Take Good Care (Cancerventures)
Take Good Care (Cancerventures Book Excerpt)
…I bargained and prayed…
Again, no, not now. I’ve lost enough already. Don’t take her too.
Devastation.
How do I say goodbye? How?
It’s Not Just the Diagnosed Who Could Be Dying:
It’s cruel. Just because we get a cancer diagnosis, does not mean we are exempt from anyone else getting sick and dying. It’s especially painful if we have a beloved pet who has gotten us through the hard stuff of surgery, chemo, radiation. We should not have to face losing our treasured animals when we’ve already had to lose so much already.
But, as we all know, life is not fair. And, unfortunately, the medical care of our animals is expensive. We cannot just throw unlimited amounts of money at attempts to keep our pets alive, even as we desperately declare that we’d do anything to save them. Reality has its limits.
Please don’t blame yourself for “not being able to do enough.” This goes beyond your will; it speaks to capacity. And sometimes, we just don’t have it.
MN Pets:
So, with no signs of improvement, I called a local in-home euthanasia service, MN Pets. As I started the phone conversation, I broke down mid-sentence as I requested information. A comforting voice from Margie*, uttered things like, “I’m sorry;” “this is so difficult;” and “it sounds like you’re doing everything you can.”
Through sobs, I asked for definite signs to know “when it’s time.” And Margie informed me of the Journey Assessment, authored by Dr. Katie Hilst, DVM.
Used with permission.
This assessment rates mobility, pain, respiration, hygiene, eating and drinking and the social ability issues of your pet.
I also asked about any benevolence funds, disclosing my cancer diagnosis.
Margie informed me of their Buddy Fund. She’d speak to her supervisor, explaining my situation. I could expect a callback.
Ten minutes later, the phone rang. We did qualify. MN Pets would cover most of the expense- for both the in-home euthanasia and her ashes. We’d just need to pay seventy-five dollars.
Since euthanasia alone can go well into the hundreds of dollars, this was a much-needed help.
I didn’t arrange things then and there. I needed to check out the Journey assessment.
We were still waiting- and hoping- Gracie would get better. I told Margie we’d be in touch. And, as we ended the call, she uttered, “Take good care.”
Saying Goodbye:
In-home euthanasia is a growing business. Its focus is on the more personal atmosphere of one’s own home as compared to the jarring veterinary clinic.
We’ve had to say goodbye to our pets in the clinic setting before. Everyone was compassionate and professional, but it still didn’t eradicate the trauma of the car ride to the vet, the unfamiliar surroundings, and the sounds and smells of other animals.
Mention your full cancer situation to others, including your vet clinic or an organization like MN Pets. Drop the “C- word;” drop it! Had I not done so, asking about the Buddy Fund, we’d never qualify for it. There are resources available to the diagnosed. Even concerning pet euthanasia.
You need special help and care in your cancer situation. Don’t be ashamed or afraid to
ask for it…
