DAY 6 Post-Op

OK, Mom's mad at me because it seems I did a little too much today (up and down...) so my knee is a little swollen. I feel pretty good so it's hard to stay lying down all the time. I heard mom telling dad "we're in for a long road"- I guess they think I'm going to be hard to keep still! Mom still gives me antibiotics just in case and I'm eating and pottying fine, so give me a break! Stop your worrying mom. It's back to work tomorrow for mom, so my personal scratcher will be gone :( What will I do??? Check back to see how I did...

FINALLY, A CHANGE IN SCENERY!

Day 5 post-op: Mom finally let me stay outside for a little bit (of course she watched me the whole time- gosh mom I'm not going anywhere!). As you can see, the area where the pain patch was is still annoying me (but not nearly as bad- it's just so hard to reach!). Mom's thinking about buying 1 more ex-pen to combine with this one so I can have a larger area, especially since I need to be restricted for so long. She doesn't trust me in them when she's not there, but they are perfect to keep me safer outside so I can enjoy what I love to do- watch cars, people, nature!). I'm doing fabulous though, so don't worry anyone! I'll write again soon...

HOCK EDEMA a.k.a. ANKLE SWELLING Day 4

This is what the discharge papers were talking about- "With the TTA procedure, it's not uncommon to see some bruising and edema around the hock (ankle) and on the inside of the leg below the incision. These changes are not painful and will resolve without treatment in 3-10 days." Mom just wonders how much its normal. She still feels really really guilty about not being here today and can't help but think this would have all been prevented. We'll just have to wait and see and keep me very still (if that's possible)... Mom's coming to check on me 'cuz I keep whining and moving around (that darn pain patch), gotta go...

INCISION DAY 4 WITH BRUISING

This is day 4 (including the day of surgery) and the night of my ex-pen mishap. Apparently I did a little too much today (I'm much more swollen than yesterday). The reddened areas are bruises (mom called her vet, Dr. Barkley and Dr. Bell, 'cuz she was worried) and I have a little drainage from the lower incision (closest to my foot). The vet said I could go on antibiotics in the morning to prevent any infection, but that I'll be fine (makes mom feel better anyway). I don't seem to have any problem with my knee 'cuz I'm still walking on it. I have to say, my pain patch is driving me CRAZY. Can't wait 'til it's gone (neither can mom- I keep whining and barking for her to come scratch me or do something...).

WHEW... WE COULD HAVE HAD A CATASTROPHE

OK, mom had to go to work today and she was so worried anyway (daddy comes home at noon). Well... she got a call from daddy around 12:15 that I was loose in the house when he got home! They put me in the ex-pen in the living room, but I had to go to the bathroom so badly (#2), that I had to get out of there (after all, I NEVER would go to the bathroom on her beautiful rug!). Daddy found the ex-pen collapsed and I was just wandering around. Mommy explained to daddy that I used the bathroom this morning a tiny bit, but that I was obviously still constipated (i.e., I tried numerous times to go again, but nothing happened). SOOOOO... apparently when she left for work, well let's just say, I was ready to go again (ALOT according to daddy- I couldn't help it though). Mommy felt really really guilty about leaving me, but I had been so good and who knew I'd have to go to the bathroom again (it was kinda a mess). No worries though, I seem to be okay. I'm walking on all fours still and mom iced me since I was a little more swollen than yesterday around my ankle. Hopefully I'll get my pain patch off tomorrow and mommy and daddy can watch me all weekend without my "cone head". Then on Monday, she might be breakin' out the old crate while she's gone! I really don't bother my incision at all, only my hind end (perhaps swollen anal glands???) and the pain patch (it seems to ooze a little from the sutures). Mom will let you know what happens later- gotta go nap!

ENJOYING A BONE (DAY 3)

I'm feeling much better! Mom's smiling 'cuz I was actually trying to entice my 'lil sis, Lula, to play with me (i.e., throwing the bone in the air, etc.). Mom has a feeling she's gonna have a time keeping me confined in a few weeks! I have eaten pretty well 'cuz my mommy made me some more chicken and rice- yum yum! Gotta go to bed now- we'll talk again tomorrow.

BELLA'S CURRENT ACCOMMODATIONS

As mom told you yesterday, I had to move my accommodations from the bedroom to the family room (notice my sis, Lula is always watching over me). She added the gate on the front to give me a little extra room- plus it helps her to climb over faster! Mom slept on the couch "just in case" and I made it through the night without incident! I'm doing better today. I just got back from outside and I used my leg most of the time. The only problem is, I haven't gone to the bathroom since 4:00 yesterday (peed I mean- I'm not worried about the other yet). I keep refusing to go in the grass 'cuz it's wet still. I know I'm probably a little dehydrated 'cuz I only drank once yesterday so there's not much in there , but mom's gonna have to keep an eye on that. Mommy just iced me down again- I'm pretty good about letting her do it. I have a little fluid built up around above my ankle, which is to be expected they said (kind of like a jelly sack the size of a small bouncie ball). Mommy took off work again today to keep an eye on me :) . If all goes well, she'll be able to go to work tomorrow since daddy gets home around noon. I'm going to rest again so I'll fill you all in later!

I KNOW, I KNOW... STOP TAKING PICTURES!

I have no idea why mommy keeps taking so many pictures of me- she said she can't ever remember everything and wants a "picture diary" whatever that is! Anyway, as you can see, I'm not really a happy camper right now. I had no idea I'd be going in for surgery! I will say, I was very thirsty and drank a whole bunch when I got home. You know what that means- mommy will have to take me out again in a little while! Well, daddy's back with the groceries so I'm gonna go rest for now. I'm sure mom will keep you posted though!

CLOSE UP PICS OF THE INCISION

As Dr. Dew said, I don't have any bandages so you all can see my incision. The reddened areas are just dried blood (I think). I have a little swelling, but

not too bad at this point. I toe-touch for the most part and hold my leg up when walking more than a few feet. Mom's gonna put some frozen peas on my leg in a little while to help prevent more swelling.

MY SISTER, LULA, AND MOM'S ATTEMPT TO CONFINE ME!

OK, mom tried to keep me in the bedroom so I could rest quietly in my ex-pen. Well.. I didn't like to be separated from everyone, so I just kept whining until she took me in the other room with everyone. My sister, Lula, was so sweet. She went running to see me and stayed beside me in the room. Of course, mommy and daddy have to watch her so she doesn't trip me on accident. Now, my ex-pen is in the family room. Mom thought about not using it, but I kept getting up and roaming too much in the house (I was looking for people to sit with me!). She tried to take me to the bathroom outside, but I refused to walk in the wet grass (of course, it's raining on my day home from surgery!). I have 2 1/2 steps to go down to get outside and the doc said it's fine as long as I stay on the leash and go really slow. I went down fine, but I waited at the bottom of the stairs for someone to pick me up on the way back up. Daddy went to the store to get last minute supplies (doc said a can of tuna in oil a day is good for constipation too) so mommy had to call him back to pick me up (I'm still unsure ya know). All is well, I decided to rest for a while...

BELLA'S RIDE HOME FROM SURGERY! YIPPEEEE!

Today is 4/25/07. I had surgery on 4/24/07 at approximately 4:00 pm. Mommy and daddy picked me up at 7 am today. I was very happy to see them! Of course, daddy had to pick me up and put me in the truck. Well, doc said I probably wouldn't need the cone, but apparently I wanted to stand out in the crowd! The nurse said I went right to lickin' as soon as I came out of the anesthetic- go figure. I was a little tired still on the way home (you could see it in my eyes) and I sure liked to whine too (what do you expect- I've been through some trauma and I thought my folks should know!) I just can't wait to get home...