Zoe is now Home!!!

cheryl186 · June 01, 2008, 07:27:44 PM

Zoe is now home and I am totally exhausted and this is only the first day of at least three weeks of crate rest. She is taking Dexamethasone and Methocarbamol and then pepcid as a tummy protector. It is only a little after 9pm and I am totally exhausted....it is from the mental stress. She has FINALLY settled down in her crate and stopped barking....I have to get up at 2am and give her the next round of pills. I will post more tomorrow on what is going on with Zoe. Hopefully we can avoid another surgery....so far your prayers and well wishes have been working. We appreciate you all very much and don't know what we would do without all your support and words of encouragement. We did buy an ex-pen to put her out in the back yard. It is a God Send!!! I will talk to everyone tomorrow. God Bless you all and your puppers!! Cheryl

Dee Dee and Hallie · June 01, 2008, 07:35:19 PM

Ohhh Cheryl I really feel for you it is sosososososo SO hard. Breaks your heart to see them like this. One question I have had in my mind is, when they do surgery on a disc, won't that "fix" that particular disc? Unless of course some disc material is left and can herniate again later but wouldn't that be a milder case than if all the disc material had been there? So wouldn't subsequent episodes be caused by a different disc...and if that is true wouldn't it be better to do surgery on a bad disc (if since that disc is "bad" it would have greater protential to herniate or rupture again) so to cut down on the chance of another herniation or rupture? Or am I thinking wrong...and the surgery is too big a risk to do it unless it was crucial?

I imagine that all is way too deep for your poor exhausted brain right now...ignore me until you are better rested. It would just be nice if they could actually fix something and you could avoid these long weeks of restriction. Hang in there with your little girl I know how exhausting this is you have to stay strong to care for her. I am glad to picture her at home though in her own house and she will love the xpen outside. I would sit in there with Hallie and take what work or paintings I could out with me so she could be out as long as possible I think it does wonders for their psyches.

Mike · June 01, 2008, 08:37:00 PM

We've been done this same road 8 years ago. Clifford ended up having 3 discs rupture in 18 months at ages 5 & 6. After the first one (lumbar) the 2 cervical were a piece of cake (if that is a good analogy). Sending rays that Zoe doesn't have to go down that same route. Here is some hope for the Zoe future, Clifford just turned 14.

cheryl186 · June 02, 2008, 08:23:20 AM

Mike, at this point the Vets are stating the Zoe has a bulging disc in her neck from the swingset trauma and the disc was pressing against the nerves that run down the spinal column. So far it has not compressed the spinal column. Since it happened on Tuesday of last week, I am praying that the disc is finished swelling as far as it will, so now the medications and crate rest will do the trick and help the disc go back to where it came from :thumb:....sigh. I am so sorry to hear that Clifford has gone down this road three times. I am assuming that he endured 3 surgeries? Or did the disc "scar-over" and heal itself? I believe once the disc scars over, that the likelihood of it rupturing again is lower?; I believe that is called calcification? Isn't that kind of like the fenestration procedure the Vets sometimes do during surgery to help assure that other discs do not cause problems? ps: You are right though, now that I have Zoe home, I am not as nervous as I thought I would be. This does seem to be so to speak "a piece of cake" compared to the lumbar area and worrying about bowel and bladder control and towel walking, etc.

Dee Dee, Like I said in my PM to you, please give me a call so we can talk. Would love to just chat with you. It does make us feel better to just get it all out

What is so bad about this right now is that mid-April I just found out I had high blood pressure (genetics did me in) and on May 27th (the day Zoe ran into the swingset) my doctor stated he was happy with my meds and I was stabilized and was "on my way". Then this happens and I can tell my blood pressure has been up, even with my medications. Although so far today, I feel pretty good.

Saying a healing prayer for all the puppers on this Board and their Hoomoms and Hoodads for quick diagnosis of their health problems and better health to come! I think we all need it

JetEd73 · June 02, 2008, 09:07:44 AM

Oh I understand the stress...oh how I know.

but you must be strong for your babies.

Roberta · June 02, 2008, 02:00:16 PM

Deep breathing girlie, she is home under mama's watchfull eye.
I have the oposite very low blood pressure about 60/86, the last time I was in hopital it was a bit higher and the nurse was pleased with my low blood pressure till I told her it was way up, and told her my normal.
Roberta

Kari · June 04, 2008, 08:34:27 AM

How is Zoe doing today??

cheryl186 · June 04, 2008, 09:26:14 AM

Hi Kari and everybody. I have been meaning to post a little update. We have had such weird weather around Cinti with all the storms coming through. The sirens went off many times last night and it was just a little unsettling. So far today we have had more storms and the sirens have only gone off once. I understand it will storm most of the day and evening, so keep your fingers crossed that all the storms move through swiftly with minimal damage.

Zoe was very good and quiet last night but I think she was picking up on our concern about the storms (we watched the weather all night). Today is her last day on the Dexamethasone three times a day and tomorrow we start her step-down program on that particular medication. We continue the same routine with the Methocarbamol and Pepcid. So far, she is doing really well and is being a good girl in her crate (once she settled down from the excitement of coming home). The only time she causes a commotion is when she has to go outside to potty. At night we have 3 wake up calls; two for potty and one for her 2am pill.

Knock on wood, she is walking normally and turning her head properly with no sign of pain so far. She is also laying on her back and doing her little wiggle waggle thing that all our doxies seem to do :thumb: Daddy and I are being very careful with our girl and maybe next week I will allow her to sit next to me on the love seat. She seems to love her ex-pen we have placed in the back yard. She enjoys seeing everyone and has not tried to climb out of it very much. We do place it in different areas of the yard to give her a different view now and then. I will be calling our regular vet with an update on her tomorrow.

Thank you all for your love and concern for my little girl. You have helped me tremendously over the past couple of days.

peterparker · June 04, 2008, 11:36:33 AM

I am so glad Zoe is home, and recovering. Just reading your story makes me nervous to let my little Parker play because he is such a ruffy.

Kari · June 04, 2008, 12:20:49 PM

So glad to hear that things are looking up! I'm sure she is going to continue to do great! We are still sending rays your way!!

Delia and girls · June 04, 2008, 01:02:50 PM

She will recover so much faster now that she's home! Get some well needed rest and you'll both be good as new in no time!

I'm sorry I'm just now catching up on Zoe's story. Are you getting more comfortable picking her up? I can totally relate. I was so afraid of hurting Gretch after her surgery. That was about 5 years ago. She's had 2 or 3 episodes since then and I'm still afraid to pick her up when she's laying down. What you're going through is normal. Or, at least, it's what the rest of us went through...assuming we're all normal.

cheryl186 · June 04, 2008, 01:56:34 PM

Delia, yes, I seem to be much more comfortable when I am picking her up. I guess it's kinda like riding a bike because I have gotten back into the same routine from when she had her back surgery. This may sound funny but it seems so different this time because when she came home from back surgery she was "fixed" and just recovering at home. This feels different because right now we are trying to "fix her". Does that make sense? I am just so nervous because accidents do happen (as with the swing set) and I will really be nervous when crate rest time is over. I tend to be over-protective and at times hubby says I drive him crazy. :verdict: I have to get over thinking that something is going to happen to her any minute. I try but it is always in the back of my mind...a kind of "stress" that is always there.

Kari · June 10, 2008, 09:37:56 PM

How's Zoe doing??

cheryl186 · June 11, 2008, 05:08:15 AM

Hello everyone. Zoe seems to be doing really well :xfinger: We are now down to one 1/2 dexamethasone tablet per day for five days and then 1/2 tablet every other day for five days. She is still on the methocarbomal and pepcid for the tummy. She is starting to get really upset with momma for not letting her out of her crate into the big bed with daddy at night (that is how I can tell she is feeling better) I have been sleeping next to her crate on sleeping bags in a different room. The last two nights I have closed the door and allowed her to sleep with me on my "pilot" and it has worked out really good. While watching tv at night I have been letting her sit with me in the love seat and have blocked her from jumping from it entirely (fireplace screens definitely do the trick). She has to go through mom to get off...hehehe. At this point, "flippie chips" are a Godsend!!! 12 more days of crate rest to go..... :verdict:

Oh yes....daddy bought her a nice pink stroller so I can get my walks in at night and she can see a change of scenery. Hopefully riding in a stroller will make her sleepy??? I had her in it once already (it has been sooooo hot here that it is too hot to goferaride in the stroller)...and once she got in it and we took off out the front door, she LOVED IT! We went up and down the street once to get her used to it. The kids down the street came up to her and they got so excited....haha... But once we got home she was panting like she was going to die....lots of water and a ceiling fan helped. So I have tabled all trips until it cools off some....I will definitely have to post some pictures, but have just been so busy.....between Zoe and work and home chores and my mom....well you guys know. "Zo Zo" sends her love to all her friends on Wiener Writings who have sent her well wishes!!

papbouv · June 11, 2008, 06:57:05 AM

The 12 days should fly by this time of year it is hard to do anything outside too HOT hate hot hoping for a early fall glad she is getting out of the crate due to a creative Mom & Dad. Should really help time go by how about a ride in the stroller at a mall where the AC is on or even around the house if your house is big enough?Good Luck with your baby.
Papbouv

Doxherding Karen · June 16, 2008, 07:55:31 PM

Quote from: Roberta on June 02, 2008, 02:00:16 PM
Deep breathing girlie, she is home under mama's watchfull eye.
I have the oposite very low blood pressure about 60/86, the last time I was in hopital it was a bit higher and the nurse was pleased with my low blood pressure till I told her it was way up, and told her my normal.
Roberta

It couldn't have been 60 over 86. How about 86 over 60?? If you blood pressure drops below 70 (the first number quoted here "up over") you lose consciousness. Maybe you quote them differently "down under"! LOL!

Karen

fabeebabee · July 17, 2008, 10:46:45 PM

Hi! I'm new to the site. The reason I joined is because my weiner, Martha, just had her first (and hopefully last) back surgery today. I found the site, then found the postings about your Zoe and the swingset debacle. What really caught my eye is that you're in Cincinnati. I'm a military wife living in Tacoma, Washinton, but both my husband and I are from Cincy! If your map is accurate, you're a westsider? I'm an eastsider, but my husband is from the Bridgetown area. Anyway, I hope Zoe is better. Martha's surgery turned out to be complicated. The disc had a "huge" herniation (to quote the neurologist) which had apparently been there for awhile because it was a lot of scar tissue and hard material as opposed to the soft stuff it's supposed to be. The hard stuff had attached itself to the dura (the outer layer of the spinal cord), so the surgeon had to mess with the spinal cord to remove it (never a good thing). She also didn't respond well to the anesthesia! Her blood pressure fluctuated, her breathing was troublesome, etc. Boy, when it rains it pours. He told me the surgery would take an hour to an hour and a half, and I finally had to call to check on her after 3 hours! He had just gotten out of surgery to tell me that she might not walk again (she went in just a little wobbly) since he had to mess with her spinal cord. Fortunately, she still has deep pain sensation, so the prognosis is good. Boy what a day. I know that "exhausted" feeling you have. We've been treating her conservatively (cage rest and Prednisone) for the last 10 days, but when she didn't show improvemen I decided it was time to see the specialist. I hated the cage rest part. As a matter of fact, I wasn't very good about it. I figured that she could just as well sleep next to me on the couch as be in the cage. Oh well, that's my problem. Wow, I've really rambled on. I understand if you never respond to this. I think I just needed somewhere to vent!

cheryl186 · July 18, 2008, 04:57:57 AM

Oh my goodness.....first of all, Welcome to Wiener Writings....major prayers to you and your baby Martha....Yes, I am a Westsider....I am from Sayler Park which is very very close to Bridgetown. I have to get ready to go to work now...but trust me....I will respond to you later today. My Zoe did have a back surgery in August of 06 and she recovered 100 percent. Again, so sorry to hear about Martha...I will talk to you soon, Cheryl

fabeebabee · July 18, 2008, 08:44:01 AM

Thank you for the prayers. That's what we really need. The other part of the story that I didn't mention is that I'm 8 months pregnant with our first child (yay) and Tony is deploying for 2 months about 2 weeks after the baby is born. That's why I wanted to have the surgery now, since I've got about 6 weeks until Tony leaves to help Martha recover. That is, if everything goes on time (hahhahha). Just this morning I thought my water broke, but then realized my labrador was drooling on my feet! The labrador (Daley) is also adding spice to my life. She's 12 years old, has always been perfectly healthy and spry, then about a month ago started trying to eat everything, and I mean everything, in sight. In the process of doing this she broke off a bunch of her teeth (including 3 of her canines). We saw the doggy dentist (yep, there is such a thing) and she quoted us $3700 to fix this 12 year old's teeth. Well, sufficed to say, we've put the teeth on the back burner. She eats well and doesn't seem to be in any pain, so we're ignoring it. Turns out she has Cushings Disease. This involves new medication and (more expensively) a series of blood tests (around $200 each) about once a week to see if we're getting the dosage right.

Now that I've told you my life story (or at least what's been happening in the last month), I feel like I should apologize. Again, I think it just feels good to get these things out. Thanks for being a supportive ear. I really am doing ok. I had 2 days where I started to wonder if post partum depression was possible BEFORE the baby comes, but that seems to have cleared up and I'm back to my happy self. I can deal with a lot of things. I just never thought they'd happen all at once!

I guess I should ask the typical Cincinnati question...where did you go to highschool? Although, being from different sides of town, maybe we won't know the same people. I guess a more pertinent question for a westsider (so my husband tells me) is to ask which parish you're in (I'm just assuming you're Catholic, as about 99% of the westsiders I've ever met are). I'm sure if he were here right now he'd be able to tell me just by your neighborhood, but I don't know the westside very well. I hope you had a nice day at work! Take care. By the way, how is Zoe doing?

cheryl186 · July 18, 2008, 10:34:28 AM

Congratulations on the upcoming birth of your baby....how wonderful. :apls: I hope the time that Tony is gone will go quickly for you and he will return safe and sound :thumb: It is great that you have had Martha's surgery while Tony is still here to help you. Just make sure that you do not neglect yourself and take care of yourself too as you also need pampering....ok? I hope you have joined Dodgers....they are a Godsend! Crate rest is the most important thing you can do for Martha right now. Rays also to Daley. I'm just glad her teeth are not bothering her.....and I hope her new medications for Cushings helps her alot and she feels much better.

I attended Western Hills High School. I also attended Church at Eden Chapel in Sayler Park which is United Methodist. There are a lot of Catholic families on the West Side. Elder and Seton are the big parochial schools on the West Side.

Zoe is doing really well now. She is back to normal (just as feisty as ever!!!) and thank you very much for asking about her.

I hope everything goes well for you and your family and baby to be!! Again Congratulations and welcome to Wiener Writings. We are all here for you

fabeebabee · July 19, 2008, 07:43:21 AM

Cheryl, in case you aren't following my other post "Need some prayers", I wanted you to have the update. You've been so sweet:

"Well, thank you all for your rays and prayers. It's day two post-op and Martha has no idea she ever had surgery! She's doing great! When I brought her home yesterday she couldn't stand on her hind end for more than a few seconds, then she would just fall over. It was heartbreaking and pathetic. I wondered if we'd ever see that "dachshund strut" again. You all know the one. Well, we woke up today and I couldn't keep her still! She was almost jogging around the yard with no sign of falling over! She also doesn't exhibit any signs of pain! Yesterday you'd have thought we ripped out her spine without anesthesia! I am so happy (and I imagine Martha is very happy, too). If you ever need a neurologist/neurosurgeon in the Tacoma area, please look up Dr. Jerry Demuth at the Animal Emergency Clinic on Durango St. He's a genius, a very nice guy (and good looking, to boot!) But I digress...

Thanks again for all your wonderful prayers. I know they helped."

It is a joyous day for me. And now I feel like I can have this baby (as if I ever had a choice!).

Thanks for being such a supportive ear.
Erin

Dee Dee and Hallie · July 20, 2008, 03:53:52 PM

So glad to hear Zoey is back to herself! There is never a better sight after they go through something like this to see the fruits of all you go through. :thumb: