Anna - April 20 doing well

We are doing well with Anna's recovery. She is getting back to her normal behaviours and feeling so much better. Also back to eating her dog food, so meal time is less cumbersome if we aren't at home when she needs to be fed. Currently feeding her three times a day, where she previously was fed twice a day. She has to put on some weight, so I am not rushing to get her back to twice a day until she has gained back some of the weight she has lost.

When we meet dogs on our walk she wants to say hi and play. She can't understand why I won't let her and she has to sit :-(.

There has been a big change in the movement of her tail since we left Vancouver, and even since she was released from hospital in Victoria. Looking very promising that she will not lose it. Yeah!!!

I have had to be in the office two days this week, so Anna of course has joined me. She is so comfortable coming up the elevator now. A HUGE change since we moved to this office space in December... then she was a quivering blob of jello traveling in the elevator.

Looking forward to a nice, relatively dry weekend so I can get in lots of short walks with my Anna pup.

Hugs,
Debs

Anna update April 15

We have had a great progress over the last few days. So nice to see.

Friday had a follow up appointment with our vet. She knew we were in as a follow up to hospitalization due to a kidney infection, but was surprised that Anna was also the one who was in an accident with a car. The vet was pleased with how she looked, her progress with eating, urination and bowel movements plus a normal temperature. Also Anna wagged her tail while there which the vet indicated is a very good sign that she won't lose her tail (cautiously optimistic!!!). She cautioned that the two weeks of antibiotics should be extended by another 3 weeks to ensure that the infection is truly gone, so we will be taking in a number of urine samples to be tested and extending her course of antibiotics.

Started mixing in Anna's regular food with the home made (chicken, rice and chicken broth) and she is happily gobbling it all down. She has lost about 1.5 kg (a little over 3 lbs) so is very slim now. Need to work on getting her back up to her normal weight.

We have an appointment to return to the vet clinic in Vancouver so they can ultrasound her kidneys and the mass by her spine near the fracture site. The mass is believed to be a hematoma, but when Anna was released from the hospital last week neither had reduced in size as the vets had expected. So we will have the specialists in Vancouver check them out.

Since Thursday Anna has been getting into her toy basket and starting to play with her toys. Was on Skype with my parents on Friday with the camera on Anna... she went into her toy box, got out a ball and proceeded to play with it in front of us. My parents were overjoyed to see this!

We are gradually working on longer walks daily. Anna would probably go for hours if I let her, but we have kept the initial walks to a few blocks and will increase our wanders daily. She met her best buddy on one of our walks and they so wanted to play and rough-house. Still have to keep her quiet so the fracture can heal correctly, that is probably going to be difficult as she is feeling better and ready to start jumping and playing as she did before the accident.

Anna has started ringing the bell at the front door when she needs to get out to use the washroom. I trained her to so this a few months after getting her as she had no clear signal that she needed to get out and I didn't enjoy cleaning up puddles on the carpets. So she has started this again, very promising sign as it is a clear indicator that she is feeling the need to urinate!

Time to get out for a wander with the pup... we both need some fresh air!

Hugs,

Debs

Anna -April 11

Things are progressing well. Last night after work Anna wanted to go for a walk, so we went for a stroll which we both enjoyed.

She is continuing to eat, small quantities so meals are offered to her frequently.

This morning she went into her toy basket and got out her bone... really good sign that she is feeling better!

Debs and Anna

Anna - April 10

Anna came home last night. YEAH!!! So very good to have her home with me.

Yesterday she was taken off the IV fluids and antibiotics. When I arrive at the vets last night she was having her supper, she wasn't interested in finishing it after I arrived. Breakfast this morning was spoon fed to her... she wasn't interested in eating on her own. Since she has had another 2 meals/snacks the last one she voluntarily ate quite a bit from her plate (YEAH!!!).

She has the spring back in her step now... So nice to see. When I take her out to use the washroom she is wanting to wander around and sniff checking out what dogs have been visiting the area. :-)

Smiling,

Debs

Anna - April 9 morning update :-)

Just a quick note right now... Talked with the vet this morning and if Anna continues improving as she has the last 24 hours she might be able come home tonight!!! Keeping my fingers crossed.

During our visit last night the vet tech indicated that Anna is a favorite of all the staff (not surprising to me) and the night staff will curl up with her on her bed if things are quiet. She would definitely enjoy that!!!

Debs

Anna - April 8 back in hospital

Anna developed a kidney infection as a result of the trauma and having the urinary catheter in place. She is in the 24 hour vet clinic in Victoria, the update from the vet this morning wasn't as promising as I had hoped. Her liver enzymes and bilirubin count are elevated which they are not certain the cause, could be due to the breakdown of a hematoma that they found or other causes. The vet indicated that re-admitting her to the vet in Vancouver might be possible if she doesn't improve over the next day.

Please continue sending healing thoughts and prayers for my baby girl.

Hugs,

Debs

Anna - April 4

Anna's catheter has been removed and she urinated successfully!!! YEAH!!! So we can plan on heading back to Victoria.

The neurologist indicated today that there was no change in the tail or the second side of the bladder. He is optimistic that there will be improvement with the bladder, seemed less so with the tail, but indicated that improvement is possible. There is a time threshold where further improvement may occur within 4-6 weeks of the incident, from my understanding in this situation the myelin sheath which allows the nerve impulse to conduct is damaged but will regenerate in 4-6 weeks. The myelin sheath can be thought of as a straw, when it is whole you are able to move liquid through it, but when there is a hole in the straw liquid does not move through.

Anna hadn't been interested in eating her food, so we have been cooking chicken to mix with her regular food to keep her eating. Last night when Christine was feeding her dog Darwin, Anna cleaned up some of his dry food from the floor... So I took advantage of this and got her dry food into a bowl for her which she devoured!!! Nice to see!

Have to contact our vet and make an appointment with them so they can get up to date on Anna's situation. Notified the vet here about our family vet, so they should get some documentation about what happened and care provided.

It has been a hectic week, ready to be home and have a few days down time. Thankfully this is a long weekend so we can hang out at home and relax/recooperate.

I want everyone to know how much I appreciate the well wishes and prayers sent out for Anna's recovery. It has been pretty amazing the advances she has made in just a few days. She is loved by so many people!

Later,

Debs

Anna and Debs - April 3

It is a rainy day here in Vancouver. Anna had her pain meds a short time ago, her urinary catheter cleaned and got outside to use the bathroom. That is the excitement for us today.

I realized shortly before 10 that a weekly work meeting was starting shortly and I had nothing else to do until 11. So rather than play on the iPod (there is only so long that you can play on a mobile device before it gets tiring) why not attend the meeting and keep up to date... Cell phone lost battery after 1.5 hours but I needed to tend to Anna and pretty sure things were wrapping up at that time.

Running into the normal issues after trauma and/or surgery: Not interested in eating and problems moving the bowels. Cooked chicken is helping to tempt Anna to eat, she is getting good at picking out the chicken around her kibble the monkey. Constipation is the side affect of the pain killer she is taking, the documentation recommends cooked pumpkin or sweet potato to aid in softening the stool naturally. Interesting as that is the same advice I received when I commented to my vet that her bowel movements were quite loose. The pumpkin is doing the trick and we have had action each time I took her out today, to my relief and I am certain to hers as well.

Here she is resting during the meeting. The vet clinic have loaned us a pretty purple harness to attach her urine bag to so she can move around on her own. Otherwise we would have to follow her around holding the bag... which was what we did Sunday when we had her here. It is MUCH more convenient to not have to hold the bag, especially since Christine is unable to be here today and tomorrow because of school commitments. Sunday I was quite uncertain when they sent me home with her... similar to heading home with a new baby, but we are settling in to a routine and all is working out well.

Not sure what meds she will be on following her appointment on Wednesday. Pretty likely she will still be on pain killers as she is definitely uncomfortable if she doesn't get them on an 8 hour schedule. She is also on anti-nausea meds, which could be to control a side affect of the pain killers.

Well, have some on-line training to dig into, so will send this off to the hallowed internet and see where it lands.

Many, many thanks for the healing thoughts and prayers for Anna girl. She is one tough cookie, and I love her so much, as I know many who know her do as well.

Later,

Debs and Anna

Anna update Apr 2 - good news

The news from the neurologist today was good! We have been on a roller coaster ride for almost a week, and finally some definitive good news. I have been so cautious about getting my hopes up based on what I was hearing and then told once I arrived here in Vancouver. Now I can finally hope for a mostly normal life with my baby girl once again (granted my life is no where near normal ;-) ).

In discussions with the neurologist he explained what happened in the accident, her tail was run over as she was attempting to run in the opposite direction, thus a significant yank on the tail. This yank displaced the sacrum and also affected the nerves in that area of the body. There is a very good chance that her tail will have to be amputated as it is unclear whether the nerves for it will recover, the neurologist did not notice any response at the base of the tail when he examined it today although the vet tech had indicated she had noticed a response previously. If the tail has to be amputated that that is a small thing to have to have done compared to some of the other potential issues that can result from this type of accident.

The more pressing nerves that can be, and were affected, are to the bowels and bladder. A single nerve controls the bowels, and has made a partial recovery. She has been having controlled bowel movements since Saturday, so the prognosis is looking very good for her bowel control.

To the bladder is another pair of nerves. One to each side of the bladder and they work together to expel urine from the bladder during urination. The neurologist indicated that one side is definitely functional, during today's examination he did not notice a response on the other side although the vet tech had indicated she had noticed previously the other side was also responding. Another wait and see, but what this should mean is that she will be able to urinate, just may not be able to completely vacate the bladder. If this is the case she will be prone to urinary track infections.

All in all a HUGELY different picture from what we were seeing about a week ago. Not out of the woods yet, but looking so much more promising.

They released Anna from the hospital on Sunday late morning, we spent the afternoon on the deck in the sun. Back for the evaluation today and are back at Christine's place again.

On Wednesday we return and they plan to remove the urinary catheter. The hope is that she will be able to urinate on her own when the catheter has been removed.

Still up in the air when I will be returning to Victoria. Should have a better idea on Wednesday.

Anna and Darwin, my sisters dog, are curled up on dog beds at my feet. Such a great sight to see!

Hoping for a decent night sleep tonight. Around getting up every 4 hours to give my baby meds. Last night the two hours before she was to have her pain meds she was getting restless, so I got down on the floor and cuddled with her. Not especially comfortable for me, but at this point she is the important one.

Lots of puppy cuddles from Anna.

Anna

For some of you this will be new, and I appologize for missing notifying you earlier!

Anna has been staying with my sister since Saturday March 24th. On the Tuesday Anna escaped the house and ran on to the busy road, she was struck by a car. Christine rushed her to the local vet and they sent them to a 24 hour emergency clinic. After X-rays it was determined that her sacrum has been displaced and there is a pelvic fracture (the fracture is in a place where they do not normally do anything to set it). The sacrum is a bone at the end of the spine just before the tail, in the same area are the nerves which control the bladder, bowels and tail. All indications were that the nerve had been severed or crushed. The vets indicated that the prognosis wasn't promising and dogs with this injury don't generally regain control of the bowels or bladder, and the tail would likely have to be amputated.

I arrived in Vancouver Saturday March 31st and with trepidation got to see her for the first time since the accident. Shortly after arriving the vet came by to talk and give us an update. He indicated that on his examination of her there was some anal tone, which there was none on examination following the accident and the first few days. From speaking with a family friend who is a vet he indicated that without anal tone she would definately have incontinent bowels.

After the vet indicated they noticed her anal tone he indicated it was a sign for the neurologist and surgeon to re-evaluate her on Monday morning. We are VERY cautiously optimistic about the prognosis.

We thank everyone for sending healing thoughts and prayers! Please keep the healing thoughts and prayers going for my sweet girl.

Baby Quilt top

The quilt top is completed. Both borders have been added, now need to get the backing a tad wider.

Have to get moving on this project. Just a week left to get it completed.

Debs

Bag Lady Exchange

Hi there gals... Had fun getting my block ready to begin its trip with a voyage to Toronto for a visit with Lynne. As usual, I wasn't able to decide what to do until late in the game. Finally decided to do a block from a delicious book I purchased the last time I was in California called "Beautiful Botanicals". The block I chose is the Autumn Tiger Lily with Asters... you can see an image of the original on page 52 of the Preview this book.

This is my version of the block. I didn't have time to complete it, so everything is basted in place. To complete the block I will hand applique the stems and try to hand applique the flowers and leaves but to shape the pieces I used glue so I may not be able to hand applique those pieces. There are two sets of flowers that are not on the block and also a butterfly which will go in the center. The daisy like flowers will go in the lower left hand corner and I plan to do them in a gold batik and a brown center, the other flower is a floral spray which is to go in the lower right and upper middle and should be in graduated purples. Haven't decided what to do with the butterfly as of yet.

This block has gotten me excited to do some more from this book. I have the fabrics to do one of the blocks and started collecting fabrics for another. But first I NEED to get the baby quilt that I previously posted completed. Still needs the borders and quilting done.

Hugs,
Debs

Baby Quilt

A good friend had a new baby girl in December. Last summer, on a business trip to California, I bought the novelty fabrics for her baby quilt... For this quilt my thought was to do the Exquisite quilt block. The corner triangles are from two fabrics, it was difficult to choose, the initial thought was to use primary colours but couldn't find what I wanted, so found a black fabric with letters on it then looked for a light fabric to contrast... ended up with a cream fabric with mice and cheese.

Trying to decide about borders for the quilt... Here is the top,
I really like the diagonal lines from the placement of the blocks.
















First option. I really like the Butterfly print, and since the quilt is for a baby girl think it makes it a bit more feminine .

















And the second option. The same two fabrics are used but reversed.