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Figured I had better post an update. I have been
keeping up with
the reading but just haven't submitted anything
myself. Since other
people's experiences have helped me so much with
my own struggles, I
ought to help out other folks with my experience.
So here's where
we are.
Belle is at two weeks and a day since Univ. of
Illinois surgeons,
and I do mean plural, removed a tumor the size of
a small canteloupe
(no exaggeration, it was that bad) and some of
three ribs. They put
in a mesh to hold everything in and reattached her
diaphram to the
healthy ribs forward of the ones that they
removed. She came home
three days later with staples holding the incision
closed and an
elizbethan collar to keep her from chewing them.
She was doing well,
getting stronger, appetite coming back and energy.
She must have
picked up a stomach/intestinal "thing"
because she lost her appetite
and developed a bit of the runs. Had to feed her
by syringe (Hills
Prescription a/d) for a few days while it ran its
course.
Unfortunately she gave it to her big
"brother", Chester. And he
went down hard for a day. A shot of antibiotics
and some pills to
take home and he is
better now. Anyhow, it finally broke up for her
this past Wednesday and now she is eating (with a
dash of Canola oil
to coax her). Went for a walk two nights ago and
she was trotting
along just like old times! She's even started
baying again although
not as often and not as long. I'll take it!
She went back to U of I for a check on Friday and
all looks to be
going well. Now she needs radiation therapy;
specifically a Linear
Acelerator with electrons. Unfortunately, those
are few and far
between for canines. The closest is Univ. of Missouri, but their
radiologist who runs that machine is on vacation
until 8/26, too
late for UofI's comfort. Next is Auburn University, an extra two
hours away. Oh, well. In for a penny, in for a
pound. They will
see her on Thursday. Just got to work out the
logistics; especially
difficult as school starts Wednesday! After that
appointment, she
will unfortunately need to board at Auburn for
the therapy. They
need her once a day for 5 days for three straight
weeks. So she
will at least get to see us on weekends. Not sure I
can come up
with a logical justification for the trouble. But
ultimately, I
have come to the conclusion, that in our case, at
least, logic has
nothing to do with it. We decided that we can and
we will.
Prognosis is unknown, really. Her particular case
is phenomenally
rare. She is doing well so far so at this point
everyday will be a
gift from God.
Good luck to all the rest of you. Thanks to so
many for thoughts,
prayers and words of encouragement. Know that the you are in our
thoughts and prayers as well.
Joel and Belle
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