First received Saturday, August 13, 2022
For Veronique, a guide dog in Berkeley, California who has had explosive diarrhea since Wednesday, and for her person, Jan.
Update Thursday, August 18, 2022
After some detective work and putting Veronique on a bland diet with probiotics, the guide dog school discovered that her dog food formulation had been changed by the manufacturer without any notice. She had just started on a new bag when the diarrhea began, so that is probably the problem.
First received Wednesday, February 9, 2022
For Wendy W. in Boardman, Ohio who will have reconstructive surgery on her back on February 10.
Update Thursday, August 18, 2022
Wendy will have another surgery on her neck and spine.
First received Tuesday, August 9, 2022
For David M. in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil who is in intensive care with complications from an intestinal infection.
Update Sunday, August 14, 2022
David is still in the ICU for treatment of abdominal inflammation and related complications. Support also for his partner Glenn and their two children.
First received Saturday, July 23, 2022
For Oskar B. in München, Germany who is recovering from coronavirus...[July 31] Oskar is recovering well and is scheduled for bypass surgery on August 3...[August 4] The surgery went well though it lasted longer than expected. Oskar is in intensive care recovering from double-bypass surgery...[August 10] Oskar is out of intensive care and feeling much better.
Update Friday, August 12, 2022
Oskar is home for the weekend and will begin rehabilitation at a clinic in Seeshaupt on Monday.
First received Thursday, August 4, 2022
For E.B.M. in Fairhope, Alabama with an chronic intestinal illness.
Update Tuesday, August 9, 2022
He received a diagnosis for his illness and is responding well to new medications and dietary changes.
First received Wednesday, April 27, 2022
For Marcia W. in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma who will have tests May 19 to decide between angioplasty and open-heart surgery to replace an aortic heart valve...[May 11] Marcia's tests will be done tomorrow...[May 12] The valve replacement surgery will be done through the femoral artery on June 13....[May 13] Support is requested for Marcia's surgery on June 13 and for her surgeons....[June 13] While getting ready to go for heart surgery, Marcia fell and broke her right hip as well as bones in her pelvis.,,,[June 18] Marcia is in the hospital with three pelvic breaks. The plan is for her to move to a rehab center today...[June 21] Marcia is sick today. Her doctor has cancer and cannot take care of her anymore, so the doctors in the rehab center will be stepping in....[June 25] The pills Marcia was taking for pain caused bowel problems, and the site of the surgery is very sore when moving her body....[June 29] Marcia went to have surgical staples removed and was not given enough pain medication. She is now back in rehab but not getting much help...[July 5] Marcia now has coronavirus...[July 7] Marcia is receiving breathing treatments as her coronavirus symptoms are worse...[July 10] Marcia will be soon begin physical therapy. She continues to have a severe cough....[July 13] Marcia's coronavirus has not abated. She is now breathing through clogged mucus....[July 18] Marcia will be having a discussion tomorrow with her physician and physical therapists about an AFO drop foot brace for her left leg...[July 30] Marcia has had pneumonia for six weeks. and with her broken pelvis still can't put weight on one leg. However, she is going home on Wednesday with home health visits scheduled.
Update Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Marcia needs physical therapy to support her return to assisted living. The physical therapists who were really helping her were taken off her case and the replacements are not as supportive.
First received Saturday, July 30, 2022
For Laura S. in Parker, Colorado who went to the hospital yesterday with a kidney stone...[July 31] Laura had emergency surgery and was moved to intensive care.
Update Friday, August 5, 2022
A scan shows there are no more stones and the stent will be removed today. Laura will remain in the hospital until Sunday to complete a full course of IV antibiotics. She has slight discomfort, no real pain.
First received Sunday, February 27, 2022
For 51-year-old Jeremy R. in Clearwater, Florida who has elevated PSA levels and will be screened for cancer, and for his wife Meg...[July 20] Jeremy was diagnosed with early-onset prostate cancer. He will be scheduled for a biopsy.
Update Friday, August 5, 2022
The biopsy showed a suspicious spot in his pelvic area. A second biopsy is scheduled for August 16.
First received Sunday, December 27, 2020
For Joanne B. in Etna, Pennsylvania who is starting chemotherapy for stage four breast cancer.
Update Friday, August 5, 2022
Joanne was doing well after a double mastectomy. She began having severe headaches. A malignant mass was found in the cerebellum. A craniotomy is scheduled for today in Pittsburgh. Support also for her daughter Alicia.
First received Saturday, July 23, 2022
For Boris G. of Caracas, Venezuela who is visiting Germany and will have heart-valve replacement surgery; and for his wife, Karin.
Update Tuesday, August 2, 2022
The surgery went well. They are now looking for a place for him to recover.
First received Monday, August 1, 2022
For Ellie, a dog in Fairhope, Alabama with an ear infection and vertigo, and for her human, Lily.
Update Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Ellie made her transition last night.
First received Monday, July 25, 2022
For Bob, a mature dog in Piermont, New York who is suddenly having trouble walking; and for his human, Sammi...[July 30] Bob made his transition this afternoon while he and Sammi were napping together.
Update Monday, August 1, 2022
Sammi is grieving the loss of Bob.
First received Friday, July 15, 2022
For L.C. and C.C. in Tampa, Florida who are at home with coronavirus.
Update Sunday, July 31, 2022
After three weeks in isolation, L.C. and C.C. have returned to work. They have not regained their stamina and continue to deal with asthma.
First received Saturday, July 23, 2022
For Roland B. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with coronavirus...[July 26] Roland is feeling much better on his fifth day with coronavirus. Yesterday evening his wife and caretaker tested positive for coronavirus. Coughing is making it difficult to rest well.
Update Sunday, July 31, 2022
Roland and his wife are feeling much better.
First received Sunday, July 24, 2022
For Ruth W. in Coventry, Connecticut who is traveling to arrange a memorial service for her husband.
Update Saturday, July 30, 2022
Now Ruth has coronavirus.
First received Saturday, July 2, 2022
For Marilyn W. in Edmond, Oklahoma who will have surgery on her sphincter on July 7.
Update Saturday, July 30, 2022
Marilyn is still healing after her surgery.
First received Sunday, May 15, 2022
For Neil K. in Joshua Tree, California who has become angry and uncooperative while being weaned off of medications.... [May 27] Neil has PTSD and continues to struggle with activities of daily living.
Update Saturday, July 30, 2022
Neil is also not drinking enough water.
First received Thursday, November 11, 2021
For Leta S.-M. in Windsor, Canada who will be a surrogate for Monique and Brandon B. and will have the embryo transfered tomorrow...[November 25] Tomorrow morning Leta has a follow-up appointment to determine if the embryo transfer was successful...[November 27] Leta’s pregnancy has been confirmed. She will be closely monitored for twelve weeks...[December 19] Leta is having an eight-week ultrasound to assess the status of the IVF transfer embryo...[December 29] The ultrasound showed that the fetus is about the size of a raspberry and is doing well...[January 3] Leta has been diagnosed with coronavirus and is not doing well...[January 29] Leta has had a placenta bleed. An ultrasound will be done tomorrow to assess the pregnancy....[January 31] The ultrasound showed a vascular bleed which is slowly absorbing: no clot has formed.
Update Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Leta gave birth prematurely at 36 weeks to Beau. Beau is very lethargic, not gaining weight, and has low blood sugar, jaundice, temperature issues.
First received Thursday, March 10, 2022
For Monique B. in Belle River, Ontario, Canada who is having ultrasounds Thursday to assess for blood clots behind both knees....[March 15] Monique is having a barium swallow and tests for eosinophilia esophagitis or peptic ulcers. She is unable to eat, with nausea and a burning stomach.
Update Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Monique still does not have an answer to her gastrointestinal problems. She has lost forty pounds and now is also caring for her premature newborn, Beau.
First received Sunday, July 10, 2022
For 91-year-old Ruth Y. in Kalama, Washington who was admitted to hospice today, and for her family.
Update Thursday, July 21, 2022
Ruth made a peaceful transition on July 20.
First received Friday, April 29, 2022
For Star, an eleven-year-old Thai cat in St. Petersburg, Florida who will have a breast tumor removed on May 11.... [May 11] Star's chest X-ray was inconclusive as to whether cancer has spread to her lungs, so her vet went ahead with removing the tumor and sent it for analysis. Star will now have about ten days of recovery and a follow-up chest X-ray in a couple of months. She has no symptoms of illness or lung problems....[May 25] Star's biopsy results came back: the cancer was a Stage 3 (of 3) mammary carcinoma with vascular involvement. The margins of the tissue removed were clean, so she will be checked for additional tumors on a regular basis and get another chest X-ray in three months to see whether the cancer is spreading in her lungs.
Update Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Star already has seven new tumors of various sizes in her breast tissue. She still has no other symptoms. The vet said this kind of cancer in cats is typically very aggressive and there is nothing more Western medicine can usefully do. Her caretaker and companion cats will enjoy being with her as long as she has her happy kitty life.