Mummy's Bionic Boy ............ Murphy is on the mend!

[Delia Bryce]

Firstly let me thank everyone for their support over the last month and I now have an update on my previous blog ..... http://irishsetters.ning.com/profiles/blog/list?user=13rtw8qy2wx6f

So much has happened since I last wrote about Murphy ...... There have been very worrying times but we hope and pray those are behind my beautiful boy ....... The clinical evidence also backs it up!

I think my last blog ends around the time Murphy was discharged from Glasgow .......

Murphy was discharged as you may recall on a very high dose steroid ..... and when he came home it soon became clear to us all (both vet teams) that Murphy was having horrible side effects and very quickly too ..... He was sleeping apart from eating and doing the loo so he the dose was reduced safely as we had to be mindful of the meningitis too but he was loosing weight this was likely down to the severe myopathy causing muscle wastage ..... This is a reversible effect but was very distrubing and not good for my boy.... It was a safe decision and good clinical judgement was made ......

What happened next wasnt so good ....... Two days after the steriod reduction I had to take him to the vet at night .... he was in obvious pain but after a morphine injection and as his temp was ok and he seemed to perk up we decided rather than leave him it was best he came home for the night ..... With an early appointment next day ...... Next morning the vet carried my boy into the surgery (he couldnt walk and I was useless) he had breathing issues (at this point we thought down to extreme distress and his steroids) and a temp of 41.9 ..... I was as you can imagine thinking the worst but later that morning the vet called me to say he was comfortable and I knew he was causing them a lot of concern....... As the day went on his temp began to rise but later in the day the vet called me to say phew he is comfortable again and I think his words were something like its more than he had thought he could achieve ....... Next day I went to visit and we took him out for a walk me on holding the lead and him holding his line up..... Murph was now on two broad range antibotics but no diagnosis yet ....... I got him home on the sunday still weak but much better with tests the next day ......

The next day came and this is a bit blurry ...... Murphy seemed great in the surgery when I took him in and left him .... But later in the day I got a call ... His chest x ray had been emailed to Glasgow to compare against one they had taken and it wasnt good he had a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) and he should be taken to Glasgow immediately ..... reason for this was they had more diagnostic equipment a CT scanner ....... Murphy had a chest tap and a litre of air was removed ..... they kept him in for observation as he wasnt too well and they wanted to hold back on the general anaesthetic as it wouldnt come without risk due to medication and the lung...... We decided to reduce steriods a bit more to make it safer ..... But on checking with another x ray even more air had built up ..... No choice they had to investigate ..... They spoke to me about how his age 17mths and his health and body before this was excellent with a shiny coat and great muscle stucture...... I took that as code for this is dangerous .... But I said you must try as leaving him or making a decision without a diagnosis was something I couldnt do ..... I should stress that during all this time Murphy was kept very comfortable and was extremly well cared for and our local vet was looking after me making sure I understood it all..........

Next afternoon as my darling boy was wakening the surgeon called me ........ Murphy is going to be just perfect she said he has had one lung lobe removed and early thoughts are that the abscess on his lung caused all his problems ...... what I mean is that shot his immune system to bits causing the meningitis and spikes in temp ........

 He has came home now and is doing really well ..... he has steroids and the symptoms but we plan to reduce next week ..... during surgery they had to break his chest bone it is wired up (my bionic boy)....... and a huge wound as they also removed a stone from his tummy too! Oh and a new wardrope! But you will see from his eyes my boy is looking so much better ...... All we all can say is thanks and that we love him soooooooooo much!

In my head and I am likely right my boys life was saved 3 times in that week, 4 times in total by the wonderful teams, Murphy was very worrying and difficult to reach a diagnosis with ........ But he will be one and a half in a few weeks and I think he deserves a celebration dont you?

Murphy (aka Mummy's Boy) two days after surgery ............

 

He still has his chest drain in here but is up and about doing well.......

 

 

My brave boy with his Daddy ........

 

 

First evening home ....... Murphy's red outfit !

 

 

And finally for now look who now has a bed next to the fridge!

 

 

Thanks for reading and Murphy is really doing well .......... a few issues around the meningitis to be aware of and once the steroids go and the chest bone heals he will have no impact of the surgery and recover fully.................... pathology is back on the tissue and abscess was called by a foreign body ..... no further worries on that !

[Elizabeth Ball]

Delia, I am so pleased that you have had a great outcome after what must have been such a traumatic time for you all.  Murphy looks such a sweet boy and so pleased to be home (next to the fridge no less- he'll be getting ideas you know!)  Brilliant that you have such good Vets too.

 

[Cornelia]

What a brave boy, Delia!! He looks comfi now on his new bed and with his coat:-)). I'm glad that the real cause for all his trouble were found and wish him a full and speedy recovery. He sure gets a lot of love to bring him up and about again!! Quieter times ahead now for all of you, I hope!

[Lois McCullough]

Delia, I can only imagine how much you your family and Murphy have gone through just so pleased he is on the mend and hope you will all have easier times over the next few years.

[Corinne Wakefield]

Delia you story and photos has made me cry with sadness and joy........ I hope Murphy makes a full recovery - you are wonderful caring "parents" - what a brave boy he is - and you. Thanks for sharing..

[Catherine Carter]

I send lots and lots of best wishes. I am so glad you found out what caused the meningitis. Give him a hug from me and lots of licks from my reds!

[Chantal McIlveen-Wright]

It seems you had it all Delia, nothing could be added to your and Murphy misery... fortunately, and what a relief, you are telling us the ending we were wishing so hard ... Murphy is on the mend!!!!  He looks absolutely adorable with his coat on, your bionic boy is definitly very handsome. I really feel very sorry for you Delia, what an horrible time you went through... thanks for letting us know and we are all waiting to see pictures of Murphy running and jumping and playing and being a very happy boy for the greatest pleasure of his fabulous "mum". Big hug to you Delia and plenty of cuddles to Murphy from me  :-)

[martina mckeag]

Delia im so happy that every thing turned out well for your lovely boy

he looks nice in his red coat it must have been a very hard time for you all as Chantal said cant wait to

see photos of him running about again

all the best and hugs to Murphy

[Carmel Murphy]

My goodness;o) What a story!!!! Poor, brave Murphy! What a lot to go through at such a young age! What wonderful vets you have;o)) Delighted he is on the road to recovery and, boy, you all deserve huge celebrations;o))))

[Delia Bryce]

Ladies thanks..... I guess the initial reason I posted a blog was god forbid if you ever encountered SRMA then whilst its a shock you would know its not a complete disaster .....  Murphy has shown himself to be such a brave boy who seems to sense that we all just want to help him, I change the dressing where his chest drain was and he doesnt flinch (ok I make sure he knows there's a treat coming) ...... He has strong pain relief thank god but after I wrote this he began some Murphy speak to me .... I still cry lots but when he spoke to me I cried happy tears this confused him as he did the moving his head to the side thing he does ... All this is huge progress! I dont want to upset anyone and I considered if I should post this but again I wanted to share all this not cause it happened to us but should it happen or you hear of such horrid things you can say oh I remember when Murphy had that and he is great now ........ Yes will be more pics of my boy as his coat comes in and then him but maybe next one will be of his rather fetching new barbour coat bought by my best friend for him .........He is a very loved and lucky boy ................  

[Tania ..danwish-irishsetters]

Bless him ,, I look forward to seeing the pictures of him running around when he has fully recovered . He has been through such a lot as have you. He deserves only good things now . He is lucky to have a family that loves and cares for him so much . You also seem to have a terrific vet . I bet he is spoiled every day !!