On 7 April, the attending doctor in critical care has the following update: Braveheart is a little brighter today. He is a little more interested in eating a couple of small meals a day and is showing some feisty behavior, which is a good thing. He still has some significant blood work abnormalities and medical problems, but our fingers are crossed that he will continue to improve.
Marti writes: Braveheart's doctor reports that our boy ate a quarter of a can of dog food today, and it stayed down! So Dr. Foy (shown in this photo taken yesterday, with Braveheart) is, again, "cautiously optimistic". On the not-so-good side, Braveheart has lost two pounds since he was admitted a week ago today - and heaven knows, he didn't have an extra two pounds to lose! His protein level is still low, too, so they have increased the protein level in his parenteral feeding and the total calories he's getting IV are now up to 100% of his daily requirements (at least for a 30-pound dog - although he SHOULD weigh closer to 50 pounds).
And, of course, the more "real" food he is willing to eat, the stronger he will feel. So we're hoping that tomorrow Dr. Foy will call with news that Braveheart was willing - with the next feeding - to eat even MORE than a quarter of a can. Baby steps . . . . They did another ultrasound of Braveheart's abdomen today, and determined that his intestines seem to be moving a bit better than a few days ago, although the motility is still not what it should be. They will be adding a probiotic to his food once he's consistently eating, so hopefully that will firm up his stools (which were very loose yesterday). Dr. Foy says he, like all of us, is still waiting for that big "breakthrough", when Braveheart consistently acts hungry, and begins to have a little more energy. Right now, he is still very weak and spends most of his days sleeping, snuggled up in his nice warm blankies. So, no real earth-shaking news at the moment. I guess we just have to be patient for a few more days, and just stay the course. On 8 April, Marti writes: It has, indeed, been crazy around here! The phone has been ringing off the hook: the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel, the PR Dept at the Vet School, the University of Wisconsin Newsletter Editor, Channel 15 TV here in Madison, etc. Mind you, I'm not complaining, but . . . I'm not accustomed to handling all this "PR" stuff, in addition to caring for all of our animals here at home! I did want to update everyone on Braveheart, though, especially because I have some good news! Jim & I visited Braveheart tonight and he looks quite a bit brighter and more alert! Braveheart buried his head in my arms, for me to cuddle & kiss his head, before going back to the door as if to say, "OK, I'm tired now . . . I'd like to go to bed, please." I know this doesn't sound like much, but . . . a few days ago he looked and acted like a zombie; now his eyes are actually brighter and he is more interested in his surroundings. So, this is definitely progress! Braveheart is still a rack of bones, but . . . Dr. Foy says he's actually gained 1/4 of a pound, which isn't much; but at least he's not LOSING any more weight. And, Braveheart ate TWO chicken patties last night and some tuna; today he ate some baby food! So, while Dr. Foy says we haven't turned the CORNER quite yet, we've at least gone around the curve, and he is encouraged! (Last night Dr. Foy was talking about possibly having to put in a stomach tube, to feed Braveheart. But today he says Braveheart is enough better that he wants to hold off on that, since the procedure would require a general anesthetic, and he's not a very good surgical candidate.) Also (and this is really sweet . . .) one of his "fans" sent (to the Vet School) a little stuffed crocodile squeaky toy for Braveheart, and he seems to really like it! He can't believe it's actually HIS! So, that shows he's showing more interest in life, and this is so encouraging! Assuming Braveheart continues to make a little progress each day, he still won't be ready to come home for many more days, possibly even another week or ten days. But, Jim & I are really happy that he seems brighter and more interested in things. Braveheart even perks his ears up when he hears a strange sound, and he doesn't act nearly as depressed as he did when we visited him last Sunday night. Dr. Foy now admits that he has never seen a dog in such rough shape actually survive, and I truly believe it is because of all the good wishes & doggie Zen & prayers that people have been sending to Braveheart from (literally!) all over the world: Germany, New Zealand, Malta, England & Australia! So . . . again, baby steps, but . . . a little progress each day! Please keep praying and sending him get well wishes . . . . He acts as though he can't believe that anyone really cares enough to even touch him, let alone to give him love & good food cuddling. But I honestly believe he can feel the energy of all of us pulling for him . . . and I am convinced that our support is what has given him the courage to fight the good fight. What a brave heart he is . . . Thanks so much! On 10 April, Marti writes: We stopped by the Vet School today to visit Braveheart, and we hardly recognized him when they brought him down the hall to us. He had a bit of a spring in his step, and he was almost trotting on his leash, leading the way! And then . . . the most wonderful thing of all happened: he looked up at us . . . I could tell he remembered us . . . and he licked our faces! Braveheart's nurse then led us to a room where we could snuggle for a few minutes with him, and she made it a point to bring along a hand-crocheted blankie that one of the veterinary technicians had made just for Braveheart. (When we visited him previously, he seemed as though he just wanted to go back to the ICU and go to bed, but today he seemed comfortable lying down on his hand-crocheted blankie; tha's when we took the pictures that will be put up on Thursday.) Braveheart was much more alert and bright-eyed, and acted interested in what was going on around him, which is a BIG improvement over his previous zombie-like state! He still has a long way to go, and so far hasn't put on any weight. But Dr. Foy reports that Braveheart is eating a little more each day. (They ran out of chicken over the weekend, so they are going grocery shopping for him tomorrow, because he really likes chicken! I hesitate to say that Braveheart is TOTALLY out of the woods yet, but Jim & I both came home MUCH encouraged at how much happier Braveheart seemed to act, and how much better he seemed to feel (even though he is still a rack of bones). Dr. Foy is now thinking Braveheart might even be able to come home later this week (although he'll need special home care for a long time). So . . . this is VERY GOOD NEWS, isn't it?!

BRAVEHEART IS COMIN' HOME! HERE