[4doggiemama]

Thank you to Nancy for this thread and for all the prayers offered on Cocoa's behalf. It was a scary time for me since she only weighs 3 lbs. and is 10 yrs. old. But she received excellent care and made it through with your prayers and His blessings on the K-State doctors. We are finally home after five days at the K-State Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Manhattan, KS. Cocoa had her consultation on Thursday where they gave me 3 options----do nothing in hopes she would live her life out without the gallbladder giving her problems but know that if it did she only had a 50% chance to live, put her on meds to dissolve the stones but know that if it didn't work and she became sick she would only have a 50% chance to live, or do surgery now while she is well and hope that there are no complications. Hated having to make a choice all by myself. Her gallbladder was completely filled with stones, the stones were also in her liver ducts and in the drainage duct. Chose surgery but cried the entire time wondering what I was doing to my little Cocoa. She made it through 4 1/2 hrs. of surgery. They did not remove the gallbladder since there are still stones in the liver. She will be on meds to dissolve them, hopefully. They found an enlarged liver and a nodule on it which they removed and are having biopsied. Since they had to open the intestine to clean out the drainage duct they also did a biopsy on Cocoa's intestine to find out why her protein count is low. In the end they had to hurry and finish the surgery because her blood pressure was dropping. During the entire stay she was in ICU because they had problems keeping her glucose and protein level up. She was on drips for both. Cocoa turned out to be very calm for them---no frantic circling. I was so relieved! That was my biggest worry because I was afraid that would hinder her from healing. They had a difficult time getting Cocoa to eat, but she finally did yesterday morning so they sent us home late last night. She ate well this morning, so I am relieved, needless to say. We are now waiting on the analysis of the stones to tell us what direction they need to go to prevent this from happening again, the biopsy of the liver and the intestine. So far she has not had to wear a cone. Yeah!!!! I did find some onesies at Target that were smaller, narrower than any I found elsewhere, even a preemie at Dillards. Cut off the end and it covers her entire tummy area. Hope it works as she get better and starts investigating. I was only able to spend about 3 hrs. per day with Cocoa so I spent my time exploring Manhattan. A challenge. No streets go through. Scared to death of getting lost. Found a cheap hotel room that was small but very clean. Spent time shopping, napping, reading, watching TV, or doing word finds. It was at a great location. Dillions was right behind the hotel, Wal-Mart was a few blocks away, Hobby Lobby and a small shopping center was just about a block away, and a large in-door shopping center was about 4 blocks away. All the food joints that you could imagine were almost within walking distance. Now we have to get Cocoa better because the next thing they want to do is re-do her knee. It is out again. Was told that it is deteriorating her hip and we have to do something or her leg will have to be amputated. Oh, oh, oh. Let me tell you a horrible story. A young farmer and his mom came in with their 10 mo. old lab who had been hit by the mailman's car. They were fussing about the automatic $200 charge to see a vet. It was just a broken leg. Then I was leaving awhile later and they walked out carrying the puppy. I rolled down my window and asked what was going on. They said that the surgeon couldn't operate until Monday and had given the puppy a strong sedative until then. Would you believe I accepted that?!!!!! There are surgeons at the hospital all the time for emergencies. In the middle of the night it dawned on me what I had seen. They had the puppy PTS!!!!!!!!! and were carrying it. Oh, was I ever sick. The receptionist at the clinic said that they see that all the time. Nauseating!!!!! Then on the other hand I met two young college girls who were involved in training service dogs. Awesome job!!!! Anyway, guess this is kind of long, but I wanted to explain everything in one swoop. Cocoa is home, has eaten, and is sleeping on my lap. Feel very protective of her. Love her a lot. Must say a big thank you, to my dh. He took care of my other 3 doggies in between his work. Very much appreciated. Wanted to acknowledge that. ~Joanne~