Monday, August 25, 2008

Firelight's fine - on to the next!

Thanks SO much for all the support, virtual hugs, etc.

Firelight's surgery had pretty much the best possible outcome, so now if we can get her to eat, she'll probably make it.

I know, I know... we're all insane around here for loving our guinea pigs so much, but I've ALWAYS been a pet person, and when I found out we could have pets after living with D for almost 20 years of his allergies, I was beside myself. The joy we've found in our piggies has been incredible.

Things are still stable with my mother-in-law, and given her quality of life, it will, in many ways, be a blessing if she passes.

So many people have issues with their in-laws. I can only say, over and over, that my in-laws have been the BEST ever. I wish I could make their lives much, much easier, and I hope we can reschedule my FIL's long-awaited trip to see us.

The light at the end of the tunnel can be such a joy.

Truly.

And for anyone who reads this in the Ann Arbor area, click here for the best vets in the UNIVERSE.

32 comments:

Brittany | the Home Ground said...

You know, a pet is a pet. I have a lizard and she may be spiky, but me she makes me so happy! Maybe not as much of a companion as my kitty, but she's great to have around :)

thailandchani said...

I'm so glad it had a good outcome!

it's hard to imagine anyone NOT feeling that way about their pets. Our pets are living beings, too, and they depend on us. Once we domesticate them - well - we owe them that. :)


~*

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad Firelight's on the mend! At least that's a burden off of your shoulders.

April said...

You're an amazing person, Jen. I'm glad your in-laws have been good to you!

anno said...

I'm so glad to see this news -- hope the rest of your week continues to improve!

glamah16 said...

I know what you mean about deaths when you see loved ones suffering and not having that quality of life. I have never been much of a pet person but understand the love and attachmnets that form. Hang in there strong woman!

Korie said...

Hey, guinea pigs are just as important as any other pet and I hope yours recovers well.
Also, I'm sorry to hear about your MIL but I certanly understand how the end is an end to suffering rather than a bad end. I hope all works out for you and your family.

Jen said...

Brittany and Chani, I so agree - first off, when we take an animal under our care, we DO owe them care, I believe. Brittany, one of my students had a tarantula he loved dearly. I think it's all a matter of perspective.

Thanks so much, Jerseygirl!

April, they really have - they're just lovely people.

Thanks so much, Anno - I'm sure it will, as long as we can get the little girl to eat.

Thanks to you, Glamah - I felt that virtual hug! ;-)

Lilac, thanks so much - I know you're carrying similar burdens this week and I'm thinking of you.

Dru said...

i'm glad firelight is on yhe mend.

wishing the best for your mil.

Anonymous said...

Ditto on Animal Kingdom--they rock!

painted maypole said...

as I always say, pets are family

and in laws are family, too, and I hope that this ending goes well for you MIL

Jen said...

Thanks, Dru. I hope you're totally on the mend, too!

Yay for Dr. Marsh, Patti! And all the others, too. ;-)

Thanks so much for the support, PM!

Karen Olson said...

So glad Firelight is doing better!

Marianne Arkins said...

Yay for your piggie! I balled like a baby when I lost my rat, so don't feel silly.

I'm so sorry about your MIL... her disease is such that you've already lost her. I can't imagine how tough it must be.

(((hugs)))

Jen said...

And Karen, I'm sure your sister is laughing at me! Hope you're enjoying the vacation.

Marianne - yes, we already have, but just seeing her each day is still a comfort to my FIL, and he's going to have a tough time when she finally goes.

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Not insane at all! You know I'm a pet person too, and I'm cheering for Firelight from here.

And may your MIL find peace--something we all deserve.

Sister Sassy said...

I think we talked about my love of my rat. Hope she eats... little hugs to Firelight.

Unknown said...

Yeah!

La delirante said...

I totally understand what you mean re pets. When my cat was sick I was feeling so bad I spent many hours during the night sleeping next to him and just holding his paw.

I agree with "April", you are truly an amazing person.

It must be a blessing to have good in-laws. Unfortunately I barely had the chance to meet my mother in law before she passed and my father in law...well...he is not the easiest person in the world and certainly not someone I want to hang around with...

Hope that the week will continue to improve.

Jen said...

Michelle, thanks for the kind words. I hope that Fran finds peace soon, too. And Firelight appears to be on the mend.

Yes, Sassy... those little critters can really be sweeties. I know rats are highly intelligent, too (unlike guinea pigs, unfortunately). ;-)

Thanks, Greg!

Wendy, that is similar to what my night was like - I was up feeding Ms. Firelight by hand every couple of hours. I'm delighted to say that she appears to be eating on her own now, for the most part. I'm sorry the relationship with your FIL is difficult. Again, I know how completely lucky I am!

Thistlemoon said...

So glad to hear all is well with Firelight! Pets are so important - it doesn't matter what species they are! They are all part of our family!

Best of luck for your MIL. These things are always so hard! You are just such an inspiration, Jen!

Jen said...

Jenn, I so agree about pets. We're still waiting on word on my MIL. My gut tells me we still have a ways to go yet. I wish she'd let go, but for whatever reason, she's not ready. At least she doesn't appear to be in pain or to be unduly sad. I just wish she'd had an end to life that reflected her love and what she'd meant to the others in her life - her many, many friends and family members who loved her.

Anonymous said...

I Love my in laws. It's my extended in laws (the cousins and such) that are nutheads.

Jen said...

Shamelessly Sassy - yup - we have some similar things in our family dynamics, too. Darn those cousins! ;-) Thanks so much for stopping by here!

Momisodes said...

Pets are family. We've always felt the same about ours. I don't even think we've fully recovered after losing a beloved fish (seriously). So glad Firelight is taking a turn for the better.

That is wonderful you've been able to keep a relationship with your in-laws . It's so rare, so what a treasure. My thoughts are with your and your family.

Virtualsprite said...

I'm so glad the guinea pig is doing well. It's heartbreaking when our pets are sick.

I love my in-laws, too. It makes life so much more fun, doesn't it?

Jo Beaufoix said...

Ahhh, we had guinea pigs when I was little and they were the most wonderful bets. I hope your little piggy gets better soon.
I wish you all the best for your mum-in-law too. Times like this are so hard. Thanks for your comment on my post at the Annex. I really appreciate it. :D

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry I'm behind or reading and commenting. This back to school thing is kicking my ass.

Anyway, I am so glad Firelight's surgery went well. I really am. Whether guinea pig, dog, ferret or other furry creature, they really do become a part of the family, don't they?

What a wonderful thing to have such a great relationship with your inlaws.

Jen said...

Sandy, pets rock. They really do. And I do know how lucky I am with my in-laws. They're a joy.

Sprite - I'm glad you have that kind of relationship, too!

Jo, I truly loved your post. It was just amazing.

Dingo - never feel the need to apologize - life can be too busy at times. I knew you'd understand about the pet connection. And yes, I know how lucky I am, too.

Goofball said...

oh oops, I seem to have missed a lot of news here. I am sorry to hear that you had/have quite a lot of worries to deal with.

I'm sorry to hear your MIL is dealing with severe health issues. I totally understand your remark. Sometimes suffering gets too much and even treatment starts feeling pointless. I hope she won't need to suffer much longer.

Jen said...

Hi Goofball. We'll see. It's very touch and go now. I wish I was more optimistic that she'd have an end to the suffering soon...

Anonymous said...

I'm behind on the latest here, too.

I'm glad to hear your piggy is doing well. You know I'm a pet person, too. I don't think you're insane. (If I'm being honest, I'm very suspicious of folks who aren't pet people.)

My thoughts are with you and your family. I hope your mother-in-law will find relief.