HENRY: The Decision.

Well, Richard S. agrees with our vet, Alex, that Henry as multiple problems, his enlarged heart which is pressing on his trachea is the main one but there is something with his lungs and, looking at his bloods from before Christmas there would appear to be something with his liver as well. The heart/trachea problem was very easy to diagnose and the problem with his lungs too, but the kidney one is not so clearly defined and Richard S. agreed with Alex that there is definitely an enlarged kidney or one with a tumour and he, too, could only see one kidney. He said to clarify what is wrong with his kidney would need further X-rays, bloods and an ultra sound ...

I discussed every aspect with Alex and there is nothing that they can do to actually help Henry. Finding out what is the matter with his kidney will need another anaesthetic and the last one took him twice as long as normal to recover from, and diagnosing the kidney thing won't cure the heart problem, only put more strain on it. And the heart is the main ill.

At the end of the day they can't prolong his life. What they suggested would entail an enormous amount of stress which Henry doesn't cope with at all well. So, I have decided to give him quality rather than quantity and leave it to nature. He is quite happy at the moment, eating well, enjoying doing as he pleases and getting lots of cuddles. He has had enough of medicines and vets and I'm going to make him as happy as I can for the time he as left, which could be weeks, maybe months if we are lucky. I won't let him suffer and I won't put him through all those procedures that are not going to cure him, or give him a longer life.

This is now Henry's Time and he's in charge.

Awww hunny
Thinking of you and henry
Xxx

Oh Woodwench, i'm so sorry to hear all this, but do think you have made the right choice. As you say, if its not going to make him any better or prolong is life,and only add stress on top then there is no point.

All the time he is happy and enjoying his life, then as you say, go with the flow and make it as happy as you can.

I know this doesn't always mean its going to be easy for you though - I went through it last year with Tia.
Hugs, nose rubs
xx

As long as he he enjoying himself love that is all that matters and he is there with you to love him.  You are both in my thoughts and prayers and thank you for keeping us updated.

Hugs
JO xx

He's had a good day. A busy morning eating, napping and checking up on me as I finished off decorating the utility room. He had a big bunch of grass mid-afternoon and scoffed it in double quick time. He had a toast treat at tea time and then set about a pile of herbs and veg. He's had 2 fenugreek crunchers with his evening nuggets and as I write he is at full stretch, relaxed and asleep in front of the fire.
I'm looking forward to our cuddle when I join him there later. I know I won't be going to sleep in my bed again while he is still with me.

So sorry to hear this Dee, but at least you understand what is happening now and keep Henry as comfortable as possible.

That does sound like a good day indeed love, I am so pleased to hear it.

Hugs
Jo xx

Each good day is a bonus now. The past week as been pretty good, a couple of quiet days when he slept a lot but he wasn't poorly with it.
The vets have said weeks, maybe months ... I know that isn't long, not when I think how quickly this week went by. And I know I can't expect every week to be as good as this was. I've just ordered this Alice in Wonderland quote ....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wooden-Alice-Wonderland-White-Rabbit/dp/B0199VQW8E/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1457907712&sr=8-18-spons&keywords=alice+in+wonderland+white+rabbit+wall+art&psc=1

It seems very apt.

That's so lovely

Xxx

Henry is enjoying being spoilt. I've had a stand (actually it's like a shallow dish) made to stand his food bowl in to raise it about 3/4 of an inch so he doesn't have to bend his head and so put strain on his breathing when he eats. He chinned it in approval.
It's so good seeing him enjoying himself and doing natural rabbit things. He tires very easily but he still enjoys stealing my hearth brush.

that is a great idea, he'll be able to munch away.
Will you have to make a toast shaped one for when he pinches your toast?

Xxx

Oh, he's got me trained... I provide him with a nice bunny-sized portion of toast every afternoon, done just the right shade of golden brown he loves!
But tonight the raised dish did seem to make things easier and he scoffed most of the nuggets whereas he's only been eating a very few over several sessions.
His drink bowl is already raised because he has it on the hearth by the fire because he likes to drink tepid warm water.

Ha ha go Henry, but make sure he doesn't let my lot know the secret to training humans lol

Must have been straining on him bending over.

Xxx

Oh, he know how to hypnotise his mum with his handsome looks.
Yes. It affects his breathing. On his X-ray the vet showed me how his trachea should go in a straight line over his heart, but because of the enlargement of his heart Henrys trachea looks like the road sign for a hump backed bridge.

I'm soryy to hear this and yet this time is so valuable. I know he is spoiled and the idea of the raised dish is fab. 10 points fot hunmum
And cuddles to you both.

That is so true Woodwench love.  I think they contact us through the mind to let us know what they want and I for one don't mind a little LOL!!   Lots of love to you both from me too.

Hugs
JO xx

Thanks to you all for your good wishes to me and my boy.
I'm getting very worried now ...I have said if my tissue samples are normal I shall forgo the hysterectomy (which is the treatment my gynaecologist recommends no matter what the biopsy shows) until he has journeyed on. But I don't know what will happen if I have the Big C and the op cannot be delayed. My vet said he thinks Henry would be best at home while I'm in Hospital. He would be in familiar surroundings and a friend would visit several times a day to feed him and keep him company. He wouldn't be stressed like he would in strange surroundings with other rabbits around him, he's not really a rabbits rabbit.

I'm sorry to hear this I'm actually stumped for words.

Has Henry had good day today?

He's slept a lot today. I had to go shopping and it was long day. I usually go shopping with Mike, my friend's husband (he's 85 and frail and needs help). Today he had an opticians appointment, I had my annual visit to the hairdressers, and Meg came along as she had an appointment with her rheumatologist. So I was gone from 10-45 to nearly 3-00. I know he had slept all that time as there was no "evidence" in his tray and his food dish was the same as when I left. But he is okay, as eaten well this evening and been nosing around and doing various rabbit things.
I'm not worried by his sleepiness as long as he's relaxed and eats okay.

I am so glad he hear that he has eaten tonight love and is getting back to his usual bunny self.

Hugs
JO xx

Another sleepy day. There's a pattern emerging now. The only variation is in the amount of activity in the morning and evening. Some mornings he retires early (9 or 9-30) others he will still be hopping around until 11. And in the evenings he is either up and about by 6-30 or 7 or still sleeping till gone 9.
But as long as he is sleeping relaxed and comfy then I'm happy, though I miss his company and "helpfulness".
At the moment he is ripping into a sweetheart cabbage leaf.

Top up loves on their way hunni, thank you for keeping us updated.

Hugs
Jo xx

A sleepy day after a rather nutty morning.... so wonderful to have him attacking my slippers!
He is taking things very much in his stride, no stress, just lots of loving.

It's great when their up to naughtiness especially when they aren't well.

Xxx

So sorry to hear he is so tired all the time, but glad you are both able to deal with it the best you can. Fingers and toes and ears all tightly crossed for not having to go into Hospital before Henry is ready. However if it did have to happen i'm sure you will both deal with it as you have everything else.

xxx