Anticipation of the BIG DAY.
I had to wait almost one month between making the decision to have Lex’s leg amputated and the actual surgery. This was VERY HARD for me, I could not stop thinking about how Lex was going to handle the situation and how I was going to be able to help him. Also, although most people were very supportive of my decision, some people were not! Here are a few of the things that people said to me:
– You should put him to sleep– he is probably suffering and you are being greedy. (Lex is a very vibrant dog and he was showing me NO signs of suffering).
– You should put him to sleep because he is going to be in great pain if you amputate his leg (we had x-rays done, and although Lex is 9- his bones and joints are in great shape).
– Someone also had the nerve to tell me that I should just shoot him (this person should be locked up in the mental institution- as far as I am concerned)
When the day finally came (October 19th), I was a basketcase! I love Lex so much and I was so worried about his well-being. At 7:30am I drove Lex to the vets office, I was trying to be strong, but I cried all the way there. Once we arrived, I composed myself and took him in, once again, I started crying- I feel sorry for the young lady that was sitting at the front desk. She let me bring Lex to the back room, when I left I had to sit in the car for a few minutes before driving to work. Needless to say, work SUCKED that day!
At about 11:45am the Vet’s office called me and said that Lex was done his surgery and that he was fine. He was in surgery for about 1 hour and 45 minutes and although many dogs sometimes “cry”, “wimper” after surgery, Lex did not do this and adjusted well. I told the vet that I would come to visit Lex after work.
My boyfriend and I went to visit Lex, and I couldn’t look at Lex. I feel bad for this, but I was so upset for him- that I could not look at him for very long. This seems like a horrible reaction to have, but I am just being honest! My boyfriend hugged him and kissed him, and I just stood there in shock, unable to do anything!! I think that Lex understands that mommy was having a really hard time coping!
While we were visiting, the vet said that we could pick Lex up at 9am the next morning. He also told me that he did have a complication during surgery (with Lex’s heart), but he got it under control.
I went home, I was still in shock! that night was horrible.