Kathy
07-25-2012, 10:29 AM
Here is a poem I wrote about my dog Maggie and her battle with Cushing's. I was so afraid to start the Trilostane (we use the compounded liquid), but today is her 70th day on the drug, and her life is so much better. I wish hope for all of you; the care taking for our beloved dogs is grueling, but hope does ease the burdens we are carrying. Kathy Lillis
HOPE
Cortisol creeps uninhibited through her veins,
Revving her body like high-octane gasoline,
Life supporting yet potentially deadly,
Necessity turned curse,
Simple hormone, harmless in moderation, now poison with a punch.
Cortisol torments her body,
Turning glossy fur coat dull and thin,
Sapping energy and wasting muscle.
Turning kibble to caviar and water to nectar,
Bringing unrestrained hunger and thirst.
Pituitary tumor,
Adrenals enlarged
Compromised body systems
Ruled by this demon called Cortisol,
A madman with vast and unlimited power.
A figure appears on the horizon,
White knight called Trilostane stands bigger than life.
His arrogance stirs the air; handsome face split by a cruel mouth.
Hero or villain? Too soon to tell.
Hope or despair? Trilostane offers hope.
They meet to do battle inside my dog's body,
Her life hangs in the balance.
Trilostane is merciless but cautious. If he kills his foe, she dies too.
Cortisol's retreat is imperative, but
both must live, and Trilostane shall rule.
Flickers of light in her eyes, missing for months.
Lapping water from her bowl, gulping long gone.
Sleeping through the night to wake on dry bed.
Muscle building to support a stronger body.
Trilostane 1/Cortisol 0. Hope is alive.
HOPE
Cortisol creeps uninhibited through her veins,
Revving her body like high-octane gasoline,
Life supporting yet potentially deadly,
Necessity turned curse,
Simple hormone, harmless in moderation, now poison with a punch.
Cortisol torments her body,
Turning glossy fur coat dull and thin,
Sapping energy and wasting muscle.
Turning kibble to caviar and water to nectar,
Bringing unrestrained hunger and thirst.
Pituitary tumor,
Adrenals enlarged
Compromised body systems
Ruled by this demon called Cortisol,
A madman with vast and unlimited power.
A figure appears on the horizon,
White knight called Trilostane stands bigger than life.
His arrogance stirs the air; handsome face split by a cruel mouth.
Hero or villain? Too soon to tell.
Hope or despair? Trilostane offers hope.
They meet to do battle inside my dog's body,
Her life hangs in the balance.
Trilostane is merciless but cautious. If he kills his foe, she dies too.
Cortisol's retreat is imperative, but
both must live, and Trilostane shall rule.
Flickers of light in her eyes, missing for months.
Lapping water from her bowl, gulping long gone.
Sleeping through the night to wake on dry bed.
Muscle building to support a stronger body.
Trilostane 1/Cortisol 0. Hope is alive.