Mert's Progress...pg.4

[cubfan1968]

Its kind of like the Incredible Journey but at the South Pole.

Rod Whitman
1972 Six Day (Rider)
1972 Six Day (Project)

[sixdazed]

Hi Guys,Mert's had somewhat of a breakthrough,his reaction on the right eye has returned and he seems much better.he woke me at 3:00 a. m. to go outside and play ball!Looks like the medication is finally starting to work.his tailwagging is more frequent and coordination seems to be returning.Don't want to get over excited,but its starting to look better!See Ya, Ric,Mert,Malcolm.....

ric emmal

[fasmith]

Excellent!

Freddie

[tomale]

That is great news, yea Mert:D

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
75' GS400 (project bike)
72'sixday (project bike)

[sixdazed]

Hi Guys,Just to update you on Mert(since that's the first thing everyone asks when i talk to them!).He's doing good.Still has a problem with his hindquarters ocassionally,as if his back legs just don't work right sometimes,but we will address that at the next vet visit.Other than that,for the most part i couldn't be more pleased with his progress.I think he's due for next vet appt. on Thursday so i'll keep you guys posted.Thanks,-Ric,Mert,Malcolm......

ric emmal

[sixdazed]

Hi Guys, I know this is a motorcycle site,and not a dog site but i HAVE to urge anyone who has a dog or other animal and lives in the southwest-ca.,az.,n.m.,tx.,and others to check out this site below regarding the horrible disease my dog Mert has,Valley Fever.i figure if one dog is saved(or kept from going thru the hell that Mert has had to) by a Pogger reading it and helping his pet,it'll be worth the space.Thanks to all who helped/prayed/shared kind thoughts/sent cards/well wishes,and i'll only update you if his condition changes for the better (or worse,god forbid) as i'm sure some of you are tired of hearing of his troubles and we can use the space for m/c issues as intended-(as suggested by an email i received by one unhappy Pogger).All other email i received was very kind and positive-thank you.I never intended to upset anyone or use so much space(i was just going to sell a bike,then you guys took the ball and ran with it).Mert is getting the best possible care,the crisis is averted,and my 250 Penton(and my other projects)still are here where they belong-thanks to you guys,so please just an occassional prayer or kind thought is all that is needed now.I sold some other stuff and will put it away towards his future care,surgery,or whatever.We're looking at 4 to 12 months before he's out of the woods completely,but i'll still let you know periodically how he is(maybe monthly).I owe you at least that.Again we can't thank you enough-Ric,Mert,and Malcolm........ Here's the site for valley fever-if you live out here your pet could have it and you might not know it until it's too late so please take a look!                                             //www.vfce.arizona.edu

ric emmal

[azjay]

my father-in-law got valley fever too, it nearly killed him as well! improperly diagnosed for 9mos. the disease is borne from spores in the desert dust, common to wild land firefighters, (as in my father-in-law's case), farmers, field workers, road builders, etc. anybody that works in a unusually dusty environment.

[sixdazed]

Yep,Desert racers too!Although any racing i have done has been in Nevada,Baja,and So-Cal;it makes me wonder when out riding how much of these spores I'm inhaling.I heard about a guy who was diagnosed with lung cancer only to find out later it was valley fever.On the valley fever website they say there may be a vaccine in the works.The sooner-the better.Malcolm,(my other golden)is going in next week to be tested to make sure that if he tests positive we can nip it in the bud (before it migrates to his brain if he does have it)by putting him on the meds at that time.But he has no symptoms (Thank God!)so maybe he got lucky at least so far.Had i known about this disease i surely would have thought twice before moving here.Or considered a lightweight scuba type breathing system for racing and for my dogs!Cheers,Ric and co.

ric emmal

[sixdazed]

Hi Folks,I just thought i'd update you-Mert had a bit of a problem when the vets tried to back him off his seizure meds.No seizures,but he was acting like he was ready for one when i started his phenobarbitol back up.The vet agreed we should try and taper him off more slowly,so we lowered his morning dose and left the nite doses alone.He's back to where he was before the dose change now,tough little bugger that he is.I guess we have to be patient and let the meds do their work.He's still got issues but i cherish each day with him now,even when he's a bit grumpy!Take Care,-Ric,Mert,Malcolm............

ric emmal

[sixdazed]

Hello All,Just a quick update on the pooch-Mert's hanging in there and doing well.Had blood work and other testing done earlier this week and though the lesion is still present on his brain,he has been doing good with a reduction in his seizure meds so far and seems to be doing well.It's a long slow process and Thanks again for all the prayers and kind thoughts,etc.Take Care, Ric,Mert,+ Malcolm......

ric emmal

[sixdazed]

Bad news for Mert-seizures started again at midnite last nite-stayed up all nite with him.my dads checking on him today while i'm at work.very disappointing......have a call in to his vet and we will go from there.a fellow pogger just emailed me and asked why i hadn't updated you guys on Mert.unfortunately he relapsed a bit but he has a good heart and hopefully can continue to fight on.Daniel(thrown chain)and all-thanks for your concern......Ric,Mert, Malcolm

ric emmal

[sixdazed]

Please disregard if you are tired of hearing Mert's condition.I feel like i should keep those who want to know informed.We changed his meds again and he seems to be better(no seizures since thursday nite).Crossing my fingers......Ric and the gang....

ric emmal

[thrownchain]

Most of us I would imagine are dog owners. Probably the best friend anyone could have. They ask very little and give lots in return. One mans dog is more like everyones friend and we care enuff to want to know.We know if you lose one what it's like and don't want it to happen to soon.

[tomale]

Ric, for some reason I was thinking that Mert was out of the woods... So sorry to hear that he still is having issues. I will go back to praying for you and Mert. If God cares about the sparrow that falls from a tree then he most certainly cares about man's best friend. Take care and pet mert for me.

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
75' GS400 (project bike)
72'sixday (project bike)

[sixdazed]

Thom,So was i because he had been stable and seizure free.You wouldn't believe how helpless you feel when he's laying on the ground convulsing.He had the disease so bad i'm just lucky to still have him here.but he's been good since changing dosage again-so far so good.At this point its a matter of letting the meds do their job while trying to control/avoid seizures.Thanks for the prayers and kind thoughts.Ric

ric emmal