Goodbye, Higgins
Our friend Higgins died this morning. He went to my brother's bed - a low futon - and licked his hand then lay down. A few moments later, Donnie started to get up and reached down to have Higgie move a bit, but the little bulldog did not respond.
Higgie's last act was one of love. Always a sweet and gentle companion and so tolerant of everything. I had taken him to the vet yesterday where he patiently endured the rectal thermometer, blood tests, x-rays and IV fluids.
He has been failing over time and the tests and x-rays confirmed what we already suspected... cancer, lots of it. Additionally, he had developed pneumonia. As much as I hurt right now, I am thankful God chose to let him go before there was much pain. I have seen animals and people die of metastatic cancer, and I wouldn't want Higgins to go through that.
This has been quite a week. Tuesday night, I was admitted to the hospital with stroke-like symptoms that gradually subsided over the next 24 hours. After a day in the "Cardiovascular Decision Unit" and with all sorts of tests performed (all negative) I was seen by two doctors but still had no answers. Indeed, this morning at a followup visit with my doctor, I was told that I have great blood flow to and through my brain. Dr. Link thinks the episode was related to my brain injury and that similar symptoms could recur in the future... or may never happen again. Nonetheless, I have been referred to a neurologist for an EEG and consult.
All that is fine, I just hope that this does not lead to a tussle between the workmen's comp carrier and my health insurance because it seems no one really can be sure... Well, not quite "no one," God is sure and He will work it all together for good as is promised in Romans 8:28-29.
Today, after my doctor's visit, I have been doing laundy and quietly grieving the loss of a good friend and faithful companion. Higgins would have been 15 next week.
Higgie's last act was one of love. Always a sweet and gentle companion and so tolerant of everything. I had taken him to the vet yesterday where he patiently endured the rectal thermometer, blood tests, x-rays and IV fluids.
He has been failing over time and the tests and x-rays confirmed what we already suspected... cancer, lots of it. Additionally, he had developed pneumonia. As much as I hurt right now, I am thankful God chose to let him go before there was much pain. I have seen animals and people die of metastatic cancer, and I wouldn't want Higgins to go through that.
This has been quite a week. Tuesday night, I was admitted to the hospital with stroke-like symptoms that gradually subsided over the next 24 hours. After a day in the "Cardiovascular Decision Unit" and with all sorts of tests performed (all negative) I was seen by two doctors but still had no answers. Indeed, this morning at a followup visit with my doctor, I was told that I have great blood flow to and through my brain. Dr. Link thinks the episode was related to my brain injury and that similar symptoms could recur in the future... or may never happen again. Nonetheless, I have been referred to a neurologist for an EEG and consult.
All that is fine, I just hope that this does not lead to a tussle between the workmen's comp carrier and my health insurance because it seems no one really can be sure... Well, not quite "no one," God is sure and He will work it all together for good as is promised in Romans 8:28-29.
Today, after my doctor's visit, I have been doing laundy and quietly grieving the loss of a good friend and faithful companion. Higgins would have been 15 next week.
1 Comments:
Beloved Friend,
I am so sorry for your loss. Such small treasures leave such large holes, don't they?
Such losses at Easter time always amaze me. For those who loved Jesus, the loss of seeing Him on that cross was more than we can probably understand, but because of that "loss", we are given peace and comfort in our own losses and heart aches.
I pray tomorrow will be a joyous celebration of life for you, both in the life you have in Christ and the wonder of the lives He has given as gifts for you to enjoy, both those of human and those of animal kinds.
Bless you, sweet friend. I love you dearly.
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