Thanks Megan -- you are an awesome buddy!!!
Yes -- I did get his PCV done at the holistic vets -- and it was 44-45. They ALSO took enough blood to send a CBC to Antech so we should have those results in the morning. But I asked them to do the PCV *just* so David and I would know if we had to go to Gainesville *tonight*.
All I could think was that blood had been pulled FRIDAY. Altho I hadn't *noticed* anything (and sometimes you don't with this darned disease) **what if** it had continued to fall?? Both my regular and holsitic vets told me this afternoon that if it was below 25 (i.e., continuing to "fall";) to just plain head for Gainesville so we could get the CBC done while we waited and they could get him ON DRUGS if need be right now.
Now -- in addition to the fact that there was a note next to all the thyroid tests that they thot perhaps something in the tubes had somehow tainted that bloodwork (because all 3 dogs got BIZARRE thyroid results) ... but ... apparently there is a small "note" that said they found clotted blood inside the purple cap of *Billy's* CBC vial of blood.
I also got a fax from Dr. Dodd's today that said the results had been sent out precipitously with*out* her approval and so please disregard it all.
Well, fine -- except if he *was* crashing I couldn't afford to let him worsen. So I kinda *had* to proceed and get answers tonight.
The results for the platelets, John, SAY there was "clumping" -- which means they can't count the platelets accurately.
++++++++++++All that said BUT +++++++++++++++++++
I'm not blaming anyone -- I'm going to expect the blood to be re-drawn for me (for nothing I hope) and I'm also going to expect it to be re-run for me (for nothing I hope)
If the vials were tainted somehow I'll et the vet work that out with his supplier. But I also am a tad miffed that they had this blood since FRIDAY and didn't at least email me and say "You know ... there's something funky about this" -- so I had two vet clinics in a panic about this.
Moral of story?
There always is!
Test results are NOT infallible. You always need that sanity check. You can't ever waltz off with really *good* results and ASSUME nothing is wrong when in your heart you know somethhing isn't right. NOR can you assume the worst seeing a 'bad" report.
I got a report that make me so sick to my stomach I wanted to puke ... so we slid into "what do we do now" mode -- I went to my boss and said "maybe I have to go to Gainesville but I *will* have to leave a bit early." David also made contingency plans. I wanted to fall apart but instead I forced myself to get busy and plan what I could (force? man, you guys don't even know how hard I had to force myself today *sigh*) But I knew that black pit I wanted to slide into might feel welcoming but it wasn't gonna help a thing go right.
I keep thinking -- I've seen a LOT of folks with dogs iwth IMHA -- and I've seen a LOT of vets present minor bloodwork and say "This dog must have IMHA -- don't put them thru this -- let's put him to sleep before he feels pain."
Yes - I have SEEN that happen.
1. I'm going to come out of this saying don't EVER park your brain in neutral - no matter what the results are THINK it thru. Does it make sense? Is it worth a second opinion? Particularly if it's something scarey -- we can't just jump off a cliff on one bad number.
2. I'm also going to pont out something I don't usually say.
A whole LOT of people on this board this afternoon were praying for Billy. A whole LOT of people were thinking good thots.
That energy has POWER folks. How many times to you hear people say or post "the famous I-dog Vibes!!"
I don't care what you call it -- if you are comfortable with "prayer" fine. If you are comfortable with "postive energy" fine.
But if you want to blow that off and say "no such thing" -- I'd challenge you to think it thru again. That's all. Think about it.
The words we say have power. The thoughts we have ... have power. Good or bad.
If you think because you can't pick it up and hold it that it's not for 'real' --
Nope -- all of you who have your hand on your keyboard -- or on your I-Phone or I-Pad, or Blackberry or whatever .... that electricity ... that signal ... it goes a long, long ways. It connects little electrical devices -- but it also connects hearts and hands and friendships and love.
This place is full of caring. You -- yeah YOU ... you Lurker!! YOU TOO. This is a community -- and it's a whale of a bunch of incredible folks.
Good thots? Prayers?? What BETTER answer could I have had this afternoon than "The test was wrong".
Thank you. Each and every one of you. You made a difference today.
