Friday, November 13, 2009

Maiya Update

Thank you all so very much for the prayers and good thoughts for Maiya and her family.
Her mom doesn't know what to think, and just continues to feel Maiya is a miracle.

Maiya has been off the feeding tube for nine days now, and has surprised us all. She is doing wonderful with all of her mouth feedings. She is being fed four small meals a day, and held up in the upright position for 20-30 minutes after each meal to allow gravity to help the food pass through her esophagus and make it to her stomach. As of today she has not regurgitated any of her meals, that alone is not normal. Even with the tube feedings, she would still regurgitate some.

So, Maiya continues to surprise us all. She is happy, energetic, and enjoying being able to eat and act like a normal dog.

We still have no idea what tomorrow will bring, with Megaesophagus being such a serious disease, things can change quite drastically overnight, and the care for a Mega-E dog is very individualized. Her family is taking each day they have with Maiya as a blessing.


26 comments:

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Oh! that's great news! I know Maiya and her family are enjoying this time, and that's the best any of us can do. I'll look forward to more good news, as the days pass!

Daisy said...

I am glad to hear that Maiya continues to do so well without her feeding tube!

Brenda Eason said...

AWW what a blessing. I sure know how special our babies are.

Rae said...

I missed the last post and had to go back and read her story. That is an inspirational story of love and dedication. I hope she continues to do well.

DayPhoto said...

OH! That is wonderful! What good news! And that, so far, the food is going down and staying down.

People who love animals really do have an understanding of the kindness of the world.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/

Sam said...

Sounds like great news, though I can understand why you'd try to not get TOO optimistic. I'm so glad, though, that she is enjoying her days, however many she has left - and I hope it's very very many!

Her family must be really special to do so much work for their beautiful girl. I really hope things continue to go well for all.

Phyllis said...

I am so glad to hear this. She really is an amazing dog!

Jan Mader said...

Each day is precious and so is this dog and her family...What great news!

Freya's Staff said...

I'm really excited with hope for Maiya! I hope she continues to manage without the feeding tube!

We'll all say a purrayer for Maiya.

jay said...

Oh, megasophagus! Nasty thing, is it not? I have no personal experience, but I remember following the story of a greyhound with it, and it made painful reading. In the end they constructed a special chair to put him in while he ate. The only problem was in keeping him upright for a while afterwards, because he so did not want to be in there once he'd finished his food.

I'm glad to hear Maiya is doing well! May she continue to do so! :)

Dog_geek said...

Oh, wow! What great news - a nice surprise, as I had to brace myself before opening this post! That's wonderful that she continues to do so well!

tula monstah said...

That's the way to do it Maiya! Luv good news.. keep it coming!

Wroo Wroos to ya,
tula

Jan said...

Amazing story. Did you see the you tube video where the dog greets his master who has been away at war? It made me smile. I guess it is an old video but all of a sudden has gone crazy. I think you would enjoy it.

Lisa said...

Oh! T ~ your love is so amazing to me. I am so very happy sweet Maiya is coming along and doing well.

Anya said...

Its wonderful news
:-)
Good news is good .... LOL

Have a lovely weekend :-)

♥Caroline♥ said...

great news!!! thanks for sharing.

heatherbelle said...

God bless....

Betty said...

Happy to hear Maiya is doing well; how great for her family to be able to enjoy her even more.

Hope you are finding some time for yourself.

Unknown said...

wishing all the good in the world for Maiya...
Dog shampoo
mystic-sea
Dog grooming

Peg McIntyre said...

I have checked your site periodically throughout the year to see if there might be an update on Maiya -- and have just discovered the latest. What great news. I am in their corner of course. It's wonderful that Maiya's Mom has shared about her journey so that others may learn and benefit from their experience(s).

Though I've not yet directly experienced the feeding tube scenario in one of the pups/dogs that I've cared for, I have several friends now who have. They've never regretted the decision, and all have not only shared positive experiences, but each dog who has graduated back to oral feeding has done equally well. All success stories. Please share about this fact with Maiya's Mom. Hopefully fewer will give second thought to yes/no feeding tube when their DVM or Specialist makes the recommendation for consideration.

A very short update to share since last I wrote. Several months ago now, I turned the caninemegaesophagus.org site over to a friend. I've had quite a few private requests to please bring the info back onto the web and by the time the last scenario helped me realize it was something that must be done, well... I've started working to that end. I will wish to provide a link to your excellent article here once I have the new site launched.

Wishing Maiya and her Mom continued health and success in everything life has to offer. Slurpations from my gang to yours and Maiya's. Thank you for being there for them!

Sincerely,

Peg M.

T said...

Hi Peg,
Nice to hear from you again. Very interesting isn't it! Keep checking back, I actually plan on putting together another update this week with photos. Maiya is doing beautifully and has even gained weight, and looks terrific!!

T said...

Peg, I also just added the links to both updates on Maiya's original post, so they won't be missed next time. I will be sure to add the next update on that post too.

Anonymous said...

Maysa`s story gave more tears..but happy tears. My 8 years old lhasa apso, Aloha, is going through surgery tomorrow morning:gastrostomy tube-yes, the last resort.She has been suffering by megaE for 2 years and I can`t stand anymore her pain and starvation..no matter what we do...and i can`t stand having nothing else left do. The vet is going to try that tomorrow...his first surgery like that...I`m from a small city in Brazil...the vet not even know how to diagnose her problem. They all have no idea.I did it searching on the web. Maysa and you all gave me and my family strength today to TRY ONE MORE TIME before her euthanasia. I gave maysa`s story printed to Aloha`s Vet. If you can, say I prayer for her...and for us. And God still blessing you all!

T said...

Please let me know how Aloha is doing. I am so sorry for the delay. I have been so very busy, and have not had a chance to update about Maiya. She is doing well though.

Anonymous said...

Good Night!My name is Fabiola by the way.Thanks for your atention. Aloha is no longer with us.She died the next day after the surgery.Never came back from the anestesy.Maybe she was already too weak for that procedure..maybe she just wanted to go and rest.
One week before the last surgery,I said her she could leave me if she was too tired of all that.I said her I would be fine.
Well , i wasn`t fine at all after her death, but Im glad she is not suffering anymore.
Today, april 30th, she would be 9 years old...9 years of giving me love, care, fun and happy times..I went to Church and said a prayer for her,asking God to take all her pain and hungry away.. everything I could not do for her. Also thanking Him for the bless He gave us of having such a special creature as a DOG around us!(And, of course, asking Him for another dod friend as soon as possible-once the pain Im feeling now still not bigger for sure than all the happyness Aloha gave me).
I`m super glad Maiya still doing good. Is such a special hope for all the dogs that are suffering of this horrible desease and their human families who suffer by their side. God bless Maya and all the people who give back the dogs the LOVE they give us. Love+Aloha Always! Fabiola
CriciumaCity-SantaCatarinaState-Brazil

T said...

Fabiola,
I am so very sorry of your loss. I can tell through your writing Aloha was much loved. She was blessed to have someone like you that always had her best interest at heart.

I am glad you had her for nine years, but no matter how long we have them here with us, it is never long enough. Don't ever feel guilty, you gave her a wonderful life. I am sure she is watching over you now, thanking you for all the love and happy times. Her pain is gone now. When we lose them, their pain becomes our pain.

I have lost many dogs, and it is never easy. I am still having a very difficult time getting over the loss of Jake, my German Shepherd, whom passed away, last May. I posted hi tribute, it is on my sidebar, and I still can't read it without crying.

When you are ready, the perfect new dog/puppy will come into your life. They won't be Aloha, but they will find a place in your heart, and help your heart heal.

MegaE is a devestating disease, I am happy Maiya's story gave you hope, it breaks my heart that Aloha, didn't make it, but always remember, the good times, the love you shared, and she is at peace.

I should have Maiya's update posted by next week.

Please take care.
Hugs to you, and much peace for Aloha in the Heavens.