Age, Excuses, and the Schmuck who keeps on trying.
No doubt we all like a good solid excuse to make life’s long list of chores a bit less burdensome.
But an excuse to skip washing the dishes is a far cry from the dismissive pass on seeking resolution to disease or discomfort when the patient is elderly.
In some cases I suppose I am guilty of being age biased myself.
Just the other day I had a client sobbing in an examination room. She arrived with the whole family to put her Doberman down. Seems a fine needle aspirate of the dogs inguinal mass came back as “consistent with sarcoma.” The dog also had a swollen knee from an old cruciate injury and subsequent mild lameness. The owner believed that these were the first signs of the impending downhill decline and was seeking relief before disease could inflict suffering. I hadn't been the veterinarian who had done the aspirate, or spoken to her about the results, I was just the poor schmuck to get the euthanasia appointment. But here before me sat a happy, bright, active, healthy looking pup. If she was dying a terrible death from cancer no one had enlightened her to that fact. As with every appointment I reviewed the file, examined the patient and sat down to assess the plan. As I spoke to the family and rubbed their dogs belly to a wag only bliss can elicit I treaded carefully.
Just the other day I had a client sobbing in an examination room. She arrived with the whole family to put her Doberman down. Seems a fine needle aspirate of the dogs inguinal mass came back as “consistent with sarcoma.” The dog also had a swollen knee from an old cruciate injury and subsequent mild lameness. The owner believed that these were the first signs of the impending downhill decline and was seeking relief before disease could inflict suffering. I hadn't been the veterinarian who had done the aspirate, or spoken to her about the results, I was just the poor schmuck to get the euthanasia appointment. But here before me sat a happy, bright, active, healthy looking pup. If she was dying a terrible death from cancer no one had enlightened her to that fact. As with every appointment I reviewed the file, examined the patient and sat down to assess the plan. As I spoke to the family and rubbed their dogs belly to a wag only bliss can elicit I treaded carefully.
“Aren't we just buying time?” the mom asked.
“Well, aren't we all trying to do that?” I replied. “And she’s only four years old?” I muttered.
There I was using age as reason to rethink a treatment plan, (none had been discussed after the cytology results). Age does matter. It does influence our decisions, as much as it influences a presumed diagnosis and presumed prognosis. Thing is I hate guessing if guessing is going to be a death sentence. Who the hell am I? The All Knowing One? Nope, I’m still just that little 10 year old girl who wanted to go to vet school to save pets still trying to get you both another day.
There I was using age as reason to rethink a treatment plan, (none had been discussed after the cytology results). Age does matter. It does influence our decisions, as much as it influences a presumed diagnosis and presumed prognosis. Thing is I hate guessing if guessing is going to be a death sentence. Who the hell am I? The All Knowing One? Nope, I’m still just that little 10 year old girl who wanted to go to vet school to save pets still trying to get you both another day.
Disease is disease, and some diseases are even curable. Age, well, age is just a number.
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| Savannah. There isn't a day that I don't miss her. |
...and for those of you who would worry, (like I do)... there is a happy ending here.. stay tuned.
Pawbly.com is a free place to ask, answer and share pet information. Please stop by and visit.
You can find me on Twitter @FreePetAdvice, or in the clinic, Jarrettsville Vet, in Jarrettsville Maryland.
Pawbly.com is a free place to ask, answer and share pet information. Please stop by and visit.
You can find me on Twitter @FreePetAdvice, or in the clinic, Jarrettsville Vet, in Jarrettsville Maryland.
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