CaliforniaGreys Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Hoping for some good news Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Checking in on you and your girl. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest trevdog Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Sending more prayers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xan Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Sending calming, healing, restful thoughts your way. Quote My Inspirations: Grey Pogo, borzoi Katie, Meep the cat, AND MY BELOVED DH!!!Missing Rowdy, Coco, Brilly, Happy and Wabi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bonscoby Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Hoping and praying for continued progress for Gracie. You sure have worked very hard to help your girl! I am amazed at your stamina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Also thinking of your family and Gracie today, hoping things are starting to fall into place a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tra708 Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 still thinking about and praying for gracie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NevadasMom Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Please update us all..... Quote Carol-Glendale, AZ Trolley (Figsiza Trollyn) Nevada 1992-2008...always in my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graciehound Posted July 1, 2009 Author Share Posted July 1, 2009 Shoot! I just posted a long update and lost it. Here goes again... Sorry it's been so long since I've updated. It's been crazy here. The biggest issue we are struggling with is managing Gracie's anxiety. With having hypertension and recently being hyperthermic, we don't want her to get too worked up. However, we don't want to drug her into oblivion every day, either. I want to believe that Gracie can recover physically (at least to a reasonable facsimile of pre-stroke Gracie) but I'm concerned about her behavior/anxiety. I don't want her to stress out so much that she has more seizures or another stroke. I understand that a lot of it may be from her inability to move as she wants, but I know that the stroke can also cause behavior changes. I also get concerned about her stress with my toddler. We always monitor the two of them when they are together. In the past, if she was done with being around him, she would just walk over to the baby gate and we would let her outside of the room. Now she can't do that. Since she came home, she is baby gated in the library adjacent to our family room. We can see her and she can see us, but Travis is kept at a distance from her to prevent more stress. Gracie has never shown any aggression in the past, but it is just a concern in the back of my mind. Gracie has also been struggling with bowel movements. (Doesn't every greyhound conversation come back to the poop? ) Since the second day she was home, her poop has been back to its normal solid, small state. If Gracie doesn't poop after dinner, she is uncomfortable all evening and all night long. She get anxious and whines all night. She doesn't sleep, which means I don't. I've been adding pumpkin to her meals to help with added fiber. Today I added a small amount of extra-virgin olive oil as well. I think tomorrow I'll add a little bit of another variety of food. We went through many different brands and varieties when Canidae changed their formula. We finally landed on California Natural Lamb and Rice as the perfect food for her. I know I still have a small amount of some other foods that I can mix in to help 'loosen' the poop. I don't want her to have diarrhea, but I don't want her to be so firm that she can't poop. I'm frustrated with the vet hospital. I spoke with them over the weekend regarding Gracie's anxiety. I was supposed to hear from a neurologist on Monday to make a plan to manage Gracie's anxiety. The vet who had overseen Gracie while in the hospital is on vacation now, so I'm not sure who I'm waiting to hear from. Monday came and went and I didn't get a call. Yesterday was overall a good day, so I wasn't as concerned. Today was a not-so-good day, so I called again. I was told I'd get a call back today. No call. I think I'll call our regular vet tomorrow. I'm hoping that he will be willing to give suggestions. Let's see... other updates. Gracie has a minor UTI. She's on Clavamox and I think it's helping already. She doesn't seem to have the urgency/frequency that she did over the weekend. Gracie surprised me twice yesterday. She lifted her rear leg to scratch to get the cotton out of her ears. That was the FIRST time I've seen controlled movement of her rear legs. Shortly after that, she roached in her bed and slept that way for about an hour. She had a very controlled movement while rolling into the roach. It was nice to see that back! My husband and I have had a rough time between the two of us with everything going on. I don't think he was prepared for the amount of time and care that Gracie would require. I think he foresees the rest of our life revolving around Gracie. I'm hoping he will open his eyes to the progress she has made in the last two weeks an realize that we are going through the hardest part right now. I'm still not sure how I'm going to manage taking care of Travis and Gracie when he goes back to work on Saturday night. Guess I'll find a way! Can you believe that this roller coaster of a ride began two weeks ago tonight? Wow! It's been a ride, and not a fun one! Quote Lisa, Matt, Travis, and Kathryn Furkids: Gracie (Styled Princess) and felines Tilly and Nike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Thank you for the update! It's very promising that Gracie is showing signs of controlled movement! Good you are pursuing her ongoing care with your vet - it sounds like the transition from her original specialist to whoever is covering hasn't gone smoothly! I wonder if Gracie is anxious in part because she's not used to being in a separate room from her people, even though she can see all of you? Would it work to set up an x-pen in the family room, so she's a bit closer? Is she able to be with you without a gate during periods when Travis is napping or at a playdate? It also sounds like as a family, you could use a bit of a break. Are there other greyhound people in your area that could maybe babysit Gracie now and then for a couple of hours so you all can go on an outing, or so you can get some rest? You've probably thought through all these options - they were just the things that I could think of. Wish I was closer and could help more practically that just wishing and praying for things to go better for you, but for what it's worth, there are a lot of people here beaming you support and healing thoughts for Gracie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 I'm exhausted just reading your update, I can only imagine what you are feeling. Mary has a good point, maybe someone close by can give you a break. All we can do from here is keep you all tucked in our prayers Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graciehound Posted July 1, 2009 Author Share Posted July 1, 2009 Yet another Gracie update: After a long and depressing day yesterday, I asked Matt to sit with Gracie this morning. He said she seemed depressed. We decided to take Gracie outside for a potty break. She actually was able to stand up on her own, and just needed help once she got standing. We've been working on her balance when she is just standing. Once we were outside, I decided to test her balance and took my hands off of her for a moment. She stood unassisted! She continued to stand and correct her balance. Then, she lifted a foot! By the end of our session outside, she was taking 2-3 steps to get to the treat. She would stand, balance again, then take a few more steps. I know that we may have setbacks, but I am so excited. GO GRACIE, GO! Quote Lisa, Matt, Travis, and Kathryn Furkids: Gracie (Styled Princess) and felines Tilly and Nike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Happy tears here! It sounds to me (no vet) like even if there are ups and downs, there is a clear positive direction here, which is something to hang onto in the low moments! GO GRACIE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 You GO girl Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiona3 Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 What a terrific update. Slow but steady improvement. It really is a roller coaster ride but when you have moments like this it just makes it so worthwhile. I know you are exhausted and this is incredibly stressful but you are doing a good job of taking care of Gracie. All my thoughts are with you and prayers for Gracie to continue to heal. Quote Hobbes - April 2, 1994 to April 9, 2008-----Tasha - May 23, 2000 to March 31, 2013 Fiona - Aug 29, 2001 to May 5, 2014-----Bailey - March 22, 2001 to Jan 20, 2015 Zeke - June 1, 2004 - Jan 26, 2016----Callie - July 14, 2006 to July 27, 2019 Forever in my heart: Chooch, Molly, Dylan & Lucy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xan Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Oh my, and oh dear, and oh YEAY!! What a ride, for sure. You're doing it, though. Hang on. Like you say, there's progress - GOOD progress! - and there will continue to be. You've been through the worst, already. Rickiesmom made some good suggestions. Anything like a break look possible? An ex-pen? We're thinking of you every day. Quote My Inspirations: Grey Pogo, borzoi Katie, Meep the cat, AND MY BELOVED DH!!!Missing Rowdy, Coco, Brilly, Happy and Wabi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EmbersDad Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 one little victory, keep em coming gracie! Yet another Gracie update: After a long and depressing day yesterday, I asked Matt to sit with Gracie this morning. He said she seemed depressed. We decided to take Gracie outside for a potty break. She actually was able to stand up on her own, and just needed help once she got standing. We've been working on her balance when she is just standing. Once we were outside, I decided to test her balance and took my hands off of her for a moment. She stood unassisted! She continued to stand and correct her balance. Then, she lifted a foot! By the end of our session outside, she was taking 2-3 steps to get to the treat. She would stand, balance again, then take a few more steps. I know that we may have setbacks, but I am so excited. GO GRACIE, GO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurie Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Sending healing prayers to your Gracie. Quote Laurie **& Angels Emily, Beatrice, Okie, Rhemus ,Vixen, and Rose-always in my heart** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest budsmom Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Way to go guys!!!! That little girl is a fighter. Keep up the great progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 She's amazing! When you think in terms of humans and strokes and how sometimes it takes months or years to get back to anywhere near normal, Gracie is supergirl!!!!!! My gosh, so much progress in two short weeks (I know they don't seem short to you)!!!! You go Gracie!!!!! I'm sure she wants to be back as close to normal as much as you want her too. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NevadasMom Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 That is wonderful......an amazing little girl! Quote Carol-Glendale, AZ Trolley (Figsiza Trollyn) Nevada 1992-2008...always in my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygang Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Great news.....continued healing prayers for Gracie Quote Run free our beloved Sir Snowy, Pip, Queenie, Sadie, Tess & Rosie until we meet again......I would rather feel the thorn than to never see the rose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vahoundlover Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 What an incredible girl you are Gracie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xan Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 I think you need to update your subject line and sub-line! Quote My Inspirations: Grey Pogo, borzoi Katie, Meep the cat, AND MY BELOVED DH!!!Missing Rowdy, Coco, Brilly, Happy and Wabi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graciehound Posted July 2, 2009 Author Share Posted July 2, 2009 I think you need to update your subject line and sub-line! I would, but I don't know how. I think next time I have an update I'll start a new thread for Gracie's progress. The pup is tired today. Can't blame her. Learning to walk again is hard work! Quote Lisa, Matt, Travis, and Kathryn Furkids: Gracie (Styled Princess) and felines Tilly and Nike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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