Good Bye 2012

When I started this blog, it was to get information out there to the people that needed to hear about my experience with my dog having/needing ACL surgery.  I was frustrated because I couldn't find the information myself and hoped I could help just a few more people.  But as I sit here on New Year's Eve, watching the time tick away (and inspired by a few fellow bloggers) I thought I might reflect on this year.  And yes, the big 40 birthday last week has had me reflecting a lot.  

The end of 2011/ beginning of 2012 started on a sad note, with the passing of my sister's mother-in-law, Chris Sullivan.  She battled the nasty "C"word for over a year, but in the end it was God's choice to call her home.  I am grateful that my sister and her family did not watch her suffer very much, and in the end she died peacefully knowing that grandchild #3 was on the way.  The hardest part for me was watching my niece and nephew, who didn't fully understand at all what was going on, try to comprehend that Grandma Chris was not around anymore.   Don't be sad Aunt GiGi, Brianna said to me, Grandma Chris is playing with Baby Jesus now.  (out of the mouths of babes to make it all seem so simple).  

The start of January found us all, yes all, in Disneyworld.  A preplanned vacation, to the Magic Kingdom was in store for us all.  A 7 bedroom house awaited the Groner/Shaffer families.  My mom, my brother, my Aunt Jude, Aunt Jane, Uncle Chuck, cousin Heather, David, Melissa, John, Brianna, Zachary, and Kurt & I ( and dad made it for a day) all went on what can only be described as a barrel of laughs for a week in Orlando.  

I also finished my first half marathon.  John, Melissa (and baby Eric was in her belly), and I got up at the butt crack of dawn to compete in the Disney world Half Marathon.  A wonderful 13.1 mile run through the Magic Kingdom and Epcot before the parks opened.  We finished... that's about all I can say.  Unlike my friend Kenyan Karen, who is fast and runs to win, we were just running to finish.  this also left Uncle David and Uncle Kurt in charge of the children, putting them in the chEAR squad at the finish.  Complete with pom poms and painted faces, they were there at the end to give us big hugs.  A Vacation to remember!!

February brought the addition of this guy to the house: Polar

He was previously living with Melissa & John, and they decided he was a little to rambunctious to be around the new baby that would be coming.  I am not sure Kurt and I ever thought we were going to get rid of him, but we took him thinking we would work with the husky rescue to find a good home for him.  He fit in with the pack here on Treaty Road instantly, and soon won our hearts.  Truth be told, he had my heart the first time I met him in Erie, he reminded me of my Ivan so much it was scary. 

March is when our journey with Diesel and his ACL injury started, you can go back and read my other blogs, in particular the first one, that recaps what an ordeal we had for a few months. 

Work took me many places this year.  New Orleans- twice!! Anyone that knows me will say it is my favorite city to visit.  I love the culture, I love the people, but most of all- I LOVE THE FOOD!!  If you haven't been, you should go, not to party on Bourbon street, but to experience it all.  If you need a tour guide, I would be happy to help, because in the midst of this quaint town, on the mouth of the Mississippi, there are a ton of little restaurants that you won't even know where to begin to try your first meal.  It's not a place you can spend a week of vacation at, but definitely make the trip for a long weekend, you won't regret it. 

Several other trips were to Florida, Las Vegas, Dallas, Toronto and maybe one of my other favorite trips of the year to Seattle.  Yes, we are Seahawks fans and I really was hoping to bring Kurt on this trip and see a football game, but of course, they weren't playing when I was there.  I got to spend some great time with some great friends at a place a little south of the city called Lake Limmerick.  I also got to catch up with some family I haven't seen in many years.  below is me trying paddle boarding for the first time

This year also brought me a second Nephew, Eric John Sullivan joined his brother Zachary and sister Brianna in August.  I got to spend some wonderful time with all the kids in August and last week on my 40th birthday Kurt and I became Eric's god parents.  Speaking of my 40th birthday, my sister and Kurt were able to suprise me with a party when we traveled back to Erie for Christmas and the baptism of Eric.  I thought the party was just for the baptism, but she managed to work in a surprise, having my friends and many of the family there.  It really was awesome.  (Thanks to everyone that had a hand in in and joined in the fun).  My dad even braved the winter snow, having a terrible travel adventure to be there.

This year my travels also took me to Europe for the first time.  I was in Davos, Switzerland and then a few days in Zurich.  I reminded me a lot of Erie, (minus the mountains) because of all the snow, it only didn't snow one of the 12 days I was there.  I also got to spend time with the family of one of the exchange students we had stay with us- Luana.  

2013 will be 10 years since Kurt and I first left Erie.  We left, came back, and left again.  In April of 2003 Kurt left for Puerto Rico, me and the dogs joined him after the wedding of John and Melissa in late June.  While our time there was short lived, actually if you ask me I would tell you it was the worst year of my life, I truly believe that everything happens for a reason.  Had we not begun that journey 10 years ago we would not be where we are today.  There is a whole lot more to the story, some of you know it, some of you may not- so buy me a beer someday and I will fill in the blanks for you.  

If there is one thing this year, has taught me, it is to live every day to its fullest!!  Laugh a lot, love even more and don't waste time.  There were many people this year that I know that passed, or were diagnosed with something real bad, and it has opened my eyes that life is much shorter than we think.  So that's it friends, my reflection on 2012 and bringing in 2013. I hope you all have a joyous New Year, and that the road you travel leads you to happiness everyday.  

The Good and The Bad

Yes readers, it has been a few weeks since I wrote anything.  Nothing new has really happened.  We all survived Thanksgiving in Philadelphia away from our loved ones.  It was very hard, reading about all the turkey and shopping going on.  Thanksgiving has by far always been my favorite holiday, up until about a year ago my whole extended family always got together.  Aunts, great Aunts, Uncles and great Uncles, cousins, grandparents, god parents and anyone else that didn't have a place to go found their way to our house.  It was nothing it cook 3 or 4 turkeys, to play Euchre the night before and drink like crazy, and then wake up for Monkey Tails (yes that is what we call the delicious pull apart bread that became a morning tradition), eat a bunch of food, maybe play more cards all in anticipation for the first store to open for Black Friday shopping.  Everyone asks, why, how can you go out in all that madness. Well let me tell you, there is nothing like it.  We have had a blast, every year, just being together.  So if you are looking for a good time, join us girls some year on black friday, I promise - you won't regret it.

Back to the Big D, his recovery has been going very well, up until about 5 days ago.  He had a 6 week post op visit today, and well there was good news and bad news.  I started to notice the limp, the same limp I noticed last spring before I left for Toronto.  I thought maybe he was stiff from laying around.  We had made it to doing 10 minute walks two times per day, he seemed to be getting stronger.  But there it was, the limp, the toe touching the lameness- only this time it was his left leg.  Yes that's right the other leg, the non operative leg, the "good" leg.  The odds were against us.  I guess it was not a matter of if, but when, only when came way too soon.  After all he is only 6 weeks post op from the first ACL surgery.  That's right, the first because my suspcions were confirmed today by Dr. Dobbins, he has ruptured the ACL in his "other" leg.  That is the bad news... he is going to need the same surgery, all over again and sooner rather than later.  I knew this would be a possibility, all the articles said most dogs rupture the second leg after the first leg.  No one really knows why, is it genetic?  Are certain dogs predisposed or breeds?  Does the over compensation for the surgical side make the "good" leg go bad?  There is no answer, but the fact is out there- 65% of surgeries performed by vets are ACL repairs, 40% of dogs that tear one ACL go on to tear the other.  Odds go up for large and overweight dogs.  (I keep saying ACL, that is the nurse in me- the correct term in dogs is CCL or Cranial Cruciate Ligament, which is the same thing as an ACL in humans)

Those of you that know me, know at this point I am bawling in the vets office.  She wants to wait a few weeks to do surgery on the other side to let his right leg heal.  Good.  but not too long= BAD.  My life, my work schedule for the next few months is crazy, how can will I fit the time in so I can spend time at home with him.  What ever happens, it is another chunk of change from our check book, that really was not anticipated at this time.  Even the vet said, it usually doesn't happen this soon.  I am hoping we can wait it out until mid January when I have at least 3 weeks that I will be home, and maybe win the lottery by then... We go back in 2 weeks to see Dr. Dobbins, and see what she says at that time.  These are the moments I miss my family and friends most, I miss having someone around that could help us out so I didn't have to worry about Kurt home alone while I am traveling, I miss just the support of someone to give me a big hug and say it will be ok.  Life throws you lemons.... I am ready for some Tequila!