BajaNomad

Personal Note for Those Who have Inquired.

DianaT - 4-28-2011 at 09:11 AM

Hi,
Not around her much anymore, but thought I would check in as we have had inquiries from some nomad friends about my accident and our dog’s health.

My broken nose is healing, albeit quite slowly. The doctor in Guerrero Negro and my regular doctor here did not tell me NOT to wear my glasses. I did not think it would hurt as they are very light weight. So a few weeks later when I saw the specialist, the bottom part of my nose was not attached and was not healing. So off with the glasses and on with the struggle with contacts. Three months later, I am just beginning to be able to wear the glasses, and not every day, yet.

Maggie Mae dog, the other reason we cut our last trip so short. When she had her previous surgery, the doctor warned that there was a 50% chance the second knee would go and it did. We wanted to act quickly as we had learned that the longer you wait, the longer recovery can be as the muscles start to atrophy quickly and arthritis sets in.

We decided to bite the bullet, go in debt and have the same surgeon in San Diego do the surgery. Dr. Mullen is one of the best. Then during the pre-op, Dr. Mullen discovered a tumor on one of her anal glands. So in a way, her second knee going when it did saved her life!.

So, there were two expensive surgeries at one time. The tumor, as expected, was malignant, but was caught very early. All the tests showed that it had not spread which is good. It is the type of cancer that by the time a dog shows symptoms, it is usually too late---very aggressive. Thus, just to make sure there were not some stray cells wandering around, Maggie is having Chemo---as I told Maggie Mae the other day, we expect a good return on our investment and she had better stick around for many, many years. After her chemo, we will be back in Baja; meantime we are taking a few short trips wandering around California. And, we will get the debt paid off and while some people have said they would not go that far for a dog, well, for us there was just no choice. She is recovering VERY well and is tolerating the Chemo VERY well!

Bahia Asuncion----we are looking at some plans that greatly interest us, so we are putting the current house on the market. So if anyone is interested in a beach front home with room to build more, (one could build some nice rentals) contact us at trotterjd@hotmail.com. Since we don’t check in here very often, we probably won’t put it on the forum---besides, every time someone puts a house for sale on the forum, it become free game for no end of criticism, analysis, etc.

Thank you to those who have inquired----hope you are all well.
Diana

Ken Bondy - 4-28-2011 at 09:40 AM

Thanks for the update Diane. I hope your nose heals quickly and well, and give MaggieMaedog a big hug for me :)

ELINVESTIG8R - 4-28-2011 at 09:51 AM

Diana I have noticed you were not around as usual and now I know why. I sincerely hope you and Maggie Mae make a 100% recovery. Please return to Baja Nomad more often so I can watch you and David K get into it.:lol:
I know you and I are diametrically opposite regarding our politics but I respect your views.

Take care,

David Elinvestig8r M.

wessongroup - 4-28-2011 at 09:52 AM

Best wishes, hope your feeling better soon... along with all the family... :):) Wiley

DENNIS - 4-28-2011 at 09:55 AM

WOW....I missed all this. Wondered where you'd been, Diane. Drop in and say HI when you have time.

Just wonderin'. Can you buy health insurance for dogs? If I can ever get out of here, I'm trying to figure a way to bring my Vet and Mechanic with me.

Take care of yourself, Diane. It's good to see you.

fandango - 4-28-2011 at 10:07 AM

a broken nose? ouch! did i miss a thread about your accident?

glad mm is doing welll, what a lucky girl.

take care!!!!

fdt - 4-28-2011 at 10:29 AM

I too did'nt know about your accident but I am glad you're better.
Fort Trotter for sale?
Saludos
Fernando

Cypress - 4-28-2011 at 10:41 AM

Diana T., How'd your nose get broken?:?:

Mexitron - 4-28-2011 at 10:47 AM

Sorry to hear about your travails Diane...you're missed around here. Hope your new plans bring you much joy!

Mike99km - 4-28-2011 at 11:02 AM

I have missed your photo's and post. Those folks give you poop about your puppies will ever understand and are best ignored. Wishing you safe travels and lots of tail wags.
MMc

A Broken Nose and a Furbabie With Malignant Cancer?

Gypsy Jan - 4-28-2011 at 12:55 PM

Life is sending you big challenges right now and I really wish you all the best and a successful journey.

Chemo treatments have to be a big financial burden.

May God bless you for that committment.

DianaT - 4-28-2011 at 01:16 PM

Thanks all for the nice comments. ---to answer a couple of questions.

Dennis, they do sell Doggie Health Insurance---I somewhat laughed when my sister bought some years ago----not laughing now----wish we had it!

Yes, Ferna, Fort Trotter is for sale----only so we can get involved in another project that is of interest to us. Projects for old folks keep the brain working. But no big deal if it doesn't sell.

I did post about my accident, but here is what happened. I sometimes forget that I am not as young as I used to be and try to function in the ways of yore. I was unpacking, carrying too much stuff, not paying attention, tripped, and I still don't know if I blacked out before or after my nose had a battle with the tile floor which is where John found me in a huge pool of blood. Tests have not shown any problems with my brain, other than being a little stupid and stubborn. :yes::yes:

And Mike99, you are correct. We pay no attention to those who do not understand how we feel about our pups.

Chemo is expensive, but not as expensive as it is for humans---thank goodness, and we still have our Maggie Mae and that is worth it!

willyAirstream - 4-28-2011 at 01:45 PM

So sorry to hear about your accident. I'm glad it is healing now. From your caring posts about dogs, I know you have a big heart and are showing it now with the chemo. May the future days bring you only happiness.

DianaT, Vet Insurance is Not That Great

Gypsy Jan - 4-28-2011 at 01:48 PM

We bought it for all our dogs, fulfilled all the requirements (DNA, chips, etc.), and bought premiums.

BUT, when Koa, our golden brindle Great Dane, who was insured for her full value, died suddenly after a high fever, they sent us bupkiss.

Waffling, obfuscation and corporate double-speak boiled down to the the esssence. "We were happy to take your money, but now that you have a dead dog, we have no liability based on, blah, blah, blah and you are responsible for your vet bills, don't bother us anymore."

goldhuntress - 4-28-2011 at 02:02 PM

Diana, I'm sorry for your troubles but happy your healing and wish you and Maggie Mae both a full recovery.

BajaBlanca - 4-28-2011 at 04:37 PM

ouch and sure hope you heal fast .... and in the future - please stay away from tile floors !!

once you are back in baja, come and meet us over here down more southern way !!

besst of luck with maggie mae too.

DENNIS - 4-28-2011 at 04:39 PM

Hey..Diane....you'd better stick around. No one here wants to see you go. Get that NIKON out and start showing us your stuff again......please.

BajaGringo - 4-28-2011 at 05:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Hey..Diane....you'd better stick around. No one here wants to see you go. Get that NIKON out and start showing us your stuff again......please.


Yep...

:yes:

bajamigo - 4-28-2011 at 06:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
WOW....I missed all this. Wondered where you'd been, Diane. Drop in and say HI when you have time.

Just wonderin'. Can you buy health insurance for dogs? If I can ever get out of here, I'm trying to figure a way to bring my Vet and Mechanic with me.

Take care of yourself, Diane. It's good to see you.


If you take your mechanic with you, I will hound you to the ends of the earth!

DENNIS - 4-28-2011 at 06:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajamigo
If you take your mechanic with you, I will hound you to the ends of the earth!


I'll have him make instructional videos and sell them to all left behind.

DENNIS - 4-28-2011 at 06:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Hey..Diane....you'd better stick around. No one here wants to see you go. Get that NIKON out and start showing us your stuff again......please.


Yep...

:yes:


I meant her pictures. :lol:

Marc - 4-28-2011 at 06:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
We bought it for all our dogs, fulfilled all the requirements (DNA, chips, etc.), and bought premiums.

BUT, when Koa, our golden brindle Great Dane, who was insured for her full value, died suddenly after a high fever, they sent us bupkiss.

Waffling, obfuscation and corporate double-speak boiled down to the the esssence. "We were happy to take your money, but now that you have a dead dog, we have no liability based on, blah, blah, blah and you are responsible for your vet bills, don't bother us anymore."


Ditto: The premiums are way out of line for what they will pay for , which is not much. I just kicked for $1.800 for a knee operation for my pooch. A very long rehab is now underway.

DENNIS - 4-28-2011 at 06:29 PM

Well...so much for insurance. I'll just pile my dog in the car and take her south if it ever comes to that.
My local Vet just shakes his head and says, "The vets up there are sooo greedy."
No sht.

mcfez - 4-28-2011 at 07:38 PM

DianaT ....good that you are well. And the pup! I personally have no limits on the cost of keeping my 5 dogs healthy. Hell...they are my kids!

FYI anyone....UC Davis takes in pets for cost only. Most of the time. Check your local University if they have a Vet Education Department ......

Neal Johns - 4-28-2011 at 08:45 PM

Good on ya for taking care of an important member of your family.
Our Huskies seem to go when it's too late for treatment; usually from cancer cancer.
Me? I'm still here at 80 after 20 years of cancer, go figure!

Pompano - 4-29-2011 at 07:27 AM

Kudos to you, Diane. Every pet should have an owner who cares as much about them.

My late, great lab, Gypsy developed cancer, but fought a great fight with the help of an good Fargo vet, good meds, and some promises from me to take her on another duck hunt.

She was 8 then, and lived to 14. Dogs..what would we do without them?

lingililingili - 4-29-2011 at 07:29 AM

Diana, I am so happy to hear that both you and Maggie are recuperating nicely. Just the word "chemo" makes me cringe, I know that if Maggie could speak she would say "ruff, can't wait til this is over", "ruff, I hate this", "ruff, don't like food", "ruff, just let me stay in bed forever".

Hugs for both of you.

DianaT - 4-30-2011 at 04:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lingililingili
Diana, I am so happy to hear that both you and Maggie are recuperating nicely. Just the word "chemo" makes me cringe, I know that if Maggie could speak she would say "ruff, can't wait til this is over", "ruff, I hate this", "ruff, don't like food", "ruff, just let me stay in bed forever".

Hugs for both of you.


I well imagine that the word chemo makes you cringe, and I wouldn't be surprised if it made you run and hide! So happy you are healthy!

Fortunately for Maggie, chemo with a dog usually has far fewer side effects. The dose is so much smaller for a dog. The day after the treatment, she is not well at all, but we think a part of that is also the stress of having the treatment---it is real difficult to explain to her that what is happening is for her own good. Her white cell count has not dropped enough to make her really ill, except she did develop a liver infection which was cured with monster pills.

When you get back to BA, I will have Maggie tell you all about her experience. ;)

Pompano, ok, we will look for 14 and beyond!

And again, thank you everyone!

[Edited on 5-1-2011 by DianaT]

Bajahowodd - 4-30-2011 at 04:38 PM

Hey, D. Life is littered with pot holes. You already know that.

Just feel that this forum would be the worse for your absence.