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Headed to surgery on Monday in Florida

GraciesMom

Well-known member
We are scheduled to see Dr. Schubert at University of Florida on Monday. Surgery likely on Tuesday. Getting all the paperwork and MRI images sent to his office this week. I am consistently hearing very good things about him and the hospital. I have been impressed with the communications by their staff. I did try to talk with other respected options. Long Island Vet Clinic, which is major specialist in CM surgery, never returned calls or emails in three days. Same for Dr. Shores now at Mississippi State. But am okay not hearing from them since it indicates they are overloaded and need to know that now. So....on to the next step. Very scary...I hate to think of Gracie being put through this, but feel it is worth the risks for a chance to have a decent quality of life. I honestly believe that given how fast her symptoms were worsening over a few weeks that surgery is what we have to do now...not wait it out. Thanks all for your support and prayers.
 
:(:(I am so terribly sorry you are having to go through this. No one wants to see something so serious happen to their furry family member. I hope all will turn out and it does sound as if you are going to receive the best of care as you have already said. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.

Karen H
 
You are being very brave (and so is Gracie!). It must feel like your life is moving 100 miles an hour right now, hang in there. I will keep my prayers going for Gracie and my thoughts are with you guys. I don't have any advice to offer, but just to stay brave for the little one and be proud of yourself for all that you are doing for her. She is lucky to have a proactive mama like you.

Hugs to you and suggles to Gracie, big big ones. :hug:
 
Debra-

I have talked with a doctor down in FL who adopted a Rescue Cavalier who had the surgery with Dr. Schubert. Her dog is doing really well now.

I really was very impressed with UF and the staff there. It is a beautiful facility and very efficient. They called to check on Scarlett a few days after her MRI and are always available to answer any questions that I have and they get back to me quickly. From the second you walk in the doors, they have "greeters" (like Wal-Mart! :)) who point you in the right direction and tell you where to go. Our "greeter" was an elderly gentleman who is a volunteer there and he came and sat down and chatted with us while Scarlett was having her MRI done. Nice people who really care about your pet. When we went, we had to take Buster our Bulldog and Rosie our other Cavalier with us and every single vet and student who passed us in the lobby stopped to pet them and talk to us. I know none of this is the most important stuff but it did help to put our minds at ease while we waited.

We are in Atlanta-- let us know if you need to take a break halfway through your trip! It's about 5 hours from here to UF.

Good luck to you and Gracie!
 
Debra, Good luck. Which kind of surgery do they do in Fla? Is it the titanium mesh or a different kind? If you want any help about what seemed to work for us with Riley's recovery just PM me. It will seem longer to you than to Gracie. We're here for you whenever you need us, in whatever way.
 
Not an easy decidion Im sure. My heart goes out to you...good luck we'll be think if you and little Gracie

XX
 
It's too bad Gracie has to go through this, but iwhen it is over she will be enjoying a much better quality of life. You been through so much in so little time, learning all you can to make the right decision. Good luck to all of you. I'll be thinking of you and sending prayers and support.
 
Debra-

Good luck! Will be thinking of you and sending a lot of prayers. She's very lucky to have a mama like you :)
 
Thanks all....

Dr. Schubert does the titanium mesh covered with a swine tissue... so will let you all know how that goes. Holly, we will not be going through Atlanta.... we go through South Carolina to Florida on I-95. But if we get to Atlanta, I will let you know.
 
What a brave decision. I admire you so much for being so proactive, and doing so much research. I know you are doing what you think is the very best option for your little one. My prayers will be with you. Please keep us updated. Judy:l*v:
 
Debra, Good luck. Which kind of surgery do they do in Fla? Is it the titanium mesh or a different kind? If you want any help about what seemed to work for us with Riley's recovery just PM me. It will seem longer to you than to Gracie. We're here for you whenever you need us, in whatever way.

Bev,

Were you the one that decorated rileys crate? I know what you mean about it seeming longer for you.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
 
Toby and I are wishing Gracie the best! We will be thinking of your family on Monday. Many many hugs and so many positive thoughts going out to you:hug:
 
Will be thinking about you both. This has progressed so fast, I'm glad to know you've got a handle on everything and are being proactive for Gracie's sake.
 
Bev,

Were you the one that decorated rileys crate? I know what you mean about it seeming longer for you.

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Nope, wasn't me. I did have crates in a lot of rooms though simply because I have a multi-dog household so I had to keep Riley separated from the other dogs, but I also wanted her near me and around the action. And then later I attached an X-pen to her crate to give her more room. No decorations though. She coped so well. Never heard a complaint out of her. But that's her personality also. My youngest, Oz (who does not have SM) would have been complaining so loudly my neighbors would have heard him even with all the doors and windows closed!!! But I wonder if that's a characteristic personality trait of SM dogs - that they deal with and cope with so much pain on a daily basis that they become non-complainers in general.

Debra, after Riley's surgery she came home with a fentanyl patch for pain relief which was absolutley remarkable. It worked so well that the first night home she only whimpered once in pain and then she never again whimpered or cried out in pain. I kept her crate next to my bed at night so I could hear her in case she needed pain med at night. It might be something to ask Gracie's neuro about. Riley had it for about 3 days when she came home and it just worked so well. She also had Tramadol if she needed it for back-up pain relief.

Also just an FYI - with the titanium mesh implant you can take Gracie through the security screening at airports. It will not set off the alarm. Riley has flown with me many, many times since her surgery. I had a note from her neuro the first time in case it set off an alarm, but it never does. When I think of any more tidbits, I'll send them along.
 
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Gracie.
It's a very hard decision, I have been through similar process, although my dog's operation isn't the same one i.e decompression, I am glad I have made that decision as my dog is more alert now and the syrinx has reduced in size.

Daffymum
 
Love my Cavaliers said:
Also just an FYI - with the titanium mesh implant you can take Gracie through the security screening at airports. It will not set off the alarm. Riley has flown with me many, many times since her surgery. I had a note from her neuro the first time in case it set off an alarm, but it never does.

Surgical grade titanium doesn't set off the metal detectors, even the new "naked scanners" don't find it. I have a plate in my wrist and have flown through several airports in the US, Europe, and Central America with no problems.
 
U are so brave i really admire you. I simply havent had the guts to go through with surgery or make a final decision. Not ready yet i guess, or maybe ill never be. Good luck and i will be rooting for gracie!!!!
 
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