Has anyone heard how DeeDee & Miss Hallie are last I heard Miss Hallie was having a bad day and DeeDee was upset ? Hope they are just catching up on their sleep.
Papbouv
I'm a tad worried to. Hope they are both OK
Roberta
Sorry for the late update, I am zonked from all this. Today I'd say at times she did her best yet, at others I was still concerned about how slow she does things. But overall she is doing well I think, at least I hope this is good for this stage. There is no running or playing or the usual stuff but I see glimpses I guess. I am a little nervous since her last steroid pill was yesterday (Saturday) morning, and it should be out of her system tomorrow (Monday). Last time she had a bad relapse but that was at the beginning and this time I am sure she'll do much better. Brother and nephews came over tonight to play games and pizza and she really enjoyed that. The steroids have her on a constant hunt for food poor baby. We have another appointment Thursday with another neurologist just to hopefully understand this a little better. (or maybe less you just never know with vets and I really do not want to hear the bad stuff...I am going to tell him I just want a few questions answered and maybe hear a little hopeful news how a dog with whatever this is, can do on the positive side. I have already googled the bad stuff and read more than enough there).
Thanks for caring and thanks again so much for all of the cards we've gotten!! We have a huge pile here of wonderful cards and some even twice from the same people/pups! That really means a lot.
I'm glad to hear there is some improvement. If she has done this well with the steroid dose decreased, she should do well now that it is stopped. I'm still saying lots of prayers for both of you. I think your attitude about the new neurologist visit is the right one to have. I think I would tell him the same thing. Has anyone compared her recent films/scans to the ones when she had her back problem before? I can't remember if they just did xrays then or a CT or MRI or what, but I thought it would be an interesting comparison with the length of time between them. Of course, I have a strong feeling you have taken care of that already, but it has been a thought that keeps going through my head, so I finally decided to write it down. Give Hallie lots of belly rubs from all of us here in S.C. (where it can't decide if it's winter or spring this week!).
Great to hear from you DD - we all worry when you don't check in. Gotta hang in there girl, Hallie's recovery may be somewhat of a roller coaster..... drill the doctor with all kinds of questions. Sending many rays and prayers that Hallie continues to improve...even if in little steps. Mommy - YOU get some rest please - Gotta take care of you too......
Good to hear she's improving, albeit in baby steps. At least she's going in the right direction. And, most improtantly, she's comfortable - not in pain.
I'm really glad to hear the Murry's are there for you!!!!!! That sounds like so much fun...games and pizza!!
Glad to see the update! We have our paws and fingers crossed that coming off the steroid is no big deal for her!
Know you most likely do not want to repeat a bunch of tests which I would not want to put my dog though again. Will you be using the same neurologist or a different one not trying to be nosy but wondered if this visit to the neurologist would be a second opinion.On what Hallie has in one of your post I thought you said she may not have the rare disease they thought she had??? I sure am glad to hear she is doing better as you said not 100% but going in the right direction.It just may take a while for her to recover does the extra spinal fluid reabsorb back in to the body???Guess it is extra spinal fluid that causes the swelling in the spinal cord area???That is why I was wondering if a spinal Tap would help in that type of situation.
Sending Rays Hugs and good thoughts to you both.
Lov
Papbouv
Patches & Buddy
I am glad to hear that Hallie seems to be doing better. Hope the trip to the new vet goes well for all. I will keep sending rays and prayers for you and Hallie. Please keep up the updates.
Darcel
She is not drinking the huge amounts of water today that she has been since going on steroids so I'm guessing it is mostly out of her system now. I was so nervous this morning, with her sleeping in the bed next to me that she would cry out when she went to roll upright like the first time but she didn't. She is still very slowed down (she is usually better by afternoon) and sleepy this morning but I am not seeing a big difference in pain so that is good. And really good to see her not drinking so much, hopefully she will not be quite so ravenous now either.
Teresa, she has only had an xray done in the past so there isn't much to compare to. It looked fine at the time but a dilated spinal cord would not show up on an xray. I too wonder how it would have compared. We still don't know what her neck looks like since the myelogram did not go up that far.
Papbouv yes sort of for a second opinion...although I hope I don't get a totally opposite opinion from the one I already have gotten (I think the first opinion, although not great, is as good as it could get). I mainly am just wanting a bit more info to make sure I am doing everything I can (that they know of) and also to get a little better handle on what this is and how to treat it and her. Hallie definitely has this disease...but from googling I surmised it must be syringomyelia. The neurologist said that was a different ball game. But he didn't elaborate. Just said it didn't have a name. As what comes with a little bit of knowledge being a dangerous thing....I worry because from what I read about syringomyelia, it can only really be diagnosed with an MRI which we didn't have done. So I'm a little nervous that he doesn't know if it really isn't that. And even if it's not that, I don't know that the symptoms or potential outcome would be any different. This is not curable, the dilation will not go down, if anything it will get worse. You can't just draw fluid out it would fill right back up. It does not reabsorb into the body. Syringomyelia is pretty rare in all breeds except for Cavaliers, who they think 100% have it, just some don't show symptoms (a lot do though). They don't usually die from it (although they suffer) because MVD (mitral valve disease) often gets them before the age of 10 so they don't see it go til real old age.
So I am very happy she's not in as much pain right now but I'm still devastated over the diagnosis, life will never be the same for my little girl and me. I just hope one day we can go for a good walk again and she will play a little with her babies, I desprately miss our old routines and all the fun we had. But again I'll settle for comfortable and happy at this point.
Really glad to have news and know that things are progressing, if more slowly than hoped!
Hang in there, Dee Dee. You just never know--Hallie may do better than any dog ever has before. That's what I'm going to focus on.
Always allow room for things to turn out better than expected!
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
and Roly and Lilah send smoochies.
Thanks for the focus reminder Julia. It is getting a little easier to picture the best rather than the worst I am doing better at succeeding at that. She just insisted I hold her I thought she was wanting to check for crumbs on the desk here but she just wanted to snuggle...she is draped across both my forearms wrapped in her fuzzy yellow blanket as I type this. This is good that she feels comfortable enough for me to hold her like this.
Here are a few shots from last night, she did her usual put my head on the game board and go upside down for belly rubs so they can't ignore me, which was great to see. We put up the futon on the floor and sat around it on blankets so Hallie could go around and visit whoever she wanted.
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Love the last one in this post..... looks like she and your nephew (?) are really studying the board hard !!!!
Glad you had some family fun !
I'm rootin' for Hallie! She's a WINNER! In one of those pictures, she really looks like she's trying to play the game too.
Sounds like you both had a good nights entertainment, hey :hello2: Haillie do they eat snacks while they play, and did you manage to score any :grin:
We have board games night with friends, I don't think enough people take the time with board games now.
Yes as hard as it is to do try and focus on the good, she sounds a tad better with wanting to be snuggled and she is probably trying to tell you " hey Mum, I still love you"
Roberta
I agree with you Roberta - no one plays board games anymore.... I LOVE board games and I still have some of the oldie goldies - just don't want to get rid of them hoping someday I will come across several folks that still like to play !!!
What fun it looks like you are all having! Clearly, Miss Hallie is the center of attention.... as it should be! :thumb:
Hang in there DeeDee....my heart hurts for you. Just try to take it one day and one diagnosis at a time. I have a good feeling about that girl of yours...she is going to make us all look silly someday for all of this worrying! :wink:
Please know that you are now and will continue to be in my prayers.
Continued rays & prayers for you and Hallie! Looks like a good time was had by all on game night! Like everyone says, take one day at a time and each pain-free day is a blessing.
The pics are awesome & never under estimate the healing power of a good belly rub!
hugs!
Dawn, Franky & Delilah