[nagdu] Destiny's status

Tue Jul 17 16:26:10 UTC 2012

Hi Janice,
Good luck to you and Destiny. I hope she doesn't have to retire and that 
medication can keep her stable. It's hard to make the decision and fit 
retraining around school and life.

Martha

On 7/14/2012 8:25 AM, Janice Toothman wrote:
> Hi Marsha and everyone,
> I spoke with Destiny's internist and he recommended that I have 
> Destiny evaluated by a neurologist.  Although I know that this can get 
> expensive, for my peace of mind I would like a better understanding 
> of  Destiny's diagnosis of epilepsy.I have an appointment with a 
> neurologist for next Thursday, July 19.  Destiny will not be a happy 
> camper when she arrives for her 11 AM appointment, because she would 
> not have had anything to eat after midnight on Wednesday in case they 
> do any blood work or procedures.
> Janice
> On 7/13/2012 10:14 PM, Marsha Drenth wrote:
>> Janice,
>>
>> I hope by now Destiny is feeling better. It would be hard for me to 
>> decide
>> on whether or not to retire. If she is going to have more seizures, your
>> safety might be at risk. But if it was one seizure, then I would not 
>> retire.
>> I am sort of in the same boat, I thought that Emma was going to be 
>> with me
>> until I graduated from Temple. But it looks like she won't. and just 
>> like
>> you with school, I don't have a lot of time to go to do training. But 
>> I have
>> faith that all will work out with you and Destiny, just like with me.
>>
>> Hang in there, and keep us updated!
>> Marsha
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf
>> Of Janice Toothman
>> Sent: Friday, July 13, 2012 1:53 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: [nagdu] Destiny's status
>>
>> Hello all,
>>
>> Some of you might know about Destiny having a major seizure during the
>> NFB convention at Dallas, if you attended the NAGDU meeting on Monday.
>> Marion was able to get me in touch with the GDF trainer at the
>> convention, who was able to go with me to an emergency clinic on Sunday,
>> July1. The ER vet didn't have know of an immediate cause of Destiny's
>> seizure. He spoke with the director of veterinarian services at GDF and
>> they agreed that Destiny was in no immediate danger. They reasoned it
>> was safe  to postpone the usual blood work associated with seizures
>> until I returned home and the cost to perform the blood work would be
>> cheaper than in an ER clinic.
>>
>> Earlier in the week, Destiny saw the vet at our regular clinic and the
>> blood work was performed. Those tests revealed a somewhat low T-4 value
>> which might be associated with low thyroid. The vet called to ask me if
>> I wanted to have an additional test done that was more reliable
>> indicator of hypothyroidism. I agreed, If the thyroid condition was what
>> precipitated the seizure,this is a treatable condition that shouldn't
>> not significantly affect her guide work and if properly managed
>> shouldn't prompt a seizure. The $70.00 thyroid test was negative.
>>
>> At this point, I received a call from GDF from one of the veterinarian's
>> to call her about Destiny's diagnosis of epilepsy. Unfortunately, when I
>> tried to call GDF back, the veterinarian had left for the week Later
>> that evening my regular veterinarian had told me of the negative blood
>> test. She also discussed her talk with the vet from GDF. The GDF vet had
>> mentioned that they usually retire dogs with epilepsy even if they are
>> on medication due to the issue of safety and the risk that the dog might
>> have a seizure while crossing the street.
>>
>> I have left messages on the veterinarian's and a vet tech voice mail to
>> call me. The former I know will not be in until Monday. It has been such
>> a shock to hear the discussion of retirement for Destiny. I had planned
>> for 6 more years. I am in my last year of classes then internship. Her
>> guide work is wonderful. The GDF trainer commented to me about her work
>> and how well she was doing before the seizures. I don't know what to do.
>> I feel in limbo until I talk to the vet at GDF on Monday. But living
>> with my aging parents I am not sure if they will want two dogs in the
>> house. This has made it difficult for me to do all the other things I
>> have to do.
>>
>> I just wanted to let people know how Destiny was if people were
>> interested. She is somewhat more low energy than before but otherwise
>> every thing else is normal.
>> Janice and Destiny
>>
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