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Thread: Stella - 10 year old Corgi/American Eskimo mix (Stella has passed)

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Georgia
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    15,292

    Default Re: Stella - 10 year old Corgi/American Eskimo mix

    We will surely be thinking of you and Stella, and wishing her well! Now that I’ve learned you’re in the greater L.A. area, I’ll mention that we’re aware of a noted endocrinological specialist in the area who helped pioneer a procedure that surgically reduces pituitary macrotumors. His name is Dr. David Bruyette, and one of our members was actually his first patient in the surgical pilot program that was a joint venture between U.C.L.A. and Cedars Sinai. I’m giving you a link to a reply I posted on another thread that provides additional information.

    https://www.k9cushings.com/forum/sho...tte#post210327

    At that time, Dr. Bruyette was the medical director at VCA West Los Angeles. He now provides consultation through this veterinary service:

    https://www.veterinarydiagnosticinve...n.com/about-us

    I’m sure you’ll receive sound guidance from your new specialists. But I just wanted to let you know about Dr. Bruyette’s history, as well, since you’re there in the L.A. area. I don’t know whether the surgical intervention is still being offered, but he could always be contacted to find out.

    Marianne

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    York, PA.
    Posts
    11,037

    Default Re: Stella - 10 year old Corgi/American Eskimo mix

    Quote Originally Posted by StellaHealing! View Post
    Crystals: 1+ CALCIUM OXALATE DIHYDRATE (1-5)/HPF
    Were the crystals ever looked into? One of my dogs had oxalate crystals, they can be very painful. With my boy, the crystals had to be surgically removed (twice). Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers, keep us updated.

    Hugs, Lori

  3. #13

    Default Re: Stella - 10 year old Corgi/American Eskimo mix

    Hi everyone, this is Adele, Stella’s mom. I’ve been reading and deeply appreciating every response we’ve received from this incredible community.

    Yesterday we had to put our precious girl down. She was scheduled for an MRI, but overnight there was swelling in her brain and body and she was no longer able to assimilate sodium. They call it diabetes insipidus. Apparently it’s caused by the pituitary tumor. One week ago she was showing positive signs and growing her beautiful furry coat. Of course this was an incredible shock and we are still wrapping our heads and hearts around everything... We are devastated.

    Stella taught us more than anything to love fully and appreciate the present moment, so that is what we are trying to focus on and carry forth her wisdom.

    A couple questions we wanted to put forth that we are grappling with…

    1. Since Stella was a puppy, with fed her the best quality organic food we could find. She had nutritional supplements throughout as well. She walked every day and had the best veterinary care. We have a tough time reconciling that her bright light burned out a few months after her 10th birthday. A lot younger than many of our friends who don’t attend to their dogs as thoroughly. Anyone have any thoughts about why some dogs experience stronger longevity than others?

    2. We are also stunned that just one week ago she was showing positive signs and then last Thursday completely stopped eating. We are amazed that the night before her scheduled MRI this condition that she had not even been diagnosed for would reveal so suddenly and dramatically.

    Thank you all again for being there. We are so grateful to have found this wonderful group of people.

  4. #14
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    Apr 2009
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    Georgia
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    Default Re: Stella - 10 year old Corgi/American Eskimo mix

    Oh Adele, I cannot tell you and Chris how sorry I am about your loss. To have your world shattered so abruptly carries such pain, and I do understand your questions. But I’m afraid we’ve yet to find answers as to what causes the formation of the tumors that result in Cushing’s. I don’t think it was anything that was within your power to prevent, though. Your excellent care of Stella gave her the best life possible for the time you all three were granted to share together. But whatever physical or genetic defect allowed the tumor to grow was simply out of your control. I really don’t think there’s anything you could have done to change that part of her destiny.

    I do keenly sympathize with your pain, though. I lost my own boy just short of his tenth birthday, and it was the crisis of not eating or drinking that forced his release. When the brain is compromised to the extent that those most crucial and basic needs cannot be met, then we have no choice but to intervene. Undoubtedly Stella’s tumor had been growing for some time, and it just finally reached that critical stage where it was encroaching on other important areas of her brain. So even though the change seemed to occur overnight, it may actually have been brewing for quite a while. If there’s any comfort at all, perhaps it’s in knowing that Stella herself did not suffer for long, though, and that her life remained rich and full up until these very few final days. I am so touched by your username, StellaHealing! I know your fondest wish and hope was for her to be physically healed. But if that was not to be, then your greatest possible gift was to release her spirit from a body that was failing. It was her bright, brave spirit that you allowed to heal, after all.

    We want you to know that Stella’s name has now been added to our special memorial list of honor:

    https://www.k9cushings.com/forum/sho...Left-Us-(2020)

    She’ll always remain a part of our family here, as will you and Chris. Any time you’d like to return and talk with us more, we’ll be here. We know there’ll be very difficult days ahead. There may also be some days when you’d grant us the privilege of sharing some stories about your lives together. However you’re feeling or whatever you want to say, we’ll be here.

    Once again, I’m so deeply sorry. But thank you so much for returning to let us know. I’m sending many hugs to you both, in loving memory of your precious girl.

    Marianne

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
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    Glen Cove, NY
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    Default Re: Stella - 10 year old Corgi/American Eskimo mix

    Oh, I am so sorry for you loss of dear, sweet Stella. It is devastating however they go...my Lena went in two days. One day she seemed fine, then the next two days were trips to the ER, where she died. We all understand your grief and loss.
    Joan, mom to my Angel Lena, Angel Gable, Angel Phoenix, Angel Doree, Cooper, Sibble, and now Raina.

  6. #16

    Default Re: Stella - 10 year old Corgi/American Eskimo mix

    Dear Marianne,

    I have tears in my eyes reading your response and once again feel deeply touched by the warmth and support of this incredible group. Chris and I buried sweet Stella yesterday in her backyard and it’s been a rough night and morning. I’ve been up since 1 AM and hope I can take a nap later today. We know the grieving process takes time and patience, but at the moment we can’t imagine our lives without her. Or without this deep ache in our hearts.

    I have decided to slow down some work projects so I can take some much-needed downtime and focus on healing. I also feel inspired to write a blog tribute to Stella which I will share here. Thank you for asking about her life.

    We are so grateful to receive the invaluable support from this special group, and also wonder if you’re aware of or can recommend any local ZOOM support groups?

    And thank you Lena2517 for sharing about little Lina. What a cutie! It’s so devastating when they go unexpectedly.

    With warm, grateful and broken hearts,

    Adele and Chris

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    United States, Olympia Washington
    Posts
    171

    Default Re: Stella - 10 year old Corgi/American Eskimo mix

    My heart goes out to both of you. The Cushing's journey is one of ups and downs until you aren't on it and every day you will wish you still were. When you are up to it I'd love to hear some of those stories and see more pictures.
    Last edited by LtlBtyRam; 06-11-2020 at 09:28 PM. Reason: added more

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
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    rural central ARK
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    14,549

    Default Re: Stella - 10 year old Corgi/American Eskimo mix

    I am so sorry for the loss of your precious Stella. No words can take away the pain you are both feeling now....I know. That old saying that time heals all wounds is not right but time does give us time to learn how to live with those wounds. Writing has always helped me so I hope the same will be true for you as you put your cherished memories down on paper.

    Know your baby girl will now be watching over you just as you did her all those years. She carries in her heart the love you all shared. One day when your work here is done Stella will be waiting for you as you cross that Great Divide. She will fly into your arms to cover you faces with kisses...and you will never be parted again.

    My deepest sympathies,
    Leslie


    Rainbow Bridge

    Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

    When an animal dies who has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

    All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

    They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

    You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

    Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

    Unknown
    "May you know that absence is full of tender presence and that nothing is ever lost or forgotten." John O'Donahue, "Eternal Echoes"

    Death is not a changing of worlds as most imagine, as much as the walls of this world infinitely expanding.

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Georgia
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    Default Re: Stella - 10 year old Corgi/American Eskimo mix

    Dear Adele,

    I’m really glad to hear that you’re allowing yourself some space and time to focus on taking care of your own needs in the midst of your grief. I know for myself, I grieved harder and longer for my Cushpup than I had for any other living being in my life. Everybody is different, but one of the things that helped me the most was having the chance to talk and write about my pain. Being able to share my feelings with my family here has always been so deeply important to me. I hope you’ll indeed post your thoughts here. You can simply keep adding to your thread here, or you can start an entirely new posting on our “In Loving Memory” subforum. We’ll welcome anything that you want to write in either place and at any time.

    I also think a grief support group is an excellent idea. I’m afraid I don’t have a specific group to recommend, but video sessions are very commonLy offered right now by many therapists and counselors in the midst of COVID-19. I’m giving you a link to our resource thread that lists various groups that may be able to help you with some leads:

    https://www.k9cushings.com/forum/sho...You-re-Hurting

    Also, just for the heck of it, I just pulled up a Google search for “pet loss support groups in Los Angeles,” and it looks as though there may be some helpful options available to you there if you mount a similar search. So I wish you very good luck in finding support that will be meaningful to you.

    I do want to add that we’d love to add a photo link to Stella’s memorial line if that would be pleasing to you, too. At any time, if you wish you can send a photo of your choice to us at k9cushings@gmail.com, and we’ll take care of the rest.

    I’ll continue to be thinking of both you and Chris. Do take as good care of yourselves as you can, OK?

    Marianne

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Glen Cove, NY
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    1,941

    Default Re: Stella - 10 year old Corgi/American Eskimo mix

    Adele, there is also a Facebook group called Day By Day Pet Caregiver Support that I have gone on to every once in a while.

    But this forum is where I can express my deepest sorrow and know that I am not alone. The first months after Lena died I had nowhere else to rant and rave, cry and scream about how unfair it all was.As much as my family love me, and knew how much I loved Lee, they could not deal with the enormous grief I experienced, and still do to this day. They would get that look in their eyes when I tried to talk about her, especially since I would end up sobbing. So I would let it all out here and knew that I would be surrounded by love and compassion because everyone here had lost a beloved dog of their heart, too.

    So, we are all here for you; we know what you're feeling; and we understand completely.

    Many, many hugs...

    Joan
    Joan, mom to my Angel Lena, Angel Gable, Angel Phoenix, Angel Doree, Cooper, Sibble, and now Raina.

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