Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I just got a voice mail that there is evidence of lymph invasion. I would like to know if others have heard that and what it meant to them. Are your dogs still around? If so how long have they been living with this and what if any other mets have shown up? If they got thier wings how long after diagnosis did they live?
My family is full of cancer survivors. I was so upset when I first learned about Sammy's diagnosis but then I thought he would fight and win like most of my family. I have been reading about this with people but there are no real polls for dogs.
What did this mean for you and your dog?
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
When Chloe was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma, one of their concerns was whether it had spread past the tumor site (on her left hind hock) into her knee lymph nodes. They did an aspirate of the lymph which came back inconclusive, but after the amputation they did an actual biopsy of her knee lymph node. For her it came back "Negative" for cancer which means it hadn't spread to the lymph system and potentially elsewhere in the body. Therefore she is now cancer free.
Our other dog bonnie actually had cancer of the lymph system and she underwent chemo and lived for about a year after diagnosis with chemo (I know that this is different than osteosarcoma metastisizing into the lymph system, but its along similar lines). The lymph system is your body's first line of defense and if they are affected by cancer cells, it makes it that much harder for the body to fight. I don't know what that means for Sammy since I am no vet and have limited knowledge based on my experience and degree in marine biology (some general bio classes). Best to call his vet to see what your options are now and what that means for Sammy's future. Or if they can't give you much, get a second opinion elsewhere like from an oncologist.
Keep us posted.
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
After 8 weeks of chemo, Skyler was diagnosed with lymph invasion and mets to the spleen. Since she had gone down hill so quickly, we knew it was time for her to cross over. She had stopped eating, and just laid on the floor motionless. Your situation is different, and like Chloe's Mom said, talk to your vet or oncologist. Ask lots of questions until you understand completely. Please keep us posted, and we have our paws crossed for you! Sending you a big hug too!
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
Many times OSA has spread into the lymphatics inside the bone and that it what your surgeon's report said. This is different than metastasis to a lymph node which can be worse (I do not think Sammy's lymph node was removed since he still has his scapula). There hasn't been any statistical evidence with OSA showing that the level of malignancy seen within the bone has much to do with the survival of the dog. Finding the cancer in the actual lymph node or having an elevated ALKphos (bone enzyme) in the blood have been negative findings in other studies but it does not change how we will proceed with treatment. I know it is hard not to focus on facts and figures but dogs are all individuals so some will do better and some will do worse than the averages. Sammy doesn't know about any of this so I would just enjoy him and take each day as it comes!
Pam
Sorry to hear about the invasion of the lymphs.
If you're up to the task, please feel free to dig through the raw data in our 2010 Tripawds Amputation Survey Results. We can't think of any specific lymph node findings but we've barely scratched the surface of this survey and it includes comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and recovery information from more than 100 respondents. We would love to share anything discover in the Tripawds Downloads blog .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Elizabeth,
Based on what Pam said above our case is a little different than Sammy's, and Maggie had a different kind of cancer than Sammy (mast cell cancer). After Maggie's amp I was told there were cancerous mast cells in the lymph node removed with her leg. We had done lots of tests before surgery and did not see cancerous mast cells anywhere. Her prognosis was downgraded from good to fair at that point, and with chemo she was given 6 to 9 months. So of course I started tracking the days... we got to 6 months, then 9 months, and I finally figured out that stats are just based on averages and not on Mag. I was fortunate to learn in time to just enjoy each day I had with her and not worry about when or how long. Maggie had an amazing run, living for 3 years and 9 months after the original prognosis. If you want you can read the details of her story in her blog.
However, I have seen the other side of the cancer battle too. Last March Mag was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma tumor in her mouth. Because of her age and other health issues I chose not to aggressively treat it. She lived just 3 months after that diagnosis. But because of the lesson I learned from her first cancer I was able to enjoy every day we had. I did not even ask the oncologist for a prognosis.
I hope Sammy is continuing to improve.
Karen and the pugapalooza
I guess I didn't word this correctly, I was trying to find out if everyone/anyone had heard this phrase and how it has effected the outcome of their cancer fight....
Jerry's pack, I tried that link but only got one page. As you are coming to find out I have some sort of bad computer "karma" that makes it more difficult for me than most in getting things done in this computer age. I should have known you would have already started this survey. It makes things easier to see it in written down. So how do I find the rest of the info on that link?
Dr. Pam, I see you understand what I am looking for. I know that everyone is different, but if I could understand this disease maybe I would have a better chance at fighting it. Example" most dogs with this paticular diagnosis had the best chance of survival with these sups/ and this chemo. I am sure many people have already tried to correlate all of the data to give their dogs the best chance possible. I would feel too guilty if I didn't do everything I can to give Sammy the best chance possible.
Krun15 and the Golden Girls, thank you for replying. I will check out maggie's story. I am so sorry Golden girls that you lost Skyler so quickly. It just doesn't seem fair. I hate this disease. So many good pups lost.
Elizabeth
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
fightingforsammy said:
Jerry's pack, I tried that link but only got one page.
Not sure what you mean by "got one page" … did you download the file? The link is to an Excel Spreadsheet containing raw survey result data. If your browser tries to load the file, try right-clicking (or ctrl-click) to save the linked file to your disk. You can then open it and analyze the data.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello again Jerry's pack,
I downloaded it and it opened to dogs who had amputations and stitches verses staples. There was no other info or other pages to look at. I don't know if I own a disk (I will have to ask the husband) but if I do I will try the right click thing.
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
fightingforsammy said:
I downloaded it and it opened to dogs who had amputations and stitches verses staples.
If you downloaded the file, you have a hard disk! 
Assuming you opened the file using MS Excel (or Open Office Calc), there are tabs for each worksheet at the bottom of the document. It currently has three tabs. Click the first one that says "2010 Tripawds Amp Survey" to review all the results to date. Jerry apparently saved the most recent version with the Stitches/Staples data tab showing, sorry for the confusion.
A quick search of the spreadsheet revealed a number of respondents discussing lymph nodes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jack did not have any "lymph node invasion" and he passed 14 months later. It is not necessarily an indication of whether cancer has spread or not, but rather shows how the cancer has spread...sometimes it can go through the lymph system, other times through the blood vessels. Obviously in our case, a clean lymph node was not an indication of no cancer. I know its all you think about in the beginning, but seriously, time becomes so much less of an issue once you discover that every day is a gift. One day after a cancer diagnosis is one more day that you get with your dog, and that, for me, is enough 🙂
<3 Laura and Invisible Jackers
Idillion81, that is really a beautiful statement and belief. I will try and remember that when things get to overwhelming. Sammy deserves as much from me as the time I am spending researching and trying to outwit this awful disease. Thank you for the good reminder. I wish I could give everyone time with their dog back, but I can't. So I will give my boy the best of me and I will be grateful for your help through this. Sometimes it is like trying to see the forest through the trees. I need the great advice you all keep giving me here.
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Elizabeth, that peaceful existance Laura speaks of is not something that comes easily for some of us. I was well into about 14 months before I 'got it'. Those first months I spent chasing information, I couldn't get enough. Fortunate for me, that wasn't time I was ignoring Troubs, because she is a couch potato and was perfectly happy snuggled up next to me as I frantically researched Osteosarcoma. I became particularly stressed as she approached the 1 year mark, and as her fellow November 5 members began to lose their battles one at a time. Osteosarcoma makes the human a raving lunitic, the dogs just go on. The dogs know how to live without worry, they know how to live each moment to its fullest. Look to Sammy for your inspiration. Once I finally learned this lesson, the stress has been removed.
Hugs to you and Sammy as you face this together.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Hugapitbull, you are awesome.. thank you very much. I can tell you "get it". I am glad I am not reacting to this whole thing abnormally. My friends at work keep bugging me, why aren't you on facebook anymore? where do you want to go for lunch? Right now I am just going to the best places for dog food and suppliments, and spending my time on-line researching. It is amazing how intensely this draws you in, right? I can't wait for the stress to be gone. hugs back Shanna and Trouble.
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Hi Elizabeth!
I also gave up FB for months - just kept on reading, reading, reading all I could get my hands and eyes on to try to figure out the best way to keep Holly by my side for longer. It was what I needed to do at the time - otherwise I would have felt so helpless in this battle. She just had 8 month ampuversary. I think sometime last spring I slowly stopped obsessing about reading everything because it sunk in that there is no magic formula for helping to beat the odds with this. I'm so thankful for each day that she is here with me. And I am so thankful for all the things she is teaching me as we walk this road together - she really doesn't know she has this awful disease, and loves to get those scratches and hugs and walks and car rides, not to mention treats to help celebrate everyone's milestones here! 
Shanna said it best - look to Sammy for inspiration - he is living one moment at a time. But also allow yourself the time to read and research if that is helping you - it really did help me to come to terms with all of this.
Hugs,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
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