Billy asked us to update the blog again. He wanted to show the world how mad he was when he heard that his parents were taking a trip to Nicaragua…without him. This is what happened when we told him the news:
Clearly he was very mad. But he would be in good hands. He’d be staying at his Grampa and Gramma’s house out in the country, where he gets to run around outside freely, sniffing whatever and wherever he wants – something he doesn’t get to do in the city. Still, it was hard to leave him!
We’ll miss you bud!
Fast forward…we went to Nicaragua and returned. It was hot and beautiful. We climbed the Maderas volcano on Ometepe Island, got to interact with a wild, but very friendly spider Monkey who lives on one of the Islets of Granada, and did a lot of swimming and relaxing, both in the ocean as well as in Lake Nicaragua. It was a wonderful trip – but we sure did miss Billy! I’m not certain, but I think he missed us too. This was the greeting we received upon our return:
Billy has been healing wonderfully, getting stronger and more steady all the time, and able to run around like nobody’s business (as can be seen in the last few seconds of the video)! He is sure ready for the nasty Chicago winter to be over, and he’s looking forward to running around on a (non-snow-covered) beach! Billy now lays down on either side, seemingly with little-to-no pain; he still uses caution though. He sleeps in the bed with us now, changing positions a few times, but staying in bed all night (it took a while to get to this point).
In the week after Billy’s first chemotherapy treatment (which happened mid-February), we kept a close eye on him for any signs of discomfort or illness. Luckily, we saw nothing. Billy seemed to be just as comfortable and happy as ever. He got some blood tests done 10 days after his first chemo treatment, and things looked great! In the words of our (brother-in-law) vet:
This looks great. Billy is a freaking rock star.
We were thrilled to hear this news, and hope that it’s a good sign about what’s to come.
Bhhahahahaha! Thank you SO MUCH for that laugh, I needed it to start my day! Billy you know how to tell it like it is my friend.
I’m so hoppy you guys had a great time, I know how much you really needed the R&R. Well deserved!
Glad everything is going so well. Billy is SUCH a great role model for giant breed Tripawds, I can’t begin to tell you how much your blog will help others looking for hope. Thank you so much for the updates.
Glad you got a laugh out of that. We crack up every time we watch it – just so perfect! Thanks for reading, and for your support!
Well…it’s about time!!!
Yeah Billy, you have every right to be mad!! And on top of that stupid “warm, sunny, Monkey-filled” place “they” went to…WITHOUT YOU…..”they” haven’t been blogging about you!! We LOVE our Billy Blog’s around here!!
Good left jab..or right jab…you were so darn quick it was hard to tell! Ali would be proud!
From the looks of your “welcome home gretting”, all was forgiven and you really were excited t see “them”!
This is a DELIGHTFUL update and the pics are wonderful! So glad to see you doing so well! You are a “freakin” Rock Star!! And I doubt your brother-in-law vet used “freakin”……:-) 🙂
Thanks for the GREAT update and much needed smiles!!
Sending huge Bull Mastiff hugs!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Yeah, sorry we’ve not been posting regularly – we should do better. It actually gives us a lot of joy to write these posts, and to get comments from you all – makes our day! Bull mastiff hugs back to you two. Thanks for the support
The brother-in-law vet really did use those exact words!
Okay…don’t know how, but I did miss your “chemo blog”…..never too late to go back and have a good laugh!
Really glad you sailed through it.
Yeah, Happy Hannah thinks she should get treats 24/7 just be “being”—–and I always oblige! She likes chocolate ice cream…I see Billy prefers vanilla…..
Billy you ARE a rockstar!!! Keep it up! 🙂
Cody and Family