Another Gracie Doodle Update

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Hey, the discussions are falling off the front page too quickly.  Mine is already gone and therefore you wouldn't have seen the next chapter on Gracie Doodle!!  

We went and got our second opinion today and there is nothing new, different or much to report.  He said he would treat Gracie exactly the same way and it is the way this disease is treated.  What Gracie is experiencing is not that uncommon.   Though to those of us who live with her and love her, we think everything is extreme...the hair loss, loss of personality, bacterial skin infections.  To us that is horrible but to the vet it is something to be expected.  It turns out this auto immune disease is being seen more and more.  We also were told that the goal was to stabilize Gracie so that she could be without or on minimal prednisone the rest of her life and the muscle loss could be suppressed.  There is already muscle loss on the top of her head.  The Golden Retriever bump is very pronounced and he told me that it would never fill back out.  She is slowly loosing her poofer which normally would cover it but her hair is becoming pretty thin up there. He said that if we could successfully get Gracie to a very low dose of prednisone then her hair would grow back and her coat would be shinny and soft again.  Right now it is sort of dried out and rough feeling instead of the silky hair I am used to. He knows our vet because they used to work together and he was Gracie's puppy vet.  He said our vet was a very smart and great vet and to stick with him.  He said that we could try all the holistic stuff, neurologists and such but in reality it is what it is and there is nothing else medically that can be done or changed.

The final sad thing is that this may be the disease that finally takes her life but not any time soon.  Still she might have a shorter life than we have planned for her which has me in such a numbed state that I can't imagine it.  There, I have finally said it and now I am going to go hold her and cry .................

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

You are so sweet Jennifer.  You always have a way of making me feel better...Thanks for your friendship xo

[shelly]

Oh, Nancie - I haven't been on much this summer!  I am so sorry to see the problems you are having with poor Gracie.  We will be praying and looking in to see how things are going!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

So sorry Nancie. I'm glad you got a second opinion though so you can stop wondering you are treating the correct illness. I think the lifestyle Gracie leads and the love she has in her life will all contribute to the length of her life span too. Many dogs and people have given their docs a big surprise. :)

[GBK]

The good thing is the second opinion agrees with your original doctor, even thought the news doesn't get any better.  Have your cry (me too) and work towards getting to that low dose Gracie needs to be herself, I am praying that will be soon.  Not any time soon is the key, be positive, and we'll be with you everystep of the way!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nancie, here is a big hug from me and JD to you and Gracie. I'm so tired I'm not even coherent, but I sent you a message that I hope will help you feel a little bit better.

The truth is, our time with them is never long enough, no matter how long they live. And we can never know what might happen. Be in this time with Gracie, because right now is all any of us has for sure.

Things will get better. Have faith.

 

 

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Nancie, I am so so so sad to hear about Gracies condition. Take one day at a time and we are praying for better days ahead. Rosey and Bandit are sending many many licks and wags to the beautiful courageous Graciedoodle. <3srb

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Oh Nancie, I am so sorry this isn't going to be 'over' any time soon.  I am glad that you got a second opinion and can now put that part away.  We are sending our love and support. As you know Gracie is one of our 'most bestest' BFFs.  Kisses and hugs from all of us - Skip too. Ned is seriously considering shaving his coat in sympathy (and so that I can quit yanking on him to get the mats out).

[Allison]

Hugs to you.  I'm so sorry you and Gracie are going through this.  Sending you positive thoughts that she stabilizes and is back to her old self soon!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Nancie, I so wish you had gotten better news for Gracie and all of you. I know you are missing your sweet girl and it is so hard to watch her in discomfort and not being her ususal self. I will add my prayers to everyone else's that Gracie is back to her old self soon and this will just be a bad memory. I understand your feelings, I just hugged my doodle and got tears in my eyes at the thought of not having him anymore, no matter how long it will never be long enough. Gracie is special and you will have her for a very long time.  Hugs to you all.