Miracle Dog

Good news to share

Dear Substack friends,

I just posted this on social media and am going to paste it here verbatim. You’ve shared in my sorrow. Now share in my relief and joy.

photo by Bryan Mitchell

“Friends and family,

I'm a bit stunned.

I received a phone call from Ruby's oncologist with the results from last week's blood draw with unbelievably good news: Ruby's cancer has gone into remission!

As you can imagine, I'm just floored.

The daily chemotherapy and steroid combination has been very effective and remaining cancer cells are trace, not detectible in tests.

Medical miracle.

To wake up and hug her knowing she is not riddled with cancer in her blood and bones -- the relief is massive. I feel like a heavy cloud has been lifted from my life. Today, I'm just teary with gratitude!

Ruby will have to be on chemo for an additional year to 18 months. And steroids for the foreseeable future. The steroids cause us the greatest trouble, causing long nights of foraging, constant restlessness and barking at me for more food and water for hours, wanting to go out a million times to pee. Even with a reduced dose. I'll deal with that (*rubs tired eyes.*)

My doghter's cancer is in remission!!!

And now, to thank you all. To friends far and near who have asked me about Ruby and about how I'm doing, to those who have written supportive and compassionate comments in response to posts, to those who have sent healing wishes and energy, to those who have prayed, to those who have so generously offered to practically help us --

THANK YOU!

Please never underestimate the impact you have made for good. You all have helped me through an incredibly difficult time. Thank you for supporting me when I was melting down and folding up. Thank you for your kindnesses, especially the direct "How is Ruby?" and "How are you managing?" messages. I can't express how much these demonstrations of support and love mean to me.

Ruby says THANK YOU!!! She Loves you all.

And so do I.”

photos by Bryan Mitchell

Thanking God for this special Christmas present to me and Ruby!

We send our love to those of you now celebrating Hanukkah. We send our love to those celebrating Christmas and other holy days.

Enjoy the sparkle and wonder of this season.

Hold your loved ones tight. This season, replete with cheer and excitement, is also fraught with angst and immense loneliness for many. Please, with me, reach out to those who are alone, to those who have difficult family relationships, to those who have experienced major losses and are grieving, to those you know who struggle with depression. Be kind to one another, compassionate and empathetic. Remember that each soul matters and deserves respect. Be especially good to customer service people right now. Share a smile — they are so rare these days.

And this: be good to and gentle with yourself. Because you and your needs matter, too.

Finally, don’t miss wonderworld! It’s all around you. In the sweet face of your furbaby. In the eyes of your little ones. In the fragile hands of your elders. In the voices of children of all ages singing festive and holy songs. In the frost patterns on your windshield. In the light of the morning sun and the evening star. In the evergreens and their determination to keep color in our landscape. In the smells of hot chocolate. In the taste of snowflakes on your tongue.

Your turn.

With loads of love,

Linda and Ruby.

P.S. In celebration of Ruby’s new “Cancer Survivor” status, I’ve started a chat thread. It’s just fun, a simple way to connect and send a quick note, quote, or photo and you can write back if you’d like. Once again, free.