Jolene Discovers She's Pregnant
Jolene and Ricky were ecstatic when they discovered that they were pregnant because they had been trying to get pregnant for a while, and had started worrying that something was wrong.
Everyone was happy for the young couple - everyone except their horse Keola. For some bizarre reason, their horse had not taken to the pregnancy and seemed unhappy that Jolene was going to have a baby. The reason the couple knew this was because Keola had started acting strangely.
The Horse's Odd Behavior
Their horse Keola had started walking up to Jolene and had been licking and hugging her pregnant belly. This wasn't usual behavior for the horse. It wasn't the normal behavior of any horse as far as the couple was aware.
The couple, like any young married couple starting a family, were disturbed by Keola's behavior, but not so disturbed that they initially did anything about it. Mostly they tried to ignore the horse's strange hugging and licking because they didn't want to admit that something might be wrong.
She Began Experiencing Back Pain
The couple continued to ignore Keola's reactions, and in the meantime, Jolene's pregnancy was progressing well. Into her 25th week pregnant, she began experiencing severe pain in her lower back. The pain became so bad that Jolene was rushed to the hospital.
She was also unable to walk because of the pain. At the hospital, one of the doctors insisted that she undergo an ultrasound. When he saw the ultrasound image on the screen he turned to the couple and told them that he was going to have to call the police.
Young And In Love
Before all of this drama began, Ricky and Jolene were just a normal couple who had been together since they were both 16 years old. After school, they moved in together, and eventually bought a horse, and named it Keola.
They were in love and on the outside, their relationship seemed to be perfect. Of course, one doesn't always know what goes on behind closed doors, and for some reason, Jolene felt something was missing from their relationship.
Ricky Was Secretive About His Past
Despite being together for years, Jolene knew very little about her fiance's past. She would ask him questions, and he would be reluctant to answer them. She often asked him about his family, and he would always insist that he didn't have one.
Being as in love as she was Jolene felt that she could live with this aspect of Ricky's even if it bothered her. He was probably never going to change, and he insisted that it was painful to talk about, so Jolene decided to just let it go for now.
Jolene And Ricky Get Married
After being together as a couple for almost 10 years, Jolene and Ricky decided that it was about time they tied the knot. They had saved a bit of money for the ceremony, and Jolene was excited to celebrate their love with their friends and family.
As it was their ultimate special day the bride assumed that Ricky would at least invite some of his family to the wedding. To her absolute shock, Ricky didn't invite any family to the wedding, and the only friends he invited were the ones she had met during their relationship. There was no one at the wedding who had known Ricky before he turned 16 and met Jolene.
Struggles and Joy
After struggling to get pregnant, Jolene and Riky consulted a doctor. They underwent many tests and then waited nervously for the results to come back.
All tests seemed fine and eventually, Jolene fell pregnant. They were thrilled and shared their happy news with all their friends and family who were all happy for them.
Their Horse's Dangerous Behavior
Everyone in their life was happy for the couple, except for their horse Keola. Besides the fact that Keola would walk up to Jolene and start licking her belly, he also hugged Jolene aggressively a couple of times, and this was when alarm bells began ringing in the couple's minds.
Keola's behavior was not only strange, but it was also very scary. They were worried that either the horse felt threatened, or maybe the horse was sick and was trying to tell them so.
They Were Concerned About Their Horse
Concerned that there might be something wrong with their horse, the couple called in a veterinarian to do some checkups on Keola. The vet found absolutely nothing wrong with the horse, which was a relief, but also left a concern.
Jolene began to do her own research on the internet, and what she learned was that Keola's behavior could be linked to the health of her unborn baby. She realized that perhaps Keola had been trying to warn her that her baby wasn't well, and this made Jolene panic.
Getting Advice From Her Mother
Jolene began to panic about her baby, and she was terrified to tell Ricky how frightened she was. Instead of going to her husband, she decided to go to her mother for some advice.
Her mother immediately told her daughter not to be overwhelmed by what she reads on the internet. She calmly suggested that Jolene rely on her intuition rather than information on a website that could be misleading and simply make her panic for nothing.
Going for a Check Up
Now that Jolene had decided to think rationally about the whole situation, she made an appointment with a doctor for a medical check-up. Jolene was already 18 weeks pregnant, and all her previous checkups had been fine, but she was nervous about this one.
The doctor examined her, and when the results were available, he called the couple in and told them that they had nothing to worry about. According to the doctor, everything was fine. For a while, Jolene and Ricky laid their concerns to rest.
Returning To The Hospital
Jolene and Ricky had been told to return to the hospital for another check-up when she was 25 weeks pregnant. At 23 weeks pregnant, two weeks before they were scheduled for their next ultrasound and check-up, Jolene began experiencing serious back pain.
Ricky called an ambulance, and because emergency vehicles can push through traffic, one arrived quickly, and Jolene was rushed off to the hospital without Ricky. Jolene would have to go to the emergency room without her husband.
Her Ultrasound Alerted The Police
Once Jolene arrived at the hospital with the ambulance, she was immediately rushed to a doctor on call who set up an ultrasound machine. This time the ultrasound caused the doctor's face to crumple with concern.
The doctor told a panicked Jolene that he was going to have to call the police. By this time Ricky had also arrived and the young couple was feeling traumatized and scared. They couldn't understand why no one was willing to tell them what was going on, and if their baby was in fact okay.
Ricky Was Taken in for Questioning
The police arrived very soon after that, and they immediately wanted to take Ricky away for questioning. They told Ricky they had questions for him regarding his wife. At the hospital, they started with normal questions about the couple's life, but then the questions became strange.
They began asking Ricky about the couple's movements in the last few weeks, and also intimate questions about Jolene's pregnancy. Ricky became angry with the police and demanded that they leave him alone. He would regret this when they took him to the police station for further questioning.
They Both Started Panicking
When Ricky was taken to the police station, he started panicking about leaving his wife alone at the hospital. The police promised they would tell Ricky everything once they got to the station.
At this point, Jolene didn't know anything either, and she was also panicking as they took her husband away. She was also worried about her baby, and what the doctor had told her.
She Would Have to Have Surgery
After Ricky had been taken away by the police for questioning, Jolene was informed by a doctor that she would have to undergo surgery. The doctor had also been instructed by the police not to say anything as to why. All he was allowed to say was that it was necessary for her baby.
She was however given the option of not having the surgery. Jolene didn't take long to mull the decision over in her mind, and because her baby's welfare was at stake she chose to undergo surgery.
Ricky Was Taken to an Interrogation Room
Initially, the police asked very simple questions at the station, but eventually, he was taken to an interrogation room where Ricky became frustrated and angry. So far the police hadn't told him anything, and they needed to start explaining themselves.
From behind a mirrored window, Ricky was shown a line-up of five men, and he was asked if he recognized any of the men. He did! One of the men in the line-up was his and Jolene's very own doctor. Ricky was stunned.
The Doctor and the Microchip
The police finally told Ricky the truth. Their doctor had implanted a microchip inside Jolene's body. The chip was meant to regulate her medication, but these chips were not legal yet, and therefore their doctor was in a lot of trouble.
Ricky was relieved to finally understand what was going on. The medicines had also been registered in Ricky's name and that was the reason the police had taken him in for questioning. Now all Ricky had to do was get back to his wife.
He Was Reunited With Jolene
After the interrogation, and the revelation about Jolene's pregnancy, the police drove Ricky back to the hospital to be with his wife. When he arrived at the hospital Ricky couldn't find Jolene at first, and this made him panic even more.
His wife's doctor found Ricky making a scene in the corridors, and had to force him to calm down because he was upsetting the other patients in the hospital. He told Ricky he knew all about the chip, and immediately took him to where Jolene was waiting for him.
So What Did The Horse Warn Them About?
It's evident that the horse didn't warn them about the chip because it knew it was illegal, right? If that were the case, I think horses would be lawyers.
The horse actually "felt" the Inflammation that the chip was causing in her body. If went untouched, the Inflammation could spread to the fetus and cause some bad news. So good for us that this horse was around.
Everything Was Going to Be Fine
Finally, Ricky and Jolene were reunited, and the doctor informed them that everything was going to be fine. The only thing left to do was for Jolene to go through with the surgery.
The surgery was needed to remove the chip, and the reason for Jolene's incredible back pain was attributed to the microchip in her body. As soon as it was removed she would be safe to return home and wait out the remainder of her pregnancy.
Jolene Was Finally Sent Home
After the successful surgery, Jolene was finally allowed to go home. They both knew why everything had happened, and were both just so relieved to no longer be in the dark about their unborn baby.
Jolene would spend a further 17 weeks pregnant, but this time everything went smoothly. They no longer had to panic about their baby's health, the behavior of their horse, or the police investigating them. They were going to be fine.
Their Baby Was Born
After 40 weeks of being pregnant, Jolene finally gave birth to a healthy baby girl. The couple named her Giulia. These young parents were certainly going to have a very unique story to tell their daughter when she was old enough to hear it.
Ricky and Jolene had been through so much, and it was just a relief to finally have their daughter in their arms safe and sound. This isn't a story that they would ever forget, but they were probably relieved to have moved past it.
Learning to Listen to Their Horse
After everything, Ricky and Jolene owed absolutely everything to their horse Keola. If it hadn't been for their horse's strange behavior they would have had no idea there might be something wrong until it was too late.
Guilia owed her life to Keola, and Ricky and Jolene would forever be grateful to the horse for communicating with its owners in the only way it could. This is a reminder always to remember that animals have their own language too, and can sometimes sense what we cannot.
This Husky Sniffed His Owner and Saved Her Life... Three Times
They say that a dog is a man’s best friend. While this may be true, a dog can also be a woman’s lifesaver. It's easy to picture a dog waiting at the door with a wagging tail after a long day at work, and running enthusiastically to catch a ball, but we don’t expect a dog to sniff out ovarian cancer.
Yet that’s exactly what happened to one woman from Wisconsin. Her gorgeous husky dog named Sierra alerted her of troubles before they could even be picked up by a scan. The loyal and sensitive pooch saved its owner’s life not once, but three times.
The First Symptoms of Cancer
Can you remember what you were doing in the year 2013? Stephanie Herfel was in the process of moving from sunny California to the upper-midwestern state of Wisconsin. Not long after settling into her new home, Stephanie noticed that she started to gain a lot of weight.
Nothing had changed in her diet or exercise routine, so Stephanie was surprised when she stepped on the scale and discovered that had put on 60 pounds. Not long after, she started to experience uncomfortable pain in her abdomen. Sometimes, it was so severe that she folded herself in half. It was time to visit the emergency room.
The First Diagnosis Was Dubious
When the pain became unbearable, Stephanie decided that it was time to get a professional opinion. However, the diagnosis was slightly unexpected. Speaking to the media, 53-year-old Stephanie says, “It was so bad that my yoga pants even hurt. They told me I had an ovarian cyst.”
Assuring Stephanie that the cyst was benign, the doctor prescribed her pain medication and sent her on her way. Admittedly, the medication helped and Stephanie started to feel much better. However, the cyst wasn’t benign, and Stephanie was in more danger than she realized.
Unusual Husky Behavior Was A Red Flag
Relieved that she didn’t have anything to worry about, Stephanie continued to live her life per usual. A few months after her diagnosis, she booked a vacation and took some time off. However, when she returned home, she noticed that her husky, Sierra, was behaving strangely.
Stephanie explains, “Sierra put her nose on my belly and pushed very intently and I just thought she missed me. On the third time, I called her on it.” Sierra’s unusual behavior only got more weird as the hours rolled by.
Sierra Made Stephanie Search For Answers
At first, Stephanie thought that Sierra simply missed her while she was away on vacation. However, her incessant nudging was just the prelude to even stranger behavior. Sierra disappeared and hid away from her owner. It took Stephanie a whole hour before she finally found her pooch curled up in a ball with her tail peeking out. Something was wrong.
Stephanie shares, “They say dogs don’t cry, but I don’t know if it was fear or what, but the fur all around her eyes was just soaking wet and she had the biggest eyebrow cringe I’ve ever seen.” Certain that her dog was trying to tell her something, Stephanie decided to get a second opinion about her cyst.
The Second Opinion Wasn’t A Positive One
Dogs have a special way of communicating with humans, and the bond that Stephanie shared with Sierra was unique. She knew that her beloved pooch was trying to tell her something and she chose to trust her instinct.
Without delay, Stephanie scheduled an appointment with a gynecologist to get a second opinion about the cyst. A month later, she received the heartbreaking news that she had stage 3 ovarian cancer. Dubbed the “silent killer”, ovarian cancer doesn’t usually have symptoms. If it does, it mimics other illnesses. Sierra had discovered what many doctors couldn't.
Had Sierra Saved Her Life?
If Sierra hadn’t nudged Stephanie with such vigor, then she may not have gotten a second opinion about her cyst. In turn, Stephanie was able to get an accurate diagnosis and begin proper treatment.
At first, Stephanie was concerned that her doctor may laugh at her theory. However, after telling her oncologist about Sierra's behavior, he did some further research on the possibility. Stephanie shares, “I was strangely impressed with him, he was very engaging. He said, ‘You know I looked into this ... it's not breed-specific, but if dogs can pick up the sense, they are 98% accurate.’” As it turns out, there are studies to support Stephanie’s belief in Sierra’s sniffing skills.
Studies Support Stephanie’s Theory
After doing some digging, it was revealed that some dogs are able to detect cancer through their keen sense of smell. The Experimental Biology journal determined that a dog's sense of smell is 10,000 times more accurate than a human's.
When put to the test, dogs were able to sniff out blood samples in cancer patients with an accuracy score of approximately 97%. Thanks to Sierra’s superb sense of smell, Stephanie was able to get proper treatment. But the battle wasn’t over yet.
A Cancerous Cycle Begins
Luckily, Stephanie’s cancer had not spread. While it was certainly dangerous, it was still contained and could easily be removed. Stephanie underwent a 10-hour surgery to remove the tumor. After stitching her back up, doctors told her that she was good to go. Little did everyone know that she would soon be back.
A short 18 months after her operation, Stephanie went away for the Fourth of July weekend. She was barely two days into her trip when Sierra started acting strange once again. When her lovable companion hid away for a second time, Stephanie knew that something was wrong yet again.
Sierra Went From Sweet Pet To Life Saver
Sierra’s strange behavior didn’t go unnoticed. While Stephanie found her dog's actions eerily familiar, others on the vacation shrugged it off. Stephanie shares, “Everyone I was there with just said, ‘You know it’s probably a new place.’ But I knew it my gut it was not nothing.” And she was correct.
After returning from the weekend, Stephanie booked a CT scan. As she suspected, the cancer was back. Only this time, it had spread to her liver. Sierra had saved the day once again. Stephanie shares, “She just changed from this really sweet pet to one that is a life-saving member of the family that is a little like a human.” But the battle was not over yet...
A Third Time Lucky
Cancer in Stephanie’s liver was treated before it spread and became a fatal, uncontrollable disease. For the 33 months that followed, Stephanie was in the clear and lived a happy, normal life with her pooch. However, out of the blue, Sierra gave Stephanie the usual warning signs. Without a moment of doubt, Stephanie booked a scan and it was confirmed that her ovarian cancer was back - at stage 3 again. Keeping her spirits high, Stephanie shares, “I said, ‘Hey you know I have my own pet scan at home.' You’ve got to be humorous and laugh.”
Stephanie’s oncologist, Dr. David Kushner, agrees that Sierra was on to something and says, "I didn't think she was crazy at all. I said, 'Probably your dog was picking up that you weren't feeling okay.’”
Radiation Therapy Was A Success
Thanks to Sierra, Stephanie could receive timeous treatment. The three-time cancer patient underwent radiation, following it up with chemotherapy in the fall. Between the treatment, Stephanie made the most of her life, taking two vacations with her husband who she met while in remission. The couple had been married for two years, and he was committed to supporting her during her treatment.
During radiation treatment, Sierra continued to act strangely. There were no shared kisses between the dog and owner. Instead, Sierra would hide away, fearful of the hovering threat of cancer.
Back to the Cuddles
Once the radiation treatment was complete, Stephanie started with chemotherapy. Almost as though a switch had been flipped, Sierra started to show her owner love once again. Stephanie believed that her dog’s cuddles were a sign that the treatment was working.
She says, “It is chillingly wonderful ... I’m like, ‘OK it’s working.' She was that accurate over the course of this journey.” Needless to say, Stephanie’s battle against cancer became all the more bearable with her trusty dog at her side.
An On-Again Off-Again Relationship With Cancer
As with most cancer patients, Stephanie was fighting a constant battle against ovarian cancer. For six years, she received treatment for stage 3 metastatic and recurrent cancer. Stephanie believes that Sierra has allowed her to live longer by alerting her every time cancer returned.
Stephanie says, “I just feel honored to be her spokesperson because I really believe she’s the star. She’s given me an opportunity at longevity." As a proud pup-owner, Stephanie adds, “I believe she saved my life, and she continues to do so. I’m very grateful to her … Sierra is a gift. [Without her], I don’t think I’d be here having this conversation.”
Raising Awareness About Ovarian Cancer
As the silent killer, ovarian cancer affects about 21,000 women in the United States each year, of which roughly 14,000 die from the disease. Thanks to Sierra and her loving communication with her owner, Stephanie has managed to survive ovarian cancer multiple times.
Adopting a positive attitude, Stephanie is committed to living a joyful life, despite the disease. She says, “I understand that this [cancer] is really bad, but I am going to use all the means I can to make my life joyful.” What a heartwarming story!