Ten days later I wrote another blog post that I had to title, “My dog Lydia has cancer.” It was really hard to type those words the very first time. I remember typing them very slowly and reluctantly. It felt like the act of typing it and sending it out into the world made it real. It’s still difficult to type the words, but I’m stronger about the whole cancer thing than I was then. And a lot of the reason is because I did write about it, and I kept writing.
When I first started blogging about Lydia’s cancer, I did so because I knew it would be therapeutic for me. I’ve always been the type to write when I’m faced with big issues. God knows, cancer is big! So since I’m a pet blogger, it just made sense to blog about her cancer.
After I started documenting Lydia’s story, I was surprised at how many people began frequenting the blog just to hear about her. People reached out and let me know if I needed to talk, they were there for me. People I didn’t even know! It made me feel like I wasn’t alone – like there were people I could turn to if I needed them. Knowing they were there, even if I didn’t write or call them, helped more than I can put into words. And even though it’s been almost three years since her diagnosis, they still follow the blog to read updates on how Lydia’s doing. She constantly has well wishes coming her way, and if I don’t update frequently enough I get emails asking how she’s doing.
As time went on, I realized I was not writing solely for my own benefit. It was clear that Lydia’s story was helping other people who had pets with health issues. A lot of them post on the blog, or write to me privately, because they need someone to talk to. The majority of them have dogs fighting the same kind of cancer as Lydia, but not all. And not all are fighting cancer, but they need someone to turn to and when they find me, they write. I don’t know how many times I’ve emailed words of encouragement, regrets for dogs or cats who have died, or to celebrate improvement. Sometimes only a few emails are exchanged. Other times emails go back and forth for quite a while. Regardless though, I know first-hand that being able to reach out to someone who understands definitely helps.
I did my share of searching for help online when Lydia was diagnosed and found some very helpful people. Sometimes I’d ask about the treatments their dogs were going through, but mostly what I wanted was moral support, and that’s what I’m able to give to people who write to me now. I still struggle with the uncertainty and fears, but being able to help someone else get through it helps me too.
I know I would have muddled through Lydia’s health issues without the Internet, but it would have been much more difficult. Sure, my family knows how much I love my dogs, but they don’t totally get the connection. I have real life friends who get it, but they have lives and can’t always be there for me. With the Internet, there’s always somebody somewhere who totally understands and can take the time to listen. And it’s a heck of a lot easier to find people online who are dealing with the very same health problem. I can’t imagine not having the Internet now, or the support system it’s given me to help get through all of Lydia’s health problems.
And just for the record, I know just how fortunate we are that Lydia is still a happy, active dog, three years post-diagnosis. She’s doing great, and although I know cancer can rear its nasty self at any time, I only hope Lydia stays healthy. Look for another update on her soon, as she goes in for an ultrasound on Monday. They make me a little nervous, but not Lydia. She loves the attention!
Photo: Lydia showing one of her best sides in our backyard.
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