again.
Mike Peters pictured here singing in the rain and yes he DID climb that flippin mountain with a knee injury!
Do you need inspiration? Do you need a heroe or mentor? Look no further than this man here!!!
Singing at the top - walkers who didn't know what we were about did look rather puzzled. Note to self.... next year - yep you heard me correctly - next year I am going to take some leaflets with me about the charity and when I get talking to people - which we did yesterday I will pass them on to spread the word. Its not just about the money its about raising awareness and getting people to register for bone marrow donorship.
The way down was alot easier and quicker plus the sun came out and by the time we got to the bottom our clothes were bone dry. Apart from my feet which were soggy and I feared a case of trench foot when I took my boots and socks off!
It was nice to be greeted by our mini Cola at the end.
Many people took their dogs up to the summit and thats a great idea, lovely day out for them but one woman (from a different party to LHS) took her 8 month old golden retriever up there and he was refusing to walk down, she had to go and get some food for him to encourage him.
NOTE: Dogs under the age of 1 years old should not be subjected to strenuous exercise which includes running with you, mountain walks or anything lasting a considerable amount of time. The reason for this is simple.... they are still growing and their bones are forming. Any exertion can cause skeletol problems later on in life. Always consult your vet before taking your dog on a walk such as this.
I didn't take my dogs for these reasons:-
Pickles - she is just over 8 years old and has always been stiff she isn't suited to such walks
Wilbur - is recovering from the back infection he had and is not fit enough as yet
Snowy - is only 9 months old and too young to tackle it
It was a great day and an achievement for me with the fun I have had this year so far !!!!
Money raised from this walk will be going to the North Wales Cancer Unit to improve the lives of cancer patients in this part of my country.
And on that note, I leave you with Chris Summerill - his next CD is out soon so he tells me!!!! Can't wait!!
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.
Anyone who knows me knows how crazy I am about my animals. I make sure that they are cared for and as part of that, I make sure that they are insured.
Up until December 2011 I was with Direct Line Insurance for both of my dogs, had been with them for years. With pay cuts and costs rising I thought it would be a good idea to shop around and see if I was getting a competative quote.
I ended up changing my insurers to Animal Friends Insurance. Their colourful and friendly adverts pulled me in together with the fact that they donated to charity with each new policy. I felt safe.
In January my dog Wilbur took ill, I honestly thought he was going to die and his illness went on for weeks. I paid hundreds of pounds in vet bills until at last he needed an MRI scan and I knew that I would have to use my insurance company, who on earth can afford £2000 these days? I am going through cancer treatment for goodness sake and am not able to work!!!!
Wilbur was treated and thankfully made a good recovery! Sigh of relief?????? Yes and No!
The insurance company refused my claim on a technicality.
I have insured my animals for years and will continue to do so until they die. I have paid thousands and thousands of pounds in premiums but that was ok because I knew my animals would be safely covered should anything out of the blue happen.
How wrong I have been.
I have since read online reviews on them and wished I had done so earlier, I have learnt my lesson the hard way.
I have appealed against their decision but I dont think I stand a chance.
So I am left with a bill I can't afford to pay if I hadn't had insurance for Wilbur I wouldn't have gone ahead with the operation.
Just after Christmas, my 4 year old Miniature Schnauzer, Wilbur was taken ill. When I took him to the vets, they did a thorough examination of him and concluded that he was sore on his right side and suggested he might have slipped a disc. Rest and painkillers were ordered.
This ordeal went on for weeks with no improvement being made. I was in tears seeing the pain that my poor boy was in and not being able to help him.
At about the same time I found out that I had a second breast cancer so you can imagine the turmoil my life was in at that point.
Xrays were taken of Wilburs spine and to the specialists and my own vets mind, we were looking at one possibly two slipped discs.
So Wilbur went in for the operation only to find that he had a massive infection around his spine. The specialist was amazed because he hadn't seen anything like it before. Drains were fitted and he was put on a 2 month course of strong antibiotics.
The bill so far was £2500 but we have insurance for the dogs so I honestly didn't think that this was a problem.
Well, I put my claim in only to have it returned to me saying that my claim had been declined. This was because in September 2011 Wilbur had the achey shakes which was treated with antibiotics. Even though my vet and the specialist thinks that because of the time frame its highly unlikely that the two illnesses are connected. So they are saying that this was a pre-existing condition before I took out the insurance with them.
I have owned dogs for years and the amount I have paid into insurance policies runs into thousands, but I didnt mind because for me its a safety net when the unexpected happens as it did to Wilbur.
I am now wondering would I have been wiser to have opened a savings account and put the money away each month.
I won't name and shame the insurance company just yet but believe me, I will do if they still refuse my claim, after all, I don't want anyone else ending up in this situation. This is a worry I could do without post operative and facing radiotherapy plus a series of other tests.
Well, I am not introducing you to the Snowy owned by the legondary Tin Tin...... However I must admit, the Snowy I AM introducing is named after that dog although she is a she and not a he.
She was born on 6th December 2011 in Bradford. Her mum is called Olga and her dad is called Demon. She came to live with us when she was 12 weeks old. Are you ready?.................
This picture was taken shortly after she came to live with us.
She is a white Miniature Schnauzer!
The Kennel Club has only recognised the white minis for two years and so they are very rare. Snowy caused quite a bit of excitement at the vets because nobody had seen one in the flesh before.
Pickles keeps her distance and growls at her alot, she doesnt dislike her, she is just flexing her muscles and showing her that she is the Alpha female in this pack.
Wilbur has made friends with her and they play continuously all day long. Digging holes, chewing sticks, playing chase - its amazing to watch!
and this picture was taken of her yesterday. Don't you just love those ears, she is totally just like Tin Tins little dog.
We collected Wilbur from Nantwich hospital on Thursday night, to say I was over the moon was an understatement.
Still very weak and in pain, he was walking and holding his own. He had some drains inserted into his side which looked dreadful!
He was so glad to be home but wouldn't sit down until I sat next to him and he put his head on my lap, its as though he needed my reassurance.
Getting his medication down him has been a struggle as the little monster manages to spit them out somehow. If he doesn't start behaving I will be shaving off his Schnauzer beard to make medicating a little easier!
Thursday night I slept downstairs with him and Pickles just to make sure he was ok.
Friday saw more improvements in his mobility and general state of mind.
Today he went to have his drain removed. It was a quick and painless procedure, the stitches were snipped and the tube just pulled away.
I have to keep the holes open so that the fluid can continue to drain away. He will have his stitches out in about a week or so's time.
The vet told me that the consultant was "excited" about Wilburs case as it was highly unusual.
The biopsy results came in today and it was as Mr Mayo expected, it is an infection, not cancer and not a genetic condition for which he would have needed steroids. So we can work with this. He will probably be on antibiotics for 6 weeks now.
He is smelly and horrid at the moment so I cant wait for the time when he is well enough to have a bath. At the moment, the priority is in getting him well again.
.jpg)
