Flynn 11 y/o Foxie Cross - Right adrenalectomy- Good Bye Flynny We will miss you

is he allowed any warmed pumpkin? though lately that hasnt even helped my little pooh.
Ugh pancreatitis........lets hope flynn stays away from that!!! maybe it is upset from all the surgery and such.

nausea, not eating except for little bits, no good poops, it can certainly cause an upset tummy on it's own.
Just keep an eye out, keep in touch with the vet, and we'll hope its nothing serious.

hugs,
Sharlene

He seems ok, just trotting around outside. I have given him more water and it has stayed down so far. No poop yet. I am wondering if it is the pain relief causing it too. Have to ring him surgeon in an hour and let him know how he is and also he wants to see him later too. Gawd these dogs are such a worry :eek:

While I was just outside, a woman and her dog moved into the room next to ours. Her dog is a gorgeous big black one... ?? breed, like a black golden retriever, he does agility. They drove down this morning, about 6hrs so much further than us. He has just been into the university for a scan and it turns out our surgeon is doing a partial pancreas removal for a tumour on him tomorrow. She is on her own too, so maybe I can keep her company during those nervous hours. If we are still here of course, I think we might be though.

So now Flynn has company next door, for the night anyway... they sniffed noses and sat down next to each other. There is also a black lab, resident at the motel, Jessie is her name very friendly she is too. She comes right into the room if I leave the door open, she ate Flynn's food this morning :D. Least it didn't go to waste, because Flynny sure wasn't interested in it! This motel is lovely, the owner brought me over a beautiful big vase of roses and also invited me to share dinner with her, but I wanted to keep Flynn quiet last night and obviously to stay with him so I had to decline. But aren't some people are so very kind, kinda like all of you :)

Just to clarify, he is not trotting about outside on his own!! That last post sounded like I just let him loose :eek: It is more a walk than a trot, he is on his leash!

Addy, Skye and Sharlene
I am not giving him anymore food till he see's the vet. It is funny his appetite looked like it was coming back this afternoon, I did give him a wee bit of chicken as surgeon said I should and he was hungry and ate it but about hour after that we vomited. It looked like old food from last night, not the chicken he just ate. That's weird. So hoping his is just normal tummy upset from having your gut pushed about during surgery.

Oh good, so he probably just had an upset tummy. Oh yes, pain meds can definitely cause a person to bind up, probably a dog too. Ask the vet about that?
That is lovely Trish. It sounds like you are in a very nice hotel for your stay with good companions.
I can't think of anyone to keep company with while going through a doggie surgery than you who have just been there, done that. You've got a wonderful heart Trish. :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Thx Sharlene - he is due his next pain injection at 4pm, thats when I have to ring the surgeon so I will ask him before I give it. xx

i think my little girl is having sympathy pains for your little one. she has not poohed all day.
she is obviously uncomfortable and looks like she wants to go but wont. She was off her probiotic for couple of days....have it auto shipped to me so i wont run out............it was back ordered. (grrrrrrr) maybe that is part of it.....? and the evil cone.
so maybe she is holding out till flynn goes. lol

Oh no, we can't have all their bowels going on strike at the same time!!! I think they should have a poopathon! But poor Shysie, cone off day tomorrow YAY!!

Sounds like a great place to stay.

I sure hope Flynn is ok. I will be checking during my lunch hour tomorrow. Hopefully, he got it out of his system and his belly will be better now. Poor lil guy. I know you could use a sigh of relief too, Trish.

Hugs,

Ro

Two more vomits, I am taking him back in. Will let you know how we go. :(

Sending tons of prayers and positive vibes your way. Keep us posted and know we are with you holding your hand. Kim

Thinking of you and hoping he will be feeling better soon! Sending positive vibes and thoughts to you!

Julie & Hannah

Sending prayers here too Trish, hope things are going ok. Let us know when you can. Hang in there Flynn! Hugs....

Thank you all for caring, so sweet to log in and see these messages xxx

Well I took him in, they are keeping him overnight and giving him IV fluids. Surgeon called not long ago, his bloods are good. Vital signs all normal. He said renal function fine, looks like the left adrenal has kicked in which if it wasn't doing its job could also be causing these symptoms, I asked how they judged that and he said because his potassium is normal. Test to check pancreatitis won't be finished till tomorrow morning. He suspects he has a mild case of that, and he said this is not unexpected and I am not to panic!! If pancreatitis was the problem it should right itself in 24-48hrs. Easy for him to say :eek:

He said this is why he wanted Flynn to stay close to the hospital in this postop period. He said it is a fine line with Flynn as he gets so anxious in hospital and he tried to manage this by letting him out to reduce his stress vs having him more stressed and keeping him in hospital longer. I'm a nurse practitioner so he thought with my experience that he would be ok. I am in urology though, if he had kidney stones or prostate cancer I would be the bomb!! It is so different trying to maintain professional reasoning when it is your own baby.

He is also thinking no/very small poop and combination of pain relief could be causing these problems too. I personally like that option better :D, if he does not settle they are going to rescan to look at operation site. Gawd hope it is not that :mad:

So there we are, I have to go back at 10am to see him. Hopefully with the fluids etc he will pick up overnight. Me, I am having wine!

xx

Hi Trish. Remember deep breaths! Of course when it is your own it is different. It is like that in all walks of life I think. The closer you are, the harder it is to separate your emotions from any given situation. You know it all in your head, but in your heart you are worrying.
I think the surgeon sounds Very positive of what is going on with Flynn. Cautious yet optimistic and that is a very reassuring attitude for him to have.

hugs,
Sharlene

I'm glad he is stable and everything looks good right now. I hope that continues! I think it's a great sign that the doctor is so optimistic, but I know how hard it is to wait. I'm glad you had a glass of wine to relax. Remember that there are many of us thinking of you and Flynn and hoping for the best!

Julie & Hannah

Holding your hand and breathing with you. Flynn, get well soon.

Good morning everyone... or evening!

Good news here, I got woken up with a phone call from the vet. Flynn has had a good night, no more vomiting. He did a big poop :D and seems a lot more comfortable. He ate his breakfast like he had been starved a month and is standing in his cage trying to force his head through his bars looking like a dog at the SPCA waiting for rescue :eek:

So the plan is still for me to go the hospital at 10am... (9.15 here now) if it is pancreatitis food can set it off again, so they want to make sure he has no recurrence of symptoms after eating. Still waiting for those blood results. I will be able to bring him back to motel and recheck again at 5pm at the hospital.

Such a roller coaster, but nobody said it was going to be easy! But at this stage it appears to be only a minor setback. I will post more once I have seen them and have my baby back!

xx

yay! The Lord knows this group needs some good news today. So, glad Flynn is doing better.

Thanks god. So glad Flynn is doing better. Maybe the big poop did the trick. Hopefully things will continue to just perk along nicely. :)

Too true Amy, too true. We were/are all ready for some good news.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

I have him home (motel), they are very pleased with how he perked up overnight. He just did another albeit small poop when I got him back here. He has been drinking already and he is definitely hungry. But they said to just give him small bits of chicken frequently today. I have to call them later this afternoon with progress report, they will see him if they need to but they definitely want to see him tomorrow morning. If he has a good 24hrs we can go home after his checkup tomorrow. :D:D:D:D I have anti nausea injection for him later today. He is off the pain relief injections too, as that could have been contributing and just on non steroidal now, but he seems fairly comfortable.

So after a little explore about here, he hopped back in his bed eyes tight shut probably catching up on his rest after a traumatic night in the hospital!

As always thx for your support, couldn't do this without you guys xx

so nice to read this....i have been following your story.hope your baby is well soon....patty and milo:)

So happy to hear this! Pain meds are needed, but can be evil too. I hope, hope, hope that is all it was. He is such a trooper and so are you, Trish! I am sure it will be nice to get home. Sill pulling for you, Flynn:D:D:D

Yay! I know he feels better to be with you and you feel better to have him with you. :)

Keep up the good healing Flynn

hugs, Sharlene and Molly Muffin

If pancreatitis is confirmed, several small low-fat meals given throughout the day is best. Also, boiled rice, cooked to the consistency of a soupy-mushy mixture, can be added to the chicken for his meal.

So happy to read that Flynn is feeling better and is in the comfort of your loving arms.

After such a sad day we need some good news

Go Flynn we are all cheering you on to get better.

Hi all

Flynny has slept the day away, just what he needed. He is still hungry which is good, I wish he would drink a little more but is doing OK there too. He is still a little shaky and slow but he has also gone off his pain relief too.

I just spoke to the vet and they are happy he does not need his 5pm visit to the pet hospital based on my report! Eek first time he has not been back all week! They have been so good with support, both seeing him so regularly and also availability on phone. The are not on call tonight either, but the resident who is a few years through her surgeon in training programme and works with my Dr is ringing back with a cellphone number so I can contact them in case I have concerns. I could not ask for more really, such a great team and my security blanket! I will miss them when we go home. (I better get her email :D)

His histology is back and it was definitely a pheochromocytoma so now that it is gone, hopefully everything will normalise, BP etc! I need to talk more to the surgeon tomorrow about this. But when I first discussed the surgery he was happy they got it all.

Back at 8am and if Flynn behaves himself overnight, home we go :D:D

Have a good sleep everyone xx

I absolutely am amazed at how well Flynn has been during his recovery. It's just wonderful! That is an awesome group at that hospital. I wish that every hospital had that good of staff and dedication for follow up and experienced surgeons.
I hope this continues and he has an uneventful full recovery in no time at all.

hugs,
Sharlene

He has really been blessed with the care he has received Sharlene, I am so very thankful. This morning when I picked him up, we were talking about what to feed him today, the resident was with us and she suggested to give him small frequent chicken at this stage. I said, I will have to pop into the supermarket on the way back to motel and pick up more as I want it to be fresh. She said hang on there, disappeared and came back with a takeout container of fresh cooked chicken for him! She got a piece out for him, got him to sit, which he did beautifully, offered him a piece which he took so very gently out of her hand (phew, as he can be a bit quick if hungry :D) then she just held out her hand towards him, palm up, she did not say anything to him and he just lifted his paw and placed it on her palm and left it there. It was like he was saying thank you to her. I have never taught him to do that, well he does shake hands but not like that. I had a wee tear it was so sweet. xx

awwww, that is so sweet, I have a bit of a wee tear too!!!!!!!!

I am sure he will continue to do well, Trish, he has wonderful doctors and an AMAZING mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D:D:D:D
I am hoping for a good Thursday report.

Once again, I am so happy to hear this!!!! You did have an excellent team. Flynn is such a good boy.

Great news Trish!! What a sweet boy he is. Glad to hear he is doing so well, and hope you will be on your way home soon. Thinking about you guys!! Hugs from me and Jasper.

WOOOOHOOOO we are going home... well if the heavens do not conspire against us, a torrential downpour, thunder and lightning, the whole nine yards just struck grrrrr. So will wait for that to pass before venturing out :eek::eek:

His vet is happy with him this morning, they checked his BP but unfortunately the machine kept malfunctioning so it took ages, he had to lay on the metal table and I had not taken in his blankie like I usually do. So he started shaking and got worse and worse crying, anyway it was 180 which is higher than postop but better than preop. but they said he's obviously stressed and they want his local vet to check it next week when he takes out the stitches.

As for the tumour, it is not differentiated either malignant or not, he said because in vena cava there is possibility but because Flynn has most likely had it for 18mths and it has not killed him yet it is obviously slow growing so not to worry about metastases. They described the tumour as looking like one of those russian dolls, with the body in the adrenal and the head popping through into the vena cava if that makes sense. They were happy there was no other local extension. So I am not going to worry about that and we have got it ALL until proven otherwise :D

He had a good night, no more nausea, no more pooping yet though, but he slept well without a peep so I feel we are ok to go... YAY!!!!! Thanks for your posts, they continue to sustain us and really mean such a lot. xxxxxxxxxx

HOw excited!! Have a safe journey home & I look forward to more good reports.

WHOOTWHOOT!!!!! home sweet home bound!!!

I am just amazed!!!! Speechless!!!! So happy!!! I hope the rain has subsided and you are almost home. Pulling for a good poo though;). I am really happy to hear that there weren't any signs of metastases. Ah, sigh of relief. I would venture to say his BP is a little lower given his anxiety today. I just can't believe this little gland can cause so much havoc. It pretty much regulates everything. I just continue to send good vibes your way. You both deserve a reprieve from all of this. Continue to get well, Mr. Flynn!!!!!

Btw: you could always ask your vet to check his BP in the car before taking him inside to remove his sutures. I believe that is much more accurate. I have both of Chey's vets on board for that;)

Wow this is great news and already talking about the stitches coming out and all too. :) Very, very good that they don't think there is anything metastases to worry about too.

Sounds like a heck of a good day to me!

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi all, we are home!

Poor Flynn is so tired, he is a bit shaky on his feet. He just did a small poop and I am sure that will help when his bowel gets back to normal. He hadn't been since he did one at the hospital two nights ago. Vet wants him low fat frequent protein meals over weekend, white fish and chicken. I think he needs his biscuits to give him some fibre but they just want to be careful re possible pancreatitis.

He has already had visitors, was a present waiting for him and a get well card in the mail from the girls at work, too cute.

We just had a snooze until my phone rang and woke me up... I was thinking grrr who ringing this early in the morning but it is 6pm at night haha. So a bit of recovery for us both i think!

xx

Hello all

Jeepers was just feeding Flynn and turning on the computer and a earthquake struck... scary! Flynn did not think it big enough to halt his breakfast though haha. It was 5.8, but a fair way from me but still felt pretty big and everything was swinging and the tv nearly fell over!

Last year I had the misfortune to be in Christchurch for a work conference when the big earthquake hit there, nearly 200 people died in that quake and I was left homeless for the night with no money, phone (hint: never leave your purse etc in the conference room when you for lunch as you never know what will happen) and had to stay at a refugee camp they set up for the night before the air force flew us out the next day. I have grown up with earthquakes on our shaky islands, but this was in another league altogether and gave me a whole new perspective on how devastating they can be. So now sitting here with my cup of tea, on high alert! I am right by a beach as well so tsunamis always worry me following quakes... but this one was inland so no worries there. phew

Other than that, we have had an uneventful night... hope everyone has a good day :)

Shaky Trish and Flynny xx

Omg....that is scarey! I am glad you guys are ok. You guys don't need to deal with anything else at the moment. Your previous experience sounds awful.

Other than the earthquake, I am glad you and Flynn are doing well.