Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm sure things are hectic for you right now, but once you have a minute to breath we'd sure like to hear how Lexie is doing after her surgery. Hope she is setting recovery records.
CM

Hi guys--- Thank you so much for all your prayers and support!! It has helped more than I can possibly explain!!

the surgery went well--- The tumor was removed completely. They did NOT have to remove her jaw bone and teeth- which is a GREAT thing!! (means she won't be toof-less till she's 12)

She will have to have at least one more reconstructive surgery sometime next year. The tumor was pushing her eye out, now its going to be sunk in too far (after the swelling goes down)-- the plastic surgeon will have to do some more work on the eyesocket.

The tumor itself is still unidentified.... It has been previously labeled Neuroblastoma of some kind, Ganglioglioma of some kind, and now they are thinking teratoma (sp?)--- the tumor had teeth, skin, and hair inside of it. It was NOT a twin though. The Dr. said that she is missing a few teeth from the back of her mouth, that match the ones found in the tumor, the skin and hair is explainable as well. They have several specimine cups full of tumor, and they are sending it to Pathology at Children's hospital as well as several other facilities across the US hoping for a definate name or ID... maybe something completely new too....

The only concerns they have is that the nerves of her eye were basically laying or draped/pulled up and over the tumor, so there could have been some damage done in the removal of the tumor. The Opthalmologist will be in to look at her tomarrow or thursday. They have forced her lids open a few times today to see if they can tell anything- but she gets so mad that its hard to tell anything except that she's mad.... Her tear duct is the other issue. Dr. said that when they pulled the tumor out, the duct immediatly started basically pouring like a faucet and is still dripping- like she's crying but she not crying. They don't know if it was just compressed before, and now that the pressure is gone, its just draining or if it is blown out and will need surgery again for that.... will have to wait and see....

We will have some hearing tests done in a few weeks as well to see how it has affected her hearing.

Neurosurgery came in today and was VERY pleased to see her sitting up and communicating-- its a good sign that no damage was done by opening her head up.

Today, she is sitting up, drinking juice, playing with the juice box, still pretty crabby (of course) just sits and pouts at my dad when he holds her. She can only open the left eye, the right side (tumor side) is swollen shut... and pretty grey looking. Dr. said she will be very bruised, black and purple for a few weeks. she is on steroid injections to help with the swelling. She came off the morphine today but is still on heavy tylenol doseages (way less drugs than when a woman gets a face lift- so she's a trooper!!!) They are hoping she will be able to eat solid foods tomarrow afternoon....

Here are some pics from right after surgery-- THEY ARE GRAPHIC---

The first is the night before surgery so you can see what I'm talking about.... and there's one of her holding snap-bead toys-- she calls it a snake ... We were at grandpa's house the nite before since he lives in OKC and we live in Tulsa--- we were avoiding a 2 1/2 hour drive the morning of surgery....

One, where you are seeing the back of her head-- behind her ear you can see where they did a zig-zag cut, up and over her head to the other side.
I wasn't able to get any good pictures of her face- I didn't want the flash to scare her while she was still trying to wake up- she twitched a little with the shots of the back of her head so I didn't push my luck. I will get some face-shots tomarrow and get them up asap....

Again-- thanks for all your support!! It has helped a lot and will keep us going thru the recovery process!
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Until there are none, Rescue One! Get ready to welcome the new and improved Oklahoma Animal Rescue Group -- Just a few weeks away from getting our 501c3 status!!!!!

She is a doll! Thanks for the update - looks like it went better than expected?

We will keep her in our prayers...

Jennifer

Good to hear that it went well. She will definately be kept in out prayers. Hopefully the recovery and any future procedures go well. Take care.

Beth! That is great news and Lexie is beautiful. P.O'd is a good sign. : ).
Take care and keep up the great work!
Toni

A big congrats on the success of the operation!
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

Glad to hear she made it through the surgery ok. Our prayers go out to you guys!

Jared
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~ ASK ME ABOUT MY BALLS ~

God bless you and your perfect little girl. So glad to hear things are coming along!!

What a cutie! Glad things are progressing well. Hopefully, one day she'll look back and say "I don't remember a thing".
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

I am so glad to hear that she is doing so well.

She is a beautiful girl.
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www.HeathersHerps.com
READ MY BLOG!!!
-Ohh, what a Lady-
Balls for Life, Baby!

God bless her Beth, she is a sweet heart!

My love goes out to you lexie and your family and I will pray that lexie gets better real soon.
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C-Rodriguez Reptiles

Great to hear the update, and she is absolutley precious. My thoughts and prayers are with her. I know the feeling of having a child go through major surgery. It is helpless and horrible, and you would take that surgery for them. It is amazing how children heal and have a positive attitude.

Keep your head up, and enjoy what you have. Thanks for the update. Again, thoughts are prayers go to you and your family.

Jeremy Stone

Thanks for the update Beth.
I will continue praying for her rapid and complete recovery and thank God for what He has already done.
CM

Thanks for the update Beth. Lexie is one cute little girl. I am so happy for you that it went well and the prognosis is good.
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Alice Cobb
Florida Reptile Room

Wishing you and yours the very best
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Jeff Benfer
1.0 cinnamon pastel Python regius
1.1 pastel Python regius
1.1 mojave Python regius
0.3 normal Python regius
1.3 Terrapene carolina thriunguis
2.3 Terrapene carolina carolina
4.1 Kinosternon baurii
1.1 Malaclemys terrapin terrapin
2.2 double het albino and anerythristicThamnophis sirtalis parietalis
1.0 anerythristic Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
2.3 Iowa snow Thamnophis radix
0.2 het Christmas albino Thamnophis radix
1.1 double het cherry erythristic, albino Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
1.1 melanistic Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
2.0 66% het snow Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
1.1 triple heterozygous for amelanistic,carmel, and stripe Pantherophis guttatus
0.1 anerythristic motley Pantherophis guttatus
0.1 butter p.h. stripe Pantherophis guttatus
0.1 carmel stripe p.h. amel Pantherophis guttatus
0.1 amelanistic p.h. carmel,stripe Pantherophis guttatus

and your family and know that we are praying for you all.

She's melting our hearts.

Brian
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Brian Gundy

www.for-goodness-snakes.com

So glad to hear she is recovering well. Our prayers are with you here as well.
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This is courage.. to bear unflinching what heaven sends. -unknown

0.2 chocolate lab Harley and basset Capone
1.0 leopard gecko (Nacho)

God was with her! I am happy for her and everyone that it went well. My heart goes out to her and I am so sorry she has to go thru all of this! God Bless all of you!!
Debbie

This is wonderful news.

I've been checking for updates daily.

My thoughts and prayers have been with you and your family.

Sincerely,
Gary Schiavino

What a beautiful resilient little girl. How lucky she is to have such strong parents... I know it had to just about kill you to have your child go through something like that. I bet you'd have taken her place in a heartbeat if you could.
I'm glad to hear it went well, and will keep you all my thoughts.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
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"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"
COLD BLOOD.........WARM HEART

Oh Beth! I'd been on eggshells waiting to hear.. SO GLAD everything is going well; she is a beautiful little girl. Here's to a speedy recovery and good news from pathology.

-Tami*