I know that I have been very lazy at keeping Jackie's updates going here -- there has just been so much going on with him. Better late than never, huh???

So, for those who don't know, Jackie Chan was adopted last April after sustaining an injury which severed his spine and left him paralyzed. He has experienced some healing, but remains mostly unable to use his back side. His most recent trial begins 11 days ago. I noticed while giving him worms in the morning that his penis was fully extended. I thought maybe he was having some return of feeling in that area (he has been getting gradual return of feeling), and I knew that his cage mate was in heat, so I really didn't worry too much about it. Well, on Wednesday it was still extended. So, I made an appointment with a vet here in the area for Thursday. There really are no good glider vets in this area, but I thought I could count on this one in an emergency. Well, Thursday morning I awake to find that Jackie has chewed a bit on his penis. So, off to the vet we go. It was a terrible waste of time and money. She did NOTHING for Jackie and actually suggested that I take fingernail clippers and cut the dead skin off myself. Well, if you don't know me, let me tell you that I am fiercly protective of Jackie Chan. So, I closed up his pouch and walked right out of that office, heartbroken because I knew Jackie needed help.
I sat up all night with Jackie and he never tried to SM any more. Jackie can't be in an ecollar (long explanation) . So, we left early in the morning - in the snow and ice - for a 6 hour drive (which turned into 7 hours due to the weather) to Tulsa. I had been in touch with Anita (sweetgliders) and was hoping to see her vet. However, he was out of town. SO, Anita directed me to another vet. I called them and they were waiting for us when we finally arrived at 1:30ish.
Though not the vet we were hoping to see, this vet was very knowledgeable. Jackie set some kind of record for longest vet visit - 6 hours long!!! Jackie underwent a 4 1/2 hour long procedure during which both heads of his penis were removed. The bulk of the time was spent in trying to aleviate some of the swelling so that the penis could be retracted. So, while we were waiting and Jackie was still under anesthesia, we decided to try once again to close that wound on his butt that has been open for 6 months. [Just an FYI, this would be the 2nd surgery to close the wound and we have tried many, many other treatments for it.] Anyway, this time he did a different procedure than before and packed the wound with Collasate before closing it. So, hopefully this time it will take. The last time it was closed surgically, it only lasted 3 days.
So, after 4 1/2 hours of anesthesia, Jackie had a hard time coming out of it. He was groggy for quite a while. I got a hotel room in OK to keep an eye on him and separated him and his cage mate, Sassy. Once Jackie was awake, he and Sassy were miserable. You see, Sassy is VERY, VERY protective of Jackie and Jackie is VERY devoted to Sassy. So, even though their cages were right next to each other, they both refused to eat, sleep or play. All they did for HOURS was look at each other and bark. So, I finally let Sassy in the cage with Jackie for a bit of supervised play time. She went right to grooming his butt, but after that they both played and ate and were shared a mealie. I separated them again after several hours, and the barking began again.... So, finally I put them in a bonding pouch and watched till they fell asleep so that I could grab a few hours of sleep myself.
Jackie made it through the night and we made it back home safe and sound. This is Jackie's 4th surgery in 7 months. Jackie truely is a miracle boy. He is a fighter, but has been through enough. However, you would never know it to meet him. He does stress out easily, but he is so happy and playful and curious and energetic. Proof that attitude does not have to reflect circumstances.

awwww I'm sorry Jackie had to go though all this. But he is so lucky to have such an amazing mommy. Give him and Sassy an extra mealie from us.

I wish for all the best for both you and Jackie Chan !

Im so sorry to hear what this poor guy has had to go thru, he has lucky to have a good suggie mommy! Hope all goes well.

Poor guy. I was at Anita's house yesterday and she was telling us he was having problems again. I having been thinking about you both since leaving Tulsa. Let us know if you need anything.

What a journey you have been through with him. I hope the surgery helps and he starts recovering soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Jackie Chan and his Sassy.

God Bless and keep you and Jackie close to him in your time of need and always. Jackie has been through too much for a dear sweet tiny creation. I'm praying for strength for you Val and Jackie to heal with no more problems.

Val, you are truely and inspiration as to what a suggie mom is. So many won't take thier baby to a vet while you drive for hours to find one. Bless your heart girl and Jackie's too.

Well Ive got you both in my prayers hope that jackie heals soon and is over his bout of bad luck hes been through enough for such a sweet little one should have to go through.I guess its the same with humans its not always fair life isnt.Keep on doing the best you can and love him and the old saying love can heal almost everything is actually true.

Val, I am so glad you two made it back home safe and sound. I worried about you but I thought no news is good news. Give Jackie and Sassy a hug from me and let me know how things are going and if there is anything I can do. I know that was a long trip for the both of you but I believe in my heart Jackie is going to be just fine and his penis and bottom will heal up just fine.

Sending a special healing prayer to Mr Jackie Chan. He is a very special boy who's been through alot and it's time for all this pain to end.

Anita

I will keep you two in my thoughts and prayers. I hope Jackie Chan gets better real soon. Poor little guy. But he has an angel taking good care of him and he loves her.

Please know we are all thinking of you and Jackie Chan. You are a wonderful glider owner who goes to all out to be sure that your glider gets the care he needs. Best Wishes and we will be waiting to here how he is doing when you have time.

Val, you are such a good momma! Give him a kiss on the top of his head for me I am working on those pouches for you today, send me your address.

Just a quick update
Jackie is doing GREAT!

Things were rough the first night, but now he is doing fantastic. We have greatly surpassed the previous record of 3 days with the butt closed up -- we are now on day 7 -- YIPPIE!!!

ON another positive note, the vet did a full neurological exam while we were there and Jackie is experiencing a return of feeling and reflexes in his toes and his feet, his ankles, knees and hips. However, he is unable to coordinate all of these for an appropriate gait, and his muscles have atrophied at the hips such that he is not able to hold his body up at the hips. Given the nature of his injury and the way that his spine healed incorrectly, there really is no explanation for the extent of his recovery except that it is a MIRACLE. Proving once and for all that God DOES answer prayer. My prayer now is that this be the LAST of Jackie's emergencies.

I'm so happy to hear that Jackie is doing better! You two have been through so much and I too pray that things will be better for Jackie from now on.

glad to hear that he's doing so well! I'll say some extra prayers for him to that this be his last emergency

i am so glad that things went well for jackie.

If ever a suggie and a suggie mom were meant for each other, it is you two. With his special needs and your devotion, you two are the miracle couple!! I am praying for you both! :HUGS:

That is wonderful!

This morning I came in to find that Jackie's butt has split back open -- AGAIN! He is left with an open wound - again.

The wound is no bigger than it was before the surgery, but it does look like a fresh wound rather than all pink and granulated like before the surgery.

I am waiting on a call back from the vet, but expect that we will be traveling to Tulsa again this week. We had discussed previously a few other options. In the mean time, we are wide open for infection again, so I am doing my best to stay ahead of it.

Of course, Jackie acts like there is nothing at all wrong. He is such a trooper.

I, however, am so discouraged. I know that JAckie will be ok - after all, he has been through FAR WORSE. I am just sad for Jackie. I was really wanting to see something good happen for him.

Awww, i'm so sorry to hear that. He really does sound like a trooper bless his little heart. I hope you are able to find something that works and Jackie can finally have someting good go his way. I will pray for Jackie. So sorry you have to go through this and see him go through it.

I'm sorry! I was really hoping he would heal this time. Hopefully the vet can get it taken care of with some of the other options.

:hugs: don't fret! At least he's found you! sounds like you're being the best suggie mom you could be and more! I wish you all the luck in the world and wait for an update..

FINALLY spoke with the vet.... Based on my description, he believes that Jackie's stitches were removed by either Jackie or Sassy --- Hard to tell which - Jackie picks at anything he doesn't think belongs there IF he ever finds it (he doesn't feel it, remember). AND, Sassy grooms Jackie obsessively.
BUT, Jackie also SMs when stressed. I am going to have to separate him from Sassy for a while. Neither of them have ever taken this well - both refusing to eat or sleep even if cages were RIGHT next to each other. So, I get to be on SM watch again.

vet feels that if we tackle this in the next 24 hours, he can try yet another procedure and complete the mending. Of course, this will mean that Jackie stays with me 24 hours per day again. If you are wondering why I don't just leave it open like it was for the last 6 months, then the answer is: Now that the wound has been debrided and closed for 9 days, the tissue has begun to act like "inside" tissue should act, and is now ripe for an infection. Though Jackie has demonstrated that he has a high resistance to infection, I am simply NOT taking any chances.

I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon in Tulsa. Will be leaving here very early in the morning. Praying hard that this is THE END of these issues for Jackie Chan.

Oh Val,

I can't believe it. I am so sorry, I had high hopes for Jackie Chan to heal up this time. Please let me know when you get to town. I have to work tomorrow night but we can talk. Please keep me posted. Sending hugs to Jackie and you have a safe trip back to Tulsa.

Talk to you soon.

Anita

Wow ... Im new to the boards so I havent had a chance to hear about any of this but oh my goodness .. Im so sorry to hear about your baby!! He is so luck tho to have a mommy like you!!!! I will keep you and Jackie in my prayers ~

I'm going to post real quick for Val, at least what I know, that way everyone can pray for Jackie. He had surgery again today, in Tulsa. The nerves in his hiney keep growing, like the tail is still there. They did laser surgery to kill the end of the nerves so they won't keep growing. When Jackie woke up from the surgery, he started biting everything, the doctor, himself, Val. He bit a hole in his patagium, and then went after his foot. Val thinks there might be a drop of glue on it, because he is pulling on it like he wants to get something off. Anyhow, he tore the skin off of one toe, and I don't know how much damage was done. Sheila was there last time I talked to Val, and had made HPW for the babies, and rocked little Jackie to sleep Anita will be stopping by tonight on her way home from work with more supplies. There was a bit of an emergency earlier, but I think we are down to very concerned, right now.
I may have some of this information wrong, and Val if you wanted to post this, sorry for jumping your gun.
Pray for Jackie and his hiney and his foot, and his cagemate, Sassy.

Shawna, that is correct. I will be going by after work tonight and see if they need anything. Sheila is there with Val & Jackie now and will call me when she leaves.

Please everyone keep Jackie Chan, Val & Sassy in your prayers. Little Jackie Chan sure needs it right now. I do know that the laser surgery was a success. Now it's healing prayers that they are in need of.

Val I will call you when I leave work. Sending healing prayers & hugs your way........

Anita