Friday, April 27, 2012

I Am Just Not Ready

Sorry for the lack of blogging yesterday, my day didn't quite go as planned!

Lily had her check up yesterday and we found out some unfortunate news! Lily's liver is unable to break down Copper. Copper is pretty much EVERYTHING both you and I eat, as well as dogs. Her liver is still in some sort of liver failure and she not out of the woods yet. I was just not ready to hear this diagnosis.


Our main goal right now is to restore her liver and to get her to eat. This is a struggle every day! Although the last 2 nights she has been willing to eat chicken on her own, instead of us hand feeding her or force feeding her! However, this morning she was having none of that, which only brought me to my breaking point - which included her getting on my lap and snuggling and me just crying on her shoulder and telling her how much she means to me and that I am being selfish because I am just not ready to let go. But I know deep down that she isn't either. She is here for a reason and is fighting this the best way she can. After my melt down I got her to eat a few spoonfuls.

We were told yesterday that Lily is a miracle! Most dogs that come in as sick as she was and with liver failure do not make it. Lily fought it and still is. Our vet didn't expect her to come in looking soo great yesterday. He is very happy with her progress, but was sure to inform me that we are not out of the woods yet. It could still go either way, but we are doing everything we can for her and it seems to be working. Eating is our biggest struggle, but her antibiotics are done tomorrow, so that might help with her appetite!

Lily's long-term treatment is rather costly, but M and I are both on the same page as far as that goes and we are willing to do what it takes. Lily is only 4! We are also trying to do what is best for her! We do not want her suffering at all! Our vet said, most people don't ever get to this diagnostic stage because the tests are too expensive and that they just assume it is a liver tumor and the dog passes.

Lily was on a medication called Slentrol, which we initially thought (and I still believe that it may have had something to do with this still -  it could have weakened her liver just enough to shut it down, but that is neither here nor there and there is no way to prove it) caused her hepatitis. Pfizer was fronting all diagnostic testing to try to rule out their drug, so they are luckily paying for all tests. The rest of the bill, including her hospitalization, meds and treatment is on us. We are still waiting to see how much Pfizer is paying first, but it should be about half of the bill! The chances of Lily having this copper storage problem was less than 5% and is not common in her breed. I was surprised to find out it is common in labs.

Overall Lily has lost 20 pounds. She is at her ideal weight right now of 95 pounds! I know that still seems like a lot, but she is a big dog!

I continue to ask for your prayers on Lily, and I continue to pray that she will pull through this! It is crazy how easily the tears will fall now when it comes to knowing her potential fate and I refuse to think that way!


Gracie's nose is getting a bit out of joint with all the spoiling of Lily, but she is also getting just as much attention. Gracie's life without Lily isn't life and I don't know what mine would be like either! Lily is my rock!! Praying my little miracle keeps fighting for her life!!

I have a feeling my weekend will be filled with a lot of snuggles and cuddles. I love that dog like crazy!!!  I am just not ready to let her go and I don't think she is ready either!!

16 comments:

J and A said...

I'm so so sorry Ash. But like I said before Lily is so so tough. It will all work out. She is so strong and has made it this far. Sending huge hugs!!

J and A said...

I'm so so sorry Ash. But like I said before Lily is so so tough. It will all work out. She is so strong and has made it this far. Sending huge hugs!!

Jenn said...

I'm so sorry! You have a strong girl there, tho and she is fighting her heart out, so just make sure you are strong for her, too!
Sending positive, healthy vibes!!

Syndal said...

aww thinking of you and Lily!

Meg said...

I have been thinking about you everday Ash...Lily is so lucky to have you guys, she was definitely meant to be with you!!! I know that you will do everything for her, and like you said she is a miracle and an amazing fighter!! I am sending prayers your way and thinking about you!! If there is anything at all that we can do please please let me know!!! Sending prayer and hugs your way:)

Jamie said...

Ashley, my heart is breaking that y'all are having to go through this. I just keep imagining how difficult it would be for us if it was one of our boys. Just finished crying my eyes out and earnestly praying for Lily's healing. I want you, and M, and Gracie to have Lily around for many years to come and for Lily to be healthy! Enjoy your snuggles and cuddles this weekend, and give her a few from me, and Charlie, and Riley too!

Anonymous said...

This breaks my heart. I'll continue to pray for her. Dogs are so strong and she's very lucky to have an owner that's able and willing to give her the help she needs.

Our Home Grown Adventures said...

Poor Lily! I am thinking of you all and hope that you have a good weekend xx

Miki {Becoming What I Always Was} said...

I will pray and pray for you and Lilly. I am glad the vet finally has a diagnostic, so you can help her now. I think she just wants her momma to snuggle her!! =)

Makin Memories Of Us said...

Hey. I'd love for you to email me if you could. Have the doctors looked into liver shunts? Our lab, Bailey, had a 30+ minute seizure along with lots of other problems (they told us she wouldn't make it another 3 months.. but it's been a year and a half since). We took her to the UF Vet Clinic where they ran many, many tests and the results showed liver shunts. She has to eat a special type of food due to her liver not able to break down protein and other things. If she does eat that, she builds up a lot of toxicity in her body and that's what is causing all of the issues. I know how scary it is when something is wrong with your dog and you can't pinpoint the problem so please feel free to email me so I can try to help out and maybe give some more insight. Hope to hear from you soon! Praying for you guys.

Makin Memories Of Us said...

And, she was only 3 when this was going on. She's 5 now.

Megan said...

Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!! I will be praying for y'all and for her!! I hate when puppies are sick. I hope that her liver starts working!

Kelsey @ Seattle Smith's said...

Poor sweet puppy AND mommy, that is super tough. Thinking of you guys.

Tausha Wierlo said...

OH my gosh!! This makes me so SAD!! I've got a little Yorkie (as my husbands way to post-pone me having children!) - And Dexter is my LIFE. I seriously break down in tears when he is sick, or in pain - or can't go to the dog park because it's raining. I agree that you should continue treatment - and set up a Paypal account for other animal lovers to help. We will :)

Jen said...

Oh honey...I like to think of myself as one of the biggest dog lovers on earth, so when I saw your post on Kelly's Korner...I clicked right on over.

Please know I am keeping your Lily as close as close can be. I lost my love, Kama, not too long ago and at way too young of an age. I am still devastated.

Aren't dogs the greatest creatures to ever walk the face of this earth?

I so love your picture at the top of your blog!

Loving Lily!

Jen

Rod and Alex - aka: "Rolex" said...

Your little girl is in my thoughts and prayers! I'm glad you haven't given up hope! With treatment, Lily could live a long life! :)

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