| ladyjane | 08-05-2010 07:40 AM |
Information about Roriee
Someone had asked the following questions. I had sent them to Jen and the answers were something I thought all of you would be interested in!
--------------
Is AAI still an issue for her, or she never had AAI? Roriee actually does not have AAI, but instead has Atlanto-Axial Subluxation, which is a luxation between the first and second vertebrae. AAI is Atlanto Axial Instability, which is worse than what Roriee has. She is missing the cartilage that holds the two vertebrae together so they luxate and can pinch the spinal cord. It currently is not causing her any trouble, but could in the future since it pinches the spinal cord.
Treatment for GME lasts around 1 year and they go into remission? But needs to stay on meds for life? We are starting with at least a year to see where she is at that point. She may need to continue the chemo, but will definitely be on medicine for the rest of her life. It could potentially go into remission, but we will not know that for at least a year.
Besides those issues, she does also have hydrocephalus (which is water on the brain and it will never go away and gets worse as they get older), she has a tumor on her brain that was likely caused by the GME, lesions on her brainstem again from the GME, and she has a torn tendon in her leg that was probably weakened from the prednisone she was on. The torn tendon luckily does not affect her walking and is not causing her any pain, it just changes how she can flex her back foot and leg sometimes. She seems to be doing just fine with it. She also would need to be spayed, have shots, and have a dental since she still has baby teeth. But, we are not doing anything with any of that because of the GME. The GME is the most critical issue and the only one we are concerned about at this point. I definitely do not think it would be wise to change her doctors since they know what they are doing and absolutely have a plan in place for her future. We just have to continue to pray that the chemo continues to work and allows her to live a somewhat normal life. She has been amazing through all of this and it is amazing how much she has improved since the day we picked her up. She has lots of spunk!! She never hesitates to yell at the other pups when they are playing! J | 