Grayson & Lu
Member Since 2012
Good afternoon all -
I posted earlier this week in Lev and PZI, where we spent most of our FDMB time, but I just wanted to extend my (our) thanks to those of you here as well, for the advice and support you provided Grayson and me after his Acro diagnosis and switch from ProZinc to Levemir. Because of our many friends here at FDMB who guided us along the way, encouraged testing for Acromegaly and Insulin Resistance, and held my hand through a couple of REALLY crazy times, I was able to have nearly three extra years with my big gray boy. In addition, I can't say enough about the value of everyones' spreadsheets - particularly those on Lantus & Lev when we changed insulins. Seeing "how low you REALLY can go" was a tremendous help to me as we eventually started seeing lower numbers. I panicked at the first blue... and stayed up all night the first time I shot a 92! But it got easier - and always knowing someone was up and able to help when things got sticky, was VERY comforting. THANK YOU!!!
I would be remiss to not mention the research and care of Dr. Kathy Lunn and her colleagues, previously at CSU, now at NC State. Grayson was one of the lucky few that benefitted from her association with both facilities. She had already left Colorado when we were considering SRT (stereo tactic radiation therapy), and little did I know that she and her husband had moved to NC State's vet school (just one hour away from me)! I met her at NCSU when G had his pre-SRT ultrasound, confirming organmegaly. He was anorexic looking at 12# - nearly half his normal 22 pound weight at the time - so it was kinda hard to believe he had "giantism"... But I asked her if she really believed him to be an Acro? Given his lack of response to high doses of insulin, the IGF-1 and IAA numbers, his physical appearance, his US results, she said she thought he probably was. Realizing that she (a pioneer in Acro research), probably moreso than any other vet in the world, had more experience and interaction with Acros, and with a little blind faith, we scheduled the SRT. Her team at CSU was still intact when he was treated, and his follow-ups were all done in Raleigh w/ her, so G had the benefit of having the best possible care.
I kept postponing a follow-up broadcast post of his condition, as we were SOOOOOO close to OTJ. I felt like he was just a dental away from being there... and he probably was. He'd been at .5u for several months after obscenely high doses, pre-breakthrough of his resistance. But then he encountered another (even rarer) condition that took him for his last roller-coaster ride, and this one couldn't be beaten.
My boy has taught me much over these past few years. To share our experiences, to help other kitties, and especially to acknowledge those who helped us all along our journey. THANK YOU my FDMB friends for all your support and wisdom, and to all the kitties that have helped you do what you do so well, and for all that benefit from your experience now and in the future. Thank you!
Lu-Ann & Grayson [GA]
I posted earlier this week in Lev and PZI, where we spent most of our FDMB time, but I just wanted to extend my (our) thanks to those of you here as well, for the advice and support you provided Grayson and me after his Acro diagnosis and switch from ProZinc to Levemir. Because of our many friends here at FDMB who guided us along the way, encouraged testing for Acromegaly and Insulin Resistance, and held my hand through a couple of REALLY crazy times, I was able to have nearly three extra years with my big gray boy. In addition, I can't say enough about the value of everyones' spreadsheets - particularly those on Lantus & Lev when we changed insulins. Seeing "how low you REALLY can go" was a tremendous help to me as we eventually started seeing lower numbers. I panicked at the first blue... and stayed up all night the first time I shot a 92! But it got easier - and always knowing someone was up and able to help when things got sticky, was VERY comforting. THANK YOU!!!
I would be remiss to not mention the research and care of Dr. Kathy Lunn and her colleagues, previously at CSU, now at NC State. Grayson was one of the lucky few that benefitted from her association with both facilities. She had already left Colorado when we were considering SRT (stereo tactic radiation therapy), and little did I know that she and her husband had moved to NC State's vet school (just one hour away from me)! I met her at NCSU when G had his pre-SRT ultrasound, confirming organmegaly. He was anorexic looking at 12# - nearly half his normal 22 pound weight at the time - so it was kinda hard to believe he had "giantism"... But I asked her if she really believed him to be an Acro? Given his lack of response to high doses of insulin, the IGF-1 and IAA numbers, his physical appearance, his US results, she said she thought he probably was. Realizing that she (a pioneer in Acro research), probably moreso than any other vet in the world, had more experience and interaction with Acros, and with a little blind faith, we scheduled the SRT. Her team at CSU was still intact when he was treated, and his follow-ups were all done in Raleigh w/ her, so G had the benefit of having the best possible care.
I kept postponing a follow-up broadcast post of his condition, as we were SOOOOOO close to OTJ. I felt like he was just a dental away from being there... and he probably was. He'd been at .5u for several months after obscenely high doses, pre-breakthrough of his resistance. But then he encountered another (even rarer) condition that took him for his last roller-coaster ride, and this one couldn't be beaten.
My boy has taught me much over these past few years. To share our experiences, to help other kitties, and especially to acknowledge those who helped us all along our journey. THANK YOU my FDMB friends for all your support and wisdom, and to all the kitties that have helped you do what you do so well, and for all that benefit from your experience now and in the future. Thank you!
Lu-Ann & Grayson [GA]
