Bella's Surgery Update

This is an update on Bella.  She had major surgery on Friday and 41 bladder stones were removed!  Three were quite large, the size of a small finger nail. Bella seemed to be fine, but the next day when she still couldn't urinate, Bella had to undergo a second operation.  Afterwards, the veterinarian said to get her to the USA.  Tomorrow!   Equipment for more sophisticated surgery is available in Houston.  But it's expensive and no guarantees.

Bella has had two serious bladder infections in the past, each requiring a one night hospital stay.  The stones were probably forming back then, but were too small to detect.  After a gut wrenching Saturday night thinking we'd have to her put to sleep, a spirit of prayer kicked in, faith began to rise, and we prayed for God to heal Bella.  When Dr. Laurie called Sunday morning from the San Pedro Animal Hospital, we were prepared to tell her we'd made a decision----not to take Bella to Houston.  But we were met with a good report:  Bella was making puddles on the floor!  The blockage was cleared, the prognosis was good.  

Bella is home now, lying beside me on the sofa.  She's panting.  But Tom just returned from the clinic where Bella had another injection and the medication makes her sleepy and causes some panting.  She has way too many stitches to count!  And to get everything in perspective, Bella weighs 6 lbs, 3 oz.  (She'll be four years old in September.)  But on this follow up visit Dr. Laurie said, "Bella looks a hundred times better! I'm amazed." 

We say, "Thank you Lord."  Our God hears and answers prayer. That in no way takes away from Dr. Laurie Droke and her staff at the San Pedro Animal Hospital (sanpedroanimalhospital.com).  They're skilled, committed, and compassionate, and we can't thank you enough.  

A special thanks, also, to an all night, every night, security guard named Neftali who in the middle of Saturday night prayed with Tom for Bella. Thanks, Neftali, for your faithfulness on the job and your heartfelt prayers.

Finally, a big thank you to our faithful readers, literally around the world.  We wish we knew all of you personally!  Thanks for encouraging my husband with Bella in Belize, his first ever attempt at blogging.  I appreciate it.  We're both astounded at the number of countries where Bella in Belize is being read!  Please check back soon, tell your friends, and remember to come visit. You're gonna love Belize!

                                             Shelley