Jill's Journey

Words are escaping me right now.  I’ve been thinking long and hard about this past year.  How do I put into words all the emotions I’ve felt over the last 365 days that are culminating in this one happy moment?  So many moments of fear, sadness, relief, joy and those are just to name a few.  We often call this journey a roller coaster ride and there really is no better way to describe it.  One year ago right now, I was on the way up, feeling the anticipation of what was to come.  Waiting for the phone call from Jill’s surgeon that she was out of surgery.  Eight hours later, I was zooming down, feeling the joy of the ride, when I visited her in the hospital and seeing with my very own eyes that she was Okay.

Up and down I would go for 12 months.  Easy recovery, Starting Chemotherapy, Low Neutrophil counts, No visible side effects from chemo, Mysterious peeing outside the litter box, Mysterious coughing fits, Mysterious weight loss and then gaining the weight back and X-Rays galore.   It was all one long, hard ride that got us here.  Here.  12 months later.  365 days later.  One year and I can type something I’ve been hoping I would be able to say since December 12, 2012, Jill has been CANCER FREE for ONE WHOLE YEAR.

There are so many people I have to thank for helping me and Jill get to this point.  Her wonderful Vet at Lincoln Square Vets, Dr. Tan and her amazing and talented Oncologists at The Animal Medical Center, Dr. Hohenhaus and Dr. Tegtmeyer.  Everyone here at Tripawds.com.  If it were not for this community, I would have been lost.  But most of all, my parents, Jill’s grandparents.  Their love and support has carried us through from day one.

My Jilly, I never in a million years thought I could love you anymore than I did the day I brought you home 9 years ago when you were 8 weeks old.  You have been such a little lovebug full of strength, resilience and courage this past year and never gave up.  Your first night home after your surgery, you only wanted to be up on the bed with me.  Every visit to the vet, you had hugs for everyone. After every chemo session, you didn’t feel like being left alone, you just wanted to your tummy rubbed.  And those will be the memories I will keep with me forever.  I love you little Jilly and am so proud of you.

Now onto the fun stuff.  I made the following video as a tribute to Jill’s prizewinning fight she has put up this year.  I hope you enjoy!

And here are some pictures….now, I don’t know what got into Jill and her brudda, but they were really not being their usual cooperative selves for this photo shoot.  Most likely, they’ve just had 365 days worth of ENOUGH ALREADY with me dressing them up 🙂

Jill deserved to be dressed up as a princess today – but um…I don’t think she was enjoying it very much:

My Super Girl:

Jack got to wear a Bow Tie for the occasion:

 

And finally, my princess in what she considers her princess pose….all is right with the world.