Lucygoo - Pit. macroadenoma, endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery, trans-oral approach

Hey Gina,

Honey, don't lose hope and for crying out loud, don't start blaming yourself for anything or second guessing yourself. What hope did Lucy have without this surgery? Not much, right? You have given her the best chance she has at a normal life, the very best chance! In fact, the only real chance. If I had been in your shoes, I would have made the very same decision for Squirt. I would have been just as terrified as you were about it, just as upset now, and thinking the same things you are today. But I would have jumped at the chance for her anyway.

When a human has a serious operation, often the second and third days are the worst. The anesthesia is wearing off, the pain is unbelievable, everything is confusing and irritating and strange. I saw this happen repeatedly with my dad and the nurses confirmed that it is not uncommon at all. I know dogs are not humans and that they heal differently, but the principle still remains. It just takes time, more for some than others. And what LucyGoo has been through is certainly MAJOR!

There may be some permanent changes for Lucy, but I still have great hope that she will come home soon.

Gina, I can only imagine what you are going through mentally and emotionally. We are here if you need to talk, vent, whatever. Don't sit there and let your mind run away with you. If yours is like mine, that can be dangerous! :p I am behind you 100%+, we all are.

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

Gina,

Remember they keep humans in a coma after the surgery so it's understanble she isn't herself yet... I know it has to be hard - very hard and you did the best thing you could for her - you gave her a chance to live. She is still recovering from the operation, anethesia etc. so please don't lose hope.

My cush dog is over 15 yrs old and has lost most of her hearing and most of her eyesight... but she is a very happy little thing. So even if eyesight is lost there are lots of wonderful stories about how great dogs get along.

We will all continue our prayers and are here so feel free to vent - we have big shoulders. Take care of yourself too.

Hugs
Kim

Thanks Leslie and John.....I was thinking the "blindness" might be temporary (I Hope!!!) Because Dr. B said her vision was okay, and she reacted to his hand, so I was thinking maybe the optic nerve was being pressed on or something. Sometimes she acts like she can see, so it's really hard to tell. Most of the time not, though. If she doesn't seem any better by tomorrow I'm calling him...figures he went to San Francisco until Tues, but I have his cell....
Does anyone have any experience in neurologic symptoms and what they mean? I've been furiously googling trying to find out anything. Unfortunately this is as much a learning experience for the doctors as it is for me. There's simply nothing to compare it to. I wish I could get ahold of someone who had something to do with this surgery in the Netherlands. Surely there's got to be some kind of blow by blow description of what happens to the dogs in recovery somewhere...I'm just going mental right now.

Thanks everyone for listening....

Gina and Lucy

Gina,
I feel for you. Even if there was a blow by blow description of what happens you know that all dogs are different and it might make you worry more.
The body is an amazing thing and when it's stresses (like surgery) certain non critical things shut down so that the body can concentrate on healing. (I know very technical :p) There has to be a certain amount of swelling around the surgery site and it will be days (weeks??) before you will know if there are any consequences. We all want Lucy to be better now but guess what....father (or mother) time always has other ideas.
Thoughts and prayers still coming your way.
Jenny

Gina, I am so sorry that Lucy seems so unlike herself right now. I can only imagine how hard it is for you to see her like this, and to wonder whether she can see or recognize you. But I want to "second" and "third" and "fourth" what the others are saying -- that there is still every reason to have hope. The assault to her brain has been immense, and it will likely just take some time for things to settle down for her.

But please, please, please don't second-guess yourself. I very seldom feel as though it is my place to directly advise people to choose a specific course of action. But with Lucy's surgery, I truly had no doubt as to the choice I would have made myself, and the choice that I thought was the best for Lucy. From my own experience, Gina, the problems that you are seeing in Lucy at the moment are the same problems you would have seen if the tumor had continued to grow. But in that heartbreaking scenario, there would be no hope at all, and the problems would only worsen and worsen. Right now, we all have every reason to think that the problems are temporary, and that there is great hope for improvement!!!!

So please do not despair! You and Lucy have so many people on your side. And we're all praying for a cure for your sweet girl.

Many, many (((hugs))),
Marianne

Marianne, Jenny and everybody,
Thank you so much. It's just been a very difficult, emotional day. I know I have to be patient.
Dr. B's assistant just called me (she's the greatest), and told me that Lucy's doing well, eating now and drinking, they took her off IV meds, now she's on oral. (They were able to give her her thyroid while I was there because she ate) She's still walking in circles, but they're hoping once the swelling goes down, that will too. And Marianne, I think you're right...I was thinking there's probably even more swelling now than there ever was, so maybe that's what it is. The size of her tumor was 2.2 something centimeters. Normal is 5 millimeters.
We discussed the vision, and she said she's definitely somewhat visual, they just don't know how much or if it's permanent or not. They're going to have the opthalmologist check her out.
My poor baby.

Thank you all so very, very much for helping me through this...

Gina and Lucy

Kim, thank you too for reminding me about the coma thing. I keep forgetting things. I know....I"M the one that needs the neurosurgery:o

Gina,

Hang in there...Post operative edema is a very traumatic event after neurosurgery and it will take time to access Lucy's condition. These are crucial hours and improvement takes time.
The trauma of the surgery had to be substantial initially but that doesn't mean that what you are seeing now is in any way permanent . Be good to yourself....you are doing all that you can for Lucy
and we admire your courage in pursuing a cure for her!
Hang in there...You have everyone's love, prayers, and support. We wish you peace and a successful recovery for Lucy..

with love, prayers, and positive thoughts..
Dorothy and Mikey

Gina,

I can't really add to what the others have already said....the swelling and healing....the circling is something you see when the tumor is progressing and growing...and with the tumor almost all gone, I would think this is the swelling causing this.

Try and see the positives as you can....I know it's hard!!! I am a basket case with my furballs. But she is eating, she is drinking, she is progressing to oral meds, she is walking....and yes, you had no choice other than this. What was the quality of life she had before? And you did this bc you researched and you also followed your heart....therefore, your decision, well it is IMPOSSIBLE for it to be wrong!

We are sending our GO LUCY chant from here!!! Lots of hugs....Beth, Bailey and always Scooter

I've finally got a chance to reply - I've been running around all morning (it's about 11 am here).

I agree with what all the others have said. Especially Marianne where she says that these are the things you would have been seeing as the tumor enlarged and that at least now there is very real hope of improvement over time. So please don't beat yourself up - in opting for this surgery you've given her hope whereas there was none before.

It does sound like Lucy is improving steadily despite some oddnesses that surely must the swelling. I know with head injuries the worst period is the two or three days or so after the injury rather than immediately after and this is mainly because of swelling. The same thing applies to just about all injuries - as an example I fell and bruised my leg really severely last Friday and it was at its worst and ugliest in many ways on Sunday and then began to improve steadily after that - slowly at first and then rapidly from about Wednesday on. I know my bruised thigh is pretty trivial in comparison but I suspect Lucy's "bruising" will be following a similar course.

One thing that might help you is (if you aren't doing it already:p:)) to write down any questions and concerns you have as they come up so you remember to talk to the Drs about everything that is bothering you about Lucy when they are available. If you are anything like me you have your biggest worries and biggest questions at 3.00am when there isn't away to get good answers.

Good luck and best wishes from me too.

Alison

Gina,

When my other Pom. had to have one of his teeth pulled last month, it took him two days to get back to his old self. This was just a tooth extraction, nothing compared to what sweet Lucy has amazingly pulled through.

The fact that she is eating and drinking, I believe, is a very good sign of a path to recovery, which may take some time.

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Be good to yourself....you are doing all that you can for Lucy
and we admire your courage in pursuing a cure for her!

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MOST DEFINETLY

Gina,

I just think Lucy went through a very traumatic event and it's going to take a while to recover. I expect her to get a little bit better every day. Lucy is certainly a fighter. I guess you're just going to have to try to be patient and you definitely have to keep the faith. I believe she is going to make a very good recovery but it's going to take a while.

Ken

Update...Just heard from the vet Dr. B put in charge while he's out. She had the ophthalmologist check Lucy and they think she's blind. Don't know if it's permanent or not, and he thinks she's got some sort of vision in her left eye. I'm hoping against hope that it's temporary. I keep telling myself it's the swelling and it will go away. Lucy is such a visual dog. Her favorite thing is to watch TV with me and look out the window at the cats. I'm crying as I write this.

When I asked if she's still circling, she said she is, and then added...."Maybe it's just her getting used to being blind." I'm calling Dr. B after my visit with her tomorrow, and hopefully when I can form a cohesive sentence without crying, and get to the bottom of this.

This is all so incredibly difficult and frustrating, and I thank God I found this place and all of you to share it with.

xoxo...Gina and Lucy

Gina,

I really don't think anyone can know at the moment.

The vision thing is difficult with a dog to start with as they are mostly driven by their sense of smell.

Please let us know.

Scott

I really think there is every reason to hope that her blindness is temporary - the swelling should be at its worst about now so things should start to gradually improve. Remember that some people become temporarily blind either on one side or even both with migraines and then are totally ok once the attack passes - so brain-based blindness is not necessarily irreversible at all.

I hope that you can talk with Dr. B real soon!

Keep us posted.

Alison

Gina,


We are all here and we are all thinking positive.

You go right ahead and vent, it doesn't have to make sense, I just wish there was more we could do for you right now.

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Originally Posted by Lucygoo

She's up and walking, but wants to continuously walk in circles around the perimeter of the room with her head up.

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Keep thinking the positives. She is up and walking and her head is up, not hung down. Those are both very good signs.

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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.

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It could be just the drugs are making it hard for her to focus. I don't think the doctors would have told you that she is visually okay, if in fact she is blind. Not to say that it didn't happen, but I'm sure they would let you know if they knew she was blind. It could be temporary. And Gina, she may not be the same, it is too soon to tell. But you still have her and love her and will guide her through this.

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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.

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Just imagine somebody messing with your brain and then pumping you full of narcotics. You would be pretty messed up and confused too. One day, one hour. It will take time.

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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.

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She is a sweetheart and you know you did the right thing. Just think back a week ago, and you will not question your decision.

Continuing healing thoughts and prayers for Lucy.
Hugs ~ Mary Ann

Hi all....
Got the morning update from the vet , and she told me Lucy seems more alert than yesterday, not walking in circles as much, but still doesn't have any vision. I'm just going to continue to believe that it's the swelling and she'll be able to see again. I know I have to accept the possibility that she won't be able to, and I should be happy for everything else, but honestly, this has been an extremely difficult thing to watch. On Monday they told me she would probably go home Friday or Saturday....what the hell were they thinking!??
I was finally able to sleep last night by knocking myself out with some Unisom, and will be visiting her this afternoon with Dr. B's assistant, Renee. She's going in on her day off to check on Lucy, so I want to be there when she's there.

Sorry for this post, guys....I'm just completely venting and getting out my frustrations right now. Thank you so much for putting up with me....

I'll post another update after my visit today and after I speack with Dr. B.


Gina and Lucy

Gina,

Here's hoping you have a nice visit with Lucy.

And as for putting up with you...Oh Honey,will wouldn't have it any other way, That's what we're here for. Go ahead and vent all you what..we are here and we are listening and praying and thinking positive thoughts for you and Lucy.

I'm glad you were able to get some sleep, you need that.

Give yourself and Lucy some hugs from us and remember you are not alone, we all are here for you and Lucy.

Hi Gina,

Lori said it all and very well at that!

I am glad to hear that Lucy seems to be more aware today and the circling is less. Another step forward for our girl! :D YEAH!!

Dr B's assistant sounds like a really kind person to go check on Lucy on her day off. Very impressive!

It's good you got some sleep even if it was chemically induced. :D If that is what it takes, then do it. You need your rest so your mind will be fresh, your spirit renewed and your body strong. Just don't mix the wine with the sleep aid! :p

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

Hi All.....Lucy's doing better today it seems. She wagged her tail at me for the first time:D She still seems blind, but we think she has vision up close, because she reacts to shiny objects, light, and your hand in front of her eyes. All she wants to do is walk now, even though it exhausts her. She's struggling...it's almost like she knows she has to practice walking and she's determined to get it right. She's off IV meds and fluids now. I'm waiting to hear from Dr. B to see what the game plan is now....I'll post another update then.
Hope all is well with everyone,
Gina and Lucy

Hi Gina,

Very happy you are seeing some improvements and hopefully the Goo girl is starting to feel better, even a little bit everyday.

We continue to keep positive thoughts and prayers for Goo's continued recovery.

John (Roxee's Dad)

Hi Gina!

Just wanted you to know that we're still keeping everything crossed (fingers, toes and paws!) up here in Canada for you and Lucy. It's surely got to take some time for her to recover after a major surgery like this, so please keep the faith.

And please keep updating as often as you can.

(((HUGS!)))

Hi Gina,

Thanks so much for the update. I know that I'm not the only one that waits for your updates and I love the good reports. I am hoping and praying with everything in me that the impaired vision is a temporary thing. I'll be anxiously awaiting for your next update.

((Warm hugs to you and Lucy))

Glynda

Gina,

So happy you had a nice visit with Lucy.

I bet that did put a smile on your face when she wagged her tail at you :D I know I smiled when I read that in your post.

Thanks for all the updates, I know we've all been worried about you and Lucy and it's been so nice of you to let us follow along so closely.

We'll keep sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

Hi Gina,

Wagging her tail! Wanting to walk! How wonderful!! :D:D That has just brightened my day! I'm sure it did yours and that you felt some better today than you did yesterday when you left.

Now, get some more sleep tonite and I will pray that tomorrow will be even better than today for both of you.

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

Hi everyone....


As I'm writing this Dr. B just called me. I just love him.. He has such a good bedside manner. He's hopeful about Lucy's vision too...he thinks she's had some kind of stroke. But he was very aware of right side/left side difficulties with her, so I'm hopeful now:) Anyway, I know this doesn't make much sense to any of you, and I'm just rambling at this point, but I'm much happier now:)) He wants her to come home tomorrow, so I'm scheduled to pick her up around 1 pm...he wants to see how she does at home.

I'm sure I'll be boring you all soon with my next blabbering nonsense!

Ciao,
Gina and Lucy

Hi Gina,
The fact that Lucy can come home soon is great. She will recuperate much better at home with you. Vet stress can slow the recovery so getting Lucy home will be good for her and you too, you can watch her all day, and give us lots of updates.:D
Jenny

Jenny,
Thanks...and I can go broke in the meantime!:) I've already decided to take yet another week off in light of the circumstances...I can't see leaving her home alone for even 5 minutes now. What the hell...I just won't go on holiday or vacation now untill...well, forever...but she's worth it, right?

Love to you all:)

Gina and Lucy

Gina,

Lucy is more than worth it!

Now that Buddy is gone I look back at the things we "gave up" to care for him and I wouldn't change a thing, matter of fact I would do it all again and probably will when one of my other dogs need me.

I know you are stressed and have no so called "yardstick" to measure Lucy's progress but I am so sure that home is the best place for her.

Jenny

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Originally Posted by Lucygoo

Jenny,
Thanks...and I can go broke in the meantime!:) I've already decided to take yet another week off in light of the circumstances...I can't see leaving her home alone for even 5 minutes now. What the hell...I just won't go on holiday or vacation now untill...well, forever...but she's worth it, right?

Love to you all:)

Gina and Lucy

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Gina, I couldn't help but have a big smile. You know she is worth it!!!!:D:D:D:D or you wouldn't have even considered staying home!!!! I would say 99.99% of us have, would, or will do the same thing. The pups are so special and so innocent. They ask for nothing, and take only what we give. We just have to give the best that we can. I am really happy that you are able to stay home with her. It will be difficult, not only financially, but emotionally, having to deal with all the new behaviors 24 hours a day. But you can do it, and you will never, ever regret it. Your time and love is the gift that you can give her now. And we will be here to listen when you need to vent, encourage you when you are down. And support you all the way!!!!
Continued healing thoughts and prayers for Lucy.
HUGS to you and Lucy
~ Mary Ann

Mary Ann....you are so right...thank you!:) She's my goo, and I swear if you saw her today, trying so hard, your heart would break too....I love her so much it hurts.

Thank you all so much for being there for me....

xoxo

Gina and Lucy

Can't wait to hear you tell us that Lucy is home with you ... I really think she'll recover better in a familiar home environment where you can hug her and hold her and kiss her anytime you want to. :)

The surgery has afforded Lucy a good chance for recovery, where there was really no chance before she had the surgery ... and if there are some adjustments to make, I know you can both make those adjustments.

Sending more hugs :D

(((hugs)))

Hi everyone....time for the morning update.
The vet from the hospital called and told me that Lucy's temperature is running higher. They took out her catheter last night. Dr. B told her to give her a sedative this morning, because sometimes fevers can be caused by anxiety, and I know Lucy's extremely anxious, but this woman said it's a little too high for her liking for it to be from that. She's also on an antibiotic....why would she have a fever?? :confused: I was thinking she probably picked up something from the other animals in there. So now I have to wait and hear what to do..:confused:
As far as the stroke theory, I've googled that and all the symptoms seem to fit...makes sense. Hopefully that means she'll recover from it rather quickly. Does anyone have experience with dogs having strokes? Recovery time, etc?

I'll post again after I hear later this morning....hope you all are having a good Sunday.

Gina and Lucy

Hi Gina,

The fever could be from any number of things so until they have figured out the cause, don't worry too much. It could be something as simple as an infection from the catheter which the antibiotics she's on now don't address. Certain antibiotics are designed to work on specific types of bacteria and aren't effective on others. Debbie and our other medical professionals can explain this much better than I, tho. Thank goodness for our nurses and techs, huh? They are so helpful in explaining things and we are blessed to have these folks as members of our family!

As for stroke info, I have no experience with that and no links to offer...gasp!! But if I run across any, I will pass them on. :D

I still think Lucy is doing very well for all she has been through. It hasn't even been a week yet! She is truly amazing! and so are you! I'm sure as soon as they get the fever figured out, she will get to come home where I hope you will start to see dramatic improvements. Something about familiar surroundings does wonders for the healing process. You will both be more settled when you are back together.

Hang in there! You are doing an exceptional job but not surprising from a dynamite mom like you. :)

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

Gina, you are doing great holding up under difficult circumstances. I am looking forward to your report that Lucy is home and napping in one of her favorite spots.

Scott

Hi everyone....
Just heard from you know who...she said Lucy's temp went back down into the high normal range after the sedative. When I told her she's always been a bit of a nervous nelly, she replied, "Well, I'd be really anxious if I suddenly went blind too." Honestly, I wish she would just stop talking. I know she means well, but good lord!
She said Dr. B still wants her home with me today, so I'm going to get her around 1, and will post as soon as I can after we're home....then I'll probably be posting every minute:eek: You guys are going to have to take out a restraining order on me;)
I'm still trying to find out about this stroke business

Thanks....
Gina and Lucy

Glad she is coming home, Gina! I bet you see a big difference over the next day or two as she gets used to being back home around her favorite things! I am still hoping the vision will come back. I do know Bailey, after his surgery in the fall (and nothing at all like what Lucy just went through!!) was much happier once we got home. I slept on the floor with him a few nights, graduated to the same room, then separated and it did wonders for him. I also took time off of work to stay at home and care for him...I don't think any of us wouldn't...so everyone here understands...

as for restraining orders, if I never got one....or Louise for that matter ;) :D, I think you'll be just fine!! And that's what everyone is here for!

Plus, without your updates we'd all be tapping our fingers waiting for news and can you imagine the thump-thump-thump-thumping that would be heard around the world??? You have so many of us rooting for you....

I hope a welcome home Lucy party is soon to start!!

Hugs, Beth, Bailey and always Scooter

Gina,

Lucy will feel so much better at home with the love and care of her Mom. :D

And we are all here waiting for the updates and for anything you need to say or just vent.

Gina,

I hope you're home from the vet's office and settling back in with Lucy right now.

For sure, if neither Beth (aka "BB") nor I have gotten a restraining order, there's no way you will! :D If I didn't have this forum and the caring members to hold my hand while I vented my way through the trials and tribulations with Munchie I would be totally bald now (instead of only partially bald!!) :eek:

Looking forward to your update.

Louise