5/2 Belle Update-Surgery for BileDuct Obstruction-None found

I'm on my cell, so I can't link yesterdays post. Sorry.

We got a call from the vet this morning telling us that Belle was feeling much better, and her numb ers were much improved, but a new ultrsound was of concern. They had a radiologist come in to take a look, she saw what they believe to be a stricture that is backing up the duct causing significant ballooning of the duct. I saw them, and I was stunned. Like a balloon in the duct that was not there yesterday.

We had two options, do nothing and she dies a painful death today or tomorrow, or surgery. Since she's on prednisolone and plavix, they give her a 30% chance of recovery. We decided some chance is better than none. She has been in surgery for over an hour, so we should be hearing something soon. They did say that recovery was a bigger issue than surgery, so coming out of surgery is just a first step.

What made this very difficult is that Belle was Belle again this morning. Loving, playful and obstinate. Is was hard to believe she was sick, let alone that she may not make it. We had no other choice, so that made things much easier.

I'll update you all as I can.

Jason

Re: 5/2 Belle Update- Surgery for Bile Duct Obstruction

(((Jason & Belle))) keeping you both close to my heart & in my prayers cat_pet_icon
There are no words I can say to make you feel better, but your amazingly strong & I do believe prayers above equal blessings down. Take care of yourself & thank you for doing everything you can for lil lady. I look forward to updates..

Re: 5/2 Belle Update- Surgery for Bile Duct Obstruction

Praying for you and Belle (((((Hugs))))

Re: 5/2 Belle Update- Surgery for Bile Duct Obstruction

Update:

She's out of surgery and we just saw her. Spunky as ever, trying to get up and come to us.

Results of the surgery were not as expected. There was no obstruction. There was a cyst on the duct that had fluid in it, and the other section they were concerned about was thicker than normal, but the duct opening was just fine. The walls were just inflamed. On one hand, I'm happy that she didn't need a duct bypass, but on the other hand, her chance of survival is no better because of it. They still made an incision in the intestines, and that healing was always the major concern. It ended up being what is really an elective, exploratory surgery that I have refused to do in the past because of the risks.

Now I need to realize I made the best and only choice possible at the moment. As many as 5 doctors read the ultrasound, including a specialist, and they all saw the same thing. I'm struggling with the fact that a surgery I thought was the only way to save her could be the thing that takes her from me. They were able to biopsy her lungs, intestines and the cyst, but that is of no help if she doesn't make it. Oh well, it was a decision that had to be made, even if hindsight tells us different.

They said healing complications come up 3-7 days after surgery, so we'll have to wait and see. That is the major concern now, how she'll heal on the prednisolone. She'll be in the hospital for awhile and I may consider keeping her there through the danger period. I like that she's watched 24/7 and I wouldn't rest for a second if she was home.

Edit: For got to mention that since there was no obstruction, it leaves us without answers on her liver numbers and jaundice. Her hemocrit was down to 20% before surgery too, so her anemia is back as well. With or without surgery, she is still a very sickly girl.


Jason

Re: 5/2 Belle Update- Surgery for Bile Duct Obstruction

Positive Thoughts & prayers are with you both during her recovery! I know it is easier said than done, but try not to question or 2nd guess your decision of surgery. Based on the facts at the time, you made the best decision for you & your furbaby. We try to do the best with the information we have & there is no way you could have known there was no obstruction! Hold old is Belle? So blessed she is that she has you & I have faith in her recovery!!

Re: 5/2 Belle Update- Surgery for Bile Duct Obstruction

Nicole,

I appreciate your kind words and they do help.

Belle is 12.5 years old. I was so at peace today knowing that she has gotten the best care possible, and has gotten all the love anyone could hope for. I still feel that way, but now I'm just anxious for her to recover. If she does, then I will feel very good about the surgery because we'll have the biopsies we really needed but weren't willing to get. She still has a bunch of issues and the news that her anemia is back was unexpected, but now any time I get with her will be even more cherished than ever.

Nicole & Baby said:

Positive Thoughts & prayers are with you both during her recovery! I know it is easier said than done, but try not to question or 2nd guess your decision of surgery. Based on the facts at the time, you made the best decision for you & your furbaby. We try to do the best with the information we have & there is no way you could have known there was no obstruction! Hold old is Belle? So blessed she is that she has you & I have faith in her recovery!!

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Re: 5/2 Belle Update- Surgery for Bile Duct Obstruction

We are all hoping and praying for Belle's recovery with you, Jason. You have made the best decisions for her and done all you can to save her life. Remember that. :YMHUG:

Re: 5/2 Belle Update- Surgery for Bile Duct Obstruction

Hi Jason - I wish you and Belle the best. I think what Nicole wrote is right on target. You made the right choice at the time, based on all evidence given you. All we can do is act upon the information we are given. Belle sounds like a spunky girl - I think that will aid in her recovery. Best of luck to Belle, and to you. Always remember that you did what you had to do. Belle knows that too. Take care, and I look forward to your updates. ((((HUGS)))) from mannie and me.

Re: 5/2 Belle Update- Surgery for Bile Duct Obstruction

Dear Jason, We are sending lots of healing vines and snowflakes to Belle. She is a lucky kitty to have you as a momabean and she is a very brave and tough kitty. You made the right decision. Otherwise you would be second-guessing yourself. We pray that Belle will come through the next few days with flying colors and that she will soon be home.

Ella & Stu

Re: 5/2 Belle Update- Surgery for Bile Duct Obstruction

Don't second guess your decision for surgery. You made it based on the information you had at that time and based on 5 doctors opinions.

In a way, it's good that she didn't require a bypass, however disheartening to know that the surgery may not have been necessary. But remember you didn't know that, so you did what was in her best interest.

Sending you healing and comforting thoughts for Belle.

Re: 5/2 Belle Update- Surgery for Bile Duct Obstruction

Hi Jason so happy Belle is out of sx and if this had been DoLou I would have done the same you made the best choice for your baby like we all do sending healing vines and prayers your way that Belle will recover and be home soon :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

Re: 5/2 Belle Update- Surgery for Bile Duct Obstruction

Everyone,

I want to thank you all and say just how great it is to have a place to come to where people are so supportive and caring. Your thoughts are appreciated. I won't be able to rest until Belle is through the woods, but I do know I did the only thing I could. I mean, If I want to rewrite history I may as well regret not going to veterinary school so I could have treated her myself. If she recovers, the biopsies will provide more information about her remaining issues than we could have hoped for, so I will think positive and be thankful that for today, she is still with me.

Jason

((Jason)) ((Belle))
Gabby does not have Belle's complex medical history. She did, however, ingest dental floss several years ago. The surgery involved opening up her entire digestive track to find the floss. Her recovery was amazing. I think we were both traumatized but she was home within 48 hours of the surgery (probably more like 36) because she didn't really want to eat at the emergency hospital or with my vet. No one apparently told Gabby she wasn't supposed to jump because she did. All she wanted to do was lie on top of me where she felt safe and secure. Cats are amazing creatures. I hope Belle's recuperation is just as amazing.

Hang in there, Jason. You made the only decision you could make. Cats are so resilient. Belle sounds like a fighter and that can make all the difference in the world. I am the queen of second guessing myself so I totally understand! But, it doesn't do us or our babies any good. She's in good hands at CVS. Logan was there for 6 nights after his surgery for the bacterial infection. It's so hard to leave them there, but they're monitored 24/7, something we can't do at home. Go visit her as much as possible and let her know you love her. When Logan was there, they told us we could visit twice a day so we went twice a day. I cried every time I had to leave him, but they said he perked up so much while I was there. Knowing how much we love them makes a huge difference. We'll be thinking of you. Hopefully, they'll be able to give you some more answers after the biopsy results.

I hope Belle comes along nicely after her surgery. I also agree that you made the best decision with the info you had, and while you did not find what you expected, you did rule out some things, so now you can continue to search for the real source or sources of Belle's problems.
It's good to have 24/7 support for Belle; call often for updates and I hope you get ever improving reports.

Thanks Sienne,

Once they told me they didn't do the duct bypass, I assumed that her recovery would be easy just like Gabby's. Seems their real concern all along was the prednisolone. They used a word I can't remember or find on the web to describe the complication it can cause, and said if problems do arise, it's typically 3-7 into recovery. I'm assuming it's that her intestines won't heal right and she could bleed out or the sutures could open. They said she could be home in a few days and I would expect her to be back to herself(aside from the ongoing liver, pancreas and anemia issues). However, since I got the impression her intestines could be a ticking time bomb, I'm inclined to leave her in the hospital until we get past any potential complication.

A few more nights stay is a drop in the bucket compared to what this will cost.

Jason

Sienne and Gabby said:

((Jason)) ((Belle))
Gabby does not have Belle's complex medical history. She did, however, ingest dental floss several years ago. The surgery involved opening up her entire digestive track to find the floss. Her recovery was amazing. I think we were both traumatized but she was home within 48 hours of the surgery (probably more like 36) because she didn't really want to eat at the emergency hospital or with my vet. No one apparently told Gabby she wasn't supposed to jump because she did. All she wanted to do was lie on top of me where she felt safe and secure. Cats are amazing creatures. I hope Belle's recuperation is just as amazing.

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