Hi Silver,

Welcome to you and Maggie.  My Charley was 2.5 years old when he was diagnosed with OS in his left proximal humerus and we chose amputation and 5 rounds of Carboplatin chemotherapy.  Charley can do everything on 3 legs that he did on 4 -- he counter-surfs, jumps and runs like the wind! 

There is a link in my signature to a video of Charley playing in the snow at 12 weeks post amputation.  It is amazing to watch!  Charley will celebrate his 17-Month Ampuversary on 3-28-12 and his 4th Birthday on 3-29-12 and we plan on having a big pawty!

The first 2 weeks after the amp are a bit rough, mostly because you will be low on sleep, emotionally drained and in our case Charley did not tolerate the tramadol well (once we figured that out on day 5 or 6, it was better).  Charley got his staples removed on day 13 and he was 95% better immediately (he had his first chemo immediately after).  Charley tolerated chemo well, he didn't skip a beat and his labby appetite was not affected.

Even though there is no cure for osteosarcoma, there is no need to just give up hope either.  There are pups that live 2, 3, 4+ and even 7 years after diagnosis.  Unfortunately there are no guarantees with whatever course of treatment you decide.  Vets can’t make accurate predictions on how long a dog will survive.  They can only give you a prognosis based on statistics, which are only averages.   No one knows exactly how long any of us will survive and I can guarantee that there is no expiration date stamped on the bottom of any paw either.

One thing I have learned from this unwanted OS journey is that our dogs live in the moment.  Charley is still the same happy labby boy we knew before, only minus a leg.  To be honest, there are days when my hubby and I forget he only has 3 legs.  Charley reminds us everyday that he is living with cancer, not dying from cancer. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Today is a gift.  That is why we call it the present."  

Hugs and chocolate labby kisses,

Ellen & Charley

Hello Silver and Maggie,

Just wanted to say that we are thinking of you and wishing you the best. This site was invaluable to me the 1st few weeks post amp, please let us know how surgery went.