Comments on: Primary Chondrosarcoma of the Spine, Jake’s Story http://tripawds.com/2010/01/29/primary-chondrosarcoma-of-the-spine-jake%e2%80%99s-story/ A User-Supported Three Legged Dog Blog Community Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:02:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: jerry http://tripawds.com/2010/01/29/primary-chondrosarcoma-of-the-spine-jake%e2%80%99s-story/comment-page-1/#comment-37734 jerry Thu, 11 Nov 2010 05:51:19 +0000 http://tripawds.com/?p=2425#comment-37734 Sean, our hearts go out to you, this is such a horrible disease. We will forward your email to Sarah to make sure she gets it, as I know she will be glad to share her experience with you. Please know you ARE doing something, you're doing all you can to help Mango and he knows this. Always remember that dogs hold no regret or anger about the past, all they want is to live a good life today. Do your best to follow Mango's lead, and relieve yourself of the blame that doesn't exist in his eyes. We're so sorry. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help OK? We are here for you. Sean, our hearts go out to you, this is such a horrible disease. We will forward your email to Sarah to make sure she gets it, as I know she will be glad to share her experience with you.

Please know you ARE doing something, you’re doing all you can to help Mango and he knows this. Always remember that dogs hold no regret or anger about the past, all they want is to live a good life today. Do your best to follow Mango’s lead, and relieve yourself of the blame that doesn’t exist in his eyes.

We’re so sorry. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help OK? We are here for you.

]]> By: Sean http://tripawds.com/2010/01/29/primary-chondrosarcoma-of-the-spine-jake%e2%80%99s-story/comment-page-1/#comment-37718 Sean Wed, 10 Nov 2010 01:11:04 +0000 http://tripawds.com/?p=2425#comment-37718 Hi Sarah, sorry to read about Jake, I just read your story after trying to find information regarding spine cancer as I had only received the dreaded news this afternoon about our dog 'Mango' (a Staffordshire Bull-terrier), he has only just turned 8 and was very lively up until the last month, apart from the arthritis in his back leg and a year on to the month he had a 'Canine Mast Cell Tumors' removed from his hind leg/hip. (http://www.kateconnick.com/library/mastcelltumor.html) I had felt he had gone down hill soon after this op and had questioned my vet on numerous occasions about it, each time he assured me it had nothing to do with the reason he was getting this stiffness in his hind quarters. I had always believed it to be in his back but the vet always look at his hind legs until he started showing signs of nerves in the hind legs not responding to reflex tests. It was only then they decided to ex-ray his back. They found a ruptured disc and then referred him to a specialist to do cat scans, they found he had more than one ruptured disc and took a bone biopsy. I got the result at 16:45 to day it is now midnight, unable to sleep, it has turned my world upside down, my eyes are so swollen and sore from the tears and crying, I took to doing some research on the web when I came across your web page. Everything you have described is what I went through and am going through with him at present, especially the shooting pains like his back catches a nerve or something, he is in so much pain he tries to bite his back end, I have tried to comfort him to a point he has bitten my hand, not that bad but enough to feel his pain, (he has never bitten me before) it is so upsetting it bring me to tears, not through him biting me but just that I can't do anything for him so I let him hold on till the pain seems to go. Then it's the panting form the stress which really hurt me and get the tears flowing down my cheeks. 'Mango' is our child, as we can't have children, he took that roll and filled it well. We can't lose him. Sorry to put this story here but when I read this I wish I had seen it sooner and had forced my vet to ex ray sooner. Hi Sarah, sorry to read about Jake, I just read your story after trying to find information regarding spine cancer as I had only received the dreaded news this afternoon about our dog ‘Mango’ (a Staffordshire Bull-terrier), he has only just turned 8 and was very lively up until the last month, apart from the arthritis in his back leg and a year on to the month he had a ‘Canine Mast Cell Tumors’ removed from his hind leg/hip. (http://www.kateconnick.com/library/mastcelltumor.html)
I had felt he had gone down hill soon after this op and had questioned my vet on numerous occasions about it, each time he assured me it had nothing to do with the reason he was getting this stiffness in his hind quarters. I had always believed it to be in his back but the vet always look at his hind legs until he started showing signs of nerves in the hind legs not responding to reflex tests. It was only then they decided to ex-ray his back. They found a ruptured disc and then referred him to a specialist to do cat scans, they found he had more than one ruptured disc and took a bone biopsy. I got the result at 16:45 to day it is now midnight, unable to sleep, it has turned my world upside down, my eyes are so swollen and sore from the tears and crying, I took to doing some research on the web when I came across your web page.
Everything you have described is what I went through and am going through with him at present, especially the shooting pains like his back catches a nerve or something, he is in so much pain he tries to bite his back end, I have tried to comfort him to a point he has bitten my hand, not that bad but enough to feel his pain, (he has never bitten me before) it is so upsetting it bring me to tears, not through him biting me but just that I can’t do anything for him so I let him hold on till the pain seems to go. Then it’s the panting form the stress which really hurt me and get the tears flowing down my cheeks.
‘Mango’ is our child, as we can’t have children, he took that roll and filled it well. We can’t lose him.

Sorry to put this story here but when I read this I wish I had seen it sooner and had forced my vet to ex ray sooner.

]]> By: Sarah http://tripawds.com/2010/01/29/primary-chondrosarcoma-of-the-spine-jake%e2%80%99s-story/comment-page-1/#comment-32352 Sarah Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:21:46 +0000 http://tripawds.com/?p=2425#comment-32352 Dear Felicia - I am so sorry. I am Jake's mom. My heart goes out to you. I too have wondered repeatedly if things would have been different with an earlier diagnosis - but for this disease it seems the end is inevitable - it's just the path that takes you there. In some ways NOT knowing Jake was so sick might have been a good thing - maybe for your dog too. I am sure if I had known, I could not have prevented myself from weeping over him and watching him constantly for change etc..... and I don't think my boy would have liked that much at all!! As to your direct question - Jake was 2 months from when I first noticed something wrong to death. If I could go back knowing what I know now I would have had him put to sleep earlier - when the tumour clearly was affecting his control of his rear end. He was wobbling when he peed and when he walked every now and then his back feet slid away from him. I feel this distressed and confused him - more than the pain which I hope was being kept under control by the drugs. Sometimes he tried to do things he normally could - like jump onto the bed - and failed. I know I found this hugely upsetting - and I think he did too. So with your little baby girl I would say, hard as it will be, let her go before she really realises something strange is happening to her body. Jake gained nothing from those final 10 days or so... and the memories still haunt me... Just so sad to read your message Felicia. I will be away for a couple of weeks so may not be able to respond to any more questions for a while - but I know all the other kind people here will help you through this. And I will check this blog when I can. XXSarah Dear Felicia – I am so sorry. I am Jake’s mom. My heart goes out to you.

I too have wondered repeatedly if things would have been different with an earlier diagnosis – but for this disease it seems the end is inevitable – it’s just the path that takes you there. In some ways NOT knowing Jake was so sick might have been a good thing – maybe for your dog too. I am sure if I had known, I could not have prevented myself from weeping over him and watching him constantly for change etc….. and I don’t think my boy would have liked that much at all!!

As to your direct question – Jake was 2 months from when I first noticed something wrong to death. If I could go back knowing what I know now I would have had him put to sleep earlier – when the tumour clearly was affecting his control of his rear end. He was wobbling when he peed and when he walked every now and then his back feet slid away from him. I feel this distressed and confused him – more than the pain which I hope was being kept under control by the drugs. Sometimes he tried to do things he normally could – like jump onto the bed – and failed. I know I found this hugely upsetting – and I think he did too.

So with your little baby girl I would say, hard as it will be, let her go before she really realises something strange is happening to her body. Jake gained nothing from those final 10 days or so… and the memories still haunt me…

Just so sad to read your message Felicia. I will be away for a couple of weeks so may not be able to respond to any more questions for a while – but I know all the other kind people here will help you through this. And I will check this blog when I can. XXSarah

]]> By: jerry http://tripawds.com/2010/01/29/primary-chondrosarcoma-of-the-spine-jake%e2%80%99s-story/comment-page-1/#comment-32341 jerry Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:10:02 +0000 http://tripawds.com/?p=2425#comment-32341 Felicia, our hearts go out to you, we are so deeply sorry. I can't imagine what a shock this must be to you. I will email Sarah and let her know your comment is here. Meanwhile, please do visit our discussion forum and the conversations that have taken place about spinal mets: <a href="http://tripawds.com/forums/presentation-and-diagnosis/primary-chondrosarcoma-of-the-spine-jake%e2%80%99s-story/?value=spinal%20mets&type=3&include=1&search=1&ret=all" rel="nofollow">Primary Chondrosarcoma of the Spine, Jake’s Story</a>. Please don't be hard on yourself. You did your best with the information you had available. Your pup loves you no matter what. You are a great pawrent. We are here if you want to talk and sending many hugs to you and Pamela. Felicia, our hearts go out to you, we are so deeply sorry. I can’t imagine what a shock this must be to you. I will email Sarah and let her know your comment is here.

Meanwhile, please do visit our discussion forum and the conversations that have taken place about spinal mets: Primary Chondrosarcoma of the Spine, Jake’s Story.

Please don’t be hard on yourself. You did your best with the information you had available. Your pup loves you no matter what. You are a great pawrent.

We are here if you want to talk and sending many hugs to you and Pamela.

]]> By: Felicia http://tripawds.com/2010/01/29/primary-chondrosarcoma-of-the-spine-jake%e2%80%99s-story/comment-page-1/#comment-32339 Felicia Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:05:25 +0000 http://tripawds.com/?p=2425#comment-32339 Sarah, My dog Pamela has just been diagnosed with the same in T9. They tell me there is no hope. I do have pain meds but know the end is near. I let them do a aspiration and it seem to put her in some pain but that seems a little better. I didnt opt for anything further (MRI, CT and that) because I was worried about the side affects. They cannot tell me exactly which this is, Ostesarcoma or Chondrosarcoma, the aspiration didnt have enough to show, but I dont think it matters both are bad and know I know I made the right decision about not doing any procedure that woudl further irratate her. My heart is broken as I am sure your was. I dont know how you got through it and I dont know how I am going to get through it. There is some odd comfort in knowing my baby wasnt the only one with this very rare for of cancer. I kept thinking what did I do wrong. Should I have got her to A&M quicker (we waited for 4 mos thinking it was just a disc pain)!. Can I ask you from start to finish how long? I hate to ask but I have to know. My heart goes out to you and Jake. Felicia Sarah,
My dog Pamela has just been diagnosed with the same in T9. They tell me there is no hope. I do have pain meds but know the end is near. I let them do a aspiration and it seem to put her in some pain but that seems a little better. I didnt opt for anything further (MRI, CT and that) because I was worried about the side affects. They cannot tell me exactly which this is, Ostesarcoma or Chondrosarcoma, the aspiration didnt have enough to show, but I dont think it matters both are bad and know I know I made the right decision about not doing any procedure that woudl further irratate her. My heart is broken as I am sure your was. I dont know how you got through it and I dont know how I am going to get through it. There is some odd comfort in knowing my baby wasnt the only one with this very rare for of cancer. I kept thinking what did I do wrong. Should I have got her to A&M quicker (we waited for 4 mos thinking it was just a disc pain)!.
Can I ask you from start to finish how long? I hate to ask but I have to know. My heart goes out to you and Jake.
Felicia

]]> By: Gina http://tripawds.com/2010/01/29/primary-chondrosarcoma-of-the-spine-jake%e2%80%99s-story/comment-page-1/#comment-32242 Gina Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:03:05 +0000 http://tripawds.com/?p=2425#comment-32242 Such a sad story for you and Jake.......it seems to make no sense why suffering happens to such innocent creatures.....I agree on your comments about the bone biopsy...some can of worms are better left unopened. Hugs to you, Gina Such a sad story for you and Jake…….it seems to make no sense why suffering happens to such innocent creatures…..I agree on your comments about the bone biopsy…some can of worms are better left unopened. Hugs to you,
Gina

]]> By: maggie http://tripawds.com/2010/01/29/primary-chondrosarcoma-of-the-spine-jake%e2%80%99s-story/comment-page-1/#comment-32238 maggie Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:21:52 +0000 http://tripawds.com/?p=2425#comment-32238 Thank you Sarah for your story on Jake. How awful for both he AND you to go thru. My heart goes out to you...some of your story very much reminds me of my dog before I finally got a diagnosis...the intense pain...so horrible. Take care Sarah. Tracy, Maggie's Mom Thank you Sarah for your story on Jake. How awful for both he AND you to go thru. My heart goes out to you…some of your story very much reminds me of my dog before I finally got a diagnosis…the intense pain…so horrible.

Take care Sarah.

Tracy, Maggie’s Mom

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