Hi Gina,
I've been away for a few hours, and was so anxious to find out how things have been going. I am so relieved to hear that Lucy has been tolerating the surgery well! I'm still keeping you and Lucy in my thoughts and my heart, and I'll be watching for further reports from you.
Continuing (((hugs))),
Marianne
Gina,
I am so sorry, I don't think I have posted you before tonight.
I would not place a lot of importance that the entire tumor was not removed, frequently when most of a tumor is removed the remaining tissue does not survive as a result of the trama of the surgery.
We are all praying and wishing for the best for your Lucygoo.
Awaiting the next update.
Scott
Hi Gina,
Still here keeping fingers all 16 paws no make that 20 paws crossed, the cat just joined in.
John (Roxee's Dad)
Hey guys..
Dr. B called me again, and told me Lucy was awake, in ICU, doing well, all neurological checks are fine..i.e. eyes, reflexes, etc., and he'll call me back around 9 p.m.
So at least she's done and okay for now...whew!!!!:):)
I can't thank you all enough!! I really believe you all had something to do with it. I called her regular vet to fill her in today, and she told me that my other regular vet called from Pennsylvania asking about Lucy (Seems the whole country is pulling for my Goo.) I always knew she was extra special.
I'll try and post back after Dr. B calls around 9ish.
Much love,
Gina and Lucy
Hi Gina,
I big happy doggy dance for you and Lucygoo.:):):):):):)
I know she will continue to recover nicely. Very, very happy for you and Lucy.
John (Roxee's Dad)
GREAT NEWS GINA,
I am soooo happy for you and Lucy. :D:D:D
Lucy is extra special just like her Mom :D
And like John said, I'm sure Lucy will recover nicely, especially with the fine care she has had so far and the special love you have for her.
Hi Gina,
Big time congratulations, everything sounds really good! Thank you for keeping us up to date on how Lucy is doing. I am so happy for you.
Ken
What great news! I'm so happy for you and Lucy. Hope you can relax a little now.
Carol, Winnie (always), McGill and Atty Cat
Hi Gina,
Just had to come back to let you know that Lucy has made my day. Since your last update, I've had a smile on my face and my wife asked me what was up. Explained what you and Lucy went tru and accomplished and put a smile on her face too. :D
John (Roxee's Dad)
Gina, I have not posted to you previously, but have been closely following Lucy's story. I'm thrilled for both of you that it appears that the surgery has gone so well. Hopefully, Lucy will be the "trailblazer" for future pups with Pit tumors & macroadenomas, so that surgery will become a routine treatment for this dratted disease.
Me & my boys, Harley & Chewy, are pulling for Lucy to have a rapid & great recovery!
Debbie
Gina,
Such great news. It's not just the country (USA) 'cos we have all had fingers and paws crossed here too so it is "worldwide" well wishes and good tboughts.
Jenny
Yeah! I was out of town and just got home and had to check in. You made my day complete. I am so happy for you. You are paving the way here in the US and I am so glad you found us and were willing to share the experience. Hugs, Kim
OH Gina! That is great news! :D I am so glad the operation went as well as it did and I'm leaning towards Scott's theory on the tumor remnant, if indeed there is one.
Get some rest while you can; once she is home, you will be quite busy I imagine! ;)
Sending hugs and healing restful thoughts to you and LucyGoo,
Leslie and the girls
What great news!!!! I bet you must be exhausted. I just got home and I had to check on you gals.
What a relief. Hope you are trying to relax and catching up with your sleep. GOO way to go girl. Will check on you tomorrow.
Marcela & The Choco Labs
WOOHOO!!!! I've been on pins and needles all day waiting to hear the news. Just got home from work and was elated to see your post that the surgery went well. OMG, I am so excited...I can hardly stand it. I'm all smiles. :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D I am sure that you are hugely relieved and want Lucy back home just as soon as possible....so do we!
My thoughts and prayers are staying with you guys until Lucy is back on her feet.
Glynda
P.S. I'm hoping that we are all hearing about history in the making and just think, Lucy will have been a huge part of it.
Hi everyone....
You guys are the absolute best:) Thank you so much. Heard from the hospital, Lucy's doing fine. They said they'll call me ASAP if anything changes. I'll be able to visit her tomorrow evening, it looks like. I just am grateful she got through the surgery...now the post-op worries begin....agggh
Love,
Gina & Lucy
Gina,
I didn't get to post yesterday but you bet I was right here watching and waiting and tapping my toes and fingers! I was, and still am, so happy to hear how well things went for Lucy!!! This is wonderful, terrific news!!! :D:D:D And as Jenny said, there is a party going on around the world for you both!
Sending lots of hugs for healing (for both of you)!!!!
Beth, Bailey and always Scoobie
Hi Gina,
Just checking in to see if there were updates.
Lucy will be soooo happy to see you tonight :D and I know you will be so relieved and happy to see her pretty face, give her kisses from all of us.
Hi Gina,
I have been thinking about you and Lucy continuously..I'm soooo happy to hear your wonderful news :D:D:D You and Lucy are an amazing team and we are so grateful and thankful that you have this amazing opportunity to sustain your wonderful and loving relationship, as well as pioneer a new age of hope to so many!!! We are wishing you the best and praying for Lucy's continued and speedy recovery :):):)
with much love,
Dorothy and Mikey
Hey Gina,
Couldn't wait to see how Lucy did overnite and I am thrilled to read your latest report. :D I can't wait to read that she is home!
I hope you were able to get a little sleep tho I know how difficult that is when your baby is in the hospital. LucyGoo is in the best possible hands for now and they will take good care of her. While she's in their expert care, don't forget to take extra special care of yourself, Gina.
Prayers and hugs continuing,
Leslie and the girls
Hi everyone...Just heard from Dr. B this morning, and Lucy did well overnight. She's able to stand, but she's disoriented. The surgeons think that's because the tumor is gone and it changed the pressure in her head. Said it would last a couple days. All neuro checks are fine so far, and she's even able to swallow. He said she won't go to drink water, but when he puts it in her mouth she's able to swallow (another thing they were worried about from the way they had her mouth open and incision)
Also, he said they got all the tumor out that they could see. He said there might be some microscopic pieces around the artery, but they removed everything else:):)
He basically said "So far so good."
So I'll be visiting her later this morning/afternoon, and I'll update accordingly.
Take care
Much Love,
Gina and Lucy
Hi Gina,
This sounds good to me! :D I can imagine her jaw and mouth will be quite sore after the surgery so don't worry too much about that just yet, she is swallowing and that is great!
Enjoy your visit; I know Goo will be happy to see you again!
Hugs,
Leslie and the girls
Oh Gina, I think this all such hopeful news!!!!!! I know it will be hard for you to see her acting somewhat disoriented, but the fact that the neuro checks and swallowing ability is OK -- I think that is super good news. So the rest will just take time.
When you see Lucy, PLEASE give her some special hugs from all her aunts and uncles who are rooting for her!!!!!
Marianne
Gina,
Everything sounds great, absolutely as good as could be hoped for. It is going to be wonderful for you to go and visit her. You're still in my prayers and thoughts. Shi's got her paws crossed for you.
Ken
Gina,
So happy that Lucy's surgery went well. Everything is sounding very positive. As Marianne said, give your sweet baby some extra hugs and lovin' from all of us and here's a big bunch of cyber hugs for you!!! ((()))
Will be watching for your update.
Louise
Hi all...
Just got back from visiting my Goo. It was incredibly difficult, to say the least. She knew I was there right away, struggled to get up, then put her head back and started this awful crying, howling, agony noise. It was the worst thing I've ever heard. They said they think it's because she's frustrated, wants to get out of there, can't. She did drink water out of a dish for me, (hadn't done that before) and ate a little out of my hand. There's a lot of stuff going on right now. I just got in the cage with her, laid down and talked and sang to her. (I didn't cry) She calmed down a little, but was constantly whimpering. It's also hard knowing what's normal and what's not, since this is the first surgery they've ever done like this, let alone on a tumor that size. They told me the operating room was packed yesterday, and they were all crying afterwards, and then later when she responded to her name. Dr. B also told me that visually she's fine, although she was acting like a blind person when I was there. I guess at this point it's hard to tell how much of the weirdness is from the anesthesia/narcotics, and how much from the brain. In humans they keep you in a coma for about a week. They're going to slowly decrease the narcotics to see how she responds. I swear, I wanted to just move in with her in that cage (was seriously considering asking them.)
I just want to thank each and every one of you for your endless support and kind words. This is very cathartic for me, and it's also my journal of what's been happening in this most difficult time. I just hope and pray to God that she comes out of this, because what's happening right now is not pretty.
Take care everyone,
Love, Gina and Lucy Goo
Hi Gina,
You are awesome. Crawling in that cage and being the strong mom... it is so obvious how much Lucy is loved. No doubt she gathered strength from your visit and will continue to improve as the drugs wear off.
I am sure Ken will have wise words as he has experience and knowledge in the surgical aspect of treatment.
Meanwhile the rest of us will continue to pray and offer you our love, support and to hold your hand. Sleep well tonight knowing you are truly an inspiration to many.
Kim
Gina,
Of course I don't know what is normal at this stage of the game after a surgery like this but I think it sounds fine. She just had a big old nasty thing removed from next to her brain, pressing against it I'm sure. That has to be traumatic. The fact that they keep humans in a coma for a week tells you alot. I really do totally expect her to recover very well. Try not to expect too much too soon. It's totally different, but after Shi's adrenalectomy she didn't even act like she recognized me for three days. It was like she was in a daze and she was happy to stay at the hospital.
I think it is good for you to go visit Lucy quite a bit. I think it will be helpful for both of you. After Shi's surgery, I couldn't stay away...I drove down there 2-3 times every day, sometimes pretty late at night. I just had to see her and make sure she knew I was there. It's probably going to take some time, very possibly alot more time than Shi's recovery. Keep the faith and keep praying.
Ken
Hi Gina,
My heart goes out to you and for you. I / we are right along with you in hoping and praying.
Keeping positive thoughts that she will be up and around, playing and wagging her tail before we know it.
Give her hugs from me and my gang.
PS: You should ask if you could bunk with her, they may have said yes, I've seen it before.
John (Roxee's Dad)
Bless you both.
You are both scared and reaching out to each other.
She sounds strong and it is clear you are.
Hugs and prayers.
Scott
Hey Gina,
Ok, I can relax a bit more now that I know the visit went as well as it did. Like the others have said, don't expect too much too soon. There has got to be some swelling in her brain right now and when that goes down, you will start to see more of the real LucyGoo. The fact that she recognized you and reacted as she did tells me there is much good going on up there.
When Squirt had her legs operated on, her doc said I could spend the nite with her if I wanted so you might ask if you can. Just don't be upset if they say no; sometimes it is best for the pup to rest and keep the BP down, and sometimes it can be disturbing for us moms and dads to see what all goes on at times. But if Lucy is calmer with you around and they will let you stay some, it might be a good thing and help her heal faster.
You are an amazing lady, Gina. I think Cedar Sinai should built a monument to you and Lucy. What the two of you have done is remarkable to say the least.
Hang in there and keep us in the loop. Now get some sleep, girl!
Hugs,
Leslie and the girls
Gina,
I've been thinking of you all day...I wanted to comment on the whimpering just to throw my support behind what everyone else has said. Bailey sometimes needs a very short course of anesthesia just to get his nails cut. He had surgery back in the fall. I can tell you that every time he gets it, he whimpers and cries and moans for about 24 hours, sometimes longer, afterwards. Besides the narcotics and the swelling Lucy may have...the anesthesia alone can make Bailey act this way. It takes time to clear their system, and it can do weird things to both animals and people. I know how distressing it is to listen to, and there seems like there is not one thing you can do to comfort them, but I really do believe a big part of it is just the drug and not that they are uncomfortable. I think it is much harder on us to hear it!
So many good thoughts are coming your way still...and hopefully tomorrow will be a little better than today....and the next day and the next...
Hang in there...you have an army of people here who are with you both...
Beth, Bailey and always Scoobie
I've been thinking of you and Lucy - and all her wonderful Drs too - and my daughter has been following the story too.
I'd imagine that her brain has had quite a shock (too say the least) and that may have made her pretty emotional - but I think it is a great sign that she recognized and responded to you even if her reaction was a bit sort of wild.
Fingers crossed for her continued recovery and thinking of you both at this difficult time.
Alison
PS:
You could ask if it's ok for you to leave a dirty t-shirt or pillow case of yours with her - this seems to comfort dogs like having a photo of a loved one does for us. Most vets allow and even encourage this.
Hi everyone....Just got the morning update on Lucy.
She's doing very well...even went for a walk:eek::) Is eating a little bit, drinking, and isn't doing the rolling head back thing as much. Dr. B said if things continue, I might be able to take her home Sat or Sun, but he's not sure. I'm so glad to hear it, because I couldn't get the vision of her yesterday out of my head last night, so didn't sleep very well.
I'll post again after my visit with her today.
Thanks to all for giving me a little peace of mind last night with your input:)
Hugs,
Gina and Lucy
Hi Gina,
More good news!!! :D:D Wonderful news!! :D:D Sounds like she is really coming along! I know you will be glad to have her home again and I truly hope that happens as soon as her docs think it will.
Enjoy your visit today and don't forget to pass on all the hugs and love from us!
Hugs,
Leslie and the girls
Great, Great News, Gina,
I am so happy for you and Lucy. You are both troopers and trail-blazers for what yous have been through and are doing.
I second this quote from Leslie.Quote:
Enjoy your visit today and don't forget to pass on all the hugs and love from us!
Wonderful, wonderful! This is amazing news and Lucy is very resilient. Will be watching for your update later today.
Louise
Tremendous good news Gina,
Keep on a mendin Lucy.
Scott
Hi guys..
Another upsetting day. She's up and walking, but wants to continuously walk in circles around the perimeter of the room with her head up. Seems like she's blind, too. Didn't seem to recognize me or even know I was there. I'm hoping this is all part of the healing process, but I can't help thinking she'll never be the same. I hate to think of her blind. She watches TV...I mean literally...especially anything with animals on.
I took her outside for a walk today...didn't seem to know what to do on the grass. I know I have to give her a chance, and I can tell she's trying really hard, bless her heart (she walks kind of like a drunk blind person at this point)
I guess we'll just take it one day at a time at this point.
I've posted some pictures of her in the album if anyone's interested. I love her so much, and now I'm wondering if I did the right thing.
Thank you all so much,
Gina and Lucy
Hi Gina,
I am so keeping good and positive thoughts and prayers for you and Lucygoo. She will get better, she will get better......
Putting positive thoughts out to the universe.
John (Roxee's Dad)