4 days post Emergency
Just wanted to post a little update as everyone was so supportive to me and my girl and I appreciated it immensely.
She is doing really great.. all things considering. She of course is hopping around normal but actually gets the whole, me trying to have her conserve energy so she lays down and barks at me first if its ok to get around..lol..I had been carrying her in and outside then just letting her do her business on her own. But she does get winded, IDK if its more from the surgery or the whole ordeal. But she doesn’t realize itll happen when she gets going until she starts kinda panting after. but recovers with some rest. Her gums turn slight pale pink wtih exertion, kinda reminds me of my surgical and cardio patients I worked with. It always helped with some supplementalĀ O2 for recovery, I wish I had access to an O2 tank..uug..This afternoon it was a bit better, around the house movement is ok, she kinda of gets it now like when I get going I get out of breath…lol. I let her go out and in on her own with slight support to assist to reduce exertion, then I just carry her on the stairs. Cant teach a dog energy conservation like a human.. lol
A little part of me wished I could have done the liver thing too because shes doing so well.. but another part is like what if it would have been too much. The pericardial window was done all scopically so minimally invasive.
But aside from the quicker fatigue.. she is still NEKA… all her…. plus all said and done, Ill take it.. shes sleeps comfortable she hasnt been in duress or anxious and back to sleeping upside down, her favorite position.
Id say the biggest challenge for me is that, Im so weary of taking her in the car, because thats where every incident happened, I feel like excitement or anxiousness causes an increase in BP, increase HR then increase bleed of the “suspected mass leak” and now with the pericardial window the sac wont fill but it now drains into the pleural cavity and though it can handle alot of fluid. When they went in for surgery they had removed like 1L of fluid & blood from her pleural cavity which is ALOT and the surgeon doesnt really know where it all came from, because he didn’t see anything oozing inside. but it sits in the back of my mind..like crap.. Hoping it was like an inflammatory fluke, but I proceed with caution. When a surgeon is like “i dont know why it was wierd”, my answer was should we really be surprised with her, he said ” well no not really its the same dog”..lol I laughed for the first time in like 36 hours…lol,
Ok enough technical crap.. below are some pics.. .. but just wanted to share. She wanted to be outside at night on our 50* december day.
the smile I always see!!!
I see the squirrels mom.. I see it!! ssshhh
December 16th, 2015 at 9:12 am
These pictures say it all! Beautiful Neka looks happy and so content! She definitely is enjoying herself. That picture of the two of you together is soooo sweet! You have a real sacred treasure there!
Please do NOT spend one minute second guessing your decision! First of all, to do so takes you away from focusing on tne NOW with Neka. This is a very special time for being together and fully present with her. You moved forward with a decision that clearly has given Neka quality time for more spoiling and loving! As you mentioned, to do anything else would have been a far more invasive surgery with a much rougher recovery and with no guarantees. I know it’s hard to realize, but she IS an “older gal” and that kind of surgery, along with her other issues, could definitely have taken a toll on her.
I had to chuckle at your description of how she starts out doing things and then realizes she has ro slow down a bit and rest. My Mom had very progressive emphysema in her later years. “Otherwise” she was in “great” health. She would get up and decide she wanted to …maybe sweep the porch….only to get halfway there and realize she needed ro sit down as she got too short of breath. The mind was always willing, the body not so much!
You are doing a STELLAR job of caring for eka…absolutely stellar! Continue to spoil, spoil, spoil and savor your time together! As always, I think a scoop of ice cream everyday is very “healing”! And steak is always good!
Thank you so much for updating us. We care deeply about Neka…and you! She really is a miracle dog and offers soooo much hope to everyone on this journey!
Keep scrolling back up to look at those pictures…they make me smile!
Love and hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
December 16th, 2015 at 4:46 pm
thank you.. I updated some pics on this page from today.. that represents her more..lol Im def not dwelling on the “I wonder” moment. it was just a quick..hmmmm… I am very at peace as much as I can be and am smiling and laughing.. esp since she tried to chase squirrels this AM.. Laughed my butt off. just because of my “oh girl take it easy thing”.. then oh well.. ur good..lol
funny you said steak and ice cream.. I make her a new york strip last week.. (I ate frozen pizza..lol) and in critical care after her surgery, the doc said that they wanted her to eat before she went home so they offered her some roast beef and she ate it and some turkey…they were like ok what ever you want.. I said absolutely give her some ice cream if she wants… lolol… haa … shes only had ice cream like 3 times in her life… I usually kept her on a strict feeding..but drastic times call for amazing foods..lol
def not as winded today and im allowing her to walk in and outside now..supervised of course…
December 17th, 2015 at 10:51 am
Awww…those new pictures really do show her alert and engaged a d standing proud! She’s so darn cute in her booties!! She’s just so darn cute period!!
I love reading every single line of your updates..especially today’s update.
When my Happy Hannah was ending her earthly journey (due to lung met starting to cause her discomfort), she ate soooo much junk food and had THE best time doing it!! AND…at the risk of grossing you out….I just looked the other way when she sought out her favorite delicacy..DEER POOP! Yel! She got to eat deer pop…as much as she wa ted..polished off with a couple of scoops of ice cream!!
Keep these good updates AND delightful pictures coming!
Love to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
December 19th, 2015 at 12:39 pm
Neeeeeeeeka! For someone who just went through some pretty major stuff, you look just as strong as beautiful as ever, if not more. I’m so glad your mom posted pics.
Every day you rock my world and blow my mind with your tenacity and fighting spirit, I’m so happy to hear that you’re already bouncing back.
I hope this weekend is treating you both really really well and you’re staying warm and snuggling up together. Keep on hoppin’ pretty girl.
xoxo
P.S. Remember Ma, don’t fear what hasn’t happened yet. The intention you put out into the universe is what you get back, so make it all pawsitive and it shall be. xoxo