Melinda--

Good news that you are seeing signs of improvement with Igor. You are incredibly
strong and your dedication is being rewarded with that wagging tail.

We will keep you and Igor in our prayers and hope for a steady climb out of the
valley.

Best,
Shannon & Basil

--- In CKCS-SM-support@yahoogroups.com, "merlonandtess" <mbillig@...> wrote:
>
> Wed. will be 4 weeks since the second surgery and progress has been painfully
slow. Igor continues to be in intensive care and this week he had a second touch
of pneumonia. He has been on and off oxygen. At night they put him on because
his oxygen levels are low and during the day Dr. Loughen takes him off. They
tell me that pneumonia is not uncommon for a "down dog". There have been many
hills and valleys with his progress but on the good side he is happy and wagging
his tail, especially when they put him in a hammock so they can manipulate his
limbs and he can see the world from the vantage point of a healthy dog instead
of lying on his side. He has strength coming back to his back legs and they are
starting to bear some weight and as I said his tail is wagging. It is his
atrophied looking crossed front paws that seemed to be so limp, that depressed
me when I saw him and last week he peed all over my lap, something he never
would do if he could hold it. Yesterday I detected some slight muscle tone in
one of Igor's front paws, when I pushed it and he slightly pushed back. Also,
yesterday, he shivered and shook less though he occasionally still yelped in
pain when in certain positions. He still cannot hold his head up and is unable
to move his head from side to side.
> I am so very appreciative to Dr. Marone, Dr. Loughen, Dr. Infanuso, all the
doctors, therapists and nurses who really love him and care for him and never
give up hope that he will bear weight and be able to walk and come home some
day. We miss him terribly. Yesterday was the first day I left Igor without
crying. It's been tough because while we are with him we try to be upbeat and
then when they take him away we usually cry. I have to try to remain optimistic
as long as all the folks at LIVS keep putting their hearts and soles into
working with him.
> Once again thank you so much for thinking about us and keeping Igor in your
prayers.
> Best regards,
> Melinda
>