Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Farewell To Our Much Beloved Scooter
We surprised the boys on Christmas eve 1996 by packing them into the car for a mystery ride to an unknown destination. They were elated when we arrived at a kennel in Swansea and they met the adorable runt of the litter. Scooter stole our hearts and wove her way into our family memories. Unfortunately, we had to put down our 12 year old golden retriever on June 15. She was feisty and mischievous when she was young but as she aged she evolved into a sweet, mellow cutie pie who wiggled through her doggie door each morning to lounge in the yard admiring nature and visiting neighbors. The day she died was three years to the day after Mark's first appointment with a specialist for his cancer and during those years, Scooter became a devoted companion. Her health deteriorated dramatically in the past few weeks and it was obvious that yesterday was her time to go. The vet came to our home and we said goodbye to her in her favorite spot outside by the fence.
Fortunately, Kevin had elected to come home with his girlfriend, Katie, for the summer so he had the opportunity to spend time with Scooter in her final weeks, helped with her care and shared the burden of making difficult decisions. Kevin and Katie have been a tremendous help in picking up some of our household responsibilities, taking Mark fishing when he may not have been able to navigate on his own and taking orders from the "boss man" in tending to his "Plantation." With their help, our yard is truly developing into the "dreamscape" Mark always envisioned.
Mark is about 6 weeks into his anticipated four months of IV chemo which is administered once a week in a four hour sitting. He is also on chemo pills 3 weeks a month. Miraculously, some of the tumors are disappearing and others are getting smaller. He is sick a few days a week but doesn't feel nearly as bad as he was on other chemo treatments. His arm remains painful though and he continues on pain meds and gets lymphedema treatments. He has slowed down a lot and mellowed to the point that I haven't heard him screaming at the Red Sox all year. On good days he indulges in a method of "one armed gardening" he has perfected. Katie, Kevin and Mark are competing to see who catches the most fish this summer. The winner will be announced at the end of the summer!
Fortunately, Kevin had elected to come home with his girlfriend, Katie, for the summer so he had the opportunity to spend time with Scooter in her final weeks, helped with her care and shared the burden of making difficult decisions. Kevin and Katie have been a tremendous help in picking up some of our household responsibilities, taking Mark fishing when he may not have been able to navigate on his own and taking orders from the "boss man" in tending to his "Plantation." With their help, our yard is truly developing into the "dreamscape" Mark always envisioned.
Mark is about 6 weeks into his anticipated four months of IV chemo which is administered once a week in a four hour sitting. He is also on chemo pills 3 weeks a month. Miraculously, some of the tumors are disappearing and others are getting smaller. He is sick a few days a week but doesn't feel nearly as bad as he was on other chemo treatments. His arm remains painful though and he continues on pain meds and gets lymphedema treatments. He has slowed down a lot and mellowed to the point that I haven't heard him screaming at the Red Sox all year. On good days he indulges in a method of "one armed gardening" he has perfected. Katie, Kevin and Mark are competing to see who catches the most fish this summer. The winner will be announced at the end of the summer!
# posted by The Sheehan Family @ 11:12 PM 
