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Post by Jen & Maggie on Jun 29, 2014 16:31:30 GMT -7
Can anyone offer some insight on my situation? My Maggie is a Donna's Daisy, 6 years old, and has never had any problems until about two months ago when she started having neck pain. After a thorough exam our vet put her on Tramadol and muscle relaxant but what really helped was prednisone. Her symptoms came and went. Then 10 days ago she started to walk our of her bed and her front right leg just folded under her, useless. In a panic I called our vet who saw her and recommended I take her to the UGA veterinary hospital immediately. I did, and they kept her for observation over the weekend as she was deemed not to be an emergency surgery case because she retained all movement in hind legs and responded to pain meds. Monday after radiograph and MRI she was taken into surgery for a blown cervical disc.
The surgery was successful and neurologically she is right on track. But they have kept her for 10 days! The reason is her pain level. Despite pain meds she is vocalizing when manipulated. Here is my question. I am going tomorrow to visit her because I can't take it any more. I haven't been told that they will release her because the Neurosurgeon actually was worried she might have another disc issue or nerve bundle compression due to her pain. What are the odds of this being something other than post op anxiety and pain? Maggie is a drama queen...she hates to be touched by strangers anyway and in fact will yelp before they touch her in anticipation of pain. Should I insist on bringing her home to see if she relaxes under my care and with her sister from whim she has never been separated in her life? Please help. Any and all advice is appreciated! This is so stressful!!
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 29, 2014 18:57:06 GMT -7
One of the criteria for being able to go home is that pain can be controlled with oral medication. There have been unexpected situations where there was a need to go back in they found the problem causing the pain. Hope that certainly would not happen to Maggie. But there is a reason that the pain is not being controlled and important that the neuro keeps her for observation. Do let us know how Maggie is doing tomorrow. Have you started your list of questions for the day you pick her up? You want to get answers for anything you have thought of. This is a good starter list: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/dischargequestions.htmDr. Issacs goes over alot of questions we all have had about surgery...good reading too: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/surgery.htm |
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Post by Jen & Maggie on Jun 30, 2014 10:39:59 GMT -7
Thank you for your response. It was wonderful to see Maggie today but at the same time so hard. She was sedate from the drugs but clearly very uncomfortable and vocal even when moving from the doctors arms to mine. I held her a long time and visited and she wagged her tail but something happened as I was holding her and she began to yelp in pain. They took her back to give her injectable pain meds. The surgeon spoke with me (through my floods of tears, I held it together as long as I could) and strongly recommended a second MRI to see if they need to go back in. Tomorrow morning she will have it done and they will call me with the outcome.
Does anybody know of a situation like this? Having to have a second procedure done? I so just want her to feel some relief. That level of pain, even while on oral pain meds, is just not acceptable.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Jun 30, 2014 12:07:57 GMT -7
Yes, unfortunately, there are times that a 2nd surgery was necessary to find the unexpected problem and take care of it.
Do keep us all posted, we are as anxious as you are to hear how things are with Maggie.
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Post by Jen & Maggie on Jul 1, 2014 6:56:00 GMT -7
MRI showed disc matter pressing into the spinal cord. A second surgery is happening as I type. I will keep you posted but it looks like this could be the ticket.
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Post by Michele & Maya on Jul 1, 2014 8:19:41 GMT -7
Hi Jen ! Thank god you did that 2nd MRI! Hoping Maggie will be better in no time !! Good luck today and I hope Maggie has a full recovery ASAP !
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 1, 2014 19:44:31 GMT -7
Jen,
How did Maggie get along with her surgery.. We are thinking and praying for her and for you!
Sending Hugs over the miles!
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Post by Jen & Maggie on Jul 2, 2014 5:29:53 GMT -7
Maggie came through surgery well. I am still awaiting a call to see how she is doing once they get her out of ICU. The surgeon said they removed a substantial enough amount of disc material that she feels that Maggie will experience pain relief. I hope so with all my heart. I expect a call any moment and I will continue to update. Thank you for being here. Just knowing I can come to a place where people understand what I'm going through is a blessing.
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Post by Michele & Maya on Jul 2, 2014 7:03:17 GMT -7
Hi Jen! I am So happy Maggie's surgery went well and they were able to remove what was causing her pain. These poor little girls of ours are going through so much but in time they will hopefully be back to normal ASAP playing and enjoying life! Wishing Maggie a speedy recovery and please keep us updated!
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Post by Jen & Maggie on Jul 3, 2014 11:13:18 GMT -7
Today Maggie is still in ICU. She is not improving as quickly as the surgeon would like to see. This morning she told me that she feels that some of this is wind-up pain which is understandable following two very serious and delicate procedures. Right now it is literally a wait and see. The news is guarded but hopeful. Tomorrow will be two weeks since my girl entered the hospital.
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Sabrina
Helpful Member 
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
Posts: 471 
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Post by Sabrina on Jul 3, 2014 21:35:05 GMT -7
Hi Jen, I'm Sabrina. So sorry to hear all that you and Maggie have been through! I do hope that the hospital can get Maggie's pain under control soon!
))Hugs!((
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Post by Michele & Maya on Jul 5, 2014 13:22:07 GMT -7
Hi jen , how is Maggie doing ?? Hope everything is going well and she is on the road to recovery !
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Post by Jen & Maggie on Jul 5, 2014 15:24:57 GMT -7
Hi there Michelle, well Maggie is still in the hospital. They wanted to keep her in ICU longer to see if this will allow her a jump on healing and also to provide IV pain relief and anti anxiety meds. Tomorrow morning she will be moved to the ward...I'm so nervous. Tomorrow will be day 5 post op from second ventral decompression. She walks well, will eat, just still vocalizes when someone comes near her or manipulates her and still holding her head down. We will see how oral meds go once again.  I sincerely hope that coming home will make her feel better. I've missed her so much. |
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 5, 2014 20:51:38 GMT -7
Hi Jen,
Hoping Maggie can come home soon. It's been such a long hospital stay. Hope they can get her comfortable on oral meds so she can come home to you..
Hugs!
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 7, 2014 10:14:33 GMT -7
Jen, can you tell us how things are going with Maggie/ what the surgeon comments are? Is she home yet?
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Post by Jen & Maggie on Jul 7, 2014 12:29:26 GMT -7
I'm devastated to tell you that Maggie lost her fight. The neuro team said my girl seemed to fall into the small minority who have intractable neck pain unresponsive to treatment. She was in ICU for 7 days and her pain was not manageable on oral meds. I chose this morning to let her go. Thank you for your support. This board got me through some rough and long days. Jen
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,611
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 7, 2014 13:19:04 GMT -7
Oh no, Jen. I am also devastated to hear this news. This really sounds like another disease followed on top of a the spinal cord injury. This disease is called myelomalacia. Anytime the cord is damaged by a car accident, a disc episode whether surgery or conservative treatment there are some few dogs who do develop this other disease called myelomalacia. I and my vet helped my Lewis to the rainbowbridge once the symptoms were identified during her conservative treatment. Did the surgeon say it was M? You can read more about it here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/Myelomalacia.pdfShe is free of pain now and perhaps has met up with Lewis at the bridge. Maggie now fills your heart and mind of many wonderful memories. There's no doubt she could feel your love and how much you cared for her all this time. May your heartbreaking grief soon begin to access those shared memories. Maggie can help you laugh again as you are reminded of her antics and unique quirkiness. Often taking some sort of action helps with grief. When the time is right for you you may wish on behalf of Maggie give a legacy of helping to educate about IVDD. Ask Linda to send you a free packet for your vet and business sized cards to hand out wherever you see owners of IVDD prone breeds. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/litorder.htmWhen you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey — a journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet also test your strength and courage.
Godspeed, good friend,” we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.
Warmest of hugs, Jen, and Godspeed sweet Maggie. |
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
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Post by Marjorie on Jul 8, 2014 5:05:16 GMT -7
My sincerest condolences on your loss, Jen. Maggie was a very beloved little dog and she was so lucky to have known your love. You did all that you could for her. Comforting prayers for you.
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Post by Jen & Maggie on Jul 8, 2014 10:43:11 GMT -7
Thank you Paula and Marjorie for your kind words. It's really crushing how much I miss her. She was my constant companion, a sweet, devoted, funny little dog and she made me laugh every single day.
Myelomalacia was not mentioned. She actually had regained use of all 4 limbs and was improving neurologically, just very painful and showing no sign of improvement in that realm, although now that I read this I see that they can actually appear to be improving initially. So perhaps that's what it was.
I do plan on educating others about IVDD. Since Maggie went into the hospital on June 20th my husband has built an amazing doggy ramp which will ensure our other dachshund does not have to maneuver steps any more. At least something positive then came from it.
I have, sadly, lost dogs before but I have never felt this depth of sorrow. I think part of it is because of the hope I held on to that she would pull through this and how hard the neurology team tried to help her. They never gave up hope.
She was so young - 6 short years was not enough time with her. But I don't know that 26 years would have been enough.
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Post by Pauliana on Jul 8, 2014 22:20:13 GMT -7
Hi Jen,
I am so sad to hear about Maggie.. It's devastating and heartbreaking and I hope in time you will find comfort in your loving memories. They are never with us long enough..
By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.
-- Steve and Diane Bodofsky --
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Post by Marena & Ziggy on Jul 9, 2014 4:41:56 GMT -7
I am so sorry Jen to hear about Maggie. You did everything you could. Life in pain would have been difficult for her. My thoughts are with you.
Marena
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Sabrina
Helpful Member
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
Posts: 471
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Post by Sabrina on Jul 11, 2014 11:34:21 GMT -7
))Hugs!(( You're so right, Jen - we never have enough time with our beloved dogs. Be kind to yourself as you grieve for your Maggie, and my wish for you is that in time the joyful memories you have Maggie may always be foremost in your mind! ))Hugs!((
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Post by Michele & Maya on Jul 18, 2014 5:54:13 GMT -7
HI Jen..I just saw this Update now about Maggie and I am SOOOO Sorry for your loss! Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. You Truly did everything you could and Maggie was lucky to have someone like you that did everything you could for her.
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Post by Jen & Maggie on Jul 19, 2014 9:53:22 GMT -7
Michele thank you for your kind words. It has been a rough couple of weeks without her but I know deep down I did the right thing. I still miss my girl constantly. I hope your Maya is recovering well and that the future is bright for you both!
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I sincerely hope that coming home will make her feel better. I've missed her so much.
