The Week of Surgery

Letting Ellie go outside for just a few minutes each day this week before surgery on Friday. Letting her enjoy some of her favorite things in her life.

Ellie SURGERY Plans

We had an appt with the surgeon on Thurs. All signs point to it being time to put Ellie through AAI surgery. Her fusion broke down after cast release too soon for comfort. Her surgery is scheduled 8am Friday July2 2010 at Upstate Vet Specialists in Greenville SC- by Dr Keith Allen. He has performed several AAI surgeries with successful outcomes- May Ellie be a huge success story. Surgery will last several hours. She will be in the hospital there all wkend and we will take her home on Monday.

We are nervous- This is a highly serious/risky surgery to repair her neck/spine- but we have full confidence in Dr Allen. This is also a highly expensive surgery- and we are just going to trust the process that we will be able to cover all of the funds. We are responsible for this baby and will do whatever it takes for her to live a comfortable healthy yorkie life. Please keep Ellie in your thoughts and prayers - as well as our family- and Dr Allen- that God will carry us all thru each step of this one day at a time. We hope she survives the surgery, and will have a new strength in her body and will have full mobility.

Thanks everyone. Promise I will update as soon as I can after her surgery.

June2010 Re-Cast

We are disappointed to say Ellie has had a set back of some sort with her mobility. For some reason her fusion has begun to break down, causing her spinal cord to be out of line, and thus causing her wobbly gait. 
We rushed her to her surgeon yesterday in Greenville SC. We caught it early and she is not in any pain. We had 3 choices. One, total crate confinement for a while to see if she would return to normal (chances slim). Two, place her back in the body cast for a while to restabilize her neck and spinal cord. Three, AAI surgery.
The surgeon, who we highly trust, said the third choice was not an option right now- because Lynnie is out of town. Until she returns, it is best to place her back in the body cast. Then, we will need to schedule surgery. It doesn't appear that the conservative fusion route is going to work for Ellie. We gave it our absolute highest effort!
Please keep her and her parents in your prayers daily. Pray number one- that Ellie will not have the breathing issues she had before in the cast. Second- pray for our wisdom to know when to work out her surgery - mainly due to our work schedules. It will either be end of next week, Fri of July 4th wkend, or July 15th when Lynn is back in town for many weeks in a row. 
We do not know why such an innocent little baby has to go thru this- But we can certainly say Ellie is a fighter. She is now 7 months old and 4lbs. She is now older and bones are stronger and has a better chance with the surgery. It is a very risky surgery and very expensive. We have many decisions to make and lots of "one day at a time- Trust in the Lord" to do in this process.
Me and Lynn are beyond blessed with family, friends, co-workers, and the Yorkie community- Constantly there with support encouragement and love. We cannot thank you enough. Cathy Cyr with Yorkies Inc said it best "Ellie will get thru this with her Yorkie-tude"- This is what we have to BELIEVE.

June Update

i am smiling because live is great!

I just turned Seven Months old! Can you believe it?!!!

I am doing good every day. I am growing, and my hair is finally growing!

Not sure what my exact weight is at the moment, thinking I am about 4lbs.

I recently went on vacation for the first time ever...and reunited with my beautiful sister, Bella! I wasn't allowed to walk in the sand, but i did walk non-stop on a harness and leash in the RV park. I spent eight days in an rv with my half sisters and half brother. I loved my vacation and i enjoyed being in a yorkie pack. Just one thing, i still HATE to ride in the car. I hate it. I cannot figure out how to tell my parents why i hate riding in a car, truck, or rv!

My next trip is going to be to go visit the Tuohey Ranch in Raleigh. I will get to see my aunties and cousins July4th! I cannot wait. I do wonder how her big dogs will like me...

As far as my health, I am getting stronger every day. My parents do a great job catering to me and protecting me, but also giving me the freedom i need to be a puppy. Next up for me- I have to get Spade soon :( and just as bad, I have to get teeth pulled...I have a double rack of teeth! But, my dr is the best in the world- Jill will take excellent care of me. I miss her. 

this shows the brace i wear when i play

this is my sister, Bella- she is Very Beautiful

My best friend and half brother, Cooper!

I am tired from playing and playing and playing!

Look at all of us in one rv! ellie, demi, cooper, zoe, bella