After 11 weeks and 4 days, Lady had 2 of her pins removed - the two closest to the break. Stella called from VREC to let me know the surgery went very well and that Dr. P. was "pleasantly surprised" at how stable the leg is. Whew.
Freddie and I will go pick her up tonight and get her settled in at home. I think we'll set the x-pen back up and keep her confined after bedtime.
As soon as I see the official discharge papers and read the updated care instructions, I'll post an update.
I'm expecting another 6 weeks of healing. Slow is better than nothing at all.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Thursday, October 20, 2005
LIVE from VREC Norwalk
Freddie and I are sitting in the waiting room at the Veterinary Referral and Emergency Clinic. Lady has gone lame and her pins spots are irritated. As we speak she is getting some new x-rays which I hope will show more healing.
I started to worry a few days ago when I noticed more discharge from her pin spots. Last night when I took her out, she didn't want to walk. This morning, she didn't want to get off her bed. Oy.
The ride here sucked and I feel like I am going to vomit.
UPDATE - Dr. Palmisano is going to admit Lady and, tomorrow, start to destabilize her leg. He'll take 2 pins out and adjust the frame. So, not great news, not horrible.
I started to worry a few days ago when I noticed more discharge from her pin spots. Last night when I took her out, she didn't want to walk. This morning, she didn't want to get off her bed. Oy.
The ride here sucked and I feel like I am going to vomit.
UPDATE - Dr. Palmisano is going to admit Lady and, tomorrow, start to destabilize her leg. He'll take 2 pins out and adjust the frame. So, not great news, not horrible.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Building my ark - and filling it with raw food
It is something like the 8th straight day of rain here. I knew we would pay for all of the clear, sunny days of September.
Rooney just called from Mohegan Sun. He called me from the casino floor so I could hear the *ding ding ding ding* of the slots - a reminder of our days in Las Vegas. When I asked if the usual suspects were at the craps table with their scotch, cigarettes, and oxygen-on-wheel, he said "of course, when I walked in here at 9 a.m. the place was full of them."
Anyway, back to the rain. First of all, Lady is frightened by the umbrella, so I either have to wait for a break in the rain, or don my Gorton's fisherman slicker and take her out. Second, we are going through quite a few towels - I have to dry her off everytime we come inside. Third, we havent' really been able to walk as much, so she is a bit rambunctious and, with her bad stick, it really isn't great for her to be sliding all over the floors.
This morning I cut her nails, thinking that might help stop the skidding. BUT, I clipped one too short and a tremendous amount of blood started pouring forth. I mean, a LOT of blood. She then proceeded to walk all over the kitchen, so it looked as though I had cut off a limb - blood everywhere. Freddie looked up from his computer, said "that is disgusting" and went back to work. Thanks for the help man. Luckily, I found a Scooby Doo Band Aid and put it on her foot. I have to get a picture of that.
Having been inside during these wet days, I've done quite a bit of research on raw food for Lady. Looks like, aside from raw meaty bones, Bravo brand gets the thumbs up. So, I ordered a variety of things for the little woofer. Also this week I started giving her raw meaty bones - beef short ribs. WOW, is she a happy dog! Creates a big mess, but she LOVES them. I put in a big order for Bravo today and will also be picking up some yummies from Dr. Feinman's office tomorrow.
So, when the house floats away, I know Lady will have plenty of food. Freddie and I will be stuck eating cereal, falafel, and tuna fish.
(note: Rooney just called again from Mohegan Sun. He had to tell me about the overweight oxygen-inhaling lady at the slots).
Rooney just called from Mohegan Sun. He called me from the casino floor so I could hear the *ding ding ding ding* of the slots - a reminder of our days in Las Vegas. When I asked if the usual suspects were at the craps table with their scotch, cigarettes, and oxygen-on-wheel, he said "of course, when I walked in here at 9 a.m. the place was full of them."
Anyway, back to the rain. First of all, Lady is frightened by the umbrella, so I either have to wait for a break in the rain, or don my Gorton's fisherman slicker and take her out. Second, we are going through quite a few towels - I have to dry her off everytime we come inside. Third, we havent' really been able to walk as much, so she is a bit rambunctious and, with her bad stick, it really isn't great for her to be sliding all over the floors.
This morning I cut her nails, thinking that might help stop the skidding. BUT, I clipped one too short and a tremendous amount of blood started pouring forth. I mean, a LOT of blood. She then proceeded to walk all over the kitchen, so it looked as though I had cut off a limb - blood everywhere. Freddie looked up from his computer, said "that is disgusting" and went back to work. Thanks for the help man. Luckily, I found a Scooby Doo Band Aid and put it on her foot. I have to get a picture of that.
Having been inside during these wet days, I've done quite a bit of research on raw food for Lady. Looks like, aside from raw meaty bones, Bravo brand gets the thumbs up. So, I ordered a variety of things for the little woofer. Also this week I started giving her raw meaty bones - beef short ribs. WOW, is she a happy dog! Creates a big mess, but she LOVES them. I put in a big order for Bravo today and will also be picking up some yummies from Dr. Feinman's office tomorrow.
So, when the house floats away, I know Lady will have plenty of food. Freddie and I will be stuck eating cereal, falafel, and tuna fish.
(note: Rooney just called again from Mohegan Sun. He had to tell me about the overweight oxygen-inhaling lady at the slots).
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Nurse Peabody to the rescue
It's pouring rain, the dog is wet and smelly, and I have a 101 degree fever. Not really a great way to start the weekend. To top it all off, my husband is off to California for a mountain biking extravaganza.
But, this isn't about me, it's about the dog. Lady, as wet and smelly as she is, is healing. Her September 30 x-rays showed evidence of new bone growth!! Dr. Palmisano felt that it was too soon to start to destabilize - and I am so glad he did. Let's get this leg healed for good! Dr. Jeff said one more dose of the symphytum - that was last Sunday night, Oct 2. Lady will go back to Norwalk on October 26 for more x-rays. She will have had the fixator on for 11 weeks then and, with the change in diet and homeopathic treatment, I am praying that the leg is healed enough to start taking that thing off.
I am fortunate to have the resources to give Lady this kind of care. I realize not everyone does. I am also very fortunate to have the kind of career that gives me the kind of flexibility to haul the dog all over the place to doctors. So, as I sit here feverish and in severe head pain, I count my blessings.
When I was younger, we had a collie named Honey. When I was sick in bed, she would keep me company. My mom called her "Nurse Peabody." Lady is my Nurse Peabody today, sitting by my side and smothering me with kisses. I think it's helping to break my fever.
But, this isn't about me, it's about the dog. Lady, as wet and smelly as she is, is healing. Her September 30 x-rays showed evidence of new bone growth!! Dr. Palmisano felt that it was too soon to start to destabilize - and I am so glad he did. Let's get this leg healed for good! Dr. Jeff said one more dose of the symphytum - that was last Sunday night, Oct 2. Lady will go back to Norwalk on October 26 for more x-rays. She will have had the fixator on for 11 weeks then and, with the change in diet and homeopathic treatment, I am praying that the leg is healed enough to start taking that thing off.
I am fortunate to have the resources to give Lady this kind of care. I realize not everyone does. I am also very fortunate to have the kind of career that gives me the kind of flexibility to haul the dog all over the place to doctors. So, as I sit here feverish and in severe head pain, I count my blessings.
When I was younger, we had a collie named Honey. When I was sick in bed, she would keep me company. My mom called her "Nurse Peabody." Lady is my Nurse Peabody today, sitting by my side and smothering me with kisses. I think it's helping to break my fever.
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