Cali update; Sunday

Last night, the veterinarian surgeon called and said that Cali had gone into respiratory distress, and had to have thoracentesis performed, that is, needle drainage of the pleural space.  The labs on the fluid indicated huge quantities of protein.  She was transfused with protein and albumin, in an attempt to hold the liquid part of the blood in the vascular spaces.  Dr. Vornock suggested we visit at 0800 today to make a decision.  I cried a lot and slept poorly.

When Emily, Garrett and I arrived at the OSU hospital, we were told that Cali had rejected her transfusion, and was in respiratory distress again.  She has also begun vomiting again.  She said that she has been placed on broad spectrum antibiotics 'in hopes'.  The vet admitted that she is in 'uncharted territory'.  Studies indicate that post-op day 5 is the peak of complications in biliary surgery, and this is it.  She said that we could assess her during our visit to see if we think she is ready to quit fighting.  With heavy heart and hollow stomach, I went into the ICU.

Cali was sitting with her back to the cage front, enclosed in an oxygen environment.  When she heard my voice, she turned around, tried to walk to me and get out , and wagged her tail and licked my hands.  I put my face near the round port and she licked my face with her dry, pale pink little tongue.  The vet and students laughed and celebrated.  They were so impressed with her enthusiasm.  We took turns loving on her, but she looked past everyone else and gave me constant, direct eye contact. Finally, she leaned against me  and eventually fell asleep contentedly curled under my hand with her head on my hand.

She told me she is not done yet.  She said she wants to get this behind her and come home.  The kids and I concurred; she lives to fight on.  The drive home was better than the drive up.