Liz Update
On July 4th, 2011, Lizzie received her last dose of her scheduled TB treatment.
With great anticipation, we all planned for July 4th - Lizzie’s Independence Day (once termed “Lizziependence Day”), to mark the end of her TB treatment and the beginning of the next chapter of her life at the Sanctuary. But, unfortunately, we cannot yet rejoice in knowing that a clear path lies ahead for Liz.
As many of you know, Lizzie began her TB treatment in early 2010 and has struggled with weight loss, poor appetite and general lethargy. But the disease and, likely, the side effects of the medical treatment itself were grueling and took its toll on her. We periodically took nasal samples and sent them off to the lab for testing. Consistently negative results suggested that we were making headway in treating Liz’s TB and kept us hopeful that it was all worthwhile. But shortly before her treatment was due to end, we received the result we’d all been dreading: Liz was still TB positive.
The shock of this news lasted only briefly. Immediately, The Sanctuary’s Caregivers, management, veterinarians and Board, helped by an expert team of consultants, rallied together to decide a way forward. We decided to finish her scheduled treatment on “Lizziependence Day” and then, for several reasons, to take a break. We needed to take time to cheer her success at fighting for so long, to celebrate the commitment and dedication of her Caregivers, and to properly plan a way forward. Above all, Lizzie just needed a vacation from the endless treatment and the side effects of the drugs she had been taking for a year.
For now, things look reassuring. The short break seems to have done her good—she has rebounded to quite a remarkable degree, eating fruit and vegetables that she hasn’t touched in months, and she’s become more vocal and interactive with both Billie and Frieda, as well as with her Caregivers.
But TB in elephants is very much an unknown. We have little idea how the disease might progress, or how she will respond if we proceed with drugs that are new to her. We cannot leave Liz untreated; there is an unacceptable health risk to Caregivers and other elephants along with the severe impact on Liz’s quality of life when the disease progresses. At the same time, we know how challenging the first round of treatment was for her, and ask ourselves whether her body and spirit can handle another round.
Rest assured, we are exploring every last pro and con of every single option for moving forward. We will do everything we can to help her. Perhaps there will be some consolation in knowing that Lizzie herself, through her reactions to her training for treatment, to her drugs, to the disease and to her Caregivers and elephant companions, will guide us to the right decisions.
All is well at the moment. Liz’s break from treatment has rejuvenated her, at least for the time being, and she has many moments when she is bright, playful and vocal. Her Caregivers laugh as, once again, any time someone walks by, Lizzie opens her mouth in hopes of a treat. For now, our dear Lizzie of old is back, and we welcome her with open arms.
2011-07-31
