Good News Week!

 Finn & I are very happy!  We both received Good News in the last two days!  Yesterday, marked two weeks since Finnigan had his TPLO surgery.  Siris requested a short video of Finn walking, taken from behind. He had been required to wear a lick sleeve over the left hind leg & a collar of shame to keep him from taking the lick sleeve off.  Well, Mr. Smarty figured out a way to get it off even with his collar on!  I worried constantly he would get to the incision.  (Contrary to popular belief, a dog licking at a wound can cause infection.)  We moved one of his beds right by ours so I could hear if he started making unusual noises.

Finn is only at the two-week mark & it's amazing how well he's doing.  Much better than me!  He won't be allowed any freedom for six-more weeks.  Butch takes him on walks several times a day.  He's made a cable system where I can attach another cable to his harness.  That gives him room to go down the hill & access a large area of the yard where he'll be able to do his duty.  Butch has been working on all the things necessary to leave the two of us on our own when he pulls out again.

Then - there's me...

Hardware~

Today marks six- weeks since my second surgery to repair the Tibial/Fibula fracture of my right leg.  Butch took us to my appointment with the surgeon & intern at UNMC yesterday.  Dr. Thomas came in & we both smiled!  She was so instrumental in overseeing my care while I was in the hospital.  The first thing she said was; "You look so much better!"  I've felt better too.  There have been some days when I didn't think I'd have the strength to endure much more.  Thankfully, with Butch's help - this mark finally came & with it, a reduction in the severity of pain.  I had marked this date during my recovery from my last injury & had hoped the timeline for this recovery would follow the same path.

Side view~

The x-ray technician had quite a time isolating the current new hardware, from all the existing hardware from the old injuries.  It was almost laughable, but it wasn't.

The results were all good!  Healing of the bones has started; everything has remained where it's supposed to be.  I will be able to start PT this week.  I was told it will be four-weeks before I can start walking with assistance.  I'm not sure how long after that I'll be able to walk on my own, but I hope not long.  Once I'm walking, I would think I'd also be driving.  My next appointment at UNMC is mid-August, unless I have an issue before then.  Dr. Siebler & Dr. Thomas both were impressed with how far I've progressed.  I can stand flat footed & am constantly working on flexibility.  I can even walk (walker assisted - with a decent stride.) 

If all goes well, both Finn & I will be enjoying our daily jaunts in the woods about the same time.  At least I hope so.  I had everything pretty much caught up when the accident happened, but with all the rain, I'm sure the weeds have taken advantage...    

Finnigan's Story~

 I'm a little late with Finnigan's story.  With both of us recovering from surgery, Butch has his hands full.  There's little I can do to help which is not my usual MO.

On the 15th of May, both Butch & I noticed that Finn was favoring his left hind leg.  He would do a little hop as he walked & when he was just standing, he wasn't putting any weight on that leg.

5-16 Finnigan~

We called his vet, Dr. Darnell right away & Butch took Finn in that day.  Dr. Darnell prescribed some dog aspirin & told us to wait a week & see if the limp went away.  It didn't...  The next step was to be referred to Siris Veterinary Orthopedic Center in Omaha.  Their first opening was June 1st.  Butch & Finn met with Dr. Karlin who gave Finn a thorough examination.  The news wasn't good.  He had managed to tear his CCL.  This injury would leave him lame for life, with a high probability of arthritis as he gets older, unless TPLO surgery was performed.

Diagram~

The "V" in the above drawing is the section of bone that was to be removed.  It's a very expensive surgery, the estimated cost was twice what Dr. Darnell had expected, but neither of us hesitated.  After his heroic escapade to find me after my bike accident on the trail, he's proven himself the most loyal of companions. Everyone who knows Finnigan, knows what a special dog he is.  We don't know his exact age, but he should still have many good years left.

6-2, Finn, post-op~

It was heartbreaking for us both, Butch had to drop him off & I had to sit at home & worry.  The staff at Siris were super in keeping us informed on how Finn was doing.  The surgery was scheduled for later in the day & it was late in the evening when we received the above photo.  To see his bright little eyes & that expression meant the world to us.  It meant that our boy had survived & was staying strong.

The next day, Butch brought him home!  He had a bag full of goodies!  His own Finn sized ice packs, a lick sleeve, a collar, lots of drugs & a folder with pages & pages of directions & information on how to care for him.  This included exercise routines, massage therapy, etc.  I told Butch, Finn had more thorough post op directions than I had!  

He was so happy to be home & the two of us started our new routine, sitting together on the recliner.  He was kept under a low dose of sedation, to make it easier to keep him from doing something he shouldn't.  

6-8 A very unhappy Finnigan~

The two of us are limping around the house together now.  Finn easily keeps pace with my walker & will stop to wait for me if necessary.  He loves being pampered & looks forward to his walks around the yard with Butch.  

Tomorrow is the two-week mark, when we send in photos & a video to Siris.  If they approve, Finn can ditch the collar of shame & the lick sleeve too!  It will be six more weeks before he can return to his usual lifestyle.  That said, I'm going to do everything I can to slow him down a little.  He loves to run, to jump, slide across the floor after Hedgehog & do his sit up tricks.  All of those things are very hard on the rear legs.  As hard as it will be for us, if he can take things a little easier, it should help him from injuring himself again.  He is back to playing with Hedgehog (no sliding!) & doing his easier tricks!