Last Mad Dash to Try and Save Romana

Romana is in very bad shape. Dr. Weston can feel the mass but doesn't know what it is. Romana's temperature is below normal and she's lost weight. Dr. Weston doesn't feel that she's a good surgical candidate and would like to do an ultrasound first. She also feels that Romana needs 24 hour care if she's going to make it at this point. Dr. Weston has neither the ultrasound nor the 24 hour facilities. She wanted to transfer Romana to the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Cary. I have no clue how good they are or aren't with ferrets so...

Romana is going to Huntersville. Dr. Lauren Powers, who has treated my ferrets before and who is one of the best (if not the absolute best) ferret vets in North Carolina is expecting her. Carolina Veterinary Specialists, where Dr. Powers practices, has all the facilities needed and I trust Dr. Powers' judgment in critical cases completely. An hour east to Cary or a couple of hours west to Huntersville wasn't going to make a big difference. The quality of the surgeon (which everyone including Dr. Weston pretty much assumes she's going to need) will make a big difference in whether Romana lives or dies.

Please continue to keep Romana in your thoughts. I am terribly worried about her.

1:30 PM EST Update:

Romana's body temp this morning was a terribly low 97 degrees. Dr. Weston was able to get it back up to 102 and gave her fluids as well. That improves her chances of surviving surgery. She's being kept warm with a sock filled with heated beans as Summer drives west with her to Dr. Powers.

If Dr. Powers thinks Romana has a chance and that Romana will still be undergoing care there tonight and tomorrow I am going to rush down to Huntersville while Summer (my ex-flatmate and great friend who's been caring for the ferrets while I've been traveling) will go back to the Triangle to take care of Nyssa and the three healthy ones: Chin Soon, Ella, and Zephyr. I'll stay in the Charlotte area until Romana is through her crisis, one way or another.

So... these missives will likely stop today. I'll keep in touch with a couple of friends from TriFL and will eventually post on how this all works out. I can't afford the time or the cost right now (I'm in the process of moving to Wisconsin to start a new job, remember?) but, for me, Romana comes first and no time or expense is too great to save her.