Car Accident Story – Part II
After arriving home in LA last night, I couldn’t help but burst into tears again when I saw TT’s toys scattering around on the living room floor, I could see his shadow and all our memories together everywhere in this house.
It felt like my entire world was crushed after TT got hit by a car, my heart was ripped apart. I admit thinking about never updating blog posts again, but I changed my mind after the darkest hour. This blog was started because I wanted to document TT’s life, in spite of some entries that might have a story about pain or fear, I should record every minute and every second of his life journey until the very end, good or bad, everything is part of him.
- Sep 2, 8am
I received a phone call from an UC Davis night shift intern veterinarian, he told me TT is doing very well to the point he could even stand up by himself without any support, not only that, TT also controls his defecation. Being able to stand and defecate means that TT’s spinal nerves aren’t compressed, The probability of paralysis in the future is also greatly reduced. The intern also told me TT ate very little before 12am last night, also they are not sure if they can squeeze him into their surgery schedule today.
- Sep 2, 10am
I got a phone call from the surgeon telling me that TT has been transferred to their surgical department. In order to be extra cautious, they took 2 new X-rays, one for making sure there is no internal bleeding in his chest, just in case TT’s injury will affect his respiratory function and poses a risk during anesthesia. The second X-ray they took was to take a second look on the condition of the pelvic fracture for a better judgment.
The surgeon told me if everything goes smooth, they will start TT with anesthesia for the preparation of the surgery at 11:30am. To learn that TT will have a chance to go under a surgery made me so happy, I am so impressed and pleased with the efficiency and reality of UC Davis veterinary hospital (Maybe I just have very low expectations for everything in terms of work efficiency after moving here). I handed TT over to the right group of people who can actually help him.
Not long after the phone call, I received an email from our original vet in LA. Dr. Stan included me in an email that he sent all TT’s medical history as well as a health certificate to our pet insurance company Healthy Paws. Because of his speedy response it sped up the processing time of our first claim of the $1500 invoice with Donner Truckee.
- Sep 2, 12pm
The surgeon contacted me to let me know they didn’t find any injury in TT’s chest cavity, as for his pelvis, it’s broken into two pieces. They also found two smaller fragments, and the surgeon said small pieces will be absorbed over time. Their main goal today is to join the fractured pelvis, and the operation will start very soon.
- Sep 2, 3pm
TT had his surgery at the 43th hour after his car accident. The phone call came in at 3pm telling me it was done, everything went well and TT is still resting. The only concern they have right now is the area where TT got hit on the left thigh has a deep bruise, they suggest to keep a close eye on this area and see if new skin regenerates and old skin falls off. If not, another resection operation may be required.
TT has to be closely monitored for 3 to 5 days after surgery.
- Sep 2, 4pm
Received an email from Healthy Paws confirming that the first insurance claim has successfully entered the review stage.
- Sep 2, 6pm
I made an appointment with an animal rehabilitation center for a consultation for TT on 9/8 coming Monday. Luckily the location is very close to my work.
- Sep 2, 7pm
Received a phone call from UC Davis letting me know the surgery is successful. TT is awake, he is able to stand up by himself and control his pee. They believe TT recovers well and he might be able to go home in one or two days. It all depends on the discharge amount coming out from his drainage tube, and they will have a better answer for me the following morning.
I confirmed with them that the atmospheric pressure during a flight would not affect TT’s wounds, that means I have to make a decision between driving 6 hours up north or pay a shockingly high price for last minute flight tickets to pick TT up at UC Davis.
As for the plate they insert in TT’s body, it’s permanent, there’s no need for another operation to remove it. Yet tracking TT’s recovery with hospital revisits after 2 weeks and 8 weeks are needed. If we transfer back to LA, we need to find a veterinary hospital with relevant orthopedic expertise and equipment to do so. I do have some in mind.
Anyway, so far we are very lucky and everything went smooth. I didn’t know there were many people out there that cared about him until his accident. Hundreds of people send him love and wish for his speedy recovery. I posted his condition on a Facebook page to seek advice on the first day. Unexpectedly, hundreds of people poured in to pray for him, saying that they would pray for him day and night, and even many people who had never met wept for TT. Friends and Family also gave us lots of support so TT could still be here.
I posted an update of TT’s surgery outcome telling everyone he is fine, hundreds of comments came in less than a minute.
-you just can’t beat the extended AKK family! These are some amazing people!
-There’s power in prayer! especially when so many are doing so!
-Yay!!!! What a little soldier. He loves you too much to leave you brokenhearted
-So happy for you and your tough little one. Heal quickly TT!
Some people even said, god must be so annoyed by all of you praying about the same little dog day and night, how can he not help bring TT back to us so yall’ will stop?
- Continue The Story :
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