Molly, 13 yr, shih tzu - lhasa aspo - Molly has passed

I think that study is consistent with Molly's situation in that they have determined that she does in fact have glomerular disease a d this is what has caused the additional retinal problem.
My vet has made arrangements with a vets office near my house to do bp monitoring. My vet will send ACTH test to the is IDEXX lab as requested by the IMS so we are getting things in place for long term care. I hope this all works out.

The spinal bleed we have been told has not continued. Has formed a small clot and they think it will dissipate. It might take a bit for a plan. Just wait and see for now. He is in a lot of pain so they will need to do something.

Hubby is having pain to and might be a bit longer recovery time dur to the two surgeries as opposed to just one.

Long bloody week here.

Hugs

So glad that you and your vet could work out a bp monitoring plan for Molly as well as using the IDEXX! At least that is two things you can cross off your list --

Hopefully, the docs will provide Daniel with pain meds to use as needed when he gets home. Also hope that he will not overdue -- it is an easy thing to do once you start to feel a bit better but can definitely set one back.

Continuing to send good thoughts for your BIL!

oh Sharlene, I hope you can find some time to rest and take care of yourself, thinking of you, hugs!

I hope hubby arrived home safe and sound:):):):)

Welcome home Daniel. :p I'm sure you're sick of being surrounded by so many busy body angels.:D

Try to get some rest now Sharlene. I know that you're probably still running around like a crazy woman.;)

I'm glad that you found somebody local for Molly's blood pressure checks. xxxxoooo

Hoping you've just been busy getting Daniel home and settled, and that all is well. We've missed you today, Sharlene!

Daniel, don't overdue it. It's not worth it.
Both of you and Molly, enjoy your Thanksgiving!!!

Any news on BIL Sharlene?

Hugs

Thinking of you and Daniel tonight -- hoping that you are both back at home and settled in! I bet Molly was happy to see him and, hopefully, will just cuddle quietly until he heals.

Well Daniel is home and seems to be quite happy to be here. It is however, keeping me busy as all get out since he can't jump up and down and get something like he is use to doing. Still so happy he is here at home. Some pain still and he can't really get up or down very easily, needs help. Having a double surgery, really kicks your butt and does a big number on your lower abdominal muscles.

We're having really high winds tonight and power winks in and out. I'm trying to catch up a little bit on the forum, but a couple times I'd start a post and have to wait for the power to come back to get it posted. I don't think I've seen winds like this since I moved here. Yikes!

BIL. Current thinking is that they are going to get him into a brace if they can and see if he can sit. They plan to send him to rehab for care and then reevaluate options in a month. The nero surgeon said they might look at surgery then, but I really don't know how they could risk it with what just happened.

Molly has her next ACTH test on Wednesday. I don't think the cortisol has come down enough but we'll see. My thought is that with her showing no symptoms, then if her cortisol comes down, then perhaps I would see something different, but so far nothing. Hoping that the BP will be better this time.

So it's not going to be a calm week, but at least one thing is not a worry, and that is hubs. While he might need care, he isn't in the hospital and his surgeries are over! whoo hooo! One down and he Will be fine in a few weeks, I'd say about 3 weeks, but should improve a bit every day.

hugs all!

So glad to hear that Daniel is home where he belongs. He'll be up and around in no time.;)

Hang in there Sharlene. Hopefully everything will calm down soon.
xxxxoooo

Welcome home hubs!
Maybe they'll use some type of pain blocker for BIL?

Don't forget about Sharlene in all of this, honey. She's gonna get so tired and stressed so don't forget to pamper her just a teeny bit.

I am so glad Daniel is home and know he will soon be up and at 'em again with your TLC. And I pray they can figure something out to bring BIL some relief soon. That has got to be a scary and frustrating situation to be in.

Let us know about the ACTH and BP when you can - no rush. I'm so glad Molly has done well with the treatment!

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Sharlene...just caught up on your posts...can't believe you're still standing!! You have had so much going on. I'm so glad your husband is home and doing well. Hoping the best for your BIL and so sorry to hear what you and your family have been going through.
Molly...sounds like things are going pretty well?? Just hope for continued improvement and good numbers on the blood pressure~~

Barbara

So glad to hear that Daniel is home with his family. You will all relax a bit more now that the family unit is intact. I hope those horrible winds have calmed down. I get antsy when the power flickers like that. It is warm here in N. Carolina today but cold and rain will be blowing back in tomorrow and Thursday. Just in time for the Thanksgiving crowd. I hope you and Daniel are getting take out and you won't wear yourself out even further cooking. I wish I was close enough to fix and deliver you a nice dinner. :)

Hugs and love and prayers still coming your way. Get some rest dear lady and give Miss Muffin a belly rub from me.

arggh, had a dental cleaning today. Now I go every 3 months for cleaning, and my hygienist knows me very well. Started cleaning and she says, are you stressed lately. I was like, why do you ask, and she said, well, your gums are inflamed and I usually only see that with you when you are experiencing stress. I almost broke down in tears on the spot. So, I filled her in and she said, yes, I expected it must be something. So, now on a warm salt water rinse and soft picks instead of floss for the next 2 weeks. Good grief. On the other hand my teeth are clean.

I haven't heard any update on my BIL since Sunday, so not sure what is going on with him right now. I guess I'll know when there is something to tell. :(

I wish they could do a blocker but I'm not sure they can. He has an electronic pain blocker already for his back, the electrodes run up his spine. This is from a long ago, work related back injury.

Tomorrow is BP and ACTH at the IMS. After work in the morning. So, guess on thursday evening I should hear something about that. Will know the BP tomorrow of course.

Hubby over did it a bit today I think and didn't take anything, so tonight he is hurting a bit. I gave him some ibprophen and he is crashed out on the couch. I don't think I should wake him. I'd rather he slept as long as possible.

Thanks all
hugs

((((((((hugs))))))))

Stress does strange things to us.
Good luck tomorrow!!!! Hugs

So, ACTH results are back.

ACTH Oct 17, 2014

Pre 74 nmol 2.68ug
1hr 858 nmol 31.09ug
2hr 1024 nmol 37.11ug

ACTH Nov 07, 2014

Pre 102 nmol 3.69ug
1hr 582 nmol 21.09ug
2 hr 608 nmol 22.03ug

ACTH Nov 26, 2014

Pre < 27.6 nmol 1.003ug
4 hr 339 nmol 12.28 ug
8 hr 408 nmol 14.78 ug

We are leaving her at 8mg Trilostane, retest in 1 month. It is still coming down and while we want to be in the 150 - 250 nmol, I don't want to increase her dosage as it has come down what I feel is significantly in the month she has been on this dosage. In fact, over 50% decrease on the same dose just as we so many times have said, it can go lower even at 30 days, so don't increase at the 2 week mark if seeing reduction. I don't know if I will even wait for a month as I don't like that pre number one bit, but they don't seem concerned with the pre, only with the post.

Her ionized calcium is at 1.40 which is the high cut off and she was last week at 1.46. Nothing about an increased high ionized calcium is good, as it means usually either cancer or parathyroidism.
To get accurate testing of parathyroidism, you have to send the test to Michigan and it has to be done, while a high ionized calcium is occurring. So you have to test the ionized calcium and if it is high have enough to send off to Michigan.

Her BP is still high, she was 180, 184, 182 today. We are going to introduce amlodipine .625mg once daily for BP and hope that helps. She'll need to be retested BP in a week and have to watch it doesn't go to low.

We'll also need to recheck the UPC in 2 - 3 weeks too, and see how the increased dosage of benzapril is working. She is on 10mg currently at (5mg morning and night).

So, that is where we stand on Molly.

Daniel continues to improve every day, so very happy with that.

BIL will be going to a nursing facility since they can't operate currently. The good news is that it will be closer to home for the family.
He will be in a back brace and only able to lift his head a little bit for the next 3 weeks. Then they want to see if he will be able to go to a 90 degree angle and maybe into wheelchair. The neurosurgeon will also want to evaluate him for possible surgery at that point.
They said they still don't know if an abnormal heart caused the reaction to the anesthesia or if the anesthesia caused the abnormal heart incident.

That's it for us today.

I hope that everyone is having a very Happy Thanksgiving!

hugs all

Hmm, will have to recheck if the plan has changed for BIL since last night as I just heard that he is to be moved to a hospital in their home town tomorrow, and is in the back brace. So, not sure if he is just at the other hospital until he can go to the nursing facility on Friday or what.

Wow -- you sure have a lot to monitor with Molly! I am not familiar with hypercalcemia so will have to do some reading about it. You are a really wonderful Mom!

Will continue to send healing thoughts to your BIL! Happy to hear that Daniel is mending as expected.

Just popping in to catch up and say hello. I hope Daniel is still improving and they can get the BIL situation settled. As for Molly, I hate she has to take yet, another BP pill but I know that sometimes it does take more than 1 type to do the trick. Even though you have now gotten it worked out to get her BP checked at another GP's office, I wonder if you would feel better about it by having your own machine to keep a check on it. Hopefully the calcium thing is just a fluke and her next blood test will show it back to normal. I can't remember what her BP medicine is called, but if it contains a diuretic that could cause some changes in the blood work. Hugs and prayers for you and yours today and always. Good job hanging in, Sharlene!

Hoping your week has been one of relaxation, de stressing, Molly being her usual precious self, hubs healing, BIL rehabbing and you have had a chance to breathe without any new stressors... somehow I doubt it :D:D xxxx

I've been in training this week since I have to cover during for 2 employees that will be away over the christmas holidays. It's been pretty stressful. 2 doctors appts for me this week hasn't helped a lot.

Molly is doing okay. She is a bit more jumpy. I don't know if it is from her eyesight failing or if it is from the low pre cortisol. She's been higher for so long, I'm sure she feels different without it.
A bit of a snafu with her BP med and I still don't have it. It wasn't ready when I finally got over there last Saturday to pick it up, then they were suppose to mail it, but it isn't here yet, so I don't know if they did or didn't mail it and if I should try to pick it up on Sunday. I'll call to see if it is there, since it's a pain to drive half an hour to get there and then it not be ready.
I just realized I don't have enough trilostane to get her through to her next test either. Argghhh Of course I have to get it from the same place I get the BP med. Would be much easier if my vet could/would order it compounded, which is what I need.

Hubby is recovering but having some pains. From what we've read it's to be expected, so not going to worry about that, Yet.

BIL. sigh. I'm waiting to hear back tomorrow on what the plan is. He's currently in a nursing home, but I don't know if he can stay there if he isn't doing PT or not. He's on full bed rest, as they can't at this point do surgery on him and I guess they are hoping for some fusion to take place with bed rest.
It's just all very complicated.

I'm having a lot of trouble getting into the holiday spirit this year. Very much not like me but just too much stress going on right now I guess. Hopefully the real me will kick in soon and this will pass.

I know I haven't updated much since the whole drama stuff sort of hit a stable point. I don't think I handle "drama" very well at all. I'm more of cruise through type of gal, me and molly just going along, I don't like rollercoasters in life very much, only at amusement parks. :)

hugs

Oh, big hugs Sharlene. :o

It's not too late for that exorcism. Maybe you could get a priest to dress up like Santa Claus and some altar boys to dress up as elves. That way you can kick in the holiday spirit at the same time.;):D

Seriously my dear, please take care of yourself too. I know how hard that can be at times. xxxxoooo

Hmmmm...I'm not so sure I like the sound of two doctor's appointments for you. Surely hoping they were just routine. Good grief, but you've had a lot on your plate. It's no wonder that you've got less interest and energy for holiday prep this year. I hope you get some well-deserved down time over the weekend. Maybe a girlie drink with a little umbrella...or two...or three...

I'm with you Sharlene. I'm trying to muster up some holiday spirit but I'm too exhausted and I haven't had nearly as much on my plate as you have. Maybe the spirit will hit all of us at the same time and we can have a cyber party with those girly drinks that Marianne is talking about. :) IN the meantime, take care of yourself.

Me too. I start to get into the spirit and something happens.
Dad and I went shopping tonight and twenty minutes into the trip he started having chest pains and we headed right back home.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better for all of us.

Many hugs and much love for you, Sharlene. Too much has happened all at once, and still too many unknowns from them remain. It is no wonder the spirit of the season has escaped you for the moment. But you know what? All those decorations and neat foods and parties and such don't really mean a hill of beans in the grand scheme of things. What is important is already at the forefront of your mind and activities - your family, which by the way is what this season is all about...compassion, love, forgiveness, helping others...and you have that in spades year round. So from where I sit, you keep the Christmas spirit alive all year long even sans lights and ornaments.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Ditto what Squirts mom said. You are putting the important things first, that's what really counts, you have a lot going on, prayers for strength and grace!!!

Hi Sharlene,
Sheesh, your work situation sounds a lot like mine. And the same with the doctors appointments. :( Holy cow, what is going on with us?! I hope things are slowing down for you a little bit. I've been reading and keeping caught up on everything. How is hubs doing now? I hope he is continuing to improve and also that the pain is under control now for him. And how is your BIL? Keeping them both in my prayers.

How is Molly doing since you started the amlodipine? I hope she's tolerating that okay. And also I was wondering, maybe I missed it in your thread, but I looked back and didn't see where you posted the results of the UPC from 11/13. How was that? So sorry if you posted it and I missed it.

I completely understand the lack of holiday spirit, I don't have much of it either. I made the executive decision that I'm not putting up our Christmas tree this year. This is so sad, but all I could think about was how much work it is to take it all down and put it away, and that is how I based my decision. So pathetic, I know. I just don't feel that I can face it right now. I put a clear string of lights on my ficus tree in the living room and that's what I've been plugging in, so at least I have some sparkling lights to look at. I do enjoy that. :)

I have been thinking of you and your family so much Sharlene, I really hope hubby is feeling better and getting back to normal.

Big Hugs,
Tina and Jasper xo

Hi Tina I probably didn't post it. There was no change. Still 1.7 I think it was. Same as the time before. I need to take urine in to get another UPC done. I also need to get her in for a bp check it no time to get an appt. starting we'd my work gets even more hectic as peoples vacation start and that makes it hardto get vet spots. Sigh. I will have to figure it out though and soon. Molly needs groomed. So far I am. Keeping the tangles at bay with a diet angler, a good comb and much patience on both our parts.
She seems to be handling the bp meds okay. I haven't noticed any ill effects so far.
Hubs gets better every week. It will just take time for the discomfort from the scar tissue inside and the steel thread to go away.
BIL well we wo t know for awhile if this bed rest has helped or not. He is due for evaluation at Stanford on 31 dec.
I got busy this weekend and decorated the tree and did my Xmas shopping.
I know I won't have time after this weekend for much of anything. I have to set my alarm and get up at midnight or very early in the morning to get the days work stuff going. I have to wait for the kick over to tomorrow time for the North American programs to release correct info. Talk about not being a happy worker and I do this on my own time so I won't be behind all day tomorrow. The guy I am covering for starts at 7am normally. Problem is that I hear via the grapevine that this will become my permanent job going forward. If it wasn't for Molly. I would definitely quit.

Oh well so etching to think about I the new year.

Thanks for checking in

Hugs

Now for the question of the evening.....

How many bottles of wine did it take to get the tree decorated?LOL ;):D

Life's been so tough for you, that my goal is to get you to crack a smile. Did I succeed?

Why yes you did Kathy. :).
I skipped the wine because I got distracted by a beer or two instead but the tree did get decorated so. Whoo hoo. Also got a couple other decorations up.my biggest pron
Blem was I was easily distracted by just about anything else. Lol

Good grief. Yesterday molly got stuck in the window seat. She managed to at some point knock over one of the rail gates, kick her window bedding down onto the steps and found herself stuck. So she waited till I came home, whined a tad, I went to get her and she ran for a drink of water. I bet she was stuck since the mail man came and she gets all excited and goes for the window to get at him, kicking her bedding with her back legs.

First time That has happened. She also went bouncing UP the steps the other night, when she decided I wasn't moving fast enough to come take her to bed. Normally she waits to be carried but she is in definite alpha mood the last few days. I'm just guessing that maybe her body is feeling better or at least I hope that is the reason. She won't play with her toys any more though. That is kind of sad. Not sure if it is a sight thing or basic disinterest. Even tried some new ones, no go. She is fine for her walks and for bouncing around the house though, so doesn't seem to be a matter of not feeling well at least.

Ugh, we're getting rain today, and will switch to snow tomorrow. You can always tell because you get that barometric pressure switch. Gives me a headache every time. Molly is not impressed that I have a headache. Think I'll try to talk her into a nap in a bit.

hugs all

Well if she had to be stuck, at least she had a view. ;) Poor baby. I hope she wasn't stuck there very long.:o

So glad to hear that she's been bouncing around. She must be feeling better.:p It is kind of sad about the toys though.

So sorry you have a headache. :o yes, you are exactly right. They are not impressed when we have aches and pains. I hope you were able to convince the little muffin that a nap is in order. She might be pretty tired after being stuck today. xxxxoooo

Well, I called the vet who is closest to me and whom my vet had said could do the BP checks for us and now Molly is to be seen by this vet, Dr. Fenger, who is the owner of the clinic and then will have her BP checked. After that she'll have regular monitoring there for her BP. Luckily for me it is close to my house and I should be able to get her in with no problem for BP checks.

http://www.parkanimalhospital.ca/staff.php

This is a list of their services of which I am definitely impressed by:

http://www.parkanimalhospital.ca/services.php

I like that this vet and her husband specialize in adopting stray animals. That says something about the kind of person that she is and I'm looking forward to meeting her and getting her opinion on the Molly situation.

As a note to all others out there, they need copies of mollys records and test history and this is a great example of why you need to have copies of your records and tests. I'm not switching vets persae, but even for a checkup and something as simple as Blood pressure monitoring, you NEED to have copies of your test results.

Molly is going tomorrow to be groomed so she'll be looking all nice and spiffy to meet the new vet gang. I told her she has to be on her best behavior and no snipping at the staff. We're trying to make a Good impression young lady.

So that is my latest update on Molly.

hugs

Very impressive resumes and available services! Sounds like an excellent group to handle Molly's BP evaluations.

Merry Christmas everyone :) It's been a heck of a year for all of us hasn't it :) Yet here we still are. :) :)

Molly update: Her BP medicine has been increased as it hasn't dropped below 170. Curve was between 195 - 173, so up it went and we'll retest next monday.

New vet doing BP is close, and seems to be very knowledgeable. Does compounded medicines (order them) and has 5 different places they can check on prices to get the best one. Although they have one that they think is the best around the area and use quite often, so I can get mollys meds easily now. I still need to drop of urine for a UPC. It's just been so darn busy at work lately with covering others on holiday. Feel like I seldom have any spare moments.
I also found out that she has a 3/4 luxating patella on one side and the other is a 1/2. Unfortunately, this vet doesn't feel molly is a candidate for surgery either, in agreement with my primary vet and my IMS. They think there is a risk that molly would throw a clot during any surgery. We are just trying to manage as best we can. She is still her happy little self, but I have to watch those legs rather carefully, along with so many other things. I have a heart attack when she goes racing through the house and burns out. Also, her back showed some signs of inflammation again, so no jumping up and down from the couch. Glad we got her use to the steps up to her window seat or she would really be a peeved little girl.

Hubby is recovering quite nicely and has rejoined his racquetball guys and is playing, although taking it slow to build back up.

BIL well, more upsetting developments in that they say he now has gone into congestive heart failure, what with being in the bed and unable to sit up or move. I'm not sure where this is all leading with him, but it is hard to see the way out some days. When I do have spare time, I try to spend it talking with my sister and just being supportive of her. It's a rough place to be in.

All in all, I just want to get through the holidays. I did manage to find a bit of the old holiday spirit. Turns out it was in the box of tree decorations and when I got them out and put on the tree, then it got a bit better. :)

I hope everyone is having a joyous as possible holiday season. We've had a few bumps, but we're still here, maybe not going strong, but definitely going, so that says a lot.

hugs all

Well, throughout it all, our muffin is still her happy little self. That is good news indeed!:p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by molly muffin

She is still her happy little self

---

I am very sorry to hear about your BIL. That is not sounding good at all. I will continue my prayers for all of you.

Happy to hear that hubby is healing well. Another blessing!:p

Yes, you've had a tough year too. We've managed to stick it out together though.;)You are such an inspiration to all of us.

Merry Christmas Sharlene. Hug the muffin for me if you can catch her. LOL xxxxoooo

Merry Christmas everyone!
I managed to decorate a small tree tonight. Dad will come home for Christmas day. Not sure when he'll be discharged from the rehab facility yet.