Alpha Orionis - Injured Brittany, Please Help With Recovery

****ORI PUPDATE OCTOBER 11, 2023****

26 days since Alpha Orionis came home from hospital with only one good leg. Every day that she's ornery, the closer she is to normality. Every so often, people who watch her swim ask me if she's getting better. She is; slowly, but surely. I have had a few people tell me that they regret having made different choices when given a similar prognosis regarding their dog's quality of life after serious injury or illness after seeing a. Ori's progress. But every choice made is the correct one given the knowledge and abilities present at the time, even if it feels bitter. My choice to walk her out is not an easy one and is not one that would work for every case. She is very stubborn and we have dragged each other up some impossible climbs. At times, it is only her sheer will that keeps her moving, even when her legs are giving out. But her strong spirit is the biggest factor in her recovery. She is the one doing the most work. I am just along for the ride. When you choose the hard option based on the quality of life you will be left with, you are making the right choice. The most terrible choice any of us will ever have to make will be the most loving choice. I don't think that anyone is ever wrong for doing what they have to. I honestly didn't even know if she would be able to swim when I first put her in the water, but knew that was her best chance at moving again. If she never got back those back legs, I would also have had to make a hard choice because a strong spirit doesn't deserve to be trapped in a broken body. I hope that everyone gives themselves grace through whatever journey they are going through. Life is not easy. Today's song: Order Made by RADWIMPS It's about how we make ourselves through the choices we made in a past life and to be proud of whatever we have become, because we were perfectly made by our own design. It's also about how we have soulmates we meet along the way. Now, show me that face covered in tears from learning and loving so hard. Show me with pride all that you have become. I am watching.

*** PUPDATE SEPT 28, 2023 ***

Alpha Orionis was not having a walking day. She had slithered off the cooling mat and I had to carry her to the yard for her secret duties. She wasn't able to stand this morning.

I put her back on the mat and did some stretches before her acupuncture appointment. Doctor did a sensitivity test with a needle and, again, she doesn't react, so we have no baseline for the injured leg.

She got needles along the spine and in the injured leg. Doctor also did electro-acupuncture which is usually extra, but he said he will offer it at no extra cost as a part of our flat rate deal on her sessions since I'm doing so much with her at home already. She had a paw twitch and a full leg stretch, but still no nervous response.

He also did a nerve stimulation and check using tuning forks. Part of it is to see if the nerves can be woken up and part of it is to see what she can feel.

She was on a PEMF mat throughout the session and he is going to lend me one to try to see if there are any results since it is a huge investment. I know people have suggested it, but she has a laundry list of therapy items that she needs, so I can't buy everything that is suggested to me. I have to think about what is going to be most useful and within our budget. He also gave me an Assisi Loop for a little less than retail to target her brachial plexus area and to hook onto her tail.

He suggested I order a custom carpal brace and will help to fit her. The choice is a one size one that's cheaper or the custom one that runs about $1500. Even with regular stretching, there's a serious risk of her ligaments shortening as the paw remains folded over and that would cause permanent damage for which she would need amputation. So I am back to researching those options. It was something I was looking at, but needed a veterinarian to discuss it with. He said sooner than later. She has a 3-6 week window to try to save the leg and bring it back for the best chances of recovery and we're somewhere in week three.

I also was sent a brace to help with knuckling, but a hard brace will hold her foot in position statically and reduce injury from her hitting it. She has also started to lick the skin, so he gave me a silver cream to help protect against infection. I'm getting a paw balm to help. Since she isn't walking so much, there's a lot of keratin building up on her paws and probably causing irritation.

He said she is a very special patient and is thinking about our finances when we work through how much therapy she'll need. We're agreeing to twice per week, then assessing the need as time goes on. She needs most of the therapy very early on to try to save the muscle and nerves in the leg before they all atrophy.

He said he swimming is the best thing for her muscle recovery and was impressed at how often she is able to swim. She did have a swim time for about half an hour after her visit. She did want to go for some ducks, but Doctor Pono thinks he's a helper and is not a useful as he thinks he is.

They also both got bone broth popsicles which a.Ori only mostly finished, so there's broth all over the blankets. Doctor Pono also got kind of aggro at the end when the needles were coming out and Doctor said it's because he remembered the promise about bone broth popsicles at the end.

We have another session on Saturday and then Pono is going home on Monday. I'm just glad the doctor is allowing him to hang out because he will throw a fit if he's left home alone.

EDIT: I forgot that we did laser and he's going to ask his wife who's an animal behaviourist how to train an older dog to shake or high five because a.Ori doesn't know how to do any of that and we need her to do it so we can test her injured leg.

NOTE FROM CHERI: All funds raised up to this point went to cover expenses incurred while Ori was in the veterinary hospital. However, this isn't going to be a sprint to the finish and Ori and Arden still need help. Please share their story, keep them in your thoughts and donate if you can. Thank you - Cheri

**** PUPDATE SEPT 18, 2023 ***

Sore today and last night along the side. It seems like she's been having muscle spasms. One of the worst parts of muscle injury is the spasms from inflammation and tightness.

She was standing much better to poo this morning. She didn't eat as much breakfast, but she doesn't eat a lot normally so will be shopping for more chicken and veg to mix in a she still eats that.

She was interested in my jook (Asian rice porridge made of boiled down chicken with bones with medicinal herbs; usually for sick people, but also for breakfast). Maybe I'll share some later for dinner. There's a lot of collagen in it, so it's good for getting red blood cell counts up.

Her tongue color is better, so at least her hydration levels are up now, even if it's still hot. We're going to go in the water shortly to get her cooled down and worked out. Her whole left foot is normal temperature now and her toenails which were blue are turning purple, so it seems like blood is starting to flow better.

I'm still trying to get in touch with a rehab service or vet. Everyone is booked until late next month or not responsive, so it's been a bit difficult. She has a standing appointment for late October with her normal hospital, but they want her seen earlier if possible. If I really need to, she can go in as an urgent care patient.

Follow-up visit to the hospital where she was well be Thursday or Friday this week, so we'll see how she does. If she remains in good spirits, we'll be okay for now.

NOTE FROM CHERI: Ori and Arden could still use your support whether it's sharing the Fundly page, through sending love, prayers or donations - anything helps Ori get stronger right now. As you can read from Arden's update, this isn't going to be a swift process but a longer road to healing and your help is still needed. Thank you again for all you've done. - Cheri

*** PUPDATE SEPT 15, 2023 ***

Do you see anything different? We got our hunting clothes back. 

She didn't pee. The tech had a very difficult time trying to express her; even with two hands, she struggled. I couldn't get anything.

The daytime doctor called me about 12:45pm to let me know that she was able to express her after medications and that was almost thirteen hours after the catheter was removed. And there was a lot.

Nighttime doctor said it seems like she's resisting the expression because it's been difficult for everyone who has tried, so if she's resisting, she has some control. With big dogs, it's hard to tell because they're stronger. But if she is only in hospital because someone needs to make her pee, then it's pointless.

He said that it's possible that the pain medication is making it difficult as well and that it's not good for her to be on tramadol for too long anyhow, so if she seems comfortable, stop giving it. She's on gabapentin and an anti-inflammatory as well and it doesn't seem as if she really needs the pain medication as much.

She's stopped most of her other medication, so the only thing keeping her in hospital is the pee issue. We both agreed that it's pointless to keep her just so people could make her pee. Keeping her longer would not result in any changes and a change in scenery may make her feel more comfortable so she might move around more and try to pee.

She's also not eating as much with the techs and they said it's difficult to give her medications. But she eats for me and I just stick the pills in the food. She doesn't really care too much about most pills and will just eat them.

So I gave them my card for the final balance, got the medications, and loaded her up. At this point, it's up to her. All I can do is buy time on her ticket.

I took her around in her wagon; the same wagon as Mama had her last ride in. It was a very bittersweet juxtaposition. She also has a bend in the metal name plate which is a harsh reminder of the accident. I have another collar with a bend in the opposite direction for her niece, Invictus, whose story did not have a continuation.

I made a little room for her with a little dresser for her things. What people don't know is that she's an outside dog and definitely prefers to be outside (and these days, is sleeping on concrete between her beds), so I'm not even sure if she will actually use the area or if she will want to be outside.

I put a waterproof toddler bed and rugs and pee pads and waterproof pads and blankets and she tried to make an escape within five minutes. She wants the hard ground. She is also panting and moving around a lot, so she might want to go outside on the concrete if she keeps it up. It's cooler outside than inside.

She was able to sit up almost entirely before losing it. I hope we will be able to get natural pee tomorrow. Her butt is not clean, so she's in a diaper. I have a contraption idea for walking her around to work on. Right now, my old game hunting days are helping me carry her.

She still hurts sometimes, but it can't be helped. The tail will be healing for a while and those nerves are going to cry. We will revisit the hospital in a week for a progress report. I hope someone knows what I'm doing because I'm still figuring it out.

At least this story was abbreviated with a semi-colon. In this one, the dog lives. Don't throw away the movie, it's supposed to get better. But for now, we are home.

Thank you for staying with us and holding us together.

A NOTE FROM CHERI - 

I've included a photo of the final invoice as Ori exited the vet hospital, the total was $9,278.90. We've raised $7,660 as of this morning. That leave about $1,600 of expenses not covered by the Fundly account. If that is as close as we can get to covering the expenses I'm very satisfied with the results as we've exceeded my hopes and expectations. I'm truly humbled and amazed at the generosity and support for Ori and Arden - thank you all once again for following Ori and Arden, supporting, praying and donating to them - I'm so proud to be part of this community. 

Cheri 

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*** PUPDATE SEPT 13, 2023 ***

FROM ARDEN - 

Ori was able to be brought out in a sleeping bag and the mat she was rescued with. She really enjoyed the hand carry in style. 

She tried to get up when they put her down and almost got her legs under her, so big progress in my eyes. It still hurts around the tail though. 

I've been juggling calls with the other practises that normally see her to try to find out what kind of options I might have to get her out. Right now, we're in the position that the hospital that has her has to agree to release her, but each hospital has their own terms that patients need to meet before they can go. At this point, the hospital she's at won't let her go because of the catheter. As far as I understand, that's really the only thing holding her back at this point.

We are trying to see if it's possible for them to release her to the regular hospital she goes to if they won't release her to home. My regular vet isn't normally staffed 24-hours, so they're just not equipped to take her if she's a maintenance patient.

I explained that it's not reasonable for her to be in hospital for a month waiting for soft tissue to recover. It's both expensive and unnecessary to keep her in a hospital run if she really needs minimal care. So, my vet is trying to find out more from the hospital to see what options we have.

If all she needs is time, I want to do my best to give her that. I don't want to have come so far only to have to give up. She's still my family, even if she is a hairy freeloader.

FROM CHERI - 

The part of this story that Arden has kept to herself while focusing her energy on Ori, is that she is struggling too - but in a different way. Arden works in the entertainment industry and is unfortunately affected by the Actor and Writers strike. She’s been out of work for several weeks now, picking up working odd jobs and gig work at every opportunity to get by. Life isn’t always palm trees and paradise in Hawaii but Arden is doing everything she can to take care of Ori. 

Thank you again for your support, love, prayers and donations. Please share this page and Ori’s story to help us reach our goal and relieve Arden of the burden of vet bills.