Bodie's Back Home After His Setback

[Guest Bodie]

Bodie came home yesterday morning after having emergency surgery Thursday night to remove the 2" x 4" patch of skin that had died around his incision. The dead stuff has been cut out and he has been re-stitched. He also has two drains around his incision to drain the inflammation.

 

Last night was a night from Hell. I slept downstairs with him and no matter what I did, he insisted on sleeping on his injured side. He'd lie down, one or both of the drains would push in and he would shreik. I'd try and get him to lie down on his good side and that was a struggle, but eventually I'd get him there. That would last maybe 10 minutes before he would get up and try to lie down on the bad side again. I got very little sleep since I was on "nursing" duty, but neither did anyone else in the household because of all the shreiking.

 

Today he is more settled. Yes, we still have the problem of his trying to sleep on the wrong side, but I think he is catching on, because he is lying on his good side for longer periods. Or maybe he's just so exhausted by now, he really doesn't care what side he is on. I've always noticed he is "right-legged" in the same sense that people are "right-handed" and I expect he always raised and lowered himself from his right side. He's still trying to do that and it just doesn't work anymore now that he doesn't have a right front leg.

 

I am keeping a T-shirt on him for two reasons. One, is so he won't bother his stitches and staples, and the second reason is to catch the drainage. If we don't keep a shirt on him it just drips right out the tube onto the floor, carpeting. We have given up on keeping him crated because he is really balking at being put in there, it takes two to three of us to get him in, and we are all afraid of hurting him. Since he has stopped pacing around the house, there seems no reason to force him to stay where he is unhappy.

 

Someone on Greytalk suggested I try and find Cheryl, who had been posting to Circle of Greys about osteo surgery for her dog, Moe. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, whoever did. I posted to Circle looking for Cheryl and she got right back to me and asked if she could call me. We talked for over an hour. It turns out Moe had not one, but TWO follow-up surgeries after his initial one for the same issues that Bodie has. Moe also cried and shreiked and kept the household awake, as Bodie is doing, for two weeks following his surgeries. Moe is about 3-4 weeks ahead of Bodie in his recovery and undergoing chemo. But the part that cheered me is that Moe is now running through the yard, up and down the stairs, etc. It gives me hope that we will get through this and Bodie will recover.

 

By the way, for others going through osteo surgery for removal of a front limb, Cheryl discovered that Old Navy dog T-shirts - that are made for dogs, not people - are great for after surgery. They fit well (Moe is on the large size for a greyhound - 75 pounds after surgery and the loss of a limb, so they should fit most greyhounds), and Moe is still wearing one even though he no longer has stitches, just to keep him from licking the site, which he likes to do. So, hopefully, we can get away tomorrow and go to Old Navy and find some shirts for Bodie. I don't think these shirts would work for rear limb surgeries, since they are not long enough to reach back there, but they look great for front limb surgeries.

 

By the way, I wanted to say, I go into detail in these posts because even though we all wish it didn't have to be, the reality is, some of you will be going through this. I hope that my details will help someone in the future cope with this. It is an incredible emotional and physical strain on all of us - human and dog - and knowing what to expect may be helpful.

Edited August 19, 2007 by Bodie

[Greytlady94]

Prayers continue for Bodie.

[Guest tricolorhounds]

Keeping my that the worst is over for both you and Bodie...

[Guest LadyChester]

Hoping you and Bodie get some much needed rest Thanks for sharing your experiences so that others may benefit - it is very thoughtful of you at a very difficult time.

[iluvgreys]

Thanks for the update. The Old Navy t-shirt sounds like a great idea for Bodie! Keeping him in my prayers, and sending lots of hugs and light to you and your family for an uneventful healing process from here on out.

[mareyeka]

Don't ever worry about going into detail. It helps you as much as it helps others.

 

Good thoughts your way.

[Guest chigal950]

Positive thoughts for Bodie, and for you. Hope tonight is a fairly restful night for both of you.

[Guest PiagetsMom]

I know all of us hope that we're never in your position, but, I know we all appreciate you taking the time to update and educate us during the stressful and difficult time you're going through. I hope that Brodie, and all of his people, have a more restful night tonight.......hang in there!

[Burpdog]

Sending lots of prayers.

[Guest KyGrey]

Sending lots of healing prayers.

[MarcR]

Thanks for the update and the detail. It's a bit of a cliche, but knowledge is power. I hope Bodie feels much better very soon.

[krissn333]

Glad to hear Bodie is home. He'll get the hang of it. If he's draining a lot, sticking a maxi pad to the inside of his t-shirt will soak up the drainage better than the tshirt alone will.

 

Thank you for sharing his journey with us. I pray that I never have to go through this, but with having 4 dogs I realize that the odds that at least one of them could end up with cancer are up there.

 

I bet for a rear leg amp a pair of boxer shorts turned around with the tail through the crotch hole would work. But, the shorts would have to be removed to go out for potty time.

[Guest JohnnyBell]

Thanx for the update continued prayers for Bodie.

[Guest IrskasMom]

 

 

 

Keeping Bodie in my Prayers and healing Thoughts .

 

Hugs to you

[Guest Ruthygirl]

My prayers and thoughts are with you. I went thru amputation with my Ruthy in April. It was really hard. Hang in there it will get better.

Shawn and the Greyhounds

Ruthy, Badge, Bows and PeeWee

[ZoomDoggy]

I truly appreciate your detailed accounts of your experiences with Bodie. I've no doubt it's been unbelievably difficult, but thank you so much for sharing them. Here's hoping you're on the upswing now!

[Guest vahoundlover]

Keeping Bodie in my prayers.

[Guest Bodie]

Glad to hear Bodie is home. He'll get the hang of it. If he's draining a lot, sticking a maxi pad to the inside of his t-shirt will soak up the drainage better than the tshirt alone will.

 

Thank you for sharing his journey with us. I pray that I never have to go through this, but with having 4 dogs I realize that the odds that at least one of them could end up with cancer are up there.

 

I bet for a rear leg amp a pair of boxer shorts turned around with the tail through the crotch hole would work. But, the shorts would have to be removed to go out for potty time.

 

 

Thanks for the maxi pad tip - he's wearing one now and hopefully that will help keep down the ooze. If it works, it will certainly look better than the stained shirt he is walking around with. Bodie is also oozing today from his stitches. I hope this isn't a bad sign. He has a vet appt. tomorrow to remove the drains so he can be examined then.

 

The boxers sound like a greyt tip also! I just hope I never have to use it. Going through this with Bodie is possibly the most emotionally draining thing I have ever done.

Edited August 19, 2007 by Bodie

[Batmom]

Sending big bunches of hugs for you and your boy.

[Guest KyGrey]

Sending hugs to you and more healing thoughts to Bodie.

[lovinggreysslp]

Thanks for posting an update. Bodie continues to be in our thoughts and prayers.

[Guest JohnnyBell]

When Shophie had her rear leg amputated she oozed a lot from her insicion site.I think it's normal.Boy it was messy it felt like I was always cleaning up the carpets.

[Aerosmom]

I've been thinking of Bodie and his family. Hope things go more smoothly now and let the healing begin!

[nyGreys]

Sending hugs & healing thoughts to you

and Bodie.

[Tallgreydogmom]

Sending white light and prayer for Bodie.

 

Hugs and kisses for Bodie and his family.

 

You are in our thoughts and heart as we know how hard it is.

 

Cora