Bridget’s Second Chance
Fundraising campaign by
Colleen Mackey
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€800.00raised of €3,800.00 goal goal
No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities
Campaign Story
Friends:
(This is an updated campaign description)
As most of you know, Bridget - my Korean Jindo dog - and I have been companions since October 2007 when I adopted her from Mrs Jun’s shelter in Daejeon. She was recently diagnosed with, then operated onfor a brain tumour called a meningioma. Following surgery June 16th: complications. She had pressures sores from before the surgery, a bladder infection, likely from the catheter, then vestibular syndrome (lack of balance, head tilt, circling), and sudden deafness. She apparently developed pneumocephalus. I spent more than $3000.00 USD to this point, the last of my savings.
Bridget needed a second opinion and MRI on the mainland so we could know what's going on, and what our options are. I'd do anything for Bridget, which is why I'm asking for help.
She had seizures so we had to leave for Barcelona and arrived at the clinic Thursday night. The MRI on Friday showed signs of meningitis. They also did a puncture for CSF. Now we are waiting for the results of the cultures. (July 27 - Please see update. It is MDR klebsiella pneumoniae. We hope to start amikacin.)
A bit about costs and currency (since many of you don't use euros often). $1111USD =1000 euros. In Korean won, 1.26 million is equal to 1000 euros. So, for example, a donation of 50 euros would cost approximately $55USD and 63,000 won, respectively.
It is usually senior dogs that get meningiomas. Disease-free survival time varies, but a range of 7 to 30 months has been reported in studies. Individual dogs have lived longer than 30 months. No guarantees, of course, but for Bridget, at 10-and-a-half, that means she has a shot at living close to the normal lifespan for a Jindo dog.
After being downsized from my Mideast job a year ago, I have been taking courses and doing the occasional small freelance job. That's not really by choice. I have applied for dozens of jobs this year with no result. I did have enough savings to pay for Bridget’s MRI, treatments, surgery, prescriptions and hospitalizations after surgery, approximately 3000 euros, but now I’m tapped out. Unfortunately that happened before we got clarity and credible options. But a better outcome for Bridget is possible. The MRI this campaign has funded has already shown that.
I value my privacy, and I consider Bridget to be my responsibility. But we often say to ourselves “I’d do anything for my dog.” Well, this is the anything. Bridget needs care that I can’t afford, so I’m asking my friends for assistance.
Current status, July 27th - the pneumocephalus resolved, and ultrasounds did not show any source of infection internally except for the urinary tract infection. We hope to treat that with IV then injectable amikacin. Current charges at the clinic are about 1600 euros, not counting the MRI. We can expect another 400 euros or so before she can be released if all goes well.
You’ll be kept updated on results and expenses as they come in. (Occasionally I'll have issues with wifi so there will sometimes be hours of silence...)
Just give anything you feel comfortable giving. I’ll appreciate it forever. I’ll pay it forward when I can. Bridget deserves a second shot at recovery.
If you have questions or concerns, let me know. I'm happy to respond.
Organizer
- Colleen Mackey
- Campaign Owner
Donors
- Sean Watts
- Donated on Jul 27, 2016
- Anita Berghmans
- Donated on Jul 24, 2016
To get her back on her feet! We hope Bridget will recover soon and all of this will just be a bad nightmarein the past.lots of hugs for bridget and you from Marcel and Anita
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jul 23, 2016
Because she means so much to you. X
We expect to be heading back to Palma tonight
Update posted by Colleen Mackey at 10:49 amTonight we hope to take a night ferry back to Palma. Unfortunately couldn't book with the company that had been so helpful on the way here. (So a little nervous.) Thanks to all of you for helping make this possible. We know more about Bridget's neurological status because of the. . . . .
Thanks to Bridget's Auntie Anita and Uncle Marcel
Update posted by Colleen Mackey at 07:35 pmThanks to both of you for your kindness.I hope Bridget can preside over your backyard again some time in the future.
Result of urine culture in - it is multi-drug resistant
Update posted by Colleen Mackey at 05:50 pmThe results of the culture are in. While it is not good news, there is a narrow path forward. The culture came back positive for multi-drug resistant klebsiella pneumoniae. Essentially the same result as from the Palma lab, but with two important differences. Unfortunately the infection is resistant to Imepenem. . . . .
Thanks!/Still waiting for results of culture/Neuro opinions
Update posted by Colleen Mackey at 03:10 pmThanks, everyone, for your generous donations, including Sean, the latest donor. I really appreciate it. Reading MRIs must really be more of an art than a science because the first vet to read the images is back and still has doubts about the tumour site. She also added that there. . . . .
A bit about the urinary tract infection...
Update posted by Colleen Mackey at 10:05 amToday we may have results of 'staining' but we won't have full cultures available for a couple more days. To recap - a culture done in Palma had shown a multi-drug resistant infection. The only drug to which that bacteria is sensitive has to be administered in-hospital, intravenously, for two. . . . .
Thanks for your generosity! and... Still waiting on cultures, new opinion on MRI
Update posted by Colleen Mackey at 09:58 amMost of you are on facebook and are seeing updates there. But just a quick update. I heard from a different neurologist yesterday about the report on the MRI. What we had heard first was the initial reading of the images. It seems like she does not have meningitis. The
The tough part is waiting - Bridget's 3rd morning at the vet hospital in Barcelona
Update posted by Colleen Mackey at 07:28 amI saw Bridget yesterday evening. The good news - she's eating and drinking, and recognizes me. The clinic is waiting for results from cultures to decide on antibiotics to treat the meningitis/sepsis. That may take four days from when they sent out the samples - yesterday. At this point, they
MRI results and Status - Crossing many hurdles
Update posted by Colleen Mackey at 08:32 amBridget's MRI shows signs of meningitis. So she had to have a puncture done to culture cerebral spinal fluid before they can select different antibiotics than what she is currently on; I'll post estimates the vet has given me ASAP. Quick summary - MRI cost 425 euros. Plus transport to. . . . .
Not a good morning.
Update posted by Colleen Mackey at 07:30 amBridget just had a seizure. I gave her diazepam and she is ok for now. I will take her to her neighborhood vet this morning. This is worrying because lack of seizures was the only positive outcome of the surgery.
First morning of Bridget's Second Chance - donations already! Thanks so much.
Update posted by Colleen Mackey at 08:16 amBridget is having a good morning. Appetite has varied a lot. This morning she wanted more egg.
Donors & Comments
- Sean Watts
- Donated on Jul 27, 2016
- Anita Berghmans
- Donated on Jul 24, 2016
To get her back on her feet! We hope Bridget will recover soon and all of this will just be a bad nightmarein the past.lots of hugs for bridget and you from Marcel and Anita
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jul 23, 2016
Because she means so much to you. X
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jul 19, 2016
Hi Colleen, Sending you more energy and $100 CAD from Canada. Wish it was more and that the CAD exchange rate on EURO was much better (esp. a week ago), but hope the momentum continues on GoGetFunding! - Hugs from K & D
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jul 18, 2016
- Hugo Azinheira
- Donated on Jul 18, 2016
Feell better, Bridget!
- Michele Sutherland
- Donated on Jul 17, 2016
Because Bridget is your 'baby' and I have seen how much you care for her. Best wishes for a good outcome. cheers Michele
- Nancie McKinnon
- Donated on Jul 15, 2016
Fingers crossed for both of you!
- Sue Lean
- Donated on Jul 15, 2016
Sorry it's not more...
- Colleen Mackey
- Posted On Jul 15, 2016
Thanks. I appreciate this so much.