9-29-01

Magnum has had 3 Adequan shots now. I have given him each one and each time I dread giving it. I give them in the muscle in his legs. The weather is getting cooler here and he won't be able to swim much longer. It's too cold for us now so he goes out in the lake by himself now. We walk him down the road a bit then down to the lake. He runs into the water full speed. Then we walk along the beach and he follows, or maybe I should say, he runs off in the water and chases the ducks away. You can see the pure joy on his face as he runs into the water.

He does seem to be a bit sore after we get back but he hasn't gone off the leg yet. He doesn't like to bear weight on the leg while standing still after he's been swimming but he still walks on it pretty good. So, I'm not sure what to think about the Adequan. As hard as he runs in the water, I think it must be helping him. He runs full speed after those ducks. The only thing is that we don't let him stay out as long. He was swimming 30 minutes every other day, now he is in the water for about 10 or 15 and walks for about 10 minutes. The leg doesn't look quite as bulked up as the "good" leg. I hope we aren't losing the muscle that we've gained from swimming now that Winter is coming. I'm hoping the Adequan will let him walk more normally so he can build up that muscle.

My husband just lost his job the other day. They don't give you any notice, they just call and say don't come in. There were many others who lost their jobs as well which will make finding another one a little harder. We have been praying for the right place for my husband for a while now as he hasn't been real happy there so maybe this is an answer to prayer. God never does do things the way I would and it's probably a good thing but it does make me a bit nervous sometimes. I know that He is still in control and I know I can trust Him to take care of us. I don't know what that means in relation to Magnum's Adequan. I have enough for 2 months beyond his first month. The first month is the most expensive as they need 8 shots that first month. However, if I don't see enough difference to warrant spending that much money, we'll stop the Adequan.

It's been 5 1/2 months since Magnum's surgery. I think what we have now is what we are left with for good, except maybe for building up the muscle some more. I just hope and pray his other leg holds.