___________________________ PHOTO Update 4.27.08
Exactly seven years ago, today- we adopted little Hiwa. Here is a picture I found today when I was searching for old pics of Hiwa... How could we have resisted choosing such a precious little one?! This is the polaroid that the pet shop gave us before we took her home for the first time.
These are other photos of our little one this weekend... ENJOY!
I swear I didn't pose this... Hiwa was sleeping with her leg far up in the air, so I just leaned over and captured it :)
Little Hiwalani - waiting very patiently for her daddy to drop something on the ground for her... tough luck little one!! :)
___________________________ PHOTO Update 4.22.08
Our good friends - the Miyahira's - Jill, Kelly & Skyler, came over to visit with us. Their visit brought out such joy in Hiwa - It was the first time in at least a couple months that we actually saw her truly excited! She started digging into a gift bag - being all niele - to see what was in it! Thank goodness it was for her! When she saw what was inside - you could clearly see that she was so happy! It was such a blessing to witness that in her again. Thank you, Miyahira `Ohana for bringing that joy and excitement back to our little one!! We are SO blessed to have you in our lives and to call you our friends... it really meant a lot to us that you came over. Thank you!!
Skyler cruising on the couch & Hiwa with her new toys!!
The Miyahira `Ohana with Baby Hiwa
___________________________ PHOTO UPDATE 4.20.08
Hiwa after her haircut with Auntie Karen - don't we all feel good after a haircut?!
Hiwa walking with her grandma :)
Hiwa's mommy LOVES HER THIIIISSSS MUUUCCHHH!!!
Hiwa with Shawna & Bronson - and - Grandpa & Grandma
___________________________ Update 4.19.08
Today started off with a HUGE scare :P As I was getting ready this morning, my dad came over to pick up me and Hiwa (Bri was volunteering for the Hawaii Foodbank) to take Hiwa to her groomer appt - with Auntie Karen - however, when Hiwa heard my dad come in the front door, she took off down the stairs as fast as she could - apparently, that was faster than her little legs could keep up - and she ended up sliding down the last 3 steps of the first flight. She caught herself at the landing and continued to run down the last flight of stairs... AUGH! She seemed okay, until we went to pick her up to put her in the car - she started yelping in pain!! :( It was so sad and scared both of us, because she doesn't have much/any fat or muscle to block her ribs and organs that we were afraid she really hurt herself. So we gently grabbed her and took her to emergency to get checked. Of course as soon as we got to the hospital - she was running around like nothing and trying to jump up my leg for me to carry her... Dr. Yasuda gave her a once over and said that nothing was broken and everything was fine -just that she may get some bruising down her chest, saying that she is a "tough little one". She graciously said there was no charge and told us to just have a good day... How many vets do you know would not charge for an emergency visit? NOT MANY - IF ANY!! We were so thankful... How blessed as we??
From there, we rushed to try to make her groomer appt. - Auntie Karen was so sweet to cut her hair and we had a great conversation as well with her and Sandi (the other groomer). It was hard to see Hiwa get her final hair cut - but I am so glad that me and my dad were able to witness that special moment - Auntie Karen had been grooming Hiwa since she was a little puppy - just a few months old... she was always so gentle with her and often put up with Hiwa's "tita" attitude. As we were leaving - Auntie Karen insisted that it was no charge, tied a sweet bandanna around her neck and Hiwa sweetly gave her a kiss of thanks and good-bye as we left.
Just another reminder that we are so blessed with so many loving people surrounding us during this time. Hiwa is one special girl that everyone is equally touched as well by her feisty spirit and loving heart. God's hand is truly laid upon her and all of us... Have a blessed day, the lee-gustilos
___________________________ Update 4.18.08
Aloha - for those of you that are keeping up with us :) Hiwa had an albumin (protein in her blood) reading this morning and it was .9 - normal is low end 2.2, so as you can see, she is far below it. Even from Tuesday's reading, that was 1.1... So we asked for her to undergo another plasma transfusion. Bri and I calculated that she declines about .2-.1 every day between plasma transfusions. I am not sure how much longer the plasma transfusions will work, but from our long conversations about Hiwa - we feel that as long as she shows us that she is "still there" - then we will do everything in our power to help her along. Bri keeps reassuring me that we will "know" when it is time. I constantly pray that we are doing the right thing, and especially that she is not in pain. It has been many nights that we just cry together or I cry myself to sleep because I fear I am not making the right decision - so I pray for guidance and peace with whatever happens in the hours to come ... and when I awake, a new day appears.
Through all of this - we are thankful that we have eachother, this time with Hiwa and all of you as support. Thank you from our hearts to yours. Have a blessed day - much love, the lee-gustilos.
Here are the latest pics we took of Hiwa this past weekend.
ENJOY! :)
___________________________ Update 4.13.08
Today, Hiwa underwent an ultrasound with Dr. Silvermen & Dr. Yasuda. The ultrasound confirmed that Hiwa's small intestines were in bad shape - with thickening throughout - which means that it is literally getting thicker and some day will be totally blocked. The Dr's feel from this ultrasound, that Hiwa has Lymphoma - Cancer of her intestines - the hardest lymphatic cancer to treat. They will be asking for second and third opinions of other pathologists to review the biopsies taken last week to confirm or deny their conclusions.
Regardless, after talking things through many long, long nights and days - Bri and I decided that we would not pursue further treatment. The Dr's could not promise a cure with anything else that we could provide - so we will continue to give her medicines, take her in 2 times a week to check her albumin & get her B-12 shots - but will not pursue treatment such as chemotherapy or starting other steroids. Believe me when I say, that was a hard one to make - but it comes to quality of life in her final days/months and we just don't think it's worth putting her through more than she already has been.
The Dr's have shared in such loving ways that they all think we have done everything possible, and it is just one of those things that there is nothing else we can do. We are so blessed to have had the Dr's we have throughout this process - they are all so loving, kind, gentle and always go above and beyond to help us. We are so blessed - God has truly put the best individuals along our path to help us all through this difficult time...
Another reminder to appreciate this moment and all who cross our paths... blessings to you all - much love, the lee-gustilos.
___________________________ Update 4.12.08
Our good friends - the Goo's - came over to visit and brought over the most gorgeous flowers and well wishes.
Then we got some pics of Hiwa with mommy, daddy & Taylor...
ENJOY! :)
___________________________ Update 4.13.08
Today, Hiwa underwent an ultrasound with Dr. Silvermen & Dr. Yasuda. The ultrasound confirmed that Hiwa's small intestines were in bad shape - with thickening throughout - which means that it is literally getting thicker and some day will be totally blocked. The Dr's feel from this ultrasound, that Hiwa has Lymphoma - Cancer of her intestines - the hardest lymphatic cancer to treat. They will be asking for second and third opinions of other pathologists to review the biopsies taken last week to confirm or deny their conclusions.
Regardless, after talking things through many long, long nights and days - Bri and I decided that we would not pursue further treatment. The Dr's could not promise a cure with anything else that we could provide - so we will continue to give her medicines, take her in 2 times a week to check her albumin & get her B-12 shots - but will not pursue treatment such as chemotherapy or starting other steroids. Believe me when I say, that was a hard one to make - but it comes to quality of life in her final days/months and we just don't think it's worth putting her through more than she already has been.
The Dr's have shared in such loving ways that they all think we have done everything possible, and it is just one of those things that there is nothing else we can do. We are so blessed to have had the Dr's we have throughout this process - they are all so loving, kind, gentle and always go above and beyond to help us. We are so blessed - God has truly put the best individuals along our path to help us all through this difficult time...
Another reminder to appreciate this moment and all who cross our paths... blessings to you all - much love, the lee-gustilos.
___________________________ Update 4.12.08
Our good friends - the Goo's - came over to visit and brought over the most gorgeous flowers and well wishes.
Then we got some pics of Hiwa with mommy, daddy & Taylor...
Picture taken 4.12.08 - Diva Hiwa with her heart pillow on her heart blanket @ her grandma & grandpa's house
She loves to night-night with her grandpa...
___________________________ Update 4.11.08
On Monday morning, we rushed Hiwa to emergency because she started to vomit profusely - they treated her with a plasma transfusion and anti-nausea medication. She was able to come home that night. Hiwa, Bri and I had such a hard night that night and maybe got a few minutes sleep between us, because we were so worried about our little one and the procedure she was scheduled for the next day - along with Hiwa not feeling well all night. The next day, we talked with the operating Dr. and decided to proceed with the procedure. Hiwa was SUCH A TROOPER - while Bri and I were waiting in the parking lot for her to finish - I turned to Bri and asked if he heard her barking - because I just know it was her... but we kept thinking - how could she be barking she is supposed to be in surgery still because the Dr didn't call us yet! Well - surprise surprise - never doubt the mommy's ability to hear her baby! It was her - she recovered quickly from the anesthetic and WAS the one barking in the back... that girl!!
Well, last night was another rough one. We found out the biopsy results from her procedure on Tuesday. It showed Hiwa's "protein is being lost through "leaky" glands/crypts in her small intestines. Unfortunately, the cause of this form of PLE is not known and there is no specific treatment. Dietary and drug supportive therapy has proved helpful but is no curative. Many dogs respond poorly to therapy and the clinical course is progressive."
What that means is Hiwa is one of those dogs who does not respond well to this therapy - that is why her muscle mass has been deteriorating so rapidly and is not responding the way the Dr's wanted her to all the medicines. The scary thing is that the Dr's have no idea what causes this disease. We are now faced with the hard decision on when is "enough - enough".
We know that God will provide us with everything we need to handle this situation - and it reminds us to just be "present" in every moment we have with her, each other and all of you. It has been such an honor to have had this time with such a truly precious little girl. She truly exemplified her name - and although she is in canine form, we know that she was sent to us by God to touch and enrich our lives in a way that we couldn't even imagine. Everyday has truly been a gift with her...
Whenever God decides to call our baby home - we know it will be a place of much PEACE, LOVE, FREEDOM and as many beef jerky treats as she wants! :) It is just my selfish heart right now, that just wants her to be with us forever... I wish I could take away all the bad that is going on within her - but I can't and that helpless feeling doesn't seem to go away. Although we now know, that our days with her are few - all we can do is appreciate this moment and every moment we are gifted with our precious, precious baby.
Thank you for your prayers of love, support and healing. May God just bless you abundantly for what you have shared with us. -- much love, the lee-gustilos.
___________________________ Update 4.5.08
photo taken 4.5.08
Hiwa will be undergoing an endoscopy/biopsy this coming Tuesday at the Makai Animal Clinic in Kailua - Dr. Morris & Dr. Tom will be taking care of our baby. They say it's an in&out procedure and she should be able to go home that day. Please send your prayers to her that she may recover quickly and that the Dr's may find out what is going on with her.
Then, the following Monday, she has an appt with a radiology specialist, Dr. Revenaugh, who will be doing a special ultrasound to see the exterior walls of her "insides" in the most non-invasive way possible. This was the next best thing, since Hiwa wasn't strong enough to undergo the exploratory operation last week.
Hiwa is still accumulating fluid in her abdomen, is losing muscle mass, and has a very low albumin level. However, Hiwa is the best "FIGHTER" ever - she even amazes the Dr's at how well her demeanor is - despite all the test results that show she should be otherwise. We believe its everyone's prayers and love that is helping to heal our baby and encouraging her to fight the "bad" stuff that is going on inside her.
Thank you all for your support and love as we get through this together. -- much love, the lee-gustilos.
