queenwinniesmom

Oh, little girl, please, please, please get better!

My Patsy had her spleen removed when she was only 6 years old. And my vet said it was the size of a human baby! Patsy did great with the surgery and recovery. Unfortunately, she had lymphoma which spread to her central nervous system, and we had to put her to sleep several months after she started chemo. But this was a situation that was supposed to work out, for every reason, and yet it didn't. The cancer was just too aggressive. I would have done the spleenectomy regardless, though, because it could have burst. I believe that we gave her months of quality time she wouldn't have had otherwise. And everyone who I talked to before the surgery told me of Greyhounds who had their spleens removed and had years and years of quality life.

Oh, no.....no wonder you are worried. You know him so well, and have been through so much. Wish I had a great suggestion, but I can send your precious boy lots of prayers.

Love the video and the pics, especially Whitey on the couch with his family. He does look really good, Jen. You can definitely see the progress he's making, physically and mobilitywise. And he looks "present". He wants to be there with you!

Thinking about this sweet girl, sending prayers, and hoping she did well during the night. Please let us know how she is today. She's gotta be okay to go to her forever home!

Your beautiful tribute clearly shows the love and deep bond you shared. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Raven.

I'm so sorry you lost your sweet lady Melissa.

So very, very sad. My prayers are with her family.

Thinking about Princess, and hoping everything is going (or has gone) okay.

They told me I could use some warm compresses on the swollen leg. It seemed to help, and Winnie liked it.

Wow, he looks great! And it is so encouraging to see the progress he is making. I don't think any of us mind hearing about poop---this was a VIP. Very Important Poop! Gentle hugs to your sweet boy.

Jen, thanks for the pics. I was trying to picture what he looked like (before and after amp), but couldn't get a clear idea. Do you have before amp pictures? I'll check out your Facebook page---maybe some there? He is SO very beautiful! I can see why you fell in love with him in such a short time. I'm glad you have him home, so you don't worry about him at the vets, even though this will be a rough few days. But it WILL get better! Those pain meds can really screw with his system. I haven't heard of anyone using the pain med that Winnie was on---Piroxicam. Our vet said it has some cancer fighting properties, and I've read that someplace else too. It does have side effects, though, even though Winnie never had any. We didn't keep her on it on a regular basis, just after the surgery, then as needed, if she'd had a more physical day. You might ask your vet about it. I agree that the bandage may be throwing him off balance a bit, but I guess you'll have to keep it on. The front leg amp may be a little harder as far as balancing goes---it's more of a weight bearing leg, so the balance learning curve may be a little longer. And if he's not a real self confident guy, he just may hesitate a little longer. Your house is set up so he doesn't have to do any steps, right? I totally feel that he could not be in better, more caring, and more responsible hands than you and Lloyd. And now that I know what his precious face looks like, I can send him even more "get well" thoughts.

Thanks for the update! Sounds like everyone has a pretty good handle on things. I know you feel like you want him home, but it's probably best that he stays at the vets tonight---and you can get some rest. He should at least be walking. so hopefully, tomorrow he will be feeling stronger. Good idea about the chicken nuggets! I'm wondering about the bandage too. I remember that Winnie didn't have a bandage. I would think that you'd have to be able to tell if there is any fluid build-up at the incision site. If there is, it's a breeding ground for bacteria, and you really don't want an infection there. Is there another vet who's opinion you could ask about this? So how did you feel when you saw him? I bet you were just thinking about getting him home and starting the recovery process, weren't you? You are a LOT stronger than you think! Great that it was more of a non-issue for Sunny. I'm sending him lots of "get well, be strong" thoughts.

No wonder you are worried about Buddy. The poor guy. Sending prayers that you will find answers, and that he will be okay.

Thank-you for sharing your sweet boy's tribute and pictures---they are beyond beautiful. What a perfect little guy he was, and how you loved him. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Kamin.

Oh, I'm so sorry. When they are young, and the loss is sudden, it adds another layer to your grief. Please post more about your precious girl when you are able, and know that you and your family are in our prayers.

Hey, Jen, I've been thinking about Whitey off and on all morning. I just keep praying that the surgery goes well. Are they really going to send him home tomorrow? I guess some vets do that, but I don't know, it seems kinda soon to me. Not to scare you---if you expect this, you may be less upset---but you will probably be seeing the pacing, panting, maybe restlessness (if he's up and walking), maybe even crying. That is all part of coming out of the anesthesia and adjusting to the pain meds. Try not to worry. You're going to have to be really strong, not only for Whitey, but for Sunny too. They won't understand if Mom is crying and upset. I don't mean that you WON'T cry, or shouldn't---it just might be better to do it where they can't see you. Trying to be realistic, but my heart is aching for you. It is such a hard time. But it will pass, really it will. And if you need GT, we're always here. You're still in our prayers!

Donna, any Grey who was lucky enough to be adopted by you and Dave had the best, most loving home ever. Bless you for taking in this little senior lady and making her a Queen. Sending much sympathy.

Jen, I'm so sorry. I can't blame you for being scared. You have had an absolutely heartbreaking, physically and emotionally draining year. I know at this point, you are questioning your decision, which is natural, but try hard not to. As I've said many times (and probably too much), when you are making a decision because you love your dog and are trying to keep him safe and happy and healthy, there is NO wrong decision. Personally, I would do the same thing, but that's not important, do what you think is best for Whitey. I think because he has waited so long for a home (and boy, did he get lucky when he arrived at YOUR home), it is especially sad that he's gotten this horrible diagnosis before he's even had a chance to settle in. I know you feel that he deserves a chance to be happy in a true forever home, and he does. So that is why you are doing what you're doing---to give him the chance that he deserves. You know that my experience with osteo is not recent, and not the norm. Winnie was 8 when she was diagnosed and had surgery, and we had 3 1/2 years. I believe she was in remission when we lost her to kidney failure. But she was such a tough old girl, wasn't she? And I like to think that she and Crisco are watching out for you and Whitey. I know I'll be sending lots of prayers and white light to your family. And I'll see if I can channel some of Winnie's strength and stubbornness Whitey's way. I think Tracey and Mary Pat are excellent sources of advice and support. Their experiences are so recent, but very different, yet there is always that common bond when we fight the monster. Though each dog is so individual, the support is the same. I found that CoG was really helpful---haven't been on there for ages, but I'm hoping you will find the same support and valuable information. I learned a lot about the recovery and adjustment period that I couldn't have learned anywhere else (I wasn't on Greytalk back then). I mean concrete, practical stuff, like edema in the other leg(s) being normal (so I didn't rush to the vets like one girl did, only to be told that), that the pain meds often cause that restlessness and panting, that you'll need some rugs if you have a lot of bare floors, that you need to try and get some rest BEFORE he comes home, and that yes, things may seem worse before they get better. But I truly feel that they WILL get better. I feel that Whitey will do fine. And I feel that YOU CAN DO THIS! I'll be thinking of both of you, especially tomorrow. Please let us know how he's doing, and how you're doing.

Oh, Melissa......but does that still mean that it is not likely to spread? I'm so sorry you're going through this again. Rascal, sweetie, you HAVE TO BE OKAY!

I'm so glad she came through the surgery well. I would vote for leaving her at the vets while you are gone. At that stage after the surgery, she will be eliminating the anesthesia from her system, and adjusting to the pain meds. I think keeping her as comfortable as possible would be best. She will have LOTS of time to recover at home with you. I think it's up to you whether you see her or not, but if you think you can be positive and upbeat, then I would do it. It might make you feel better. If she's not eating well, maybe they would let you bring her something from home. I remember sitting in Winnie's cage and hand feeding her chicken breasts. I brought an old T-shirt of mine that had my scent on it---I thought that might help. Of course, the incision seeped on it, but that was okay, she was laying with it close to her. Just expect the shock of the missing leg, and try not to react, as she will pick up on that. Remember that it will look extreme, but it is soft tissue trauma---that always looks bad. People look bad with that too. The bruising, swelling, and incision will all heal and return to normal. Her fur will grow back gradually, and she will look great---she'll just be missing a leg! Keep us up to date---you and Star are in our prayers!

You and Star have been in so many prayers since your first post about her diagnosis. I'm hoping that she will do great with the surgery. You've gotten some excellent advice, and everyone will be here for you as you and Star continue this journey. I would have to agree that these next few weeks will be hard, as she adjusts. Since they are all different, you can never tell just how the recovery period will go. While a lot of it depends on their age and personality, there are things that you have no control over---how she'll react to the anesthesia and pain meds (and how well her body will process them out of her system), how the incision site will heal, edema in the other legs etc. Just try and get some rest now, and tell yourself that "This will pass." And it will. By doing the amp, you have eliminated the possibility of that leg fracturing, causing her tremendous pain, and having to make a life and death decision very quickly. That said, it's natural that you may have regrets. Some people can look at their babies and not see that missing leg. I wish I could honestly say I was one of them. Even though, intellectually, I knew that I'd done the right thing for Winnie, that she was not in pain anymore, and that she was adjusting beautifully, there were times that I wished that my beautiful girl was whole again. But that was projecting my HUMAN emotions on her. As Dr. Couto says, "Dogs have 4 legs and a spare." There is no stigma in the animal world against 3 leggers. And when they adjust, they don't really know that they are handicapped. When I saw Winnie run for joy on 3 strong legs, I knew I'd given her that gift. And if you have done that for Star, for that reason, you can't second guess your decision, or have regrets. You love your girl, and are trying to keep her safe and happy. Please let us know how she is doing.

How blessed you were to have shared each other's lives. She was exactly where she was meant to be. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Suzy.

Oh, the sweet little guy.... I'm so sorry you lost your precious J.D.

Oh, no! I knew that he wasn't doing well, but I'm devastated that you had to let your precious old man go. What complex guy he was---funny and worried and set in his ways, but so gentle and sweet. A true gentleman among your ladies. Carrie and Matt, I'm so, so sorry. ETA I just read your blog. Carrie, your tribute to Hawk is beyond beautiful. How well you understood him, and how deeply he was loved! Smiles through tears here, as I can see him running with his sister.