This is skippers story with his FCE. Also known as fibrocartilagenous embolism.

Skipper has been a patient for many years. I’ve been acutely aware there has been niggling back issues. He has fairly frequent moments of collapse that he recovered from quickly.

He had a referral and MRI. But his story reminds us that biology and bodies make thier own rules and keep us on our toes.

Nothing was found in the MRI so he had supportive care to keep him on the straight and narrow.  This actually worked well and mum could see the benefits from when he came for physio and noticed if he missed it.

Then he suddenly had a far more severe onset of the FCE that was probably going on in the background in some odd way. He was back to the referral vet who was brilliant, and then he came back to me for more physio as part of his conservative management plan.

Conservative management, or a plan that doesn’t involve surgery, is a very normal treatment plan for FCE.

Skippers recovery has been slow, and that is always sad. But I have supported mum throughout. We have not given up. We did this because he has not given up. He is happy and cheeky every day, and whilst mum and family are happy to give him all the care he needs, then I am happy to support and give them all the help they need.

I set mum up with a progressive exercise plan that progressed at his pace of recovery. From early on, it was clear that the biggest problem would be keeping him slow enough to concentrate on staying stood. He doesn’t care if he sits, stands, walks, or drags….its all the same to him so long as he gets what he wants out of the moment, and he really does! I think many of us could learn from his devil may care mindset!

He has minimal bladder control but has regained most feacal control now. The fsmiym are fine and know how to manage this well. His skin is comfortable, and they are simply returning the love to him, that he has given to them for so many years.

I have so much empathy for the situation, and Logan, my boy, needed higher levels of care in his last months, too. Not everyone can give this for so many valid reasons, but for anyone who can, I will hold their hand. It’s always so personal and an individual journey. No 2 journeys will ever be the same.

Skipper even tried to jump on the sofa last week! He is now walking, but his balance is poor, so a sofa jump was a bit crazy!

Well done, Skipper and the whole family, as it takes the dedication of a whole family to support this care level well. You are all an inspiration.