Krystle's Peanut 11/6 conservative

 My Peanut girl is a 6 year old 15 lb standard dachshund. In July of last year she showed her first signs of ivdd when i noticed her crying every time i picked her up. The next couple days i noticed she was getting worse so i rushed her to the vet. At the vets office they couldn't find anything wrong with her, they said she seems perfectly fine. As i left the vet i knew in my heart something wasn't right she didn't seem comfortable at all. So two days go by as i do my research to try and find out whats wrong with my baby girl. On sunday i go over to my moms house and i noticed her back was extremely hunched and she could barley move. I knew in my heart after all the researching i had done in those two days what was going on with her. I immediately called one of the only vets i knew that was open on sunday(which was not her normal vet but became after our visit) and brought her in right away. As i waited in the examine room i couldnt help myself but cry uncontrollably, because i already knew what they were going to tell me and i just didnt know what i was going to do if i heard those words. Dr. Stensing came in and did an evaluation on peanut and as she checked her reflexes and pressed down her back i hear my baby yelp in terrible pain. My stomach cringed cause i knew what the verdict was before she said anything. With hope in sweet Dr. Stensings voice she said that she still has movement in her back legs so this may not be worse case scenario. She gave me some meds; Previcox, Methocarbamol, and Tramadol. With strict instructions of strict cage rest only to go out to potty. Eight weeks later she was back to normal and so with that we changed a few rules around the house no more jumping on the couch and no more going down the steps out the house. Life for peanut was great until one fateful night on Feb. 4 (my Mothers birthday and 11 days before mine) she walked up to me as i came in my parents house and was barley moving and her left leg kept falling out from under her. Luckily i knew what to do i put her back in her cage and started her meds right away. The next morning as soon as her vet clinic opened i call to make an appointment with Dr. Stensing. On my way to the vet the overwhelming sense of doom came over me and i couldnt help but think this could be the end. We get to the vet and the Dr. takes us back right away and within minutes she looks at me and says this time its worse. I melted on the seat in the room and just cried. Her eyes watered up as well because she knew how much peanut meant to me. Her advice was to take her immediately to Texas A&M where they offer surgery. I loaded up peanut and was accompanied by a dear friend who didnt want me to make this hour long trip alone. I call A&M on the way to let them know the issue and that i was headed that way. I get there and they take peanut from me as soon as i entered the door. After 20 minutes of waiting to hear what they were going to tell me Dr. Steele finally comes in. She proceeds to tell me that peanut has ruptured two disc. Surgery immediately was thrown on the table. It wasnt something i thought we would ever have to do but never the less here it was. Thankfully i was able to get a hold of my husband(he works off shore) and he told me to do whatever i think is best. So 1500 dollars down peanut was checked in for her surgery and she said they would call me after she was out. A&M let me do half down and half at pick up. I get the call saying peanut has made it out of surgery and everything went very well. A week and a half later i go to pick up my baby not sure what to expect. When i get there the vet techs brief me before they bring peanut out. She had a long incision down her back and was woobly walking but extremely happy to see my mom and me. The first few weeks having her home was hard and full of uncertainties. We made it to our 6 week check up and they said they were very impressed that she had lost 2 pounds( she weighed 19 lbs before surgery) and they asked me what i was doing i said i have her on a strict raw food diet. The check up went well they told me she seemed like there was a little pain in her back but nothing to worry about. Two weeks after her 6 week check up i go to my moms like i had been doing every day since she first got hurt to take her out and do her exercises which they had told me that she could come out of being on cage rest after her 6 week check up. Now keep in mind i still had not let her out only to go potty and to do her walk and exercise then back in her cage for another 2 weeks. I let her out and she could barley walk. Her left leg was falling out under her again. I call A&M and they tell me to put her back on her pain meds, her anti inflammatory,and muscle relaxer. I couldn't sleep that night i knew something way worse was wrong. The next morning i rushed to my parents house to check on her and she couldn't walk at all. I called A&M and told them im bring her in now no more waiting. I get there and low and behold she had ruptured 3 more disc. I was infuriated because i was just there two weeks ago and they said she was fine minus the little bit of pain she felt on her spine, plus the fact that they wanted me to wait before i had brought her in. Once again surgery was thrown on the table and this time it was urgent. My mind was just so lost i didnt know what to do. I was so lucky that we had the money to do the surgery the first time but for a second time that would be only by the grace of god! I explained to her how upset i was about this and she proceeded to tell me that they could possibly get us a grant for 2000 off the surgery this time. I said yes lets try and god blessed us enough to get the grant. With the blessing of my husband we went in for round two of surgery. One week later i get the call its time to pick her up. She of course was so beside herself when she came through the exam room. She could barley pick herself up and walk but i was pleased to see she wasn't hurting any longer. The next 6 week would be the hardest 6 weeks of our lives. I decided to stay at my parents so i could keep a better eye on her.( I live in an apartment with stairs and i have a bad knee so going up and down stairs carrying her would of been hard on the both of us) There was a lot of sleepless nights and more tears cried than i could even tell you. We finally made it to our 6 week check up and the staff at A&M were very welcoming as we came through the front door. Dr. Steele was above and beyond impressed how wonderful peanut looked, she still had a hunch in her and was walking still very drunkenly but after everything she went through she was doing fantastic and managed to lose 1 1/2 more pounds. I can not thank A&M enough for all the care and understanding even when i was so upset they were there to help. We are now 6 months post op second surgery and of course me being the worrier i am in between those 6 months i have taken her to her local vet to get check ups when i feel like something is off with her and every time i take her in they tell me how great she looks and is doing. I ended up taking her to the vet yesterday because i noticed she looked depressed and kinda slow but not acting like she in pain. The vet told me with this weather we are having it getting colder that she could be experiencing some discomfort like arthritis. He checked her reflexes and pressed down her spine she show no discomfort and seemed fine. He prescribed her 5mg of Valium to keep her calm and put her back on Previcox for inflammation. My question is; is it possible for her to be having arthritis or could it be shes hurt again. I am constantly worrying about her and checking her and way over thinking everything i suffer from extreme anxiety and become uncontrollably emotional when i think somethings wrong with her. Does the worrying ever subside a little, i live and breathe worry about peanut and i think she cant definitely tell. Sorry peanut story was so long thanks for reading and any help to ease my mind would be greatly appreciated.