Statistically Insignificant Improvement
Because this is not a common disease for OES, he had no estimation as to how it would progress. The next step is, however, congestive heart failure. So we're sticking to the same regime with no heavy exercise. He pointed out that some dogs just don't know when they're overdoing it, so I need to keep an eye out, which of course I have been doing. It's just difficult to slow her down when she's on a roll, not that she maintains that pace for more than a few blocks. I am disappointed; I've been hoping for better news, but I know she's a happy sheepie and is loved more than anything. She deserves more than this though. |
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| You're doing so much for Belle! Even if there isn't significant improvement in the Vet's opinion - I'm sure there is significant improvement in her quality of life and love! You certainly made an impact there!!!!
The quality of life YOU have given her is immeasurable! Keep up the wonderful work you are doing! I can see a difference!!! Hugs! Kristen |
I'd love just to hold her in my arms and weep a little for her.  |
| BritPresSyd - Hug her and hug her ... make that the 2 of us! floofdog - my heart goes out to you and pup. |
| I have been thinking about Belle for several days and was hoping for better news. But sometimes all we can have is news that is no worse than what was. And sometimes you get quality instead of quantity--you have given Belle a far better life in a few months than she had in years. And who knows? You could have years and years together. Hugs and kisses to you both. |
| Oh how I wish your news could have been better news.Please keep in mind what you mean to Belle,how much love she knows nbow because of you and your family.She isnt gone yet so keep doing what you have done all along and thats love her.How lucky she has been to have found you when she did,and Im sure that goes the other way how lucky you must feel to have been able to give this beautiful girl all your love,and Im sure she thanks you from the bottom of her heart.If love could just keep us all alive our fur babies would live for an internity.Please know your Belle is in my prayers and thoughts,and I think of you as a very generous,loving,and spiritual person someone who should be rewarded for all the good you have done for Belle. Best wishes to you and your family Tanya,Mickey,Jagger,and Eddie |
| Hi,
You're right she deserves the very best and found it in you. You've never ceased to amaze me with the love and care you've shown Belle. If she had not had you for an owner, the quality of her life would not have been as good as what she has right now in your home. You've cared for her, loved her and looked after her medical needs as humanely possible. I can sense the enormous dissapointment you feel as you had hoped the diagnosis would be more favorable. Still, it's not over and even though the vet says her heart has not healed itself, it may still do that as there is always hope. Her heart has healed in other ways, as you saved her and gave her a forever home. All dogs should be as lucky as Belle. I'm writing this from personal experience as several years ago I was given grim news regarding a medical condition. Here I am still around! Shaggy too, was given a diagnosis that was not favorable and she lived for another 6 years. I don't mean to sound flippant about it and human nature dictates we sometimes try to protect ourselves from bad news and don't want to pray for false hope. Still, there is always hope and myself and all the others here that have come to know and love Belle all wish her the very best. Hugs to her mom too! |
| Life is about quality not quantity. How wonderful for Belle that the last people she knows love and adore her. Belle may be around for a long time or a short one, she has known the love she deserves and needs, and you have been the one to provide that love and security for her. For a month, year, or many years, you are an angel! |
| Quick question: Are ya positive the vet said "Statistically insignificant" or maybe "Clinically insignificant"?
I'm not sure it matters at all, since the vet said the next step is congestive heart failure, but did he base the statement on the size of the heart, or ejection fraction percentage or something like that? |
You guys are awesome and have done much towards healing my heart. 
Ron - he definitely said statistically insignificant - I was sort of chuckling at the time because he was explaining the meaning of it and I work at a market research firm and that term is bandied about on a daily basis and didn't need the explanation. I have all her numbers at home, don't remember them, and I taped the entire conversation so I wouldn't have to think about remembering anything. I do remember that her ejection fraction went from 37% to 41% . . . at least I think that was the ejection fraction numbers. Every morning when that alarm goes off at 5:24, I think to myself "oh, let's skip the walk this morning and sleep a little longer" and then I decided that Belle is worth more than another 40 minutes of sleep. Just seeing that smiling face erases any doubt or any remnants of a bad day. She is nothing like the mischievious sheepies I read about here; she's laid back and polite and loves nothing more than being brushed. She refuses to eat until she can growl at Kayli 3 (three) times and she prefers cream cheese over peanut butter when taking her meds. She doesn't know what a toy is and doesn't know how to play with other dogs. She walks at her own pace, which totally irritates Kayli, but Kayli is the first to let me know when we need to slow down more for Belle. She has learned how to push the back door open with her head when I come home and start to open the door. She knows to sit for bedtime snackies, but she believes sitting is not required for anything else. She pees in the driveway if it's snowy and flowers are for laying on, not looking at. She is Miss Memphis Belle and I will love her dearly for however long she decides to stay with me. Or until summer, when I'm sure she is going to dig up all the stuff I planted in the garden the last couple years.   
jil |
| Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and Belle, we are going through the same thing with our Sheepie Chester. What ever the outcome for Belle and Chester they will know that they were loved.
Tony |
| After breakfast and dinner, Belle comes up to me and gives me air kisses; they're meant to be real kisses, I'm sure, but most of them don't make contact.
It took me a while to figure her out, but now I say "you're welcome" and she nods and goes back to her bed. Coincidence? I think not. Life is good. J |
| What a cutie Belle is!
Don't give up hope floofdog, you are doing the best you can, and providing Belle with a wonderful home and a loving owner is a lot! You are great. Send her a belly rub from Danita and Saul, and wet kisses from Sofa and Lennon. |
| Jil,
I'm so sorry to hear that Belle's visit didn't go as well as expected. But there was no decline, which is wonderful! Big hugs to you and her! You're both doing so well- She has a special place in my heart (I have a thing for Bells of any sort!) I smile every time you post a new Belle story!!! Karen |
| I am sure that Belle has a wonderful life with you! What you have given her in this short amount of time may not make up for what she was dealt in the earlier part of her life but it means the world to her now.
While hearts don't repair themselves they can maintain remarkably well. Even if there is no statistical improvement, there was no decline. She shouldn't have lost any more muscle being on meds and her ejection fraction improving is a great thing! Her's is actually better than my husband's! Be on the lookout for the CHF. Did they tell you what the symptoms are? (Let me know if they didn't, I'll give you a list.) They should be able to treat her effectively if she does start to go into failure. So don't worry about that bridge until you come to it! Belle has her own personality which is more special than anything and with air kisses there's so much less clean up! Keep the updates coming! The extended family needs to know! |
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