ACOT Message Board

8/5/09. Anna is home safe and in recovery. My brother sent us a photo that I have put on here, I'm warning you its hard to look at, so you might not want to scroll down. As my brother put it.. its not as bad as he thought, but its bad! The miracle of all of this is that it did not get her eye or ear and the doctor can't believe it didn't with the way the bite was. She has to see a plastic surgeon in a few weeks in Indiana to remove the small stitches and decided the steps from there. We were all trying to make it to Indy to be with her, but we were told by her mother "I don't need help from anyone, I can take care of her by herself, she's strong and will get through it, so I absolutely do not need help from anyone, got it!" My brother was speechless and said its probably better we don't come up b/c it will probably start a fight between all of us. We think she is just insecure about what happened and wants to fix it herself and not rely on anyone else. But Anna has a 2 year old litte sister, Lily, that saw everything. So we know Lily is going to be asking a lot of questions and wanting the same attention Anna will be getting, so its gonna be madness to be alone with two of them, but if my sister in law thinks she can do it, so be it. I'll be there for Anna for emotional support over the phone if nothing else.


When they got her home, my grandparents said she went and hide behind furniture and wouldn't come out. My MeMa ask her why she was hiding and Anna said "Its because I'm not Beautiful anymore" WHY would a child of 4 years old already be saying that! I mean who would say that infront of her or give her that impression. I cried even more thinking of how her beautiful soul has been shattered through all of this. I know she'll get through it, its just so hard to think something can happenso fast and literally scar her life forever emotionally. It just wanted me to get to Indy that much faster to hold her, but I will respect my sister in laws wishes.


So right now, I'm still in a shock mode I think. But I cannot emphasize how much all your thoughts and prayers mean to me and my family. You guys are my exteneded family and I don't know what I'd do without you! Loves and Hugs!!












8/4/09 Hey guys, I'm just freaking out right now and wanted to let you know that I won't be on here for a little while. We found out this afternoon that my poor little 4 year old neice Anna got attacked by a dog today. She was at a friends house of her mom's and the dog was being playful and then just went chasing after her. We have no what happened.. I mean I'm thousands of miles away from her and just getting short phone calls from family members with little facts. And the worst of it, is my family lives in Indy, but my sister in law took the girls to Michigan for a mini vacation to visit with her friends and this is where it all happened at. So my brother is driving over 6 hours to try to find the hospital is at! She was mainly bite on the face but they had to rush her to surgery b/c she was vomitting with the morphine and the blod clots were coming un-done whatever that means. She's in recovery now but my brother got a text saying she looks even worse because her head is all bandaged up! The doctor said that the bite went into her cheek, lip, and nose and they think their is a lot of nerve damage that her cheek will always be numb for the rest of her life. I can't even fathom Anna going through this and what she looks like.


So needless so say, my parents are looking for flights and I'm trying to figure out how to get to Indiana b/c I can't fly. Its so hard not being able to do something being thousands of miles away. I don't have any kids but my neices are like my kids and I'm emotional train wreck not being able to be there for them. I may only get to go on vacations and see them a few times of year, but we talk on the phone and webcam and we just have such a bond with each other.



On top of all of it, my husband is sick, so I'm driving him all around to appts and taking care of him and I'm lost at what to do. I don't think I've ever felt this emotionally drained in my life. I'm in tears writing this right now b/c I can't stop thinking of her. So much has happened this month; dh's grandmother passing, house issues, and so much more that everything seems to be going by me in slow motion and doesn't feel like life.



I will check in when I can and let you all know when Anna is home and safe. I just want to thank you from the start, b/c I know how much you guys will help me through this! Loves and Hugs!!!!

I am so sorry. I will have little Anna and your entire family in my prayers. Stay strong and keep the faith! {{{HUGS}}}

So sorry! (((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))

OMG! How awful for her! My thoughts are with her, her family and you. ((( HuGS)))

I will keep Anna and your family in my thoughts and prayers and hope for a way you can be with her soon.

That is scary and I know how it feels to be so far away from loved ones when they need you. HUGE HUGS, I hope that everything is okay!!!!

(((((BIG HUGS))))) and good vibes and prayers coming your way.

So sorry!! Will be praying for her. I live in Indy so if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know - seriously!! {{hugs}}

I'm So sorry my prayers are with and your family, My DD best friend was bitted on her face as well when she was little now you cant even tell

I am soo sorry! You are all in my thoughts! I hope your brother arrives safely and that you are able to get there!!

awe honey, that is horrible, I'm sending you lots of hugs right now!! Try to take a deep breath. Hopefully the dr's are just being overly cautious and she'll recover just fine.

OMG what a horrible thing to have happened! I hope so much she is okay and doesn't have any permanent damage. My heart aches for that poor little girl.

HUGS and prayers!

that's terrible....all you guys will bein my thoughts and prayers~{{{HUGS}}}

My thoughts and prayers are with you and you niece and her family........


My son was also attaked by a dog 11 years ago, he was bite on the face as well, the bite went from the left side by mouth on cheek up to the right eye area. The canine tooth had ripped his lower eyelid. The surgeon did a fabulous job. You can barely see his many scars. He had over 90 stitches. He was 7 at the time, and it was very tough to see him all bandaged up. He had some damage to his eye and ended up wearing glasses for a few years, but that has now all healed. He has some nerve damage and his cheek is also numb, but overall does not cause any problems for him. Because of the bite marks and scarring, the worst thing for my son, is he will not be able to have a beard. The other bad news, was he suffered from nightmares for years, replayed the attack and the sound of the dogs growl, It is common for children, espesially when bit on the face. Just remember, these things will get better. At 18 he only has an occasional nightmare. If you want or need to talk, just PM me. I can so totally relate to the feelings you are having......

Oh no C, what horrible and sad news. I know how much your nieces mean to you. She will be in my prayers and thoughts {{hugs to you sweetie}}. Sounds like you are going through such a tough time lately, but remember your cherries are always here for you.

Oh, how awful! Your niece, you, and the rest of your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

So very sorry to hear about the little one. Hugs and prayers for you and your niece.

{{{{{HUGS}}}} to you and prayers to your entire family Carisssa, you're going through so much right now! keep us posted on your poor niece!

I'm so sorry! I'll be praying for a quick and full recovery for her. Hang in there, Carissa. We're all thinking of you!