Day 2 Visit to Canvasback Farm's Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber

Adding the time to Pixie's exposure to oxygen

Pixie's second visit to the hyperbaric chamber on Dr. Riddle's farm.  Luanne met me at the building that houses the chamber and looked over Pixie.  I told her that there doesn't seem to be much change and she reassured me that we won't see that change in Pixie for a couple of weeks, but believe me, there is a change taking place.  Luanne said, "all of the old damaged tissue from the radiation is and will become healthy red growing tissue/skin that will fill that hole in her face."  I felt she was correct, but until the skin shows a rebirth, I will wait.
Both Sue and I are faithful folks, waiting to believe.

Our visit to Canvasback Hyperbaric Hospital

Luanne and Sue talking about treatment dates

Today was an interesting drive down to Rising Sun, MD and thru the beautiful lush green countryside.  We visited Dr. Riddle's horse farm and his hyperbaric oxygen chamber.  His wife, Luanne Riddle, was the good will ambassador of the farm and handled the chamber like the expert that she is.  Pixie was in the "chamber" for about an hour.  When she came out she seemed very nervous & was quite anxious to be with us.  Luanne explained that each of the high pressure treatments will reduce the size of the slit in her right cheek and help prepare the tissue inside her mouth as well as outside for healthy growth. 

Luanne adding pressure and oxygen

We could watch Pix through the porthole in the massive chamber.  This chamber is big enough for three horses, since it was built exclusively for their racing horse patients, but it works well for even little Pix. We expect to return again tomorrow for another treatment since having them close together seems to guarantee more success with her radiation fallout.

Pixie in the chamber with the video monitor watching her

Preparing Pixie for the hyperbaric oxygen chamber

On our last visit to the West Chester Oncologists we were told that Pixie's chances for recovery would be greater if we visited a veterinary hyperbaric oxygen chamber.  We found one in Cecil County, MD near Port Deposit; so we have an appointment tomorrow to see if this treatment will help our little girl.

I know she is tired of us washing her mouth and treating her open area around her right lower jawbone area. We wash it with doggie antiseptic two and sometimes three times a days to keep bacteria from forming. I have attached an image so you can see how the radiation has hurt her.

Treating the Pix!

Isn't it wonderful that she fits nicely into the kitchen sink!

We returned on Friday, 8 May from the MARS School week to find our Pixie well cared for by Geri Walker. 

We also now know that the antibiotic Baytril has been determined to fight her infection since the culture came back on Tuesday.  Pixie will have her appointment tomorrow with Dr. Schofield, the surgeon at West Chester Oncology.  We are preparing her with a bath and later today, a trim to make her feel better.



Not all that happy with the hair dryer

Pixie's Health - April 27th - May 2nd

This has been a horrible week for all of us.  On Monday we visited our Veterinarian Oncology Hospital in West Chester to get some definitive action on Pixie's cellulitis.  It seems to have grown and thickened on her neck and near her jawbone.  Dr. Jeglum examined her and felt the two prescriptions seemed to be working well.   Neither Sue or I felt this way, but we persisted and kept the same dosages.  On Tuesday evening just as I was watching the Spurs game (11:45 PM) Pixie came to me and showed me blood coming from her mouth area.  I immediately asked Sue to call the local veterinarian hospital that was open 24 hrs.  We left and drove the short 6 minutes to them and soon Pixie was being cared for there.  The doctor this evening wanted to look into Pixie's mouth and see where the blood was coming from.  They swabbed it and kept the bleeding at a minimum, but she wanted us to leave and promised to call around 4 am when she would have some results. We hardly slept at all and were awake when the phone rang at 3:30.  She said the bleeding had stopped, but wanted to located the reason for the flow.  She asked if we could wait until 6 to pick her up; she would have more info about her then.  When we arrived at 6 the nurse brought Pixie into the room where we were waiting.  She was breathing heavy and shaking!  I asked how long has this been going on.
The nurse explained that the doctor would be in to see us momentarily.   I tried to calm Pix, but found she needed to be held.   When the doctor arrived she explained that the two blood clots were removed and cleaned out and most of her mouth irrigated.  She had found a small piece of broccoli that was forced into her gum line.  This was how soft and damaged her mouth was.  We paid the bill and ran out the door with Pix.  Once at home, and in about 2 hrs., she was asleep & rested most of the day on Wednesday.   All of us got to bed early on Wednesday - and it was a good thing too, because on Thursday, Friday and Saturday we were at the VO Hospital in West Chester. 

The final prognoses 
We have found the radiation for Pixie's melanoma that took place in Sept/Oct. of 2014 has had repeating loss of gum tissue and some bone loss.  She is presently (May 2nd) seeing a surgeon to replace some of the tissue in her mouth and gums.   The doctors have taken a culture of her bacterial infection and should have a treatment within a few days. Pix received intravenous antibiotics on two days to fight this infection.  We are waiting for the results of the culture and then perhaps select the proper antibody to fight it.
The saga continues...and we love our girl!

At VORC-West Chester, PA



At home - August -2014, before melanoma happened

 

Celebration of uncovering the boat

Yes, it's true!  We have taken the cockpit and bow covers off the boat and left the cabin still covered for tentative rain and to allow us to work on insulating the refrigerator.

Fun with the Bunnies

Easter is always a busy, but fun time at our house.  We usually bring one bunny at a time into the house to cuddle.  We notice that each time we do this Pixie wants to play too.  Here is Pixie playing with Charlotte while she is out of her cage. 

                                                                                                                                                                       
Early last week we began to notice that Pixie had a hard area on her lower lip and when we tried to explore further she pulled away.  Sue had her on her lap the next day and the area appeared to be growing larger and more distinctly hard.  She held Pix while I felt this area.  We both immediately thought it was her melanoma coming back and at the same area on her right side of her face.  We called the oncology vet. in West Chester for an appointment.  Days passed since it was the weekend, and our Pixie was unable to open her mouth on the right side.  Both Sue and I were very upset about this and didn't sleep most of Sunday night in preparation to going to the examination on Monday.  Tears flowed on the way and we shuddered at the thought of more radiation for poor Pix or even worst.  Dr. Vicki Nelson took Pixie into one of the examination rooms and talked to us about her progress since last November.  She didn't feel it looked like a cancer, but she wanted to do some tests to be sure. After waiting for two hours our little girl appeared with her tail wagging and a happy look on her face.  Vicki told us it was cellulitis, a common infection of the skin and the soft tissues underneath and had given her a shot of antibiotics to help this heal. We have been applying hot/warm compresses to Pixie's right side, continued with the medicine and have noticed in the last day she is able to open her mouth to eat and smile. We'll keep you up-to-date as this episode unravels.