Help Kami and Kali on their road to recovery...

Hello all. If you're here, you likely know this story and the almost incomprehensible chain of events that has led us to...gulp...ask for help.

For those of you who know us, you know how incredibly stubborn and proud we are. In the thirteen years we've been together, I can count on one hand the amount of times either one of us has ever asked anyone for help. We've spent days agonizing over the decision of whether to reach out and ask for help or not. We were dead set on not doing it, as we have always prided ourselves on having a plan, then a back up plan for that plan. In this case, we had multiple back up plans, however, we got hit with punch after punch.

Without going into too much detail about the specifics...we had planned on Kali's radiation and follow up treatment amounting to about $15k. To date, on Kali alone, we've spent over $20k. Our CareCredit cards are are both maxed at their $12k limits. Kali still has 5 more chemo treatments, which will ensure her the best possible outcome. They will each be $1500-$2k. Every time we adjusted our plan, we got hit with another surprise. Still, we tried to convince ourselves that we can tackle this alone. Last night a Leo friend, someone who I met only once, when we picked Kali up as a puppy, sent me a message which stated "Reminder that pride and stubbornness are useful traits in many circumstances, but will not help your dogs get their continuing rehab, etc, which is what it is all about". This struck a chord with me. She is exactly right. I've spent my life being prideful and stubborn. This is a time to let people in - let them help. We've had more people than I can count reach out over the last few weeks asking if there was somewhere they could donate or send money. While we are not proud to do so, we are absolutely in a place of need. In order for our girls to get the best care going forward, we need help.

Here's the long version...

The first week of December, 2023, we noticed Kali limping slightly. I reached out to our vet, Dr. Dill, 6 hours away and with her age, family history (she lost all of her siblings years ago to mostly angiosarcoma) we decided a check up was in order. We scheduled the appointment. We administered galliprant that we had on hand, from McKenzie, our 16.5 yr old lab that passed a few months prior. Within a few days, her limp was gone. We reached out to Dr. Dill again, and decided to hold of on making the trip, as we assumed it was arthritis or muscular in nature. Fast forward to January, she began limping again. This time it was a bit worse. I immediately called Dr. Dill again, and decide to set up another appointment. The appointment was 2 weeks away. At the same time, we were preparing to move 600 miles south, to southern Delaware, for a new job to which I was transferring. The caveat with the new job is that I'd be taking a 25% pay cut for the first couple months. We were in the midst of packing and preparing to move, when a week later, we woke up on a Friday morning to Kali being unable to put weight on her right leg. I grabbed her, hopped in the car and headed to see Dr. Dill. In the meantime, Kim called an hour later when they opened and let them know I was on my way. Upon arriving at Donegal Animal Hospital, Dr Dill took me in immediately, even though his last appointment was an hour earlier. An X-ray confirmed our worst nightmare, which was osteosarcoma in her right shoulder. We discussed options and at the time, the best option was to consult at VRC in Malvern. We were able to get in the following Tuesday to see their radiation oncologist who recommend radiation initially, then follow up chemo. Prior to meeting Kali, the radiation oncologist noted that because of her age, they typically don't recommend this route, but would determine after meeting her. After meeting Kali, he noted that she is one of the youngest if not, the youngest 11.5 yr old dog he had ever met. After each radiation treatment, they were astounded at her recovery. No symptoms at all. They said it was extremely rare and that Kali was one of the toughest dogs they had ever met. It was also noted after her initial CT, that her body was fighting so hard, that it was trying to rebuild bone at the margin of the tumor, and that they rarely see that happen and when it does, it's in very young dogs. We decided at that moment; If her body is going to fight that hard, we're going to do everything in our power to give her the best chance to succeed. After multiple 5 hour trips from upstate New York to Malvern, PA, and bout 4000 miles total over 3 weeks, she finished radiation.

After she finished her radiation without a hiccup. She was climbing on furniture, trying to play with her Swissters, etc. Life was starting to improve. We moved to Delaware and began her chemo treatments about a month after radiation. It was known that there was always a chance of limb fracture, however, it was discussed that if it occurs, it is usually 6-8 months down the road. Her first chemo treatment went as expected, with a small drop in white blood cells.

Around this same time, we were making salads one night, tossing some vegetables to the girls as we always do, and when I tossed a carrot to Kami, who has always caught anything within a 4 ft radius, let it hit her in the face, I became alarmed. I immediately told Kim. We tried a few different attempts, and knew something wasn't right, as each one hit her in the head, and she didn't move until it hit the floor. Something...was...wrong. I immediately reached out to Dr. Dill. He called and had me run through some tests and was pretty concerned. We had an appointment scheduled for Kali at VRC the following day. He offered to see Kami if we could stop in there before heading to VRC. Kim made the 3 hour trip back to Lancaster to see him the next morning. Upon exam, it was determined that Kam could see, but that something was obviously going on. He immediately reached out to the ophthalmologist at VRC who was able to get Kam scheduled for around the same time Kali had her appointment. After the consult, Kams eye issue was something extremely rare and strange. She had multiple tests including ERG, which is a test that looks at retinal function, abdominal ultrasound, chest x-ray, blood panel, urine culture, etc. Every single test came back normal except her ERG. Her retinas weren't functioning, but she was still able to see. The theory was that she either had an autoimmune disease that was attacking her retinas or ivermectin toxicity (which we use monthly to treat for heartworm and parasites). Both extremely rare. With the ivermectin toxicity, I was aware of a gene mutation which occurs in some herding breeds, where by there this mutation essentially doesn't allow the metabolism of certain drugs. If she had this mutation, it might explain the vision issues. I brought up the MDR1 gene mutation multiple times, but the idea was dismissed as being "extremely rare and unlikely". I was concerned and asked for an MRI to rule out any abnormalities in her brain, tumors, etc. The day of the MRI, I received a call that they were about to begin the MRI, and subsequent spine tap. I immediately told the ophthalmologist that I wasn't aware of the spine tap, and that I would prefer to hold off on that, and it's quite invasive, and we'd discussed nothing previously about her symptoms which might point to something in her CSF causing the issues. He pushed back and said that it was standard and that since she was going to be under anesthesia, that we might as well see if we could find anything ancillary which might be contributing to the issue. Again, I told him that I wasn't comfortable with it, but that I wasn't going to continue to argue. If he thought it was imperative, then whatever. During that call, I also reminded him that she had issues with anesthesia in the past and to please review her previous anesthesia records. With the MDR1 gene mutation idea on my brain, I was extremely concerned about the anesthesia.

Her drop off time was 645 am. She was to be done at noon. At noon, Kim received a call that the MRI was complete, but that she was having difficulty waking up. At 2pm, same deal. At 4pm, I received a call from Kim and she said she was just going over to VRC to see what was going on. At 5pm, I received a call from Kim; She was with the doctorS! Critical care doc, ophthalmologist, neurologist, and the medical director. I felt like I got kicked in the stomach. After a very intense "conversation" they had no idea what was going on with Kam, and had mentioned a possible stroke. We were both furious and heartbroken. Upon seeing Kami during a video call, she honestly looked like a vegetable. No movement, no expression. I felt like I was dying.

I immediately reached out to everyone I could to get opinions on what to look for, what to ask, etc. A very good veterinarian friend made an extremely important note when looking at her anesthesia records. It seemed that right around the time of her spinal tap, her vitals tanked. The "tap" was initiated at 0801, and completed at 0848. 47 minutes for a procedure which should take under 15. Concerning.

The next morning I drove up to VRC to meet with Kim and the doctors. We spoke very candidly about what occurred, who did the spine tap, how many attempts were made, as I was convinced that mistakes were made, which caused her issue. My gut was telling me they either damaged her spinal cord, or caused a stroke. It was decided that they wanted to do another MRI, using different anesthesia that was completely reversible, to see, if, they had indeed caused her condition. A couple tumultuous hours later, we were notified that the new anesthesia protocol worked and she woke up without issue, and that her condition, a subdural hematoma, which was pressing on her brainstem, was in fact, caused by their failed attempts at the spine tap. Good news was that other than that, her MRI was normal. I'm not sure I've ever felt pain, like I felt in that moment. Kami was my baby girl. She was essentially paralyzed from her neck down.

When my previous Swissy Dakoda passed, Kami took her place on the bed beside me. Every night. If you know Swissy's, you know they start to become the perfect dog at 5 or 6 years of age. Kam was just becoming the perfect girl. We could take her anywhere, and if I wanted to, could leave her off leash. She was just the goodest girl. How could this be happening on top of Kali. It was almost too much to take. We were both, obviously, devastated. It was decided that they were going to keep her at VRC and begin daily therapy, in hopes of her making some sort of recovery.

During all of this, we didn't want Kami to be alone, so even though we both are working full time, one of us every day is making the 300 mile round trip drive daily, so that Kami can see us every day. It's not only been mentally taxing, but financially as well.

Kam has indeed, been making steady progress daily. It's now been over 2 weeks, and there isn't a day that has gone by where one of us hasn't made the trip to see her, to let her know how much she is loved.

This brings us to a few days ago. Kim took Kali up for her second chemo appointment. Her WBC count was still a bit too low, so they decided to put it off for another week. Kim was staying in Lebanon at her sisters house. Like any normal day, Kim took Kali out to potty. She squatted to pee, and Kim heard a crack. She turned around, Kali was screaming and crying and wasn't putting weight on her right front leg. She immediately called for her sister and brother in law, who happened to be working from home. They were able to carry her inside and get her settled down a bit. She called me and I told her to head to Dr. Dill once again. Again, luckily her brother in law was home as he was able to lift Kali into her vehicle. I reached out to Dr. Dill to give a heads up. We all had a pretty good idea what was going on, but were still hoping for the best. I immediately left work and started heading north, not knowing if I was going to see Kami as planned, or heading to say goodbye to Kali. After x-ray, the fracture was obvious. We knew we had to make 1 of 2 decisions. Amputate or euthanize.

After conversations with Dr. Dill, her medical oncologist, her breeder, etc. we decided that because she is otherwise healthy, no current signs of metastasis, etc. we would opt for amputation as she didn't tell us she was ready. We actually had a conversation and discussed if Kali could tell us what she wanted - what would she say?

Knowing her, and in dramatic Leonberger fashion, "Guys, you are my people. It's just a leg? I've got 3 more. If I can give my leg to spend more time with you? Let's f*cking do it?!" Side note, no idea where she learned to speak like that - I blame her mother.

So it was decided. Amputation. Kim was over an hour away in Lebanon, I had made my way up to VRC and was spending time with Kami.

We were able to get her in to see the on call surgeon at VRC the following day who was willing to come in because of the special circumstances and do the procedure.

Kim starts driving to VRC and her car breaks down. Literally. On the side of the road, all dashboard lights on, car bucking and acting crazy. She calls me in tears. Like, literally, what else could do wrong at this point. Being that she was only 5 minutes from her sisters house, she went back and had to wait a couple hours until her brother in law got home and was able to drive her, Kali, and Khloe to VRC. After finally arriving, we spent a bit more time with Kam, said goodbye to Kali and headed back to Lebanon.

The next day we drove back up to VRC to see Kali before her surgery, and visit with Kami, who again, continues to make daily progress.

Kali's amputation went well, but she has an extremely difficult road to recovery and the odds are stacked against her. We're still traveling to see Kami daily.

We're both running out of time off as we've had to take so many unscheduled and unsuspected days off. The costs associated with travelling, tolls, fuel, etc are mounting. This doesn't even begin to address the after care and therapy Kali and Kami, when she returns home - hopefully this weekend.

While we've always planned and had an emergency fund for situations like this, this situation had become multiple compounding situations, and we need help. Truly.

If' you've managed to keep reading and you've made it this far, I appreciate you. Whether you know Kim and I personally, through dog groups, mutual friends, or heard about our story randomly, I appreciate you taking the time to read and invest emotionally in the roller coaster that has been our lives for the last 4 months. I'll continue to make facebook updates. There's also the potential, if I can find time, or if one of you social media wizards wants to help, to make a youtube page to document both of their recoveries.

Anyhow, I've been typing for 3 hours. I'll keep you updated. If you are able to donate, cool. If not, if you just came here to read our story, also cool.

We thank you either way. None of this makes us comfortable, so whatever you're comfortable doing, feel free.

We appreciate everyone who has reached out, encouraged us along the way, encourages us to put our pride aside, and think purely about our girls.

Thank you.

Much love and grace,

Kali, Kami, Khloe, Kim, & Tyler