I am so relieved to say Bella's surgery is OVER!
Thursday was such an emotional day for me. I have never had to leave Bella with anyone before. I have done all of her surgical procedures and been there when she wakes up from anesthesia. We had to wake up around Five in the morning on Thursday to take Bella to the hospital. The doctor was so nice to let us take Bella home the night before. Dave and I got Bella to the hospital around seven. We had completed all paper work previous day so all there was to do was leave my little Bella with the staff. As attached as Bella is to Dave and I, she went with the tech very easily. I asked if they could please give her a pre- medication to help her stay relaxed. Bella was the first patient on the surgery table that morning. The staff said they would call me when Bella was waking up.
I must admit I cried a little when we got back to the truck with out Bella. I was a little over whelmed. Dave decided it would be relaxing to take the morning to drive down to Annapolis, since we weren't that far. I have never been down and heard it is a fun place to visit. Dave and I drove all through the old towns, parked and walked around all the old shops. I had my phone close in reach if the doctor called.
When we got home a little after lunch, the house was extremely quiet and lonely. Dave and I did everything to try and keep our minds off Bella. Finally the tech called and said that Bella's surgery went well and she was waking up fine. That was a relief....
I had the phone practically glued to my hand the entire afternoon if hopes the doctor would call. I walked in the other room and left my phone on the charger. Naturally the phone rang while I was away and Dave answered it. I walked in towards the end of the conversation and all he keep saying was "OK... OK... OK... OK...." He didn't think to ask all the questions I would have or ask how Bella was doing. I was of course worried until we went to pick her up on Friday.
I did not get much sleep on Thursday night and was up at 5 a.m. eager to pick Bella up. Considering Bella's discharge wasn't until 10:30, I still had a bit of time to wait. I used this time to prepare the house for her arrival. I made sure I had area rugs on all the hard wood floors, fresh water, beds and all her favorite toys sitting out. Dave and had bought some cute toys at the Pet Barn in Annapolis, so everything was waiting for her. We made a stop at Panera to pick up the doctor and staff some bagels. They had been so nice to us and did an incredible job with Bella we wouldn't to do a little something to say thanks! We paid our bill and got very detailed discharge paper work. Dave took Bella's favorite toy in to greet her with... her pumpkin! The tech brought Bella in the room, she looked up at us cried and grabbed her pumpkin. Everyone was laughing at her in the waiting area, as we walked through with her toy in her mouth. I could tell everyone really loved her at the hospital. All the staff members came up and said goodbye to her and said she was a really good patient. They did say they could tell she was really spoiled at home, she would cry a little in her cage and a staff member would come up and talk to her and she would be fine. I am clearly the one to blame for this.
The whole ride home Bella slept in my lap. I sat in the back seat with her while Dave drove us home. She didn't let go of her pumpkin until we stopped the truck in the drive way. She was very thankful to be home with her family. She had my mom, dad and grandmother visit her the day she got home from the hospital. She was still on a lot of drugs and was really out of it. Dave and I sat with her the entire afternoon... giving her lots of T.L.C.
It turns out Bella had a complete tear, a torn meniscus, and a lot of arthritis forming from the injury. The doctor fixed everything. When Bella is recovered her knee will be 100 percent. The T.P.L.O. surgery was the best fit for Bella. Dave and I are very happy with her progress this far. She is currently getting all medications, and supplements. She is getting ice and R.O.M. exercises daily. Whatever the best care we can give Bella, she will receive.
Bella has been keeping in good spirits, although it has been hard to keep her down and explain she can't run and play right now. The past 2 days Dave and I have taken her on some wagon rides. All the people who pass her think it is so cute and always stop to give her attention.
We have all gotten much support. I couldn't keep in such good spirits myself if it wasn't for all the supportive words from friends and family. It has been quite exhausting on Dave and I to try and keep up with all the proper care and dedication to making sure Bella is healthy and on the right road to recovery.
Bella will start swim therapy with an underwater treadmill in 3 weeks. We are all very excited to get started.
This morning Bella had her consult with Dr. Walesby at Maryland Veterinary Surgical Center. Bella's visit today was her first visit being on the other side of things. She is used to her mom holding her for everything and is used to Celebrie and all her friends there. She had to wait in the waiting area with a very cute pug named Oscar. Bella made new friends today because everyone LOVED her at the office. She was a very good patient and rolled over for the doctor. Dr. Walesby did some maneuvers on her knee and it hurt Bella. After she was done Bella jumped up and tried to kiss her. She is very quick to forgive anyone.
We had a great experience at the surgical center today. Dr. Walesby and her staff were all wonderful. They took the time to get to know Bella. She also gave me the choice to leave Bella for the night or bring her back in the morning for surgery. Due to Bella's separation anxiety we chose to take her home and drive back down in the morning to drop her off. Bella is getting a T.P.L.O surgery on her knee. This procedure is much more detailed and expensive. Dave and I want the very best for Bella, so we told the doctor to tell us what she thought was best with money not being an issue. She is very confident in the surgery and her previous cases. The American Pit- Bull Terrier is her number one patient for this surgery. Do to their high energy level and conformation it is very common. Bella will most likely have both knee's replaced with the T.P.L.O. surgery. The doctor said she See's a lot of changes in Bella's right knee. On the plus side her hips look great! The doctor was also very happy and impressed with the care we have given Bella leading up to surgery. She stated we will see great improvement with the surgery and care we can provide to her. Her swim therapy can begin 3 weeks post surgery. We are very excited to get Bella back to her happy, healthy self. Dr. Walesby was very knowledgeable regarding all questions asked by a nervous mom and dad. Dave and I will be calling later to set up her swim therapy treatments and whatever else the doctor recommends. I feel confident to know that Bella is in the best of care. Please keep your paws crossed for her. She has a long road to recovery and her surgery in at 7 a.m. Thursday morning.
http://www.tploguide.com/tplo-surgery.php
Above is a link with some information regarding the procedure if anyone wants to learn more about it.
The above pictures are from today at the Surgical Center. Bella is a super star patient!
Bella's surgery will take place in a week and 1 day. We are trying to make the best of everything. My dad donated money to buy her a large cart that she fits great in. I have been pulling her around the yard. Dave and I took her to the park today on a wagon ride. She was a very good girl... just sad she couldn't run and play. It has been so hard to stop her from trying to run. We are making every attempt to keep her down but still get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. Bella has been a very good patient for us. She has to get a shot in her muscle every 4 days that helps her joints. She is loving her meatballs of pills! She is currently bearing no weight on her injured leg. She has already begun to lose muscle mass in that leg.
I can't wait to get her through the first few months of rest so we can start her rehab. Bella has a long road ahead. I expect she will recovery greatly due to her love to work and focus. The obstacle is to keep her down for the period of time that is required. Dave and I continue to get a lot of support. It truly means a lot to us both.
Life has been a bit more challenging trying to keep our Bella happy and healthy. Dave, Bella and I make a great team. We are going to over come this obstacle together and get Bella back to her crazy self!
Much can be learned from our dogs, they are always happy go lucky. Dogs are always in the moment.... as much pain as Bella is in she still keeps on going. It's almost like she forgets her knee hurts when she spots a bunny or squirrel. How amazing our animals? We would sit on the couch and cry with an injury such as Bella's.
Bella is a blessing every day. She brings much joy to my life. She has taught me what really matters. Keep your fingers and paws crossed for a safe surgery and speedy recovery for our Bella.
-Colleen :-)
" It is so hard to remember my knee hurts, especially when the fuzzy little creatures follow me from window to window. Mom calls them squirrels. They are even more fun to chase then birds and bunnies. They climb things and make it harder for me to find them. I have a hard time understanding why mom wont let me out to chase them. She says my knee is torn and I have to wait a while before I can do that again. What is a while? Maybe tomorrow?"
" I have been walking around these past two weeks on a leash and close to mom and dad. Mom insists on picking me up to go up the steps. It's not bad but I like to run up real fast instead. I have been more spoiled lately. Extra big clumps of my wet food and cool things on my knee."
" I am used to getting lots of attention but the whole not jumping on the bed where LILY gets to lay, isn't fair. I try anyway and mom yells no Bella, I will get you. Lily thinks it's funny... "
" I keep going up to the pool and look at mom, I have perfected this look... this is when I get what I want. Mom always gives in the easiest to it. She is my number one target. It hasn't been working and I haven't been able to swim. She keeps saying it's my knee and I can start swim rehab after surgery. I don't know what surgery is. Mom says I've had 2 surgery's before. I always remember waking up wondering where the time went and what was I doing?"
"Mom keeps putting this strange thing under my belly when I try and walk. I think she has lost her mind. I know my knee hurts but I can walk 3 legged just fine. She puts it on and says... go pee! Heck no... I do my business very privately in the bush or when I know for sure no one is watching."
" I know mom is very happy with all the support for me. She said it's because people love me, as much as I'd love to agree... I think a lot of people love her just the same. Mom helps a lot of people it's nice in a hard time others help her and I."
"Mom says it's time to ice my knee again. Then maybe a nap is in my future. For know I will dream of catching fuzzy creatures outside my window. "
-Bella
"Gimper Magoo"
The impact a dog can have on your life is remarkable; my little side kick has been diagnosed with an A.C.L. Tear to her left hind leg. I have undergone some surgical procedure and many painful injuries in my life time, and I am more over whelmed for my dog.
It is so hard when a dog ( or any animal) is sick or injured. You can't explain to them why they can't play and do the normal things they love to do. They don't understand even if you try. Bella is my heart and soul. She has helped me through so many emotional times in my life. Bella is the first thing I wake up to in the morning. She is my sunshine every single day...
Her surgical consult is scheduled for June 20th. Time is moving very slowly. The surgeon is going to feel her knee and decide which surgical technique is best for her, then her surgery will be the following day. I have been saving every penny and trying to raise money for her expenses. I am touched at the generous donations given by friends so far. It is incredible how many people are trying to help. I am forever grateful. Many days Bella is the reason I smile. I know a lot of people in the world don't understand how someone can be this attached to an animal... the ones who do know how important she is to me. A.C.L. surgery is usually most successful post surgery. I have been studying everyday on rehab techniques and the best way to get my Bella back to hiking and running around like the goofball everyone loves her for.
Bella is very special to me, to those who know her she makes people smile where ever she goes. I am forever thankful for the joy she brings me every single day. I feel better to know Bella will be at a great orthopedic surgeon. She came highly recommenced from Dr. Garrett and Dr. Zimmerman. I have seen her work with other patients. I find comfort in knowing I have so much support. Thank you everyone who has been there for Bella and I. This has not been easy news for us both to handle. Although if you'd ask Bella she'd say I am taking it a bit worse.
My Bella is "broken" and I can't wait to get her fixed....
