Post Treatment Annual Ultrasound #3

Stella had her annual abdominal ultrasound today.  Although there was no specific post last year for her second abdominal ultrasound, one was performed by the Neurologist when her seizure issues began in June (2013).

Results came back unchanged from August 2012!  Diagnosis reads (in part): the previously seen hyperechoic left liver nodule is unchanged measuring 0.4cm.......the remaining abdominal structures are normal.

As a reminder, if the Oncologist found any MCT's on Stella's internal organs the plan of action would be to start chemotherapy immediately - which would consist of oral pills for her lifetime.

We are to follow-up with the Oncologist in one year unless we need her otherwise.

Incidentally, we celebrated Stella's 10th birthday a few days ago!!!  I apologize for not posting updated pictures....we've had A LOT going on in our personal lives.  Suffice it to say she got plenty of treats and kisses!  :)


*This appointment is the first time we've been back at the specialty hospital since the communication breakdown with their Neurologist that lead us to get a second opinion and subsequent transfer of treatment to a second Neurologist (at a different facility) for Stella's seizure issues.  As I stated in my post "My Opinion on Second Opinions" there was no awkwardness returning to the specialty hospital and we (and Stella) were treated just fine.  Stella's Oncologist is a professional and just wants what's best for her and wants us to be comfortable with her treatment.

Stella Gets Another Sister

Have we lost our minds??  On May 3, we adopted another dog from a rescue organization.  Her name is Hattie and she is a Teacup Chihuahua/Pug mix.  They estimate she is about one year old and, at 5lbs, full grown!

Although she appears to be the cutest, daintiest, sweetest little pup let me tell you she is the feistiest dog we have ever adopted!! As with any new pet we will all learn as we go - she will learn obedience from us (hopefully) and we will learn what her boundaries are.  One thing we know for sure already is that her temperament is more cat-like than dog.   Everyone's inclination, based on her tiny appearance, is to scoop her up (which you can do with one hand) and cuddle her and carry her around.  N-O-P-E, she will not have it.  She wants what she wants when she wants it and that's all. Tiny dog, HUGE personality.

Hopefully Stella and Betty will warm up to her - right now, they are none to happy having this Tasmanian devil spitfire of sharp teeth running around.  However Hattie has figured out already to not mess with the cat!

I know the pictures are adorable - don't be fooled!!

 

 

 

Hattie wears a cat collar and cat harness because even the smallest dog size was too big for her!

 

Winter Fun

Stella (in back) and Betty having fun on a winter's day.....

 

 

...and then cuddling to get warm.

 

 

Neurologist Re-check #3

Stella's condition remains stable.  She continues to take her seizure medication (Levetiracetam 250mg, 3x a day) and has not had another seizure to our knowledge since she started on them.  She remains happy and healthy and spoiled!

Re-check in ONE YEAR!!!

Neurologist Re-check #2

Today was Stella's 2nd check-up with the Neurologist - 2 months since her official corrected diagnosis: seizures secondary to immune-mediated encephalitis.

Blood was drawn again for routine bloodwork and once again we all anticipate everything will come back normal.

Dr. P has taken Stella off Prednisone.  She will remain on Levetiracetam 250mg tablets, 3x a day.

We noticed the other day that Stella's right ear was starting to droop lower than her left and her head was also slightly tilted.  Dr. P examined her ears and said she had a very slight ear infection (which we will tend to with our normal ear cleaning routine at home) but that he thinks the ear droop is just muscle or nerve related and doesn't think it's anything to worry about.  He also said the head tilt was not worrisome to him either and that "it just makes Stella look cuter"  :)

We were told Stella can resume vaccinations as scheduled but that she should not receive more than one vaccination at a time - they should be scheduled for different visits a few weeks apart.  Dr. P also said we should not give Stella heartworm preventative and flea preventative on the same day; again, spacing them a few weeks apart. 

Stella will have her next recheck in 4 months.

Neurologist Re-check #1

Stella had her follow-up visit with the Neurologist today.  We reported that the past 2 weeks have been great. Baby girl is back to her normal self :)

Dr. P drew some blood for routine bloodwork which we all anticipate will be normal.  He is also taking her Prednisone down to 5mg.  He has asked us to not vaccinate Stella at this time until she is given the "all clear" and he wants another re-check in 2 months.

We told Dr. P that we are trying to give Stella her pills as close to 8 hours as possible but due to our work schedules we have been giving them at 6:30am, 4pm and 9-10pm.  Dr. p said this was just fine.

The diagnosis on her discharge instructions reads: recheck for epilepsy secondary to immune-mediated encephalitis.


 
As I stated before I do not want to go into detail about what transpired with the first neurologist that caused the serious communication breakdown and I am glad that we stuck with our gut instinct and sought the second opinion, however seeing Stella today, 2 weeks later, and the fact that we came so close to doing the unthinkable makes me very emotional.  All we want is for Stella to have the best life that she can - the thought that it was almost cut short ......I can't even explain how heavy it makes my heart.

Meanwhile we celebrated Stella's 9th birthday last week!!!

Knee & Neck - I Forgot to mention......

In all the chaos from the past few months I forgot to mention that Stella's partial torn ACL (back left) does not appear to be bothering her anymore.  She is walking fine.  But because we know it's there we try to give her an "elevator" lift onto the couch and our bed as much as possible so she doesn't have to use the doggy stairs - man alive our pets are spoiled!! 

Also, that chicken dance jerking neck thing she did a few months ago while attempting to eat has not happened again.  Perhaps whatever issue she was having with her neck was minor and healed itself as the orthopedic surgeon stated it might.

Oh and that issue she had with not correcting her back right foot when it was flipped over seems to have corrected itself.

Let's hope the seizures work themselves out as well.