Allerzeit Posted May 14, 2006 Share Posted May 14, 2006 And Allerzeit. I feel quite selfish and self absorbed. Don't you dare feel like that :smile: Our fight is over and we now move on, knowing that Stu is in peace. Everyone who is still fighting needs every bit of support we can offer, and offer it we will. DOL is nothing short of amazing with the comfort and support that is always evident, and this support is soooo important. Give Kal big cuddles from us. :D Trace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted May 14, 2006 Share Posted May 14, 2006 I agree, don't feel selfish... It always seems to be a roller coaster when they are ill... To be so happy one minute and so concerned the next - if only it was smooth sailing... (It is a wonder that we are not all on medication for our emotions)... You and Kal are in our thoughts and our fingers are crossed that this is just a small hurdle to overcome... Jodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Erny I am still keeping you and Kal in my prayers. Hoping for good news soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 15, 2006 Author Share Posted May 15, 2006 Hey you lot. Thank you for visiting here. Kal's nose continued to leak 'gunk' over night and she was feeling a bit low, it seems. Managed to get an 11am appointment with Guy today and only returned home about 1 hour ago. With Kal under GA, Guy scoped her nose and throat (from both ways) and found nothing. I was hoping for a grass seed or some such, as that would be our simple answer. The good news is that there was no tumour - not one that was detectable by the scope, anyway. Nasal passage is inflamed. He flushed all the gunk away and took a sample of the 'gunk'. Does show bacterial - although not fungal. Kal's on antibiotics. We talked about a CT scan (more conclusive). Cost = $700.00. More on that in a moment. While Kal was under, they did a further Ultrasound on the affected Adrenal Gland. It is pressing on the Vena Cava Vein (main vein which supplies blood to the back legs) quite alarmingly. Is this why Kal is losing power in the hind legs? Maybe. Although Guy's not overly confident that's the case - he suggests that the back legs would show swelling if blood supply was an issue there. But he does suggest it may be a contributing cause. We won't really know 100% in this respect unless we operate to remove the tumour and allow the Vena Cava Vein to flow freely. Further, the ultra sound shows a 'cloud' IN the Vena Cava Vein. This could either be: An innocent blood clot formed as a result of the impeded blood flow. A malignant blood clot. A tumour growing inside the vein. It seems to be detached from the Adrenal tumour (we think) so it may not be that the adrenal tumour has invaded the Vena Cava Vein, although this possibility is not ruled out. Guy doesn't want to wait longer than necessary for surgery. I need to recheck, but I think Kal's pre-surgery meds began Saturday week ago. Minimum 2 weeks meds = Saturday 20th May. Guy will bring his schedule forward to accomodate surgery on Monday 22nd May instead of 29th May. (Normally would not be doing surgeries at all next week.) If I don't go for surgery, there's quite a chance that the tumour will cause the Vena Cavea Vein to split and bleed out. This would be quite painful for Kal if this occurred. I managed to extract from Guy his 'gut feeling' on how long Kal might have if I didn't go ahead with surgery. He doesn't know what he basis it on but he suggested 6 months. Funny, I've been thinking that too and I don't know what I'm basing it on either. The longer we wait for surgery, the less chance of success. Now - back to Kal's nose and the CT scan. This is the plan....... See how she goes now it's all been flushed out and her on antibiotics. If it clears up - no need for the CT scan (and I save $700.00). If not cleared up, Guy will do a CT scan on the day of but prior to surgery and will proceed to surgery depending on the results. Guy checked Kal over (basic neurological examination). Back legs show slightly slow responses and he does believe there is probably some degenerative/old age related issues there, but not too bad. That's the upshot of today (as far as I can recall it). Guy was very patient with my questioning. He's given me a copy of his notes regarding adrenal tumour removal to read. We had a laugh that he will be able to come out of surgery and consult with me if he has any difficulties along the way. I also met with the anethesiast who was lovely. Although they can't say one way or the other and have obviously made the risks very obvious, I can't help feeling more confident having spoken with them both. I am going to sleep on it (ie the decision as to whether we operate or not) for a day or so, and then let them know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 15, 2006 Author Share Posted May 15, 2006 DOL is nothing short of amazing with the comfort and support that is always evident Ain't that the truth. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 15, 2006 Author Share Posted May 15, 2006 It is a wonder that we are not all on medication for our emotions... Don't joke. I may well make good use of Kal's pre-surgery meds that are left over. Noticed today at the Vet's that Kal was really very calm compared to normal. Oh! The good news? Kal weighed in at 28.4 kgs today. So she's put on a whole 2 kgs since I started feeding her chicken approximately 4 weeks ago. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Ahhh life with an ill dog - one step forward and two steps back... We are all here for you and Kal... Hugs Jodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttaburra Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Well, you and Kal have certainly had a day of it. Good news that Kal's sinuses will be nice and cleared should the surgery go ahead in a few days time, and that nothing sinister was detected with the scope. Nice to hear Kal is also tucking away a bit in reserve should she need it, and obviously enjoying her food. Hope you have a quieter and more restful week after this last encounter. Sending you and Kal you lots of positive thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longclaw Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Good luck Erny (and Kal). I know this must be really tough for you. I don't have any practical advice, but I will say this: when you're acting out of love with your boy's best interests at heart, any decision you make will be the right one, no matter how things turn out. I know it doesn't help much, but I hope you know what I mean. Will be thinking of the two of you over the next few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 15, 2006 Author Share Posted May 15, 2006 when you're acting out of love with your boy's best interests at heart, any decision you make will be the right one, no matter how things turn out. Thank you, Longclaw. And I do know what you mean. This is my dilemma. Am I being fair to Kal by putting her through this surgery (given her age and that she went through 3 surgeries only 2.5 years ago due to swallowing a bone) when she doesn't understand what it's about and why? I am beating myself up over this question, and the question is regardless of what the outcome of the forthcoming surgery is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbesotted Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Erny, you can only do what you feel comfortable doing ( and I do know how trite that sounds). You have gathered as much information as you can, spoken at length with specialists in the area, and now you are at the sharp end of the road: decision time. It so sften seesm to be be damned if you , do be damned if you dont. Changing your mind every 10 seconds or even more frequently. This is perfectly normal. No matter what you decide it will be right and you need to then go forward without looking back to the what ifs.... Thinking of you. Helen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 It is a hard time for you Erny. At least you now have found a vet who will listen to your concerns and consider your questions and investigate when necessary. That must be some comfort. Remember that while you know all about Kal's problems, she doesn't. What she knows is that she loves the time and care you give her. Still thinking good thoughts for you and Kal and the other poorly dogs on DOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InspectorRex Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 You know we are all thinking of you and Kal here and pray for you both every night. You have my ph numbers if you need to give me a call and "off-load" to someone. PS" Phoebe" says lots of love and licks from her too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 16, 2006 Author Share Posted May 16, 2006 Thanks for your thoughts, everyone. I'd love for a chrystal ball, right now. I know the decision rests in my hands. I have been thinking about not proceeding with the op ....... but my mind is suggesting I can't not. Me thinks it will be a decision at the last moment and even then with lots of trepidation. IR - thanks. I haven't asked in a while - hope Phoebe is going well. Say hello from Aunty "Erny". ;) And to your Dad, please, who I also hope is well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Erny all of the descisions we make on behalf of our dogs are difficult, but we end up doing what it right for their sakes. The love you are showing Kal will surely give support to him if you decide to go with the operation, or if you decide to do nothing further. You know you have our support all of the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted May 17, 2006 Share Posted May 17, 2006 erny I wish so much that we could help you with your fears, sending hugs to you and Kal for the tough days ahead. We are all here for you both Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 17, 2006 Author Share Posted May 17, 2006 (edited) This morning, Kal was quite chirpy. We got up - she did her usual routine of waiting on her outdoor beanbag in the morning sunshine while I had my breaky and then fixed hers. Her appetite was good and, having licked her bowl clean, thoroughly checking the floor and hoping for bits that just might have dropped there, joined me in the 'office', where she took her place on her bed/mattress. Having responded to a couple of emails and completed a call from the Vet's assistant, I no sooner hung up the phone when Kal threw a fit/seizure. In terms of my experience of fits (limited), this appeared quite violent. Foam/froth everywhere, legs kicking stiffly and wildly, mouth gnashing. I think time slowed down for me (adrenoline at its best) and I aborted any fleeting idea about rushing to a Vet. I stayed with her, spoke to her and stroked her throughout the ordeal. I doubt she was actually conscious of what was happening. She certainly wasn't 'there' - I could see that from her eyes - pupils had diminished to pinhole size, but I do feel she knew my presence. After about 3 minutes, the fitting subsided and Kal gradually returned to consciousness. Very similar to a dog coming out of GA. She wanted to get up, but couldn't manage, so propped herself up against me in a 'sit' position. After a further 10 minutes or so, she groggily managed to stand on her somewhat wobbly and foreign legs and began to walk around. I did ring the Vet's assistant, who suggested that once things had settled I take Kal to my local emergency clinic. I told her I didn't think I would. More poking and probing - probably going over old ground. Kal, I feel, has had more than her fair share of this and I think would be glad of simply being allowed to rest in peace and without added stresses. I think the Vet's assistant agreed with me. For the next 1 hour, she would not relax, would not lay down, would walk around inside the house and around outside the back yard. It seemed that her legs didn't quite belong to her, having a bit of a mind of their own. She appeared confused; disorientated. I did note, however, that she had the clarity of mind to check her food bowl for extras along the way. . During this time, the water in the saucepan in which her chicken fillet was steaming boiled dry but fortunately did not spoil - although I did end up with a considerably black saucepan and an amount of smoke in the kitchen. I wasn't sure if Kal was going to last, and if this was going to be the case, then I wanted to deliver at least one of the few pleasures in her life, so quickly prepared the chicken suitably for her to eat, which she did with gusto. I hand feed her the chicken, and I noticed she'd forgotten some of her bite inhibition in her eagerness. A little afterwards, she finally layed down on her bean bag, which I'd positioned in the morning sun and there we sat for the next couple of hours. Me giving her the other pleasure in her life ......... belly and underarm tickles/rubs. ;) By this stage, Kal was very obviously exhausted from the ordeal and fought sleep - again, similarly to a dog who's been given sedative. I was going to do Kal's nails today (she hates it!). I told her this was one hell of a way to get out of that one! Come 2.45pm, she seemed a bit more 'herself', although quiet and still a little tired, but not as 'clingy' to me as she was earlier. Just for a break, though, I helped her into the car and took her to one of our local parks. We spent a minute with her sniffing stories from a few of the trees, but I could see that was enough and we returned to the car and then home, where I fed her an early dinner (to her delight). After that, I think both of us were 'feeling it' so we went to our respective beds (hers is next to mine) for a rest. This is where she is now (although she has been up once or twice since), and she seems comfortable albeit a bit worn out. As a result of today, I feel there are more things going on than meets the eye and I think this has been my deciding factor to NOT procede to surgery on Monday. Although things change day by day and minute by minute, I am not so confident that Kal would make it through surgery anyway. I had previously asked for some sort of sign to tell me whether surgery was right for her or not. I can't help feeling today's episode was that sign. I don't know what's going to happen in the days/weeks(?) ahead. My remaining wish (as it always has been) is that Kal be relieved of any further fuss and bother from being poked, probed and visited by Vets, by being blessed with a peaceful passage to the other side of the bridge. Whatever the case, I will do whatever shall become necessary for Kal's benefit and comfort. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, well wishes, support and kindness throughout Kal's journey over the last few months. Sharing with you has helped immensly - more than some may imagine, and has been a great source of comfort and strength. I will let you know how things go, over time, for Kal. For now, though, our plan is for one day at a time. ;) Edited May 17, 2006 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InspectorRex Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 Hugs coming your way From your Gippsland " family" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pampa Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 Oh shit Ern You poor sweety. I'm home on Mum & dads wind-up computer with a foreign key board so I can't write all I'd like to but just wanted to say I'm thinking of you. I'll try to call or at least PM you. Hugs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zayda_asher Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 Both of you look after each other! DanXXOO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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