The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

janet lewis · **Posted:** Wed Aug 03, 2011 5:29 pm

Well Athena is doing pretty well with her new feed line, will as long as she
doesn't get infection again. My dau Carol/aka Gramma has done many hours
of research & found that the Childrens Hospital in Kalamazoo, Mi. is using a new
formula on some cases like hers & it is working very well with less harm to the liver.
This stuff has not been passed by FDA but is more widely used overseas where it's
been passed, it has to come from Germany. Athena is a very good candidate for the
new treatment & the Drs. at the other hospital are very eager but her Dr. up here is
not & is a bit "snotty" about it too. We are hopefully waiting for the next step.
Thank you for your thoughts & prayers, I can sense that they are being heard & are
keeping us strong & faithfull. Love Janet

Jean in Mpls · **Posted:** Wed Aug 03, 2011 5:56 pm

Jan, that sounds very hopeful. Sometimes it takes awhile for doctors to catch up with new techniques, doesn't it? Athena looks like she's growing, though. What is her weight?

kozfam · Austin Red/Buff October 21, 2009 -

continued prayers, hoping for the best

marsha o · **Joined:** Sat Sep 11, 2010 8:07 am **Posts:** 1672

more prayers for your sweet Athena and also prayers for wisdom for her doctors.

Ronda · **Posted:** Thu Aug 04, 2011 3:21 pm

marsha o wrote:

more prayers for your sweet Athena and also prayers for wisdom for her doctors.

Amen. I will continue to keep your family in my prayers.

Deborah · **Joined:** Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:27 am **Posts:** 1649

When my grandma had a feeding tube, her caretaker used to clean it with, believe it or not, white soda! She said it bubbled out anything that may thicken and clog the tube and it will not harm the patient. It made me laugh and I always asked grandma if she wanted a shirley temple in her belly.

janet lewis · **Posted:** Thu Aug 04, 2011 5:04 pm

Your right Deborah, the feed line gets cleaned daily, at least & I think maybe
the same way. The infection that Athena had is a bacterial thing that comes from
bacteria which is naturally present on everyones skin & which gets into the feed line.
It is the worst enemy of these little ones, its so hard to fight off.
This little "chunk" is up to 11+lbs now & is tired of laying down, wants to sit up &
preferably on a lap. She likes her bouncy chair too.
Prayer for the Docs to have wisdom & their patients best interest at heart is very
important to the confidence of the other care givers.
Thank you all again for all of your prayers & good wishes & blessings to you also! Jan

Gail Mc · **Joined:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:55 pm **Posts:** 941

Continued prayers for precious baby Athena.

Kathryn Calub · **Posted:** Mon Aug 08, 2011 10:59 pm

Janet, thanks for the update on Athena. I will continue to pray for this sweet little girl. I have a quick question is Athena still on TPN as was it her central line that was infected or is she being tube fed?? I only ask as you know that I am on TPN, but also have a feeding tube. I have had both infections in my central line where the TPN goes in and also in my feeding tube. Sending lots of hugs and prayers to you and your family.

janet lewis · **Posted:** Mon Sep 12, 2011 6:14 pm

The latest on Athena is that we haven't heard any more about the Omegaven feed formula.
The problem may well be in getting the cost covered. It comes from Germany, isn't FDA
approved & is very expensive, getting coverage is difficult because its experimental &
out of the country, i guess.
She is scheduled to go to a Pittsbrg. childrens hospital 10/16/'11 for exam & evaluation
to be put on the transplant list. The organs may not be available for as long as 2+ yrs.
or soon.?. She will need a sm. intestine, liver, pancreas & spleen. The likelyhood of that
is precarious, as I see it, faith is our best hope. We pray. The reason for all of that is that
her present IV feed formula is bad for the liver. She needs frequent blood transfusions & gets
infections & has to go to the hosp. for anti B treatment. We can tell about her need for blood
because her skin & eyes get very yellow. Anyway thats 50 miles & she usually has to stay
2-7 days & someone needs to be with her so her Gramma Carol (mydau) takes up where &
when Mommy needs. Nicole works, as a waitress, parttime now. Dad works afternoons in a
factory. Lots of driving to & fro for all of them. At home Carol takes care of Athena when
Nicole is working & sometimes comes to visit, being only a couple miles.
Sooo, thats the latest here. Please keep praying. Gratefully, Janet

TinaP · **Joined:** Sat Sep 11, 2010 3:21 pm **Posts:** 3010

Well Hellooooo little precious Athena. Oh my, she's so adorable. I will continue my prayers for her that she may soon receive the new, experimental drug. I'm originally from the Pittsburgh area and know that their hospitals are first rate. Best wishes as you navigate all of this.

marsha o · **Joined:** Sat Sep 11, 2010 8:07 am **Posts:** 1672

She is such a cutie !!!!! :hp

I most definetly will keep her in my prayers !!!
Marsha

kathy in mo · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2010 12:03 pm **Posts:** 281

adding more prayers for sweet Little Athena.

Vickie · **Posted:** Tue Sep 13, 2011 3:49 am

And so we pray.... :hp

marg · **Joined:** Tue Dec 28, 2010 3:46 pm **Posts:** 119

continued prayers for Athena!

btw....
what she is thinking is, i'm sooooo beautiful!!!
and...Pittsburgh does have one of the best Children's
hospitals..esp for transplants!

Marianne E · **Posted:** Tue Sep 13, 2011 10:49 am

Athena is such a beautiful baby!
My first thought was, wow, she really resembles her mama, Nicole!

Many thoughts and prayers that Athena continues to thrive and prayers for all who love this sprecial baby girl.

janet lewis · **Posted:** Wed Sep 14, 2011 6:14 pm

Thank you good friends. Pitts. is one of only a very few hosps. that are equipped to take care of these little sweeties
who need transplants, it's rare & very fragile work so not a lot of Drs. take it on.
She is sooo cute, at 4 mos. she's at that phase where she recognizes us, who we are & in small ways what we do,
as caregivers or entertainers etc. She gets amused & shows it.
She does look like Nicole, she has to be beautiful! hehe We love her sooo much, I just cannot stress how much.
Her Aunt Mary & hubby Curt own a restaurant so have planned a spaghetti dinner for her benefit. They did that
a few years ago when Son-in-law, Bruce was battling kidney cancer. Some of you might recall. It was "Beneficial."
The cost of her care is pretty serious & when she goes to Ptsbrg. her parents will have to take time off work to go with
her, their bills at home will continue of course. I don't know where they will stay there but I did see that there is a
"Ronald McDonald" house nearby. They have been able to get some help w/travel expenses & then theres meals...
The ETCs go on & on. They're signed up with all the charities that would accept them so thats helpful.
See, when I get thinking my mind just rambles on. Anyway that's the latest. All your prayers are so appreciated &
important to us! I can tell you truely we can see them at work, we are so lead in right directions at every place that
looks like a waste of time at first. Thank yo sooo much. Love Jan & Athenas family.

Sally B. · **Joined:** Mon Sep 13, 2010 6:13 pm **Posts:** 722

Oh, Janet!! What a sweet little girl Athena is!! I have also heard how good the hospitals in Pittsburgh are. We live about 2 1/2 hours away. Thank you for updating us. Families sure are important, but in these circumstances are a godsend!! Prayers for Athena and your family. Please update when you can.

marsha o · **Joined:** Sat Sep 11, 2010 8:07 am **Posts:** 1672

More prayers for Athena !!!
:hp

Marsha

kozfam · Austin Red/Buff October 21, 2009 -

continued prayers for Athena and family

Gunner's Mom · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2011 8:42 am

Praying......

janet lewis · **Posted:** Thu Oct 13, 2011 7:39 pm

Athenas big Spaghetti benefit was Sunday at her Aunt Marys & Uncle Curts restaurant.
It turned out pretty well as near as I could see. Lots of food, raffles, bake sale, 6 hours.
Our baby doll is a trooper. Now she's getting ready for her trip to Pittsburgh for her Dr.
appt. on the 17th. Her Mom & Dad & Gramma Carol will go & they will be there 5 days.
Athena will be thoroughly examined & evaluated as to her condition, health & needs &
will then be placed on the transplant list & her family will be informed & advised of how
to be prepped & ready for a fast trip back there whenever organs might become available.
We are praying hard, please join us. Love Jan

Marianne E · **Posted:** Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:51 am

Oh, what a beautiful baby!
Prayers always. :hp

Gail Mc · **Joined:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:55 pm **Posts:** 941

Very beautiful baby girl! Praying lots for your precious Athena that all will go well with her tests on Oct. 17th. Praying also for her family that loves her so very much.

fran k. · **Posted:** Fri Oct 14, 2011 11:26 am

She is beautiful! Many good thoughts and prayers coming your way.

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