How wonderful to see your big, beautiful smile again Graham :) We are all rooting for you sweetie and hoping that you won't be needing sir jury. We're all sending you our prayers Graham. We love you :)
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How wonderful to see your big, beautiful smile again Graham :) We are all rooting for you sweetie and hoping that you won't be needing sir jury. We're all sending you our prayers Graham. We love you :)
There is that smile, oh, kiss, kiss, kiss that precious face. Good luck on your appointment today, Graham. We are sure hoping that you are healing well and do not have to see Sir Jury. We will be waiting to hear the report from your vet.
LOVE YA GRAHAM !! BEST OF LUCK TODAY !!
All Good thoughts and Prayers for a good
positive check up today baby...
Doc just called :( Not good news I am afraid :( His dislocation is so severe and the splint has not done it's job of keeping everything in place, so Graham has to go to an orthapedic surgeon for a second opinion. Graham's vet said that it is so severe that he needs a specialist :(
What a blow. I am just so sickened that he jumped off the balcony. This is turning out to be a terrible time. He would have been better off if he broke his leg :( Oh well, I guess i'll just have to live with this. Feeling really bummed out and scared now.
Hang in there, Mom! There's no reason to think that Graham won't make a full recovery after the surgery. When is his appointment with the Specialist?Quote:
Originally posted by AdoreMyDogs:
<STRONG>...Graham has to go to an orthapedic surgeon for a second opinion... Feeling really bummed out and scared now.</STRONG>
All his Dawg Pals and TwoLegger Fans will just have to keep the pawz and fingers crossed a little longer :(. Keep SMILING :), Graham ~ We're ALL rooting for ya, Pal :D!
Keep your chin up Leslie! It may take more discomfort, time, and money to get fixed than you would have hoped, but Graham is still the same sweet boy!
Don't feel scared! Graham may be broken on the outside, but he's still all there on the inside! Just because he has to see a specialist doesn't mean the situation is hopeless. The specialist may be able to put him all back together again, and Graham may be Rockin' and Rollin' with you again in no time! And, even if not, he is always the same sweet Graham, and you will just have to do different things with him to keep him healthy, fit, and energized. He may be uncomfortable and in some pain, but he is tough and can roll with the punches - that grin is proof of that!
Don't despair... there's always hope! :)
(Don't get me wrong, I am mad at the fates that would allow such a sweet baby to get any owies. :mad: )
So sorry to hear that precious Graham will need a bit more recovery than expected. I know everything will turn out OK in the long run - he's such a sweet boy - wish you could turn some of the bill over to your Maintenance people - did you make any headway on determining exactly who is responsible for this? Anyway - take care Leslie - sounds like your boy is in good hands.
Leslie, I am sorry to hear Graham needs to see the specialist. Hopefully he will fixed and back to his great old self soon. :cool:
Leslie, so sorry about your sweetie pie Graham!! I'm sure he'll make a great recovery. Give him lots and lots of love (which I know you do! :D ) and he'll get better in no time at all :D I was just thinking the same thing as Purrley, did you find out what illicited his jump from the balcony?? Poor sweet guy. Lots of hugs to you and Graham!
Maybe the specialist isn't so bad. He might know just what the problem is and will be able to fix it. Sorry you both have to go through this.
I'm so sorry to hear that about Graham. He'll recover though, he has to! :)
Dear Graham. Sorry the news wasn't as good as hoped for. But NOT TO WORRY!!! I think the consult with the ortho. specialist is a very good idea. They know best and will certainly help you and your mom make the right decision to get you up and going a.s.a.p!! Now, Graham, we fix these kinda things every day for us humans. And I know, although it may take a while longer, that very soon you will be fixed up as good as new! Hang in there sweet Graham. We love you SO much and we're all sending you our best wishes and prayers. And Leslie, I know you're really bummed right now. But have faith that the specialists will know just the right thing to do to get our favorite boy up and about very soon. Give Graham all my love and big hugs. And make sure you get plenty too! Love you guys. Sandra, Cody and Star
Oh, Leslie, I am so sorry that Graham will have to go through more procedures, but you do want it to be done right and not something that will cause him problems the rest of his life. If this is what it is going to take, then it is what he needs. I guess ever since I read Rottie's first post, I was kind of afraid that this would be the outcome. Don't let this overwhelm you. Graham will see it through and so will you, just like always. It will be okay.
[ November 07, 2001: Message edited by: RachelJ ]
Oh Graham I am so sorry that the news wasn't as good as we'd hoped. But you keep that fuzzy chin of yours up! A specialist is just going to help you feel better. You just keep that beautiful smile on your handsome face and let the White Coat and your brave, strong Mommy deal with all the technical stuff!
Leslie I'm so sorry the news wasn't good. I guess the positive thing here is that it wasn't any more serious than a hurt leg. A fall like that could have done so much more to your precious baby. When bad things happen I always like to have the mindset that "it could have been worse" and then I am able to be more thankful for the present situation I find myself in. Today there is so much that can be done for dogs and people as well in all areas of medicine. I know that in time Graham will be his old self again, but what a shame that he has to go through all of this and I am sure it is going to be expensive. :( We are here rooting for Graham and always available to lend a sympathetic ear to his very worried mommy. Hang in there.
Leslie,a veterinarian specialist is just what Graham needs. GO FOR IT! When Molly got glaucoma it was an opthamalogist vet. who saved her one eye. He also did a procedure so that the other eye didn't have to be removed or sewn shut. Graham will be in Good hands. We will keep our fingers & paws crossed. You and Graham are not alone. We are all pulling for you both. Stay strong Mom. Scratches behing the ear for Graham.
Oh, Leslie, I am so sorry that the news was not better. I know it's scary to hear the words "needs to see a specialist". We always think that it's so bad. I hope you take some comfort in knowing that a specialist usually specializes in one thing. They know what they're doing and they're good at it. I will keep sweet Graham in my prayers and hope everything turns out fine.
Poor sweet Graham :( I'm so sorry his leg did not heal with the cast. But the specialist (and our prayers) will make him well in no time. Hang in there both of you. You know you have our love and support to help you through this bad experience. When are you going to see the orthopedic surgeon?
So very sorry about the news. I know how discouraging things can be when our pups are sick or hurt. I know how you feel. Don't give up hope. Graham will get better. My prayers are with you and Graham.
Sorry to hear about Graham,
but he will be in good hands with
the Ortho Specialist.
Let us know what happens.
Wishing Graham the very best.
Thank you so much everyone. I am trying to help Graham as much as I can, but he keeps doing not so smart stuff. He jumped the baby fence again :mad: ...so now he is crated during the day and when I can't watch him. I am beginning to wish I had never put him through agility, because he seemes to have very little common sence when it comes to his limits. He learns tricks and obedience and agility quickly, but he seems to not know right from wrong. It's frustrating. He's miserable in his crate. He has not been in a crate since I first got him (with exception to when I would take him to our performance shows). He has seperation anxiety when he is locked in his crate, but I am so fed up with him doing dumb stuff and hurting himself. Depending on the outcome of the ortho surgeon appointment, I will maybe lock Graham in a room so he does not have to be in his crate.Quote:
Originally posted by Albea:
<STRONG>You know you have our love and support to help you through this bad experience. When are you going to see the orthopedic surgeon?</STRONG>
His appointment with the ortho surgeon specialist is tomorrow (Saturday) and I will let you all know how that goes. I know it's going to be very expensive, but as long as Graham dosen't mess up the work that the doc does by pulling any more foolish stunts, I don't mind paying. Graham is worth it. Even thought he is making me worry beyond belief, he's still my best friend :)
Oh, Leslie, I had no idea!! :( I was gone for a couple of days, and if you hadn't responded this morning, no telling when I would have seen the most recent news on Graham.
I hope you can get some good indications from the specialist tomorrow. I know you are worried, but something tells me that your baby is going to be just fine.
Chin up!! Kiss Graham for me too! :D
AdoreMyDogs,
I am so very sorry that Graham's injury will
require more treatment before he's better.
Maybe you could ask the Vet Specialist of
a better way to keep Graham "confined" until
his healing can start.I ended up tieing two
leashes together and anchoring Buddy to the
dining room table to keep him from roaming
the house when I was not home.Using the baby gate in the kitchen or shutting him up in the bedroom, would have made him miserable.
Graham & Family are in my thoughts and
prayers.Please give him a hug from me & Bud.
Good luck at the vet and please let us know what he thinks. Get better, Graham!
A special prayer this morning and our thoughts are with Graham as he has his appointment with his specialist. Don't be downhearted, Mom, Graham is going to get the expert care he needs so you both can live your lives to the fullest. I know this hasn't been easy but eventually this ordeal will be but a thing of the past.
Oh Leslie, I just caught up with this post, I am so sorry to hear the bad news about Graham. I know how hard it has been for you and Graham, you trying to keep him quiet and him frustrated because he couldn't do what he wanted to do. I will be so anxious to hear what the Specialist says. We will think positive thoughts and say a little prayer for Graham and you. He gets hugs and kisses from Perry, Daisy and me and some for you too.
Jackie
Special vibes for our Graham today. :) ;) :)
Hang in there Graham and Leslie. Can't wait to hear what the specialist said. We are praying SO hard that you come home with some encouraging news. Try not to get discouraged Leslie, what with all of Graham's antics. :( After all, he is SUPER GRAHAM and is just doing what comes naturally to him! I know how frustrated you must feel, doing your best to help him get well. Remember, we're all here to support you and offer any suggestions that might be helpful! Love ya, Graham
An update:
The Orthopedic surgeon specialist was wonderful. A very caring, dear man. He gave me few options for Graham, we could either try to keep splinting him, which is obviously not working, or we could do the surgery. The surgery is the only option, because his leg is in very bad pain and it will not stay alligned.
First of all, the injury is in his "ankle" or their technical term is a carpal hyperextention injury. The surgery is what they call carpal arthrodesis which means they are going to fuse together his bones, ligaments, muscles in that ankle. The bad news is that he will never be able to move that joint again, it is permenantely going to be straight and he will not be able to bend it for the rest of his life. Doc said that dogs really adjust well to the change in their ability to move, and that his gate will be slightly different, but not so bad that he makes people do a double take when they see him walking.
Bad news:
·Agility is over with for good. I have already called his agility school, and through tears, said my goodbyes.
·He will never be able to jump more then half of his height again.
·He will have to learn to maneuver with a permanently stiff leg.
.It is a very long recovery.
·And of all the joints that he could have dislocated, this is the most complicated and complex to fuse together (not to mention, the most expensive)
Good news:
·Of all the joints that he could have dislocated, this is the easiest for Graham to adjust to the fusing of his bones. Dogs do not bend that ankle joint nearly as much as they bend (and need to bend) all of the other joints.
·Graham will heal.
·Graham will not lose his leg.
·We have our house savings to help with the cost. Without our house savings I don’t know what we would do…we just don’t make that much money to pay for this surgery.
I am not complaining, Graham is worth every penny in the world, but with the 3 vet appointments that I have had sofar, the cost has been $800, and when they gave me the quote for the surgery I was shocked. I expected it to be around $1000 or $1500 tops....I was wrong :( They gave me a worst case scenario. Worst case scenario will be a total of $3700 for the surgery, and best case scenario is $2200 for the surgery, and they need an $1800 deposit on surgical drop off, with the rest due at pick up. If I did not have my house savings, I don't know what I would do. That is a huge sum of money, and it's all due so soon. I wouldn't have any way to raise that amount. As much as I hate to take out our already small house savings, my God am I happy that I had it.
Graham is going to have his surgery this coming Friday. He will be at the hospital for at least an over night stay. He will have his leg in a cast for 8-12 more weeks, and he will have 1-2 extra incesions for a bone graph needed for the surgery.
I will update you on his post surgery healing. Graham and I thank you for your prayers, and we both love you all bunches.
WELL GANG WHAT DO YOU THINK- CAN WE HELP HER & GRAHAM OUT? If AdoreMyDogs has a legitimate add. for her vets office and anyone wanted to send (even a couple of bucks) to be put on Grahams bill we could help her out that way. I would be willing to send a few dollars to the vets. office - if you guys think its a good idea and of course AdoreMyDogs would approve.
Where do we send the help?
I'm so glad he can be helped.
I know this is to late for
Graham, but for everyone else, you might consider looking into doggie insurance.
I will be thinking many good thoughts
for Graham that he will be as good as new, even though he will not be able
to jump around and compete in Agility.
Good thoughts and prayers.
Oh Leslie, I know how disappointed you are for Graham to not be able to do the agility, but he is so much more important to you as a best friend and you love him so much just as he loves you. Perhaps when he is well he could be a companion dog and visit children and older people in hospitals, he would be a hit with his great smile. The important thing is that he will be O.K. and be able to walk etc. and have a happy life.
I agree, where do we send the help?
Jackie
Leslie, I'm so sorry and sad that Graham will no longer be able to participate in agility :( I know how special a thing it was for you and he to share. But the GOOD news is, he will heal. :) And nothing can ever take from him his beautiful spirit, his love for life, his beautiful smile or his love for you.. Leslie, please give us the opportunity to help you and Graham. A big part of being a really good friend is having the ability to accept help and support as well as to give it. So please, let us help you and Graham, OK? And although it is too late now, I agree with KYS. Look into health insurance for Graham. There are some really great plans out there with extensive coverage at a low rate. Tell Graham we love him and are so proud of him. We're here for you Leslie.
[ November 11, 2001: Message edited by: tatsxxx11 ]
Thank you everyone for offering to help pay for this expensive surgery. I appreciate it with all of my heart. I am so glad and lucky to have you as friends. I can't accept that gift, though. I am not going broke from this accident, I am just not going to be getting a house as early as I had wanted. There are alot of people who have to cut corners on their bill paying, or re-morgage their houses, or get an extra side job...I have to do none of those things, just have to live in apartment longer then planned...and that is OK. I have made peace with that. I do not deserve financial help because I am fortunate to have the house savings, even though it's not much, and it is a huge drag to take so much out if the account. I have enough saved to pay for this surgery, and hopefully any future P.T. that Graham might need. I would not feel right accepting your loving gifts, there are others who are way more deserving.
I am honored that you would offer, though. Maybe the amount that you were going to send to my vet, you can set aside for another pet talker who does not already have a savings account, and they are truly worried about how to pay for an emergency, should one come up.
Hugs and kisses from Graham and I :)
I too am astounded at the cost of the surgery. I would have, like you, guessed in the $1,000.00 - $1,500.00 range. I was wondering if the University of Michigan had a veterinary school and if they did such a surgery, which might be less expensive to have it done there. That said, this vet appears to be someone you have some trust in and we all know how important that is.
AdoreMyDogs,
I am glad you found a Vet Specialist you
like & trust, and that Graham can be helped
to get better.While the $$ amt. quoted for
a "best case scenario' does seem really high,
if it helps Graham to walk around again pain
free;I too would do it in a minute...
Just wish that the bill could be sent to
the Apartment Management Company. Graham was
at home minding his own business,when Apt.
Staff entered your Apartment.I believe the
maintenance person is culpable.
This should Never have happened.At the very
least,Graham should have never been left
where he fell..and you had to find him in
that state.
Graham is a very athletic dog(strong) and
should heal well.I wouldn't count him out
of anything in the future.
Strong Prayers being offered for Graham
and his Mom & Dad !!!
Graham will adjust to his leg problem. He's a trooper. I am so sorry about his agility career ending. I know how much he loved it. Life is so unfair. I know what you mean about financial priorities. When your furbaby is sick or injured, you do all you can to make him better. I willingly gave up my vacation to pay for Killian's vet bills this summer. He's more important to me than that. Good luck and keep us posted. We will be praying for him and you.
LESLIE, OH SO SOORRY ABOUT GRAHAM'S NEED FOR SURGERY. BUT, OH SO THANKFUL SOMEONE CAN HELP HIM. WHO KNOWS, GRAHAM, MAY SURPRISE YOU AND BE GOOD AS NEW. ONE DAY AT A TIME, LESLIE! ALSO, MANY OF US ARE WILLING TO ADD A FEW BUCKS TO THE VET. BILL. THINK IT OVER AGAIN. I WANT GRAHAM TO SEE OREGON!!!!!
Leslie, i am soooo sorry to hear about the bad news. i couldn't help but to start crying as i read about Graham's furture. i know things could have been worse, but they are still very aweful. The best of luck to you and your whole family!