Ka'ua needs your prayers

[Buffy & Boo]

Just received this e-mail from Mary & Randy Pascua and wanted to pass it on to the Splash Dogs Family. Mary & Randy can receive your well wishes at: mary@elius.net All of our prayers and well wishes go out to Ka'ua for a successful surgery and a continued long and happy life!

Hi everyone,

We hope this finds everyone well.

If you have not already heard, Ka'ua is very ill. The diagnosis is an aortic
body tumor, most likely chemodestoma. As I have been explaining, it is a
tumor on her aorta.

Last Thursday, my sister (her vet) removed a lot of fluid around her heart,
and a liter of fluid around her stomach. She is on cardiac, diuretics and
thyroid medications. She needs to be hydrated and walked every hour. We
finally got her to eat soft foods yesterday. Today she weighs 49 lbs (when
we left LA in November, she weighed in at 59 lbs)

Today was the first day that she has perked up and looked a little like her
old self.

This coming Monday evening, we (together with my sister) will be meeting
with her surgeon. It has been recommended that Ka'ua undergo "pericardial
window surgery". This is where a little window is cut around her heart so
that excess fluid would be able to drain. Statistically, the average time
with this surgery could give up to 2 years, plus or minus 170 days. After
discussing it extensively with my sister, we want to be with Ka'ua for as
much time as possible, but more importantly, have her as comfortable as we
can for the rest of her days.

We know there is a high risk when Ka'ua goes in for the surgery, and we pray
that she is strong to pull through. As of today we don't know what day that
she will be having surgery, but believe it will be shortly after our
consultation with her surgeon. After the surgery, she will be confined for
at least two weeks. For the first few days, she will remain at the surgery
center. Once her surgeon feels she is strong enough, we will move her to my
sister's clinic and hospital for the remainder of her confinement. Randy and
I would be able to spend the night at my sister's hospital and be with her
for recovery.

Ka'ua has given Randy and I so much joy, fun, pride and happiness, including
introducing us to so many new friends. I believe God will take care of our
little one, and we put her into His hands, we continue to send our thoughts
and prayers. Thank you, from the bottom of hearts, for yours.

On your next agility run or dock jump, run or jump thinking of Ka'ua.
That's what she loves the most, just having lots of fun!!

Please forward this on, as during our move to Hawaii, I have lost a lot of
data, including email addresses, and I haven't been able to physically input
it into my computer, especially the H3D group, Steph and Al.

I will keep you posted on surgery, etc. as soon as I can. We miss all of
you. Please hug your best friends for us, and we send our love.

Aloha,
Mary, Randy and Ka'ua

[Howie and Maxx]

I am so sorry to hear about this. I will DEFINATELY be keeping Ka'ua in my prayers, I know how important she is to Mary and Randy---and ALL of us.

[Sardo]

We will be praying for Ka'ua. We know how tough those bullies can be and she is a tough girl. Maximus says keep your head up and he will be jumping for her recovery at our next event.

[MickeyD'sMom]

Randy & Mary:
You are in our prayers and thoughts. MickeyD will be jumping in Ka'ua's honor this weekend at the Cow Palace. We love you!

[Docker Mom]

HI

I will be keeping Ka'ua as well as Mary and Randy in my prayers. I'm sending Ka'ua lots of love and well wishes from us. Next agility run, Phoebe & I'll dedicate it to Ka'ua.

Marilyn, Phoebe, & Dunkin

[choco's mom]

We will be sending lots of prayers from Texas.

[Labpaw]

Thinking of you and your baby! She is lucky to have you.

[all4sadie]

Ka'ua is in our prayers. Mary and Randy please keep your heads up and stay positive...I know your doing everything you can for your little girl....she is loved by so many......Our babies are tough and can handle alot.....please keep us posted on her recovery.

Cindy & Sadie
Certified Therapy Dog
Certified Narcotics Detection Team

[need2getalife]

NOTE FROM RANDY MARY CONCERNING THEIR BABY

GREG AND ALL THE KIDS 2 AND 4 LEGGED


Hi Everyone,

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for our little girl. It is most comforting to us.

Ka'ua will be going into surgery on Wednesday, February 21st in the early afternoon. Dr. Dan Severson, her surgeon, will be performing a "pericardial skirt". Ka'ua will go into the hospital between 7-8 am for prep to surgery on Wednesday. My sister will be observing the surgery.

At this point, and until he opens Ka'ua, it is unlikely that he will be able to remove the tumor. The surgery will give relief from more fluid being retained around her heart and constricting its flow. As long as all goes well in surgery, Ka'ua will remain with Dr. Severson for 2 to 3 days. He then will release her, and Ka'ua will be transported to Petswell Pet Hospital (my sister's place) for the remainder of her recovery.

As soon as we know the immediate outcome of her surgery, I will email. I do apologize for the mass email, and not communicating on an one-on-one basis, but I hope to be more personable soon. Thank you for passing on the information.

Ka'ua is our pride and joy, and gives us unconditional love. We ask God to keep her in his care, as we ask the same for all of you. Thank you again, for your thoughts and prayers, running courses and dock jumping in honor and for Ka'ua. If Ka'ua could talk, she would thank you too. Keep running and jumping and having lots of fun!

We'll keep you posted as soon as we can. We miss and love you all, hugs to you and your best friends.

Aloha pumehana,
Randy, Mary and Ka'ua

P.S.
On another note, Sandra and Urs, we briefly went on the Message Board, and want to send you our love, prayers and good thoughts for speedy recoveries.

[deedclemdogg]

Randy and Mary

Many prayers and blessings out to Ka'ua!

I remember when Randy told me the story of how Ka'ua came to be in your home and your hearts. It's amazing the message each dog can bring to our lives!

Every time it rains, I am always reminded of the love and blessings that come with it--thank you for that!