Hi Patti.............thinking of you hun and my fingers are xxxxxxxx hugs and kisses being sent from all of us. Hope it all well Good Luck

Wishing you all the best today, hope you will be able to make an informed decision once it is over.

Hoping you get all the info you need today to make that most difficult decision.

Me too, I'm still thinking of you today

Well, first of all, today was a very long & worn out day for both me & Cinder. We made the trip to Pittsburgh, which took about an hour & 15 min. one way. The people there at the clinic were all so nice. We were finally called back into a room & waited anxiously for the Dr. to come in. The Dr. was a woman to my surprise & quite young. She introduced herself, & then began to ask questions & examine Cinder. She placed Cinder on the floor & actually got down on the floor herself to watch Cinder as she walked. She then placed her back on the table & pinched Cinder's paw to look for pain. She then grasped Cinder's neck & moved it to the left & right & up & down; looking to see if Cinder was in any pain. I explained to her that, that was one of my concerns, (if Cinder is in any pain), because Cinder never whines or cries. She said that if she does have any pain, she sure does a good job at hiding it.

Next, we looked at the x-rays. And to my surprise, she pointed out that Cinder has not one, but two herniated disks in her neck. She was almost positive that it isn't a tumer, but, couldn't say 100% for sure. We then began to talk about what could or couldn't be done to help her. She stated that first, we would have to have a MRI done, to help her decide whether surgery would even be an option. If surgery would be an option, then she said I would have to decide whether to opt for surgery or not. I told her that is why I was there, that I needed some helpful advice in making that decision. So........this is what she said.

First of all, there is a 1 to 3 percent chance that Cinder may die on the table. That to me seemed low, but; there's always that chance. Second, Cinder may come out of the surgery worse than before the surgery. She could even possibly be paralyzed. Of course, if this were the case, Cinder would have to be put down. If Cinder did have a good out come with the surgery, her one paw will still be knuckling. The damage is done & is irreversible. The only good thing would be that her situation couldn't get worse. Not, with those two disks anyway.

So, my choices are.........take a chance with the surgery & possibly even have a dog who is worse, or even paralized, or who doesn't survive it at all. Or...... let her be to live out the rest of her life.

I asked her what chances Cinder had with the surgery turning out good or bad. She said 50/50. I was so hoping for more than that. I really needed to hear that her chances of it turning out good for her were higher. I had told myself from the beginning, that if there was a good chance that Cinder would improve from having surgery, that I would definately go for it. But, now it seems that that is not the case. I told my husband, that Cinder wouldn't want to go on, having to work so hard at getting around everyday, with her paw always knuckled under. She already has sores on her paw from that, although I did buy some baby booties, that I am hoping will help that situation. I also, would not want to lose Cinder that way or have her come out worse than she is now. No surgery in the world would be worth that to me. So, I have decided that Cinder will live out her life for as long as the good Lord gives her, & cherish every minute with her. I am so thankful for having her to love for all these years. And, God willing, I am hoping for many more months with her, if not more years.

Again, I want to thank everyone for all the good thoughts & wishes for my Cinder. I really feel in my heart, I have made the right decision.

Love, Patti~

Big hugs Patti, for you and Cinder. You have made your decision knowing everything you can poassibly know about Cinder's condition and on what is best for her. She is a very lucky dog to have such a considerate and caring owner.
xxxxxx

I am so pleased you have been able to come to a decision, I am sure it is the right one. Your little one will have loads of love for the rest of her live and I am sure she will enjoy it.

Hi Patti, I am so pleased that you can now make your decision knowing all there is to know about Cindy's condition. I am so pleased that your visit to the specialist has helped you. Cindy is such a lucky little dog to have you.........and I know that she will be happy for the rest of her time (I hope you have plenty) Lots of love from all us here xxxxxxxxxx