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A dog is truly man's best friend. After I was diagnosed with cancer, I clearly understood what this meant. It was then that I realized the true benefits derived from having these precious little friends.

At that time I had two Cairn Terriers, Krystal and Ginger. They were siblings from the same litter, able to spend their entire lives together. Early on, Ginger was always very attentive in taking care of any family member who was sick. She earned the special nickname of "Nurse" Ginger.

For months I experienced life altering pain. I would come from home from work and collapse on the sofa, tears rolling down my face. The pain radiated throughout my body, much like I would imagine a pulsating radioactive center emits energy from its core. My girls would curl up near my feet, very gently letting me know they were there. No matter what you were going through you could see worry and concern on Ginger's little face, as she watched over you with an observant eye. Krystal provided a source of unconditional love, but was much more reserved when it came to illness. She often seemed to be frightened of getting to close, perhaps because she didn't want to cause further pain.

As I learned through an MRI that I had a tumor, the doctor sent me to the hospital where I spent 25 days in treatment. The biopsy said it was Chordoma, a very rare bone cancer. The tumor was attached to my spine and had destroyed my T-12 vertebrae, so I had to have very extensive surgery to treat this condition. They tried to prepare me for the prognosis and informed me that with this spinal cord injury I would never walk again.

Once surgery was behind me, I spent a few weeks in physical and occupational therapy before being sent home. It was difficult and very painful, but I was determined to do my best to return to the life I knew. I understood that I might never be normal again, but I longed to be the best I could.

The day I was released from the hospital, I returned home to my little girls. They were anxiously waiting by the door. Krystal was overjoyed to see my face again, but she seemed afraid of getting to close to this person she recognized, who now had braces on her legs and back. My body was still swollen from the fluids I had been given during surgery. I had a home care nurse, assisting with my daily medical needs for several months. She didn't seem to know what to think about the wheelchair sitting in the living in the living room or the walker as I worked to get back up on my feet.

Ginger, on

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