In November of 2002, we discovered that Stratford had a large growth on one of the lobes of his liver. We had been monitoring him for some time using blood work, which showed something was up with his liver. An ultrasound showed us the growth. A biopsy indicated that the growth was non-cancerous, which was very encouraging. In December 2002, surgery was performed to remove the growth, which was the size of a grapefruit!!! It turned out that the growth was beginning to perforate and had been removed in the nick of time! This was amazing because Stratford felt just fine all this time. The lab report, however, showed that the growth was cancerous after all, although a slow growing form.

Over the following month, it became evident that the surgery had been hard on Stratford. Everything healed up well, but something was not right with him as time went on. We weren't sure, but he may have suffered a small stroke a few weeks after the surgery, causing him to have trouble laying himself down and he was becoming depressed. We tried acupuncture and some other things, but these didn't seem to do much. Medication helped some with the depression.

We found out about Sheila and Wellsprings and Stratford started going to see Sheila in April 2003. He was apprehensive about being in the water at first, but with Sheila's calm demeanor, patience and encouragement he eventually was able to swim all on his own, tossing the life vest he had worn at first to the side of the pool. At the end of each session, Stratford would be so proud of himself and quite the happy guy. Sheila was quite impressed how well Stratford progressed. He loved the massaged she did for him and she showed me how to massage him to make him more comfortable at home too. I was able to get him in comfortable positions lying down to sleep and he was getting around for his walks much better now. Stratford loved all of his time at the pool! I can't say enough about Sheila and the massage and water therapy. She, and those who work with her, have great compassion and love for their clients, not to mention tremendous skill and knowledge. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her and Wellsprings to any owner and their dog.

Stratford, helped by our Vet at our home surrounded by his loving family, did pass away in June 2003. (He started going downhill - probably the cancer was growing back.) We miss him very much but we know he is with God now. We thank God for the long and happy life he blessed Stratford with and we thank God for blessing us with Sheila Wells. Thank you, Sheila for helping Stratford get quality and comfort back into his life for his last few months.

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Revised: 15 Apr 2006 14:48
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