KELLIE COMES HOME!

10 DECEMBER 2010

At 5:00 p.m., Debbie writes:

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas . . . at least at our house. Kellie arrived home just a short while ago after having her heart procedure just yesterday morning. Kellie is very comfortable; she is resting and we have instructions to keep her on restricted activity for at least 14 days until she is rechecked. She was very excited to see us today when we picked her up. We were smothered with wet Airedale kisses and nibbles on our noses. I immediately wondered how I was going to keep her quiet for 14 days. I feel a storm brewing.

In these photos, the blue means one thing and the red means something else.
I don't remember which is which, but here is what I do know.

For those wishing some technical information regarding the procedure I'll try to share with you what I know. As I explained before, Kelly was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect known as PDA. With this defect blood from the aorta is allowed to flow into the pulmonary artery; this is called a left to right shunt and it creates many problems. Dr. Keene shared with me that more than half of puppies born with this defect die before the age of six months. Most of them suffer heart failure due to overload of the pulmonary circulation and the left side of the heart. This is why they recommend surgical correction.

I know that the big white blob in the middle of the picture is good.

The surgery is designed to stop blood flow through the PDA. One of the ways this can be accomplished is by manually tying off the ductus. In Kellie's case it was achieved by placing a small device inside the ductus to occlude blood flow. This was the less invasive procedure and what we were hoping they would be able to accomplish. It is very similar to a heart catheterization in humans. At least that's what I think.

It is called an Amplatz Canine Ductal Occluder and it is what was implanted in Kellie's heart.
Isn't it awesome?

She has come home with anti-inflammatories to help make her more comfortable and some antibiotics to fight off any infections that she may develop as a result of the surgery. She has a bit of a runny nose that she didn't have pre-surgery, so we want to watch that very carefully. She can eat a regular diet and I can tell you that her appetite is just fine. We are hoping to see that she gains some weight now.

That white blob is saving her life.

If I can, let me share with you how awesome the faculty, staff and students are at North Carolina State School of Veterinary Medicine. From the Senior (sorry Dr. Keene) cardiologist to the fourth-year medical student Ashley Larson, from Dr. Tim Hodge to the volunteers serving family members in the waiting areas, these exemplary individuals know their business. They are training the brightest and the best students. These young vet students know that they are being taught by the top educators in the field of veterinary medicine. I am so encouraged by the caliber of the young people I had the pleasure of meeting who have a true gift of providing a high quality of professional care. They gave our little girl a new lease on life. What a great Christmas gift!

We have a very busy few days ahead of us. Please be patient if you do not receive updates as quickly as you'd like. Be assured that Lee & I are taking very good care of this little girl and you haven't heard or seen the last of her. In fact, I have it on good authority that Kellie is composing her own thank-you to each & every one of you. Blessings to each of you this evening.

PAM SIMPSON:
Excellent and very welcome news!

SUE FORRESTER:
A huge & happy sigh has gone up at Wombat Bend . . . echoed all around the world. What a gift we are sharing - Kellie's new life stretching ahead.

BOB ANDERSON:
Talk about a medical miracle!