This Fall has brought my family a series of challenges that we could have never anticipated. In September, a traditionally busy season for wedding photography and for teaching at SFU and FIC, our sweet little golden retriever puppy, Bella, suffered form kidney failure due to a medication that she was prescribed post-spay surgery. It is a widely prescribed medication that most dogs have no problem with. But once and while, one dog will. Our dog. She almost did not survive. For weeks, she was in and out of critical care as they tried to stabilize her time and time again. It was heart breaking. There were days when I didn’t know how my heart would survive the pain, surely it would just give up.
Well, my heart didn’t give up. But someones did. What most of you don’t know is that the day that Bella’s kidneys began to fail, my Dad suffered a massive heart attack. His wonderful coworker, Richard, was driving him to work when it all started. Richard knew something was very wrong when my Dad turned green in the car. Richard rushed him to the emergency room in Kelowna. And that was when my dad waited and waited to see a doctor and then… died…
Due to the marvels of modern medicine, he was resuscitated with the panels and rushed to surgery. On that day, the good people at the emergency room in Kelowna, brought my Dad back to life. Thank you to them, and to Richard, and to God for saving my Dad’s life.
My Dad has managed to recover reasonably well. While there have been a few hiccups, the doctors seem very optimistic about his recovery. My Dad, who LOVES to drive, is excited to be back behind the wheel of a car as of last week.
These days, everyone asks me how Bella is doing. I wish I could say everything is perfect now. I wish I could say I don’t spend most of my days worrying that we have not yet turned that coveted corner. Though, I think, maybe, just maybe, with the help of your prayers and thoughts, that this time we have. While it feels to early to celebrate once and for all, her kidney tests have come back clean. Every time. After weeks in and out of hospital, she now seems stable. There are a few issues with her tummy now, but hopefully she just needs more time to recover. She is happy. Especially now that she gets to sleep in the bed with us.
Well, if the weather is any indicator, Fall 2012 appears to have come and gone. With November 1st just days away (which is also my Dad’s birthday), I am hopeful that we can return to our normal lives and I can begin to learn to trust that everything really will really be okay.
My thanks for all of your kind wishes, prayers and thoughts over the past two months. We have received phone calls, messages, hugs from neighbours, emails, chocolate covered strawberries, and so much empathy. I know we could not have gotten through all of this without you. To my clients: You have been patient with me. As I export my final wedding of the year, I can’t help but want to thank you for this gift.
A photograph of what is likely the last nice day of Fall 2012 that we had.
My Dad and my Bella.
Thanks for helping me to keep one of these… 
on my face.
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