Somewhat of an Update

I didn't get to talk to the vet last night as they had an emergency going on when I called, but as of yesterday afternoon when I spoke to them, all her vitals were good and she finally started eating (only if her favorite nurse fed her though).  Can you say "spoiled"?

She is not walking on the leg at all, but that is normal since the cast was just removed Sunday night. The incision and staples look good and she doesn't have any swelling and only minimal bruising. 

They are waiting on some cultures to come back so they can check her bacteria levels in order to get approval for the second surgery on Friday. She is taking her meds well (pain meds, anti inflammatory & antibiotics), but her fentenyl patch is no longer working, so she has started showing signs of some pain (as to be expected with what she has going on). 

Lainey has 2 favorite nurses and it sounds like everyone there just loves her. A couple of the nurses (her favorites) even get inside her cage with her throughout the day and love on her until she falls asleep in their lap.

This is 2 days post surgery...I think she is saying "Mama, pleeeease get me outta here"

Whirlwind

It's been such a whirlwind the past few days! I was able to visit with Lainey this weekend and planned on doing another update, but I think I will hold off another day or so. Things seem to be changing so quickly, and I would rather have all the information to give you, rather than just bits and pieces.

In the meantime, here is a pic of Lainey 3 days post-op! Doesn't she look so sad? My heart just breaks....

And the Saga Continues!

Yesterday was Lainey's appointment with the Orthopedic Specialist.  Originally, the plan was for the doctor to do surgery on Lainey's new injury, but unfortunately, that is not what happened.

After the initial exam on the new injury, the doctor started examining the old injury and we discussed all of the complications we've been having since Lainey's surgery in September.  After discovering that Lainey has been hyper-extending her leg for 4 months since surgery, causing the cartlidge to harden in an odd position in her hock, we decided that emergency surgery on her first injury was more of a priority at this time.

The plan is to do the surgery on Leg #1 yesterday, board her at the vet for the next 10 days and then do surgery on Leg #2.  The type of surgery we have chosen for Leg #2 will actually allow her to "stand" and bear weight on that leg within 24 hours and the recovery time is only about 8 weeks.  This is a necessity given the fact that the recovery period for Leg #1 will be 4-6 months.

I spoke with the surgeon yesterday after the first surgery was completed, and it sounds like everything went as planned.  She was able to determine what was causing each of our complications and resolve each of those problems (we hope)! 

As of now, Lainey is resting comfortably and is adjusting to the full leg bandage she is wearing.  As for the issue with her hock, she will need to wear a brace for an undetermined amount of time (see pic for example of brace)

Fortunately, the vet is only 10 minutes away from my dad's house on the east side of the state, so I will be staying with him this weekend in order to visit Lainey as much as possible.

Please keep the prayers coming...Lainey (and mama) could use them!

You will NEVER believe this...

Lainey tore her ACL in her other leg on Monday. 

Are you as shocked and saddened as I am?

Due to the complications we have had with the first surgery, we have decided to take her to a specialist (all the way across the state) for them to perform a specialized surgery that won't entail using any nylon material.

As I told you here, her body is rejecting the nylon, so it didn't make sense for our normal surgeon to perform the same procedure.

In addition to her having surgery we will also need to get her fitted for a doggie wheelchair.  She will be unable to bear weight on either leg for quite some time and this will help us avoid any further damage to her first leg and assist in healing with the second leg.

Her surgery is tomorrow so please wish us luck and pray for some healing strength for Lainey.  It also wouldn't hurt for you to pray that I win the lottery to pay for all of this either :-)

Lainey Surgery Update #1,000,000,000,000

We are 4 months, 3 days post op and I feel like I should be done with surgery updates and just be able to say that she is a healthy pup who is enjoying running again!

Unfortunately, that is not the hand we were dealt.

The week before Christmas Lainey was put under again and they aspirated some fluid and sent it for testing.  The test results came back and showed very, very little amounts of bacteria, which means there was little to no infection.

Even though the bacteria levels were so low, the surgeon wanted us to complete the cycle of antibiotics anyway and continue on the pain meds.

During this time, a miracle happened.  Lainey was happy, she was walking again with little to no limp, and on a few occasions she even did her zoomies in the yard and played in the snow.

I truly thought that we had finally turned the corner and things would only continue to improve.

I was wrong!

This spurge of energy and excitement only lasted about 2 1/2 weeks and then I noticed that she was limping again, didn't want to get out of bed and whined all through the night.

I finally got a chance to talk with the surgeon about this and he is worried that her body is rejecting the nylon that was used to repair her ACL.  If this ends up being the case, we will have to schedule surgery to remove the nylon and replace it with another artificial material.

Not only is the money an issue, but you guessed it....we would officially be starting over as if we were back on Day 1 post op and not Day 117.

I'm stressed and praying that we don't have to go this route.



This is the look she gave me when I told her about the possibility of having surgery again! 
The sadness in her eyes says it all!

Lainey

Lainey from Amy Rall on Vimeo.

2013 Started with a Bang

Sorry things have been so quiet around this little ole blog!  I had 2 weeks off from work for the holidays and I vowed to spend as much time with my family and loved ones as possible, which left very little time for the internet.

And then on the second day back to work this new year, I came down with the flu and was totally bed-ridden for four days straight.

Needless to say....2013 has not started off the way I had planned.

But, It's a new day and I'm back to work and feeling healthy once again.

I'm buried in work and don't see myself digging a hole out any time soon, so my "2012 in Review" post probably isn't going to happen.  Which is okay.  I'm not going to stress out over this little ole blog.  (That is one of my resolutions....don't stress the small stuff)

On a brighter note, I just received a call from Lainey's surgeon and it looks like for the first time since her surgery she is A-OK!  They recently drained all of the fluid off her knee and since then she has been doing amazingly well.  She is no longer limping and she walks on her leg ALL THE TIME now.  I even took her out to the backyard the other day without a leash and she was running around in the snow.  She was so happy that it brought tears to my eyes.  I think we have finally turned the corner and she will continue to recover from here on out.

I can't think of any better news to brighten my day!  This has been such a long and stressful time for us.

As far as I'm concerned....my New Year starts NOW!  So, HAPPY NEW YEAR my friends!

I'm Back

I can hardly believe that I am back in the office this morning!  My body (and mind) does not feel like I had 13 days off.

New posts to follow as soon as I can "get back to the grind".  I'm feeling all out of whack today.

Happy New Year....Bring on 2013!