Max the dog- Brain Tumors, Cyber knife, HBOT and beyond!

Lots to Catch up on

2013-05-23T13:54:00.004-04:00

Sorry we've been way behind in posting.. lots to catch up on but it'll have to be in another post.

Just wanted to share some quick videos of Max..

We've had some set backs, a lot of frustrations, but he's still the Mighty Max!!!

Max drinking water on his own.

Max frustrated about his leg being much shorter than the other leg now...

By Golly I think He's growing a new toe!

2013-05-07T10:16:00.000-04:00

So... In all honestly I've had a few panic attacks where I'm really worried Max has permanently lost his toes.. (and there's a lot of anger for him being in this situation in the first place.. ) But today I took a look at his foot and realized that I think he may actually be growing a new toe! The HBOT is supposed to push oxygen into the core of the cells (RNA, DNA, mitochondria etc.. ) and that is supposed to help growth of new stem cells.. Stem cells are the cells that the body can use to grow anything. When we were zygotes and fetuses - they are the cells that formed the fingers, hair, eyes, organs, and toes... and it appears that they are growing new toes...

This one is almost the same size as the others - no loner a nub... pretty darn wild!

Pink toe on left is brand new.. the other 3 are cased in necrotic tissue which will eventually slough off, probably with the nail like the one on the left did. There is still some bone exposed from the other side on the middle two - but the new tissue is growing every day... remember this foot used to be entirely black, hard and crusty all the way though! Pretty cool!

HBOT AND OTHER USES

2013-04-29T21:58:00.000-04:00

As I've been researching HBOT, I've been amazed at all of the things it can be used to cure or improve on. It's pretty amazing stuff.

How HBOT WORKS

Here are some of the conditions that are treated by HBOT or Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Acoustic trauma
Abscesses
ADD/ADHD
AIDS / HIV
Air Gas Embolism
ALS
Alzheimer's
Anemia (blood loss)
Aneurysms
Atherosclerosis
Anti-Aging
Arthritis (acute)
Asthma
Autism
Autoimmune
Bells Palsy
Bed Sores / Pressure Wounds
Bone Infection
Bone Breaks / Fractures
Bone grafting
Bone Necrosis
Brain Injury (Concussion, Oxygen Deprivation)
Brain infections
Brain Dysfunction
Brain Stem Syndromes (ischemia, infarct)
Brown Recluse Spider Bite
Burn Injuries
Buerer's disease
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Concussion
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral edema
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Cirrhosis
Colitis
Coma (acute & prolonged)
Compartment Syndrome
Cranial nerve syndromes

Trigeminal neuralgia
vestibular disorders (vertigo, tinnitus, meniere's syndrome)
sudden deafness
brain stem syndromes

Crohn's Disease
Crush Injuries
Cyanide Poisoning
Decompression Sickness
Diabetic Wounds
Diverticulitis GI
Early Organic Brain Syndrome
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Flesh eating bacteria (acute necrotizing fasciitis)
Frostbite
Fungus
Gangrene
Glaucoma with vidual field loss
Heart Attack (with stem cell therapy)

Acute Coronary Syndrome

Hypoxia (with organ transplant, infections, or cancer)
Ileus
Immune System Enhancement
Infections
Inflammatory Bowl Disease (IBS)
Ischema (restricted blood flow)
Lepromatous Leprosy
Ligament injuries (post surgical repair)
Lou Gherig's Disease (ALS)
Lung Disorders

Lung Lavage

Lyme Disease
Meniere's Syndrome
Meningitis
Migraine Headaches
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle Atrophy
Myocardial infarction
Near Drowning
Neurologic Disorders
Necrotic Tissue / Bone
Optical

Retinal Artery Occlusion
Macular Edema
Diabetic Retinopathy
Macular Degeneration
Macular Hole Surgery

Pancreatitis
Parkinson's
Peptic ulcer
Peyote Poisoning ( Look it up! It really is used for that!)
Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis
Pulmonary Toxcity
Periventricular Leucomalacia (PVL)
Pressure Wounds
Radiation Injury (soft tissue & bone including radiation for cancer treatment)
Scar Reduction post surgery or injury
Scleroderma
Severed Limbs
Sickle Cell Anemia crisis & Hematuria
Slow healing wounds
Smoke inhalation
Soft Tissue Necrosis (including radiation necrosis)
Soft Tissue Swelling
Skin Grafts and Flaps
Spinal cord contusion (partial motor or sensory loss)
Stroke (will benefit even long after the event)
Sympathetic Reflex Dystrophy
Tendon and Ligament injuries
Tinnitus
Traumatic Brain Injury
Trigeminal neuralgia
Vascular Dementia
Vascular Ulcers
Vestibular disorders
Vertigo
Wounds - that are severe or having trouble healing

Pressure Wound...

2013-04-27T19:55:00.001-04:00

So.. I think I may have mentioned earlier, when I came back from vacation I found a sore on Max's right hip - the same one that the gangrene was in. I assumed it was a hot spot from him urinating on himself and not being cleaned up well. Both hospitals informed me that it was a pressure wound from being on the same side so long and not being rotated, and pointed out that it was actually a hole in his side and you could see the bone. I had just cut the fur down around it, but they shaved it down at Southpaws. Looks NICE HUH?!

actually 2 holes - a big one and then a tiny smaller one - they later joined and formed one BIG hole.

Well.. it's been over a month and a half and it still hadn't closed up, it had actually gotten bigger! In fact, the edges had healed leaving a hole in his hip, and new skin had formed in the hole, creating a pocket. NOT a good thing - so we had to have the edges of the hole cut off and then the whole thing stitched up so that it could all heal together and close. Max ended up with a 4 inch cut on his side.

Max hanging out on his beanbag chair... So much for rotating him for the first few days.. I managed to get him in his cart for a while, standing and practicing balance for a while and then he had to lay on the left side for the first few days.. He's now laying on his stitches for a few hours.. He can sit up on his rump but I think it irritates him to do that between his foot and his hip... a few more weeks and all will be better..

Just the Toes

2013-04-23T17:27:00.000-04:00

The following is Max doing a foot soak to try and remove some of the dead (necrotic) tissue from his gangrene. This is after 18 HBOT treatments.. Today is 5 days after his 18th treatment and we are not just left with dead skin on his toes... there is new tissue under the dead black skin.. so we're soaking it in salt water to try and soften it up so that it comes off... I am beginning to thing we need to get Max a bath with those little fish that eat dead skin.... (not sure how sanitary that is... but they'd have a field day on his foot)

Work outs!

2013-04-03T17:49:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow Max is going back up for some additional HBOT treatments and hopefully we'll get him to be able to see Carol for some additional Physical Therapy while he's up there. We got the O.K. for additional weekly treatments!

Max's strength has come back big time, and his awareness and alertness is also SO much better than it's been since June! He constantly wants to be practicing his exercises!!! This is the old Max back in action! He wants to practice standing, wobbling and catching himself and taking steps. He wants to practice holding his head up and he wants to turn left and right! He also loves to practice sitting from a standing position!!

His balance has gotten much better since the beginning of the week! It's amazing!

Here are some pictures and a video of Mr. Max in action!

Hanging out before his workout

Poor lighting but practicing sitting outside

Working out on his "too big" peanut ball

Practicing standing on his own


I'm still standing... yeah yeah yeah...

(The video below is of Max as we were leaving the hospital. He may look rough but he had flopped over to try and get up in his cart. He leads with his head. This is the most I've seen his arm move on it's own! I can now see how the techs might think he was having a seizure!!! He was actually trying to get up! (Video taken Easter Morning, Sun 3/31/2013)

The following Video was taken on Tuesday 3/2/2013 - Granted I've been stuck in a bean bag chair after a night of partying.. in college.. (of course) so I can clearly understand how difficult it might be to get up when one is stuck in a bean bag chair!

And the following video was taken today Wed 3/3/2013. Max has more movement in his legs. He has more balance and he's able to stabilize himself and if that darn ball wasn't so huge he'd probably be able to turn himself around!

*** The shaved hip and the hole in his hip are from a pressure wound from being left in the same place too long. I thought it was a hot spot when I got back from vacation but was told it was a pressure wound by the doc's at the hospital..

***The wrapping on his foot is just a pee pad held up over his hock with a loose rubberband so that he doesn't get any dirt or gunk from outside in his foot. He has no problem standing on that foot as you will see! It's still healing and a little oozy in places and scabbed in others. It's just protection..

Max Diving in the HBOT

2013-03-31T16:56:00.001-04:00

So.. when a patient goes into a HyperBaric Oxygen Therapy Chamber (HBOT) They refer to it as a dive. Probably because it looks like they are going down in a submarine!

Here are some photos of Max and the HBOT at Southpaws!

HyperBaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Chamber

HBOT

Portal!

Getting ready for Mr. Max

Max getting ready to Dive

Getting comfy

Super Max the submarine dog!

Getting all snuggled in to his HBOT!

Ready for a nap during his treatments!

BELOW IS A VIDEO SHOWING HOW IT ALL WORKS

And another video

Click here to learn more about HBOT Treatment at SouthPaws

Where can you find HBOT for animals?

There are a number of places.. this is by NO stretch a complete list. There are many HBOT facilities available for horses that may also work with other animals, and there are some human facilities that have HBOT and will work with local veterinarians for animal treatments.

In the United States
Southpaws in Fairfax / Falls Church VA
Holistic Veterinary Care in Oakland CA
Animal Emergency & Referral Center in Ft. Pierce FL
Ravenwood Veterinary Clinic in Port Orange FL
University of Florida, School of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville FL
Saint Francis Animal Hospital in Jacksonville, FL
Peace Love Pets in Commack NY
Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod in Yarmouth MA
Mars Hill Animal Hospital in Bogart GA
SPCA Florida in Lakeland FL

Around the World
Town & Country Vet in Richmond New Zealand

PHYSICAL THERAPY! & LASER THERAPY FOR MAX

2013-03-31T16:47:00.001-04:00

In addition to the added benefits from HBOT treatments helping Max neurologically get stronger and sharper, and of course curing the case of gangrene! We also got a chance to spend time with the amazing Carol Wasmucky who is an amazing Animal Physical Therapist! Carol spent 17 years in human sports medicine physical therapy before starting her own company Pet Rehab Inc in 2000, applying the same principals in human physical therapy to animals. She has an exceptional track record of helping pets recover from neurologic, and physical challenges!

Carol gave us a month's worth of homework to do that will help strengthen Max and work on his balance... (He's holding his head up when he stands and getting stronger every day! He's also trying to hop on his feet sometimes now!)

Max needless to say LOVED working with Carol!!!

Carol taught Max to sit and bend his elbows!

The Incredible Super Max and the Amazing Carol Wasmucky!

Max learning to sit and hold himself!

We also went to see the Amazing Dr. Khoury who works in the Holistic department at Southpaws. We saw her initially for Acupuncture but she did a little research and came up with some new ideas to help Max out that we were all excited about! This one involved laser treatments!

Max getting Laser treatments from Dr. Khoury

Pictures of Max's Gangrene Foot Before and after HBOT treatments

2013-03-31T15:44:00.000-04:00

Below are pics of what Max's foot looked like when he first came down with gangrene all the way through his last HyperBaric Oxygen Therapy or HBOT treatment on Easter 2013. He received a total of 12 treatments on his foot, each about 45 minutes in the chamber, no sedation, and as an outpatient.

THE FOLLOWING ARE BEFORE TREATMENT
If you wonder what Gangrene looks like as it develops.... here you go!

Right foot is clearly very swollen and darker

Bleeding in between toes (assuming from skin splitting?)

Some blistering forming

After foot was shaved


After they shaved up Max's bad foot - still hasn't had a treatment yet

after 1st treatment - see blisters?


After first treatment - blood is starting to flow 3/24/2013


Pressure wound on Max's hip from laying in the same position for so long while I was on vacation. (gross!)

After 2nd treatment


After 2nd treatment

After 2nd treatment more pink!

After 3rd treatment

after 4th treatment


After 4th treatment - much more pink!

After 5th - blisters are all gone!


after 5th treatment

After 5th treatment

After 6th

After 6th - black dead skin is starting to molt off- lots more normal looking pink!

After #7 - lots more pink! Black crusting and granulation starting to fill in with new tissue

#8 The dead necrotic pads are starting to slough off to make way for new tissue!!!

#9 (Swelling is from standing for too long) - see pink tissue between toes?!

#9 - black is superficial scabbing for the most part


The morning after #9 before #10

After Treatment #11

Day after #11 (doing exercises outside!)

Day after #11 (pads still falling off)

Day After #11

After #13 (old pad falling off)

After #13

After #14

4 days after #14

After #15

After #15 close up - they picked a hole on the top of the crust to help promote healing

After #15 from behind... All Clear!!! Back to normal - just need some fur!!! (please excuse the kankles!)

2 days after #16

4 days after #16

4 days after #16 (dead tissue pealing down)

4 days after #16

After #17 Max's Doc cut off some of the dead black skin that was crusted over to expose the new tissue and help it heal... (a little bone exposed there on the left pinky toe)

After #18 - pink on all toes!!! His foot should go back to normal!!!

1 day after #18 - starting to granulate even more

1 day after #18 - you can see new skin there!!! Pretty amazing huh?! and no more bone exposed...

After 18 treatments!!! Nice color!!! Amazing huh?!

After #20 - bone exposed (no salt baths for now)

After #20 - they cut the toes to let more oxygen in and promote regeneration of the tissue in the ties

Another view of his toes after #20 - as gross as this is.. remember this all used to be dead / necrotic BLACK hard as a rock tissue, with NO LIFE what so ever... now it's nice and pink and red and healthy underneath.

Bottom of Max's foot after #20 - A little bone showing but lots of new pink tissue! (he does stand and take steps on this foot and he wiggled his pinky toe as well.


A new toe is forming - Stem cells are amazing things!

After treatments #21, #22, and #23 - Max's dead skin covering one of his toes came off - along with the nail - we'll have to go through this process with the other toes too - kind of gross.. so the plan is the stem cells that are stimulated from the HBOT treatments should grow a new toe... that's the plan anyway.

By golly - I think it might be working - this is taken on 5/7/2013 4 days after HBOT treatment # 23 and it appears to be growing into a full fledged toe vs. a nub.. it's getting to normal size.. REALLY WILD!

GANGRENE & HBOT

2013-03-25T17:56:00.001-04:00

Many of you who have been following Max know he developed a nasty case of Gangrene in his foot while I was on vacation. The consensus is that it was from not moving enough (should be moved every 4-6 hours minimally and do exercise / Physical therapy).

I had him checked out - all over..

Cardiac EKG, UltraSound and Doppler were done to make sure there was no clot - cardiologist said he has a very heathy heart!
Xrays were done - no masses - just arthritis (he's over 100 in human years)
Blood work done - normal for him for the most part - elevated where you'd expect from being on the meds he's been on.
Test to determine if there was a clot= came back likely for a clot
UltraSound of abodmen - all clear - no masses,
UltraSound of blood vessels - showed a 40% block in his gangrene leg - when the legs were togeher there was no flow, when they were separated the flow was pretty good... so they think this is what was going on

Gangrene can be caused by a few things:

Venomous spider bite (check the poisonous spiders in your area)
Venomous snake or scorpion bites
Diabetes and poor circulation
Ranaud's disease (circulation issues)
Clots

What is__gangrene?

It's necrotic or dead tissue and can include an infection too. It is caused by a lack of blood feeding the tissue and the tissue dies

How Gangrene is treated

Many vets just say to put animals down.

Many others just want to cut off the part of the body that has it. (surgery)

OR.......

there's Oxygen Therapy... or Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).. which is what we are doing.

Little did I know that HBOT treatment is FANTASTIC for neurological patients and helps improve neuroplasticity - which is helping the brain recreate the connections it lost during brain damage (stroke, brain bleed, hemohrage, anurism, brain tumors, head trauma, etc) It also is great for infections too.

Here are some links for you to review:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21287528

http://www.hyperbaricexperts.com/conditions/neurological-disorders/hbot-the-brain.html

(List of other things HBOT can be used to treat:

http://www.vet.utk.edu/departments/LACS/hbot.php

We are getting treatment at Southpaws in DC... google and look for a hospital that offers CERTIFIED AND TRAINED HBOT providers near you

http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/news/article/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-hbot-available-at-southpaws/21833

So... We're now going to post pictures after EACH of Max's Treatments in the next posting.. Max is getting 2 treatments / day with 4 hours in between each treatment -

Quick update

2013-02-28T08:59:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to post a quick update on Max's progress...

When the weather has been nice we've been taking him for walks with the other dogs and he's been riding in Buster's old Pet Gear Expedition.. if you have a dog who is weak, tires out easily or can't walk that weighs under 150 lbs... this is a MUST HAVE!!! I have gotten more use out of this cart than any other piece of equipment or dog toy I've ever purchased...


Max AND his bed in the pet gear stroller holds up to 150 lbs

So.. yesterday we're walking along and Max decides he's going to start kicking and sit up (he's been sitting up and looking around while he's in the cart. He's actually watching things and will turn his head now and pay attention to one particular thing as we walk by! It's very cool to watch! He even sat up when he saw the kids playing in the street and they came over to pet him. This time however he was kicking and trying to get up so I knew what he wanted to do, and took him out of the cart and he stood up on the side of the road, by himself.. leaning against my leg and peed! He peed for the first time on a walk since July! He was so proud of himself! Then when we got back to the house he got out in the front yard and wanted to practicing his walking more and then he pooped outside standing up!!!

So proud of my pee'er and pooper!

This morning he's been a crazy man! We got up at 5AM and went swimming. Max got in a good 5 yards, but he was super active and moving those arms AND legs like crazy to get himself where he wanted to go! He flipped himself back to the side he wanted to be on if I flipped him to his other side, he sat down, stood up, kicked me, growled at me.. let me know I was in the way! Really doing great this morning!

After his swim and a quick towel dry I put him in his cart so I could dry off and he rolled across the room.. and kept on rolling around. Almost rolled over Buttercup.. It was a slow but determined roll!.. He actually rolled around in his cart for 2 hours after his swim! Super active.. Then he hate his breakfast and we rolled for another 1/2 hour and then I took him out, blow dried him and we practiced standing for another 20 minutes (until I could handle no more!- he could keep going) and he practiced taking steps... sometimes he forgets to bring either his back or front legs along with him.. We did a little practice sitting down too. He still is reluctant to bend his elbows when sitting and standing - I am not sure if that's a balance thing, or what. He will bend the top one when sitting or laying down, and will bend both if I pet the top of his head or back (I guess a "duck and cover" reflex maybe?? He'll also bend them in warm water no problem

Now he's taking a nap in the sun!

I've had to try hard and remember that it's ok for him to be uncomfortable and he's gotta try and do this stuff on his own and not to scoop him up and help him stand the second I see him struggling to sit or stand or walk.

We've been practicing balancing while standing - he'll stand on all fours and I'll be next to him with my arms on the other side of him but not touching and he can try and stand up and if he wobbles and hits my arms or my knees he will try and center himself again - sometimes he falls but he's pretty good with trying to get himself back into the center.

The other thing I've noticed over the last 2 weeks, the other dogs and the cat have been MUCH more interactive with him. They are going up to him and sitting with him, sniffing him, barking at him and hanging out with him.. Our vet's kitten even started to clean him on Monday! I think they are all sensing / seeing that he's more able to look aware and be more reactive to stuff going on around him!

I'm proud of my super Max!

More images of the Pet Gear Expedition:

2 labs in a Pet Gear Expedition

It's great for off roading. We take ours in the woods on the trails and to the beach all the time like these guys do. It's very rugged and we have had no break down issues at all!!! It also folds up and easily fits in your trunk or the back of your car


Our rottie likes to poke her head out of the top when she rides in it, but most usually hang out - the front and top flaps zip to keep your buddy safe inside where they can see out all sides and have good ventilation. You can also Jog with this cart too and it has brakes in the back and a couple of pockets to put your keys, poop bags,cell phone and other stuff you want to carry.

This is how Buttercup our Rottie likes to ride!

2013-02-21T17:09:00.002-05:00

I"m trying to get up all the way!

Max's neck works!

2013-02-20T19:48:00.005-05:00

Finally caught Max lifting his head and looking around after waking up... FINALLY!

Max working on standing.. and sitting outside

2013-02-20T16:08:00.001-05:00

Well.. it's a beautiful sunny 50 degree February day... no complaints here.. Max has really been enjoying standing on the hill in the back yard. For some reason he seems to have a little better balance there but still needs to be able to lean against me, but he likes to take steps outside - maybe it's because the ground is softer than the floor? Or he's just outside and enjoying being outside.

He also has been going to the bathroom when he goes outside too which is kind of nice ! (Especially when I remember to move my food out from under him... )

(Oh and he's also been sitting up and looking around each time he wakes up and can do this on both sides now! ... And is using his right arm to help push himself up... and for the first time yesterday - although this hasn't been consistently repeated - actually blinked when I pulled a "3 Stooges" on him and waved my fingers in front of his eyes.. The last few times he's actually moved his whole head rather than blink.. he definitely can see and his depth perception may just be making a come back - Fingers are crossed..

Anyway - thought I'd share some pictures of today's outting..remember he could barely lift his head a month ago. Now he can hold it up for 10 min or so before it gets weak. Wish I had the video camera..

Max sitting up on his own - that head is still heavy!

Max watching stuff while leaning against Mom

(he just ate.. and hadn't licked his lips yet.. saving it for later. )

Leaning - that head gets heavy!

I wish I had video he was moving his right arm down the hill and trying to get up I had to straighten him out so he didn't take a tumble but he was trying hard!

Standing on all 4s.. and leaning against mom (who can't focus the camera in on all of Max)

Leaning against mom

Hey You... What's going on?!

Mom's favorite beach... nobody around as far as the eye can see! Sorry had to throw this one in.. it's what keeps me sane!

Max Sat Up!

2013-02-08T17:06:00.002-05:00

So.. not only is Mr. Max working on his standing and walking skills these day, but he also just woke up from a nap (see below) and sat up on his own and looked around and then focused in on me.. then went back to sleep. This is the first time (That I've witnessed - he may do it at night b/c I find him starring at me quite a bit after he repeatedly clears his throat until I wake up) that I've seen him do it!

He also barked yesterday loud enough that he could be heard on the other side of the house! Super Max is still coming along... side muscles are getting stronger - it's amazing how many muscles will atrophy and you have to build them up... #1 recommendation for anyone dealing with a bed bound, or stroke patient pup... if they can't physically move on their own.. definitely do range of motion as much as you can every day and try to do any sort of resistance with them - even if it's just pushing - Nobody explained to me how extremely important this was - although maybe nobody knew.. - other than a human physical therapist.. and what I had been doing prior was not enough.. Every few hours Max stands up and practices taking steps on his own or even just balancing on his own. Now I can see him standing in his cart with his legs wider apart vs. crossing like he used to - his hips are getting back in place.. The other thing that I've noticed is the muscle atrophy above his left eye is lessening. His vet saw this too.. (He's trying to sit up again and just wagged his tail!)

Catching up...

2013-02-04T09:48:00.000-05:00

Sorry it's been a while since we've posted.. Lots to catch up on.. but for now.. just posting a few pics and videos of Max.

**Max can now stand for over 10 minutes on his own while leaning up against someone or something... He has also started to take more and more steps while standing up and leaning against someone. He has been working on being able to lift his left front leg higher and higher and placing that foot perfectly - vs. knuckle walking.. his elbow is still stiff but he's been working hard and about 25 % of the time he gets that food placed perfectly!

His infections between his legs are gone too!**

Max swimming - this is what we did during the Superbowl... and after he got out, all he did was wiggle around and want to stroll around in his cart.. !

Max and his new doll

Max and his bone

Max has a bone in bed and nobody can get him!

Practicing standing on his own and squatting

Hanging out on his bean bag chair watching TV

Exciting Accomplishment for Max!

2013-01-10T20:58:00.004-05:00

He Peed standing up on his own for the first time in 7 months!!! (Bet you weren't expecting this one!!!)

He did not lift his leg.. as balance is still a major challenge... but he was standing on his own power on all 4 of his legs and hit 95% of his target (A pee pad)... not too bad!!!

(Sorry No photos of this one... I bet you're thankful of that!!!)

Grumbling & starting to take his first steps

2013-01-04T11:37:00.002-05:00

I have some videos I need to post, but wanted to put up a quick update, as I've gotten a few emails asking how Mr. Max is doing!

He's doing great! Aside from some bad gas... (we may have to do some pro-biotics or something) But I had a piece of cheese (not on his diet) in his mouth so he could taste it - just taste it and the next thing I knew his tongue had folded it in half and down the gullet it went. I was trying to pry his mouth open to make sure he didn't choke on it and he licked his lips and opened up wide to show me it was gone!!!

He can stand on his 4 legs longer than he could before and now he's leaning forward and starting to take steps with both his front and back legs. He still needs to work on balance but his strength is definitely improving and his will is as strong as ever!

And... we have an increased amount of grunting! He grunted this morning when he wanted more food, and he grunts when he's uncomfortable and wants to move but can't quite get himself in the correct position and he does some kind of a grunt growl when Rex tries to eat his food or gets too close to him and when Buttercup is cleaning up his feeding syringe.

He's also sporadically drank water out of a bowl.. not all the time but he's working on it.

And the coolest thing is that his tongue seems to have regrown?!!! I'm not sure if that's possible, I didn't think it was.. but remember he had bitten off half of his tongue and there were some splits in it? There are some nasty photos of it earlier in this blog.. well.. it seems to be a full rounded tongue again. There are a few little nicks here and there but it seems to be back to normal.. one of the videos I have that I'll be posting is of him sticking his tongue out - he almost looks like a frog trying to catch a fly!

The insides of his thighs are still a little raw and infected from his cart, but after trying a bazillion things the best I've come up with is neosporin cream and wrapping the seat of his cart up with no-stick gauze pads and then wrapping those with gauze roll and changing it after each time he sits in the cart and when he's not in the cart keeping his legs separated so he can get air in there. He also really likes swimming every day and I think the water helps clean it out (as much as it's helping strengthen his body - arms, legs, core, neck... everything.

New Years even he showed everyone he could roll around and make it a little challenging to feed him as he kept rolling away!. He also sat up on his own a few times and turned to watch what everyone was doing.

And I'm also happy to report that FINALLY - after 6 months, his fur is just now starting to grow back on his arms... and his belly and his rear end. It's almost all back on the bottoms of his feet... I'd love to know what kept it from growing back and what's helping it grow back now...

OH and before I forget.. this is THE BEST! Max had a follow up appointment with his eye doc yesterday.. and the report was "Max is doing EXCELLENT!" I love it!! Even though it's the eye doc! As you may recall Max's tear gland was zapped during his cyber knife treatment.. well.. we've been using tear stimulating eye drops to get the tears back to normal and they are now perfect!!! (which explains why he's actually crying now everytime I pick him up and it hurts!) But the tears are also helping to keep his eyes healthy. So we get to cut back on his tear medicine! and his next appt isn't for another 6 months!!! I LOVE IT!!!

So... If anyone is ever going through something that seems so daunting, please remember to take it minute by minute at first, then hour by hour and then day by day, week by week and you'll be ok. Remember 6 months ago, Max couldn't move, he couldn't blink, he couldn't eat, he was in a coma and they thought the liklihood that he'd be in a vegetative state for ever was extremely high. Don't ever be discouraged... and don't ever be afraid of a little hard work! Be grateful for the little things!

Swimming

2012-12-26T19:53:00.000-05:00

So... I finally figured out how to take pictures of Max swimming without him going snorkeling... well not too much.. Below are some photos and videos of him. He REALLY loves to get in the "pool" and swim around but I'm beginning to see he wishes it was a little bigger and he had further he could go... He may be the one thing that pushes me over the edge to put in a REAL lap pool... and lucky for him.. his mom used to teach swim lessons and coached swimming. I should be able to teach a dog how to swim right?

I've been in here for 2 hours and don't want to come out! It's cold out there!

Nothing like floating to help you stand up!

Below are a series of 3 videos... Max had just woken up from a nap when I put him in his pool, so the first one is him just getting used to the water.. by the 3rd one he was kicking around pretty good!

Video 1: Max first just getting into the pool and getting used to it (He just woke up from a nap) I think he's enjoying floating around actually... (He does have some really raw sores on his inner thighs from moving around in his cart so much... so I'm trying to let those heal and they may have been stingy when he fist got in the water too. He got over it by the 3rd video.

Video 2: Max getting more used to being in the pool and moving around more. He wants to stay on one side of the pool and keeps moving back there even when pushed to the other side.

Video 3: Max has been in the pool for just about 2 hours now.. he's kicking around and moving and didn't want his life preserver around his neck any more...

Pre-Holiday Max

2012-12-22T22:22:00.003-05:00

Happy Holidays everyone!

Just wanted to post a few pictures of Max and keep you updated with what he's been up to.

Max likes to wake up early, sit up and stare at me until I get up and put him in his cart!


Max less than thrilled to be at the hospital with Buttercup while she had her cardiology appt (She's doing well) Max didn't have a schedule appointment so nobody messed with him.


Max watching the squirrels out the window

Max standing up straight in his cart and looking around

Max checking out what's going on around him (and that slop is his favorite dinner - although he had a few pieces of a roaster tonight)

WHY HELLO!

2012-12-16T14:55:00.004-05:00

Sorry no visual on this posting, one of these days I'll have one for you!!! But I am very happy to report that yesterday, we walked into the room where Max was laying down on his bed... When I called his name he actually sat up a little bit and then turned his head to look toward me!!! MAJOR PROGRESS!!!

His eyes have been following and tracking more and more. We still have a long way to go and I've been slacking in my physical therapy with him to get him up and standing and walking more, but we'll get there!

Sophia Gettino conquers a brain tumor - Great story to give hope to all!

2012-12-13T09:45:00.000-05:00

This link is to a great story about Sophia Gettino who was diagnosed with a brain tumor as a baby and was given no hope. She went to see Dr. Byrzinsky and is now celebrating her 16th birthday!!!

There's some hope for everyone!!!

http://www.9wsyr.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=3224085

2012-12-05T15:43:00.000-05:00

Re-Introducing the Incredible Mr. Max!!!

He still doesn't quite have that whole, get up thing going, but he's trying hard, and that's half the battle! He's basically starting to learn everything from scratch, just like a new born infant... just a little slower apparently... but he's made so much progress since I brought him home and he couldn't move or even eat! Now he's picky about how foods taste and will spit out what he doesn't like.. (which is a bit challenging when you're trying to get some weight on a dog!!!)

Max this morning after breakfast

Max working on sitting up on his own


Almost there - turned out he was trying to get up and go out to go potty!!! He needed some help!

And here is the incredible Mr. Max a few days ago as he was getting frustrated and realizing what he wasn't able to do.. notice he'll stop panting when he hears me talking to him sometimes.. and when someone walked by he would follow them with his eyes and pay attention to them... Some days he's more alert than others, but there has definitely been A LOT of improvement and progress over the last couple of weeks!

One one last video of Max practicing Marching... of course he was doing this over and over on his own and the second I took out the camera he stopped... He likes to march in place while eating his breakfast..

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor's Presentation on TED

2012-11-30T10:44:00.000-05:00

For anyone interested in learning more about the brain.. this is a great presentation by Jill Bolte Taylor on TED

Sit ups

2012-11-29T10:15:00.000-05:00

Thanks to our AMAZING Pet Sitter, I got to take a 5 day vacation over the holiday. She kept up Max's workout schedule and a few days ago I got a text that Max was sitting up like a normal dog!!! When I got home last night, the whole gang came to greet me and Max was hanging out on the couch with Amanda. I wasn't sure if he was going to recognize me or not, but he started kicking and pushing himself up when I came over and pet him!!!

His eye is looking much better too. She has him eating 4 meals a day and he was getting plenty of fluids as well. I think I need to adjust his cart so he's a little higher now. He did develop a blister in his inner thigh from wheeling around and kicking in his cart so much but it looks like he's ready to do some more work on sitting up on his own!!! So the next plan is working on sitting up, staying up and then moving into a standing position... it'll be a while but he's starting to regain more and more control of his body! His eyes are also starting to track more and more and Amanda said he's enjoying sitting in the window and watching the other dogs play outside.. This morning when I was feeding him and Rex and #2 came in and started making noises he actually turned his head to look at them!