Holli was weak and at times not very responsive, her head would roll back in what I had witnessed before as a death roll, so I was very nearly heartbroken, but trying to hold on to hope. As she warmed up we tried to access the damage in case immediate transport for emergency treatment to stabilize her was needed. We could not get any response from her back legs so we were keeping her quiet while arranging an emergency vet appointment.
Meanwhile Holli seemed to crash while I was on the phone to a good friend temporarily unable to reach our vet. I was told her head snapped back and went lifeless, I rushed to her sobbing. My friend calmly helped me stay composed as we made a plan to pack, possibly for a 6 hour trip to Kansas State University with Dawn and little Holli. Thank god our vet called so it was a 30 minute trip.
X-rays revealed a spinal injury, it was dropped down and the space was unequal to the others, not good. Doctor got a line in, gave steroids and sent us home with some. He suggested that we watch for any blood in the stool or urine. We would have to use pressure to expel urine and possibly use enemas to help Holli eliminate as she had none of these functions. Prognosis for recovery was guarded, we appreciated that no false hope would be given, Holli was pretty weak, but we were going the distance.
The first night we spent on the bathroom floor in case we needed to quickly warm her with the space heater. Neither of us got much sleep as I hoped that she would make it through the night. She groaned quite a bit, I lay right by her trying to comfort her.
The next morning we gave the steroids and took the line out. We had to practice bottle feeding, no success milking mom, although she stood wonderfully after I explained that little Holli needed her. We got her on goats milk, plenty rich.
Holli did not have the muscles needed to hold her bowel in, it was protruding outside her rectum. Stitches had to be put in to help hold it in, although it did still protrude sometimes. It was necessary to use enemas and manually eliminate for her. The vet targeted the muscles in acupuncture and within a couple weeks we removed the stitches.
We needed to put steroid eye ointment a few times a day for several weeks to help relief her very red membranes around her eyes.
My family found a walker along side the highway and my mom sewed a sling, she always makes anything that I dream up. Holli did very well in it and seemed to be happy to not have to lay around. My family and neighbors drew near and brought goats milk, bedding and helped get us to vet appointments. Everyday Holli grew stronger and amazed everyone with her spirit and progress. We messaged her legs often and turned her when she would lie down.
We held her up to nurse on momma Dawn, who would wait by the porch where we brought her out. At first Dawn did not want to join the herd worried about little Holli. I explained to Dawn, she kissed my cheek, she had learned that before she came to us, she followed me the short distance to the barn, I gave her some alfalfa hay for a treat. I left the gate open so that she could come to the porch any time that she wanted to and the herd could join her too. I would look out and there was Dawn waiting to nurse baby. Gradually Dawn understood the routine, all I had to do was call her and she would run up and nurse Holli, what a wonderful mom.
We had passed the point of the steroids taking the swelling down and feeling returning, there was no response. We went to a therapist, Holli would start with acupuncture. She responded quite well, the feeling came back and she started getting stronger so we started hydrotherapy, a treadmill under water. Holli made great strides and then her front legs were effected by the hard work to help her back legs. She could not straighten her right leg, it was about a 15 degree bend. Then the left started angling out, we took her to another vet after suspending hydrotherapy. We were told that we could try splints, but it did not sound hopeful. We tried wrapping them but that was not enough support, then radiator hose, but not enough room for padding as we wanted to avoid sores or discomfort. Finally a truck supply gave us bigger hose and I got memory foam for padding. I called K. state and they said they used PVC pipe, so we cut some down and went back to the vet so they could show us how to wrap them. But after only 3 days in the hoses with Bill and Jeanneanne working hard when I was out of town the vets were shocked to see that Hollis legs were nearly back to normal and recommended that we stick with our splints for another 2-3 weeks.
A god sent neighbor, Jeanneanne, a therapy specialist had been coming to message and give therapy most every night to Holli, she even worked on my worn old shoulder and arms so I could more easily care for Holli. I had not been without pain for years, she is amazing. Jeanneanne work tirelessly each night, even after endless hours at work and being under the weather. With such a great sense of humor and boundless energy Jeanneanne was helping to heal both Holli and me in many ways, she has supported us by gifts of her love, joy, therapy, caring ways, food, medical devices, bedding, and shares Hollis story with others that give such appreciated support. Jeaneanne is just outstanding and has always been there for us with disregard for her own rest, time and sleep. We love Holli so much, at times when fatigue and worry wanted to creep in Jeanneanne was always there never wavering, she always believed in Holli, that she would walk, even when she had no feeling whatsoever. Now I am a hopeless enthuist, but without Jeaneanne, I just don't know. Endless thanks, I wish everyone could have a Jeaneanne in their life, she kept us on track even when Hollis front legs were in trouble, Jeaneanne made the turn around happen as the vets were very concerned and unable to advise us further and I was very afraid for Holli. Her gifted hands loving heart and wonderful therapy won out. It runs in the family too. Mary Liz, Jeanneannes sister is so sweet, she comes to visit and work with Holli and our rescue dog Roxy, everyone is especially fond of her and look forward to her visits. Both are on vacation in Versailles. You will know just how dedicated they are, as they call internationally to see how Holli and we are getting along. I cannot say enough about this exceptional family.
Progress:
Holli has returned to hydrotherapy in only 3 visits now she is up from conveyor speed of 20's origanally to 76 now! In only 10 minutes she walked ata brisk pace .6 miles. Doc says that uphill, underwater and with a current that is the equivalent of 1.8 miles on land!!!! YES!!! That is huge, but what is even better is that every step she was able to place her toes correctly and never misstepped or knuckled under, not even once!
Holli can stand the entire time she nurses unassisted. She can raise herself off of the ground and get to her feet taking several steps before tiring. She can walk about 50 feet with support so that she does not go too fast.
We are currently working to strengthen her inside muscles on her back legs. We use a tens unit on a low setting and message for 30 minutes at a time on each rear leg. Also it was helpful to make padded bracelets for her rear legs so that while she is in her walker her legs stand up straighter, after only 2 days she is now standing up straight on her own without support. The vet is very excited about her progress in hydrotherapy.
Bedding:
We were loaned a pet water bed for added cushon and we use 4 layers of thick bedding and wee pads to keep her as dry as possible. As you can imagine we go through many loads of laundry each day. Again family and neighbors came through as they donated comforters, towels, pads and rugs.
Food:
Holli did not gain weight for a couple weeks, despite all the goats milk that she was taking in. So we graduated her to alpaca feed pellets and great quality late harvest choice hays that we cut up for her. She enjoys alfalfa, lespedeza, blue grass, orchard, reed canary and mixed grass. She really enjoys eating throughout the day and has a healthy appetite. She is up to 30 lbs. now.
Visitors:
Holli seems to love visitors. Neighbors Bonny & Webb, came for a visit, Hollis mom, Dawn seemed to especially enjoy them and stayed close, wanting attention. Webb petted Holli and talked to her. Dawn wanted to follow Bonny out of the gate, maybe Dawn thought she could trim their lawn :-).
Even people that have never met Holli and live far away follow her progress. Bonny & Webbs daughter and son-in-law that live in California and had the flu called and thought to ask Bonny how Holli was doing. A couple in Topeka Kansas called after receiving a Holli button at an alpaca show and spent considerable time thoughtfully inquiring and sharing supportive thoughts and well wishes.
Only one other occasion with other supportive neighbors Dawn gave kisses and wanted to be petted, she actually leaned on our neighbor and followed him around like a puppy. She felt especially comfortable with this couple and stayed with them the entire visit of over half an hour. Both couples are soft spoken and love animals, maybe Dawn somehow knows that they are helping little Holli.
Hollis namesake:
I Knew right away when we got little Holli what to name her. She is named after our wonderful treasured neighbor who has triumphed over many of lifes most difficult hurtles and several ongoing medical challenges on her own. She even received last rights during one very close call. Never count this courageous, uplifting woman out as her very positive spirit keeps her going, she is a joy to all of us that know her.
She keeps an eye out for the alpacas, it gives us peace of mind as she especially watches them closely when we are expecting cria (baby alpacas) and our old girl that has seizures.
Hollis Hope:
Shortly after her injury little Holli eagerly made such progress and many of us close to her had one word on our mind. After hearing 2 other people say the word that had crossed my mind, it was decided, we would name her Hollis Hope.
I could never have imagined all the things that I would learn through this time with Holli. Many of life’s lessons that I needed but would never have chosen. It is amazing what a little Hope can do.
A sincere, from the heart thank you for all that have shown kindness and well wishes.
God Bless you,
love,
Holli , Michelle, friends & family
P.S. You may notice that throughout the website Hollys name is spelled HOLLI, that is the correct spelling, however the website is Hollys Hope. This is due to the urgency to get the website built before finding out that her name sake spells it Holli. Thank you for your patience.
My sister, Barb, spent a lot of time building and updating the web site. We get many compliments on how well done it is. A huge thank you goes out to my sis and my brother-in law for lovingly helping in so many ways.
