Penny had her Dr. Appt

[Kari]

Penny went for her Dr appt this morning - all people were so happy to see her! We had the tech, intern and neurosurgeon in our exam room loving on her  .  She is 4 weeks post-op and 3 weeks post immune system problem diagnosis. The neurosurgeon said that she looked great! She is walking good and when they flipped her feet over she flipped them back pretty quickly. Her right side is still a little weaker. So from the surgery aspect she is looking good. They don't feel that we need to do physical therapy as long as we continue to take her for walks and exercise her legs.

From the immune system aspect they have decided to do another round (4 injections of immune suppressant) of Cytarabine. Since she tolerated it fine the last time. We will need to get her another CBC in a week to make sure her white blood cells count is fine. I asked her if this is going to be a recurring problem and she said it depends on the dog. As we continue tapering her drugs and we see how she does she may go into "remission" and be just fine or if may flare up again. If it does come back it just means that she will be on the Imuran the rest of her life...which isn't the end of the world. So right now we are giving her this second round on injections, she is on 1/2 of a prednisone per day and the Imuran (oral immune suppressant) every other day. We have a 2 week follow-up call with the neurosurgeon. I also asked if this meant that she couldn't be around other dogs and they said that as long as her white blood cell count is up then there isn't anything to worry about but they wouldn't necessarily take her to the dog park at this point (which isn't on the agenda for a long time).

So...that's about it. I'm sure I forgot something  . I am so glad to have this appointment behind us and that she is improving. Thanks to everyone for their rays, prayers and support!

[TerriL]

HOOORRRAAAYYYYYYY for Miss Penny!   :apls: :apls: :apls: :apls:
You and your family are doing a wonderful job of caring for her and helping her get better!  This is such great news!
GO PENNY!   

[PattyInAK]

Great news!!!

[Barb]

that is excellent news !!!  Go Penny girl !

[Brekkesmom]

All right, Penny!  Brekke says she is glad you are feeling better, and she remembers Gretl had "the surgery" too!  (Not that she was even born yet, but we're sure Gretl told her stories!)  We hope you don't need the extra drugs later on, and that your system will build up and your white cell count gets where it ought to be!

[cheryl186]

  :thumb: :apls:  OH HAPPY DAY!  Go Penny girl!  So glad to hear that Penny is improving...that is wonderful news...keep up the good work.....

[Valerie]

Sounds like a great appt- and that she is doing so much better. I love the staff at the hospital, you can tell they really love and care about the dogs.

[Roberta]

fantasic really good news to start our day down under.
Roberta and da gang

[Sandishooligans]

 :apls:  Way to go, Miss Penny!  Very good report.  You continue to show your dachsie gumption, y'hear?

WHAT A RELIEF! :thumb: