Parallels

How is it possible for the human heart to be near bursting with joy over the addition of a new child into the family and breaking apart at the contemplation of losing another member of the family at the same time?

It is with great sadness that I share that our Konrad has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his rear leg below the knee. This cancer is a fast growing extremely painful disease with no cure. Ironically, it is the one of the same types of cancer that my mother faced. Left untreated, the risk of broken bones would be high and Konrad's life would probably be coming to a close about the time we would be leaving for India. I don't know if there is such a thing as perfect timing, but I can tell you this is not it. Amputation is the option we chose. While this is not a cure, it will take away Konrad's pain and hopefully will prolong his longevity, allowing us to travel to India and avoid leaving Konrad's fate in the hands of those who would be caring for him in our absence. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we pursue Konrad's treatment. His surgery is in progress as I type this.

On the same day that we received this sad news, we also received new photos and a video of our sweet DeeDee, courtesy of another traveling family. Naturally, it brought a lift in our spirits as we witnessed, for the first time, our princess sitting independently and sucking her thumb. What a bright spot she brings to our lives at this difficult time without even knowing it.

*Update: Our dear boy made it through the surgery quite well. He rallied, was drinking water and things looked very hopeful. Unfortunately, there was a complication. A blood clot broke loose and went to his heart. The vet administered CPR and revived him and again Konrad was doing well. Later, his heart stopped a second time and Konrad could not be revived.

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our dear poochie. He would have truly loved a tail pull or ear scritch from Devi and certainly any scraps of food that may have fallen his way. He will be dearly missed. He was such a good boy.