Tag Archive for: surgery

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BOB’S SURGERY UPDATE

July 22nd, 2018

Thank you all for the good thoughts and prayers! It’s been a long, very long, couple of days. I apologize for not updating sooner but believe me when I say, I have been run ragged. Bob’s open heart surgery to repair his aortic aneurysm went well – they had to do a single bypass too. So, it was a bit more than originally expected. There were a couple of bumps coming out of anesthesia, and he had a bad reaction to an antibiotic, but once we got him through that, everything started to improve. Bob has really amazed everyone! He walked the halls today and had three meals!

When I left him today, both of our kids were arriving and they couldn’t believe how good he was doing either. We’re all very much relieved and looking forward to him coming home in just a couple of days. I have to say the surgeon, his team, and everyone at North Florida Cardiac Vascular ICU is amazing. I did stay at the hospital last night and have had no sleep so I’m headed to bed very soon. I’m really looking forward to sleep! Again, thank you all very much!

#thankyou #prayers #betsyrosestrong #believe #bhfer

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Emma’s Surgery – She Believes!

February 7th, 2017

“Mommy Theresa I’m ready for this! I’m a little scared but Dr. Lugo says I’ll be asleep the whole time. And you’ll be there, right? He says he’s going to take away the things in my legs that are making them hurt and that once it all heals, I’ll feel much better! It’s a beautiful day – please go tell him I’m ready, ok? I believe it’s all good!”

Emma Believes

I’m with Emma – I believe!

She’s going to be ok. She will get through the surgery just fine and overcome infection. She will. Please keep her in your prayers. I’ll update as I can. Thank you all.

#prayersforemma #justiceforfillyemma #bhfer #believe #nonprofit #equinemedicalcenterocala #shesabravegirl #imwithemma #quarterhorse #filly #shot

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FILLY USED FOR TARGET PRACTICE? THIS IS URGENT!

February 5th, 2017

A vet contacted us about a three year old Quarter Horse filly that was shot – he does not want to euthanize her and we are her last hope. She has multiple buckshot fragments lodged in her.  The vet found her with blood from her nose and mouth from the wound over the upper jaw.  The wound on the cheek shattered the inside – the pellet lodged in the upper cheek molar roots/sinus area possibly may need to be removed. There is a pellet wound behind her ear – that pellet is right on top of the atlas of the vertebral column.  There’s a wound where a pellet grazed just below her eye.  A pellet is lodged into the distal cannon above the fetlock on the left hind along with ones in the left front and there are other leg wounds.  The split bone is shattered.  A big concern is infection and the damage done to her knee which is pretty swollen.

FILLY SHOT WHILE GRAZING

The filly needs constant oversight and care, medications, and a stall which she presently, doesn’t have. She’s turned out on many acres with other horses which puts her at risk for more injury and infection.  And she needs surgery ASAP.

We had a surgeon look at her x-rays today and he feels that she’s got a good chance of recovering – surgery can be done this coming week. But we need your help to make this happen. We need $2500 to $3,000 for her immediate needs/surgery. We don’t know how much aftercare will cost but we do know she needs help now if she has a chance. We were not planning to take in any additional horses until some here are adopted out – we are maxed – but I’ve met this filly and she’s determined to overcome.  She’s full of life and deserves a chance. When the vet says, “You’re her last chance,” and you see the life in her eyes, well, we just can’t walk away.

A wonderful friend and supporter has offered a Match Game to help with the surgical/medical needs of this sweet girl so all donations up to $500 will be matched! Donations are tax deductible and can be made via various means on our website at website or via our PayPal address: bhfer@earthlink.net. If donating via PayPal, please designate your donation for ‘QH Filly.’ If you select the tab for ‘Friends or Family,’ no fees will be deducted from your contribution.

Please help us give this girl a chance. We want to get her here ASAP in order to provide her with the care that she so desperately needs.

Thank you, as always, for your continued love and support.

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Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue Inc. is a 501(c)(3) grassroots Non-Profit Organization registered in the state of Florida (EIN: 20-4783950). We are not funded by Local, State, or Federal funds. We operate totally from donations from the public. Please consider making a one time or recurring donation to help the horses. No amount is too small and all donations are very much appreciated. Donations are tax deductible.

Beauty’s Haven was awarded Verified status by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) in 2012. GFAS is the only globally recognized organization that provides standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries. Awarded November 2014 Equine Hero. A Guidestar Exchange Silver Participant and a GreatNonprofits Top Rated Non-Profit 2014, 2015, and 2016.

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Our Beloved Wally Has Crossed Rainbow Bridge

Sunday, April 27th

Wally is not feeling well this morning. Kathy Breakall held him so I could clip him in the tack room where it’s cool. We just finished. We will be keeping him in a stall today with a fan and will be closely monitoring him. If he gets worse, I need to call the vet back.

I wished and prayed with all my might that he would feel better.

Waiting on the vet. Wally is resting. Please say prayers for him. I’m sitting right here with him.

The vet examined and oiled Wally. Now we wait and pray for poop. Grandma Bea and Auntie Ruth are babysitting Wally for a little while.

Wally is on his way to the hospital with likely an impaction colic. He will be at Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital in Ocala. He’s just a year old. Please pray for him.

Wally is being treated for an impaction colic. They are starting iv fluids. I’ll update in the morning. Thank you all for your prayers.

Monday, April 28th

Wally’s heart rate is climbing and despite oiling and fluids, he does not appear any better. No worse, except for the HR which is not a good thing. We were presented with two options – to continue to medically treat Wally or surgically remove the impaction since it does not appear to be moving. Wally’s blood work is fine and he does not appear to be uncomfortable. The vet can schedule surgery for later today, but up until that time, we decided that fluids continue to be run. I did some T-Touch Wally’s anal area and by doing so, he did pass a small amount of poop as well as gas. Last night at the rescue, I also used T-Touch with no results. I’m hand walking Wally too which will hopefully, get ‘things moving.’ I have also requested that Wally be given an enema. We are trying everything possible, up until the moment of surgery, in hope that Wally’s issue can and will resolve on its own. Please continue to keep little Wally in your prayers.

By late afternoon, it was decided that Wally needed surgery. I kissed his little nose and promised him I’d be there when he woke up. Dr. Lynch said it wouldn’t take much more than an hour.

Despite all of our prayers we lost Wally this afternoon.  I try to always be there for any surgery.  As I watched them start to prepare Wally, when he was given anesthesia, he had an adverse reaction and he was gone.  In the blink of an eye our Wally went to Rainbow Bridge.  I had promised him I’d be there when he woke up but he didn’t wake up.  I’m in shock.

I had taken Wally for a walk before surgery – he wanted to play in the water hose. Silly Wally, he loved the water. Our three boys – Wally, CaryLou, and Harvey. It will never be the same and I will always see him when I see the others. And I know I will feel him – I feel him now. I’m so sorry little guy – so very sorry. Fly with angel wings baby – I love you, always. I know you were met by Solace and others that we dearly love, that’s the only consolation I have.

Thank all of you for your support and for caring about our little Wally.  My heart hurts – I can’t believe it happened but I was there and saw it with my own eyes. I never want to experience anything like that again, ever.  I was helpless to change what I was witnessing and it was horrible.  I likely will be off the grid for a day or so but please know that I do appreciate all of you. I have to believe that God needed Wally more than we did.

Wally and me right before surgery. I called him my little Rogue Warrior – a lovable and mischievous little guy that made us laugh.

Thank you Greg, for your beautiful tribute to our beloved Wally.

A rainbow over Beauty’s Haven in honor of Wally going to Rainbow Bridge.

Thank you all for your prayers and words of comfort.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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BH April 17th – April 22nd Update ~ Cookie

Thursday, April 17th, 2014

Cookie was admitted to UF today, April 17th, for an eye exam and, specifically, for evaluation of a mass on her left lower eyelid which had been treated with cryotherapy and cisplatin beads in the past few months with no resolution. During the exam, tumors were also found on her 3rd eyelids (r/l). It was recommended a scan be done to determine the extension of the tumors and to help make surgical decisions.

Marie helped me get Cookie ready for her trip to the UF Veterinary hospital this morning.

I’m so sorry that Cookie is fighting SCC. I wish there were some way they could save her eye. The SCC is below it but because they will have to remove the lower lid there will be nothing to protect the eye. We’ve had blind horses as well as horses with only one eye. Some horses don’t adjust well but I think Cookie will do just fine. I want the SCC gone. Totally. Please keep her in your prayers.

I will be away from the computer and phone for the rest of the day but I will update later about Cookie. Thanks Pam for transporting Cookie safely to the hospital!

Friday, April 18th

Cookie’s CT scan showed the mass had not invaded bony orbit. It was recommended by Dr. Mangan that resection of the lower lid mass and 3rd eyelids be followed by reconstruction of the lid margin (preserving the globe) which would preserve sight in her left eye!

Surgery under way.  Dr. Mangan and his team are amazing!

Finally! About 2/3rds of the lower left eyelid, the left 3rd eyelid, and the entire right 3rd eyelid were removed. Cryotherapy was also used on the remaining left lid margins in hopes of preventing potential further spread of the cancer. Cookie’s sub-mandibular lymph nodes were somewhat enlarged so cells were taken and sent to be analyzed.

Cookie has left the OR.

Cookie did well for surgery – the area of the left eyelid resected was pretty extensive but, with reconstruction, she was able to keep her eye! To do this, they used skin from below her left eyelid to make a new lower eyelid margin. It was pretty amazing to watch and it took a quite a bit of time – the surgeons (Dr. Mangan and Dr. Martins) and the surgery team did a great job. They wanted Cookie to remain at the hospital for a few days – there were some concerns about swelling but, so far, it hasn’t been as bad as was expected. Now, we pray for an uneventful recovery – the sutures need to hold until they are scheduled to be removed in about 2 weeks. Cookie is eating and drinking and was happy to be visited by Katherine today. Katherine is a volunteer and student at UF.

Wow. We are all missing our Cookie. The barn just isn’t the same.

Monday, April 21st

Cookie settled back into her stall this afternoon just fine. It’s great to have her home.  I have to change her bandage tomorrow and Thursday she goes back to UF.

She’s not very comfortable having just one eye to see out of – I’m so glad they were able to save both eyes.

Tuesday, April 22nd

Cookie’s first day back at the rescue after having surgery to remove cancer from her eyes.

I said a prayer when starting to unwrap Cookie’s face this morning – I needed to clean/treat the wounds. The tape is so darn sticky.

Well, the tape came off pretty good. Cookie was a champ about it. I truly believe that horses know when you are helping them.

I cleaned up both eyes and treated them with triple antibiotic. Then applied SSD cream to the sutures and granulation tissue.

I applied a sterile bandage and then vet wrap.

Then the eye with the protective eye cup and voila! Please continue to keep Cookie in your prayers. She’s got a lot of healing to do.  Many thanks to everyone that have been praying for Cookie and to those that have donated to help with her needs.

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://www.bhfer.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bhfer.

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November 20th, 2013 Evening Update

Dr. Ryan will be back out tomorrow to examine Mollie’s eyes again and to run more blood work. Mollie is still passing sand in her poop. Her appetite is great. She didn’t get much exercise today because of the weather.

Mollie’s eyes are both cloudy. She’s pretty good about getting her eye meds, thankfully.

Donovan… isn’t he handsome?

Fiona is so sweet. She’s come so far in trust – she approaches and follows me now. Her and Dayo come running when they hear me call (likely because they know they are about to get hay) out to them. The sound of them running across the pasture is simply awesome. If all goes well, both will be at their new homes next week. This has been quite the adventure!

Betsy Rose – what a determined little mare. She was skin on bones and it’s amazing she survived. She has been nothing but determined to make it through her rehab and recovery. She is a great source of encouragement for us. She believes… This photo was taken back in July.

A lovely article about another miracle we were blessed to experience – Baby Girl.

Sincerely,

Theresa

Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Website: https://www.bhfer.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bhfer.tb

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Ambrosia 9/5 pm update – graphic pics at bottom of update

I spent the most part of today at UF with Ambrosia. She developed a thrombosis in her neck so the catheter had to be removed. The other side of her neck already had a thrombosis in it so that side can’t be used either. They have switched her over to oral antibiotics. When I got there this morning they were already in the process of flushing out the cavity (they had to remove a good part of her rib in order to get to the abscess). This will need to be done daily. She was a good girl, as always.

Dr. Stieler was off today (she deserved it!) but came in any way for the flushing of Ambrosia’s cavity and to check up on her. Everyone is so good to Ambrosia – it’s like home away from home except there she is in AC without flies!

Waiting for her to fully wake up from sedation after having the cavity flushed.

Her appetite was good and she’s drinking fine. She devoured her treats today.

Listening intently to little Billy “baaa” to everyone.

At times she looks very tired but that’s very understandable. She does have swelling in her legs – especially the back ones.

There was almost an aura about her this afternoon – the light in her eyes shines on.

Just being around Ambrosia makes you feel good. While you can see the effects that neglect has taken on her you can also see past them – you see the beauty she is both inside and outside. Her heart is full of gold. She has the right attitude and is very tolerant of what is being done to her – a huge plus to get her through this. She has another surgery coming up on the other side – possibly at the end of the week.

Please continue to keep Ambrosia in your prayers. There are still many things that can go wrong but we don’t, and won’t, dwell on them. Her care team monitors her closely. I can’t thank Dr. Stieler, Dr. MacKay, Dr. Freeman and Dr. Dymock (lead surgeon’s), Dr. Husted, Erik and all of the wonderful people at UF enough – from the minute you walk into the main office you feel welcome.

Ambrosia is in ICU and she has eyes on her 24/7. It’s comforting to know that there are many people that care about this wonderful mare that was kicked to the streets to fend for herself – neglected, sick, and all alone. But she now knows that she is loved and that she matters. We are all making a difference to Ambrosia.

Some have asked for pictures from yesterday. I’ve included a couple below but be forewarned – some may consider them graphic. One includes the rib upon removal.

Please don’t forget to share the link to Horse and Man – a very informative blog at bhfer.melissa. We have a long way to go to raise enough funds to cover her expenses. In addition to the hospital expenses there will be aftercare – medications, follow-ups at UF, etc. All donations are tax deductible and no amount is too small.

Thank you all – God bless and have a good night everyone!

Sincerely,
Theresa
Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
www.bhfer.org

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Peggy Sue Needs Surgery – 04/07/12

04/07/12

“Hi! I’m Peggy Sue! They used to call me Patty but we decided Peggy Sue suits me more and I like it. I have an injury in my left hip/pelvic area and my right stifle gets stuck. Dr. Ryan says if I go to the hospital they can do x-rays to see what is wrong with my back left that is locked up straight – I can’t bend it. And that leg is a couple of inches shorter than the left. It’s likely an old injury that can’t be fixed but they want to figure out if putting a pad or boot on that foot would help. But we need to get my right locking stifle fixed first. I get stuck sometimes and it takes me awhile to move my body to an angle that allows me to get unstuck. Mommy Theresa asked if the stifle surgery would give me a better quality of life and the vets said yes. So, we want to go for it! Would you please consider helping with the cost of the x-rays and surgery? I’m supposed to go to the hospital this coming Wednesday and have surgery on Thursday. I’m a little afraid, but much more excited!”

“Mommy Theresa says we need another $375 so I can go to the hospital for the x-rays and surgery. Would anyone like to help? I’m only 16 years old – I’d love to spend the rest of my life a little more balanced and without locking up. Thank you wonderful people!”

All donations are tax deductible. No amount is too small. Donations can be called directly into the hospital at 352-237-6151. God bless and have a wonderful weekend!

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