I could use a prayer and some healing thoughts -- Update

Healing thoughts and very positive energy for all of you through these various trials.  Strength, too.
 
Little Ellie, you are just a doll baby!  Do everything Mom and the docs tell you to so you feel better and your hip isn't sore!

Nancy I'm here for you any way I possibly can be.  It seems like when it rains it pours .. but truly I can testify after the spring we had the prayers and support here was SO incredibly helpful. 
 
If you can talk to your BFs Dad about the cancer diet info you read on here -- heck, the University of FL medical school doctors use research from the dog and small animal vets ALL the time.  So the information is transferable.  Carbs make cancer grow so if he can try an Atkins sort of diet it will make things go better.  If he can find a doctor who uses Chinese herbals it can augment his regular cancer treatment and actually help reduce the horrible side effects of chemo and radiation. 
 
You can share the story with him of the dog in Gainesville who swallowed the shish ke bob skewer and it wound up in his heart.  Not only did the vets do surgery but the human cardiologists were in there too.  NOW the human cardio doctors are using the vet school information. 
 
But tell him this whole bunch of dog folks are on his side as well and thinking good thots and prayers for him.  All it takes is that he has a dog lover caring about him and WE all jump on board.  Tell him we said good luck and we will lift him up.  YOU TOO. 
 
Give Ellie a scratch from Aunt Callie and tell her Billy sends all his bestest -- his words would be "hold out for ROCKIN RASPBERRY"

Nancy, you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Thanks to you great people for sharing prayers. No word yet on Jim's Dad, but I am home with Ellie and her new hip. Oh boy, that is a major stressor off my plate. It really is.
 
Thanks for keeping us in your prayers.

Nancy,
Lit candles and prayers being sent your way for health and peace.
 
I'm not sure if you crate your baby but when my Penny had ACL surgery, I went to a second hand store and bought an old playpen (the mesh type) and kept her in it. I could easily take it into any room or even outside so I could keep my eye on her. When she started to get a bit more energetic I put a piece of plywood on top of it so she couldn't jump out. It really did the trick.

Lena--thanks for that tip. I wonder if El is too big, but maybe not. I have crates all over my house. She has 16 weeks of recovery ahead of her, so it'll be a long one, for sure. I could use all the tips, especially when she begins to think she's all better and wants to do do do.

In other news, Jim's dad has cancer. We all kind of knew it, of course, and because I was so darn optimistic with my Mom (who had that super rare disease, ALS, of all things), I've learned that my optimism doesn't always pay off. I told her for weeks she would never have some so horrific and rare as ALS, and then she did and she suffered with it for 2 years, and while 2 years to suffer seems a long time, the time flew by no matter how much I wanted it to slow down so I could keep seeing her. I miss her everyday and somedays I just cry because I wish I had her with me still. She was only 58. The world is definitely missing somebody special now. One summer I got the chance to work with her, about 3 years before she got sick, and we had such a good time. Not too many daughters get to spend a summer working with their mothers, but I did.

Jim's dad will be heading to the famous cancer center here in Boise. I'll see what I can do to get him on Callie's suggested diet and what I can do to comfort Jim and his siblings.

I'm telling you--losing a parent is something you just don't get until you go through it. I rememeber sometimes being so upset with Jim for not "getting it," but he had yet to lose a parent. I'm glad that I've learned compassion and patience and the ability to be more kind from losing my Mom so that I can help others as they go through their own parents' ordeals.

Prayers are being sent your way...
We will light a candle here for you....
Try to be strong...
Talus sends kisses and smooches to Ellie and hopes her surgery goes well...
 
The prayers on this forum are very strong and helpful...

I'm telling you--losing a parent is something you just don't get until you go through it.

 
Isn't that the truth?!  I lost my mom to cancer when I was only 11 (she was 44).  I thought that was the worst.  My dad just passed away last Jan. at the age of 87, and that was even rougher.  Actually losing him physically wasn't as hard as losing him mentally.  He had dementia and hadn't really been aware of much for the last 2 years.  I grieved a lot during that time and his passing was actually a relief knowing he wasn't suffering any longer.  My DH hasn't had to go thru that either, so I know when the time comes, it will be difficult. 
 
It sounds like you've got your hands full Nancy, so don't forget to take care of yourself while you're taking care of Ellie and the rest of the family []

Nancy--Willow and I send all our love and prayers.

Thanks, everyone. I will find out more about Jim's father this weekend. Jim's such a typical guy--I get about 3 questions in before he clams up and "doesn't want to dwell on it." My word. I told my best friend about it today, and she asked all the same questions I would have asked. I treat him like a woman since I'm really a woman's woman and I am so used to talking like a woman. Asking questions shows you care! Anyway, thoughts and prayers are so appreciated.
 
On the dog front, I could give Ellie away so easily about now. She is 4 days post op and she thinks she can do it all. She is very frustrating for me right now. I have more than 15 weeks left of this, and already I'm a wreck over her.
 
I did take a break to take Murphy to his obedience class and he is coming out of his shell there. My trainer (new trainer) is helping me with his shy issue, and I think I've rounded up enough people to "practice" with him (The Shy Dog Club), so while Ellie recuperates, I can focus on him.
 
Still--she is being so difficult and after this LONG week, my world has shrunk so darn much. I went to work for about 3 hours today but told my boss I couldn't concentrate because I was so worried she's popped open her incision and pulled out her prosthesis. She didn't, of course, but I worried myself sick there. She's pulled out two sutures already--in the middle of the night last night, so hey, anything is possible with her.
 
May next week bring miracles for everyone here in Idaho.
 
Thanks again.

Thanks, Cakana, too, for the words on losing a parent. I don't remember anything about the week after my Mom died, but I remember the few people who could say something really comforting. They had all lost a parent, too. I know it sounds weird, but it's like I said to my best friend this morning, at work--"You have them your whole life and it becomes an expectation, of sorts. Losing them is this incredible shock and until it happens, it's hard to really imagine it." So true.
 
I went to some support groups for surviving the first holiday (various ones focused on events) and it's like this little community that speaks the same language and can cry at the same kinds of things.
 
So tough. When I'm having a "weak day," I read her postcards, still on my fridge, and try to convince myself she's still traveling, like she did as soon as she was diagnosed. It seems to lessen the blow from the reality of the situation if I do that--even though I really know the truth.
 
Oh boy.    [sm=sad.gif]

Hang in there, Nancy.  It's so hard to go through this major stuff with our pets - they just never understand the need to take it easy.
 
Glad you are having some good bonding time with Murphy.
 
How lovely you have your Mom's postcards up to remind you of her and to remember she was able to do something wonderful for herself in the wake of the diagnosis.  I know how much you must miss her.
 
Take care of yourself and let us know how you and Ellie are doing.  And your, FIL - we'll all be hoping for the best possible outcome for him.

I don't know why, but it seems like life tends to group big struggles all into one time frame.  Last year was one of those years for our household (between our dog's serious illness, MIL bypass surgery and multi-state relocation, and cousins moving in with us all at the same time).  Sounds like you've got many large burdens right now.  As the others have said, try to remember to take care of yourself.  I know we tend to try to be everything to everybody at times like these, forgetting our own health and peace of mind.  Sending you good thoughts and vibes - as well as to your pup, and your husband's family.  Take care.

Nancy, I just caught this - I'm sorry things are rough for you right now.  My BF's mom died at 59, and we miss her so much.  My own mom & dad are gone now, too, and I can identify with what your BF is facing.
My thoughts are with you - PM if you need to.  (And, I'll try to stay out of the dream world unless I can bring you some humor to temper the bad things. [])