My Graham had an accident...

[lizbud]

AdoreMyDogs,
I don't think I said all that I meant to
tell you earlier.Meant to say that Bud's
Vet Hospital people & my local Vet both told
me that the 'pitiful sounds' were not really
sounds of pain, but sounds of distress &
confusion at the feelings induced by the
heavy pain medicine..They swore to me that
Buddy could not possibly feel pain with the
type & amount of the R/X he was taking...
Know this doesn't make hearing it any easier
but, Graham has finally started the healing
process and day by day will get better &
better...Take everyones advice about trying
to get enought rest yourself !!!
Love,Prayers & Hugs from Buddy & Liz...

[Logan]

Oh, Leslie. I would loved to have heard from you today. I hope your absence means that you were resting......that's wishful thinking, I'm sure.

Check in and let us know about Graham when you can. We all love you both so much.

Logan

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Leslie, I have been thinking about you today and I know how stressful it has been for you and Graham. If only we could reach out and help you, it is frustrating for those of us who would like to do something to help Graham and you, but can only send our prayers and positive thoughts, but we are sending many, many. Please give Graham some hugs and kisses and he is still Superdog to us, he is so brave. Please you take care and get some rest.
Jackie

[AdoreMyDogs]

Hi everyone

You are all too sweet. Graham has been showing a little improvement I think. I didn't post because I hate to give you so much bad news. He still cries while he's awake, but today we had a little breakthrough. I am only supposed to give him a maximum of 3 doses of pain killer in a day, and by 8:00 AM Graham was in such terrible pain, crying so much and so loudly that I had given him his second dose by then...which meant I had to wait until later today to give him his 3rd dose...he did really well all day until about 6 PM then he got very, very vocal again. But he did go a good 10 hours without pain killer without much crying. He is still quite vocal, crying very often, but it may be just a tad bit less often...or else I am just getting used to him crying in the background.

Now I have another concern...he normally makes 3-4 poops a day and he's not pooped in 2 days. I keep thinking for sure he must have to poop but he just pees....so tomorrow if he has not yet gone by 12 noon Graham will be going back to the vet for an enema and a laxative. He's been eating really well. He's already getting a very high fiber diet with lots of purreed (sp?) veggies and lots of grains and raw meat and stuff that he readily eats up, and it should have helped him poo.

I hope he poops soon...I can't imagine it's healthy to go two days with eating full meals full of roughage and not pooing. He's not even trying...I think by the time it comes out it's going to be petrified Either that or he'll make a massive 10 pound stinky...a dinasaur poop

Last night since I was awake 3/4 of the night with Graham (I slept next to him on the floor all night...he didn't sleep much, so neither did I) today I had a nice, long nap while hubby babysat.

I can say that my back was sure sore today...from my night on a hard floor to carrying Graham up and down the stairs, as well as carrying him around to the back of the building where he normally likes to go to the bathroom. I had to buy a magnet back brace, and I have been wearing it most of the day. I am so worried how I will manage with carrying him up and down stairs for 12 weeks I sure hope either my back gets stronger, hubby does not mind getting woken up to help carry Graham, or Graham loses weight

I'll let you all know how he's doing when he is showing noticable improvement. I hate to keep posting bad stuff because I know how much you all care for him, just as I care for all of your dogs, like they are my family, too. Thanks for all the concerns. I know that Graham appreciates it, although he's not well enough to tell you all for himself how much he appreciates it. I wish you all a good night. Thank you again for being such good, kind friends.

Oh, and Lizbud....the surgeon said the same thing about the dog maybe crying due to confusion and fear, more then physical pain. That is comforting, whether it's true or not, it's still comforting. Thank you I appreciate it. The mental image of Graham crying out of confusion rather then out of extreme pain is so much easier to focus on.

[auggie]

It breaks my heart to hear about his suffering. Leslie, I believe the medication causes constipation. Maybe you can discuss other options with his Vet, if you have to take Graham for an enema. Glad to hear he is eating well.

[Phred]

Hi, Graham! ~ Cinder & Smokey want to know if you're feeling any better today? And poopie problems on top of everything else you've been through - that's something you really didn't need!

How's he doing today, Leslie? And don't feel bad about too many posts - We're all anxious to hear about even the smallest changes. We're all worried about our little "Smiler" pal and hope he starts to show you that he's beginning to feel better. Did you have to return to the Vet to get the *poop problem* fixed, or has that resolved itself?

Please, keep us posted as often as you are able to. And Big {{HUGGS}} and *KISSES* to Graham!

[TheAntiPam]

I sure wish I could be there to help! And I know I'm not the only PetTalker that feels that way. Graham, get that "output" going if you can! And think of angels while your mom carries you - it will make you weigh less! Leslie, don't burn out or wear out! In a couple more days, Graham will be feeling more comfortable, and you need to be comfy too!

Best wishes for a better, and quieter night!

[tatsxxx11]

Hi sweet Graham and Leslie. I was so glad to hear that your discomfort was maybe a little better today Graham. One day at a time; one step at a time. And Pam, your words were so profound. As we all know, Graham truly is an angel in fur. And I am sure he will have little trouble sprouting his wings to lighten his mama's load. Leslie, please don't worry about posting too much, or telling us things you think we might find upseting. That's why we're here, and why we're friends. And as for the poopies.... Well, codiene is notorious for being extremely irritating to the digestive system, intestinal or gastric...nausea, vomiting and especially CONSTIPATION! On top of that, general anesthesia, (which includes a lot of smooth muscle paralyzation drugs)especially in the amount that Graham had over the several hours of surgery, causes motilitly of the bowel to slow way down, or sometimes stop for a while. Ya know, they NEVER let the human patients go home until they've made a poopie too! Lots of fluids and the diet you describe are very beneficial. Getting up and moving about are the best ways to get things moving again. I know this is not really possible for Graham right now. Hopefully in the next day or so things will start making there way down the chute and he can avoid the enema... Glad to hear you got a bit of rest Leslie. Put some of the weight on OUR shoulders; emotional at least. Tell Graham we love him so much and pray that each day will find him feeling better and better.

[ November 19, 2001: Message edited by: tatsxxx11 ]

[ November 19, 2001: Message edited by: tatsxxx11 ]

[ November 19, 2001: Message edited by: tatsxxx11 ]

[tatsxxx11]

Hope you sleep well and peacefully tonight precious Graham.

[kobieeli]

Well! You heard it from Dr. Tatsxxx, Graham--your inner workings should be moving along in no time! Hope you're holding up alright, Leslie, and that your boy is on the mend...
{Hugs}

[Sudilar]

Leslie, we always want to hear updates on our Graham. We get worried when we don't hear anything. We are all right with you in worrying about Graham even if we're miles and miles away. Get well quick, Graham!! We're praying for you!!
Leslie, be careful lifting Graham and don't hurt yourself!

[sammi]

Hope both Leslie & Graham have a good sleep tonight.

[Logan]

Leslie, a special Thanksgiving wish for you, Dan and Graham.......hope you have a peaceful, comfortable day tomorrow. I sure have been thinking about all of you. I know it is tough now, but I am "thankful" that Graham has a wonderful future ahead of him. It could have been so much worse (I know, that is easy for me to say), and I am just grateful that you have many more years of happiness ahead, living with Graham and doing all sorts of fun things with him.

Have a great holiday. We'll be thinking of you.

Logan

[jackiesdaisy1935]

I see Logan just got ahead of me, I was thinking about you Leslie and Graham and just wanted to wish you a VERY PEACEFUL AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING. I hope Graham is doing better and not crying, that just broke my heart to hear that. Hope you all are getting some much needed rest. Will talk to you later. Hugs from Daisy, Perry and me.
Jackie

[RachelJ]

Special prayers of thanks said today that Graham made it through his surgery and is now on the road to recovery. I know is hasn't been easy (how's that for an understatement?) but this stage will pass, and then Graham will be pain free and mobile and then there will be cheers going up all around. I hope when you next report there will be more good news for our sweet dear Graham.