Jewel's (GME) Update
 

In the last week Jewel started to have yet another symptom associated with her battle against GME / Necrotizing Enchephelitis.

Over the past week, her right ear started to droop and she is having balance problems. She started staggering to the right in addition to the chronic circling to the left which has been going on for a couple of months now. She is still having an average of 4 seizures a month.

Dan and I had a very long and tearful discussion facing the fact that she may not have too much more time in her short life. We asked ourselves, are we making the decision to continue treating her for us or are we doing it for her. Does Jewel still has some quality of life? The list of things that brings her happiness is getting shorter and shorter.

We decided against chemo & radiation therapy (what kind of life would that be for her by making her more sick to prolong her life?) and instead we chose to try one last option. Jewel will be having her first accupuncture session tomorrow. We are praying to see some improvements within 3-5 sessions. Thank goodness VPI covers accupuncture!

Please send Jewel your happy thoughts! She will be needing all she can get!

We'll let you all know how she does.

PS:
It's been tough lately to check YT on a regular basis since Jewel is needing more of my focused attention. I miss all of your friendship and hope you can understand.

I am so saddened to hear this. Send Jewels my hugs and kisses. God bless your heart, I cant imagine what your going through, I will diffentley keep the both of you in my prayers,prayers can change things, keep us posted when ya can

Oh poor baby! I wil pray that the acupuncture works.

My brother's dalmation had acupunture treatments with great success. I hope it works for Jewel too. Many prayers from Virginia....

I am so sorry for you all and Jewel.. Please remember that whatever decision you decide we are behind you 100%...

Best of luck with accupuncture, I get this done once a month and it works for me. I will keep Jewel in our thoughts. Julie

oooh that is soo sad, my heart goes out to you guys and your baby, i will keep her in my prayers !

Corinne- I always look forward to your threads because they are always interesting, and I enjoy reading everyones responses. I wish this was one of your threads to get everyone thinking, but instead we will all be sending hugs, happy thoughts, and prayers to Jewels. I'm sending tons of positive energy to Jewels so her accupuncture will work. Wishing you and Jewels the best!!!!!!!!!!
Kim

As always, we are thinking of you all and your Jewel. We pray the accupuncture works for her. Izzy B. had her phenobarbital level checked yesterday but we do not have the results yet. She will be spayed next month and want to be sure she is on the right amount to avoid a post-surgery seizure. Again, our prayers are with you and Jewel as you continue on with her care and the decisions you must make. You have done the absolute most admirable and wonderful job of taking care of this gift God brought to you, and He loves you and your husband for all that you are doing.
Barbara

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

I am in the same horrible position, so I know just exactly how you feel.
I don't know if you have read any of my posts...
My dog Chelsie has a collapsed trachea and a paralyzed larynx,
and is in what I think are her finial days, or weeks.

She's only three and the sweetest dog I've ever known~
I have cried so many tears. So sad to watch them,
and not be able to do anything to help.

I made the decision to just treat her symptoms with antibiotics,
and not have any expensive procedures, x-rays etc... done any longer.
We have spent so much money already with her three major surgeries, and
she clearly can't live much longer in the condition she was left in.

Take Care and God Bless,
Kara

Corrine...
 

I'm so sorry to hear about Jewel. We've missed you, but totally understand she needs you right now.
You will be in our Prayers.

OMGosh...I didn't know this and am so so sorry ! I hope things aren't as bad as they look and all the best to you and Jewels.....That must be just devestating for you....Jewels has my prayers......

and Kara....I am so sorry for your baby....We sure need to send out serious prayers for both the yorkies on this thread.......

When the time comes to make the final decisions, please know that we are ALL here for both of you and your loved ones. As for acupuncture--I have seen it work near miracles and I pray this will be one of those times.

I am so sad that you along with your little baby are having to go through this. I hope and pray this works for her.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

More Update on Jewel
 

First of all, thank you for all your prayers, encouragements and caring. It really helps us knowing so many of you care.

Well, Jewel did have her accupuncture but we were told it may take 4-6 sessions before we will know if it's working or not. On Friday we met with her neurologist and we decided to up her prednisone once again for two weeks to see if that will help her curent symptoms.

Today, she is doing a lot of sleeping. When she is awake, she's kind of mopey. Not really seeing any positive changes. Dan and I believe in her and will continue the accupunctures and see how she does.

Hopefully this is just another "down" time for her and she will start climbing back up the hill soon. Even her neurologist said she is one really tough girl. He's never seen a dog survive this long and he is also rooting for her to do better.

We'll keep on posting updates.