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Today Angel, my almost 10 year old pitbull/sharpei, went for her two week checkup. (She had her front leg amputated due to cancer.) She has been off all meds for five days, and the surgeon says she is doing great and removed her stitches. It was a truly frightful two weeks, but I don't know what I would have done without the helpful and loving people on this website. How many times did I search for answers at two in the morning or read a forum post to get some advice since Angel was diagnosed? Probably hundreds! Monday she has her first round of chemo, and my biggest worry about that is leaving her for the day at the vet. One of us is codependent, and I'm not sure who.....I have been so obsessed with the amputation, chemo has sort of gone to the back of my mind, but now it's only two days until her first treatment. Thankfully I can read about other pups' and kitties' experiences with chemo so we can be prepared.
12:37 pm
Team Tripawds
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25 September 2009
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Tracy, I'm so glad you posted, I was wondering how Angel is doing. Glad to hear things are good!
It's really good that you weren't obsessing about chemo at the same time as recovery. One day, one step at a time is the way to live as we say here! Tell us more about the chemo regimen she'll be getting?
When you leave her at the vet, be sure to inquire about how she will be looked over while she's receiving the chemo. Make sure they're not leaving her alone during the actual chemo administration. Recently a member's dog was left alone by the vet clinic staff and the dog chewed through her IV line! The liquid inside was harmless but it was still scary for the pup's pawrent. Ask lots of questions about how they'll handle her session.
Also, there's no law saying you can't be with her during treatment, so if you're able to, why not sit with her while they're giving the chemo? This is pretty common so don't feel awkward for asking. If you can't be with her, don't feel badly, most people have to leave their pups while they go to work. Should you start to feel antsy when she's there and away from you for the day, just come here and we'll try to cheer you up!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
10:53 pm
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Bucketeers
22 February 2013
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Soooooo glad to hear Angel----and you---are doing so well" Off pain meds aready? She's really having a good recovery!
Okay.......maybe every onco does it differently, but my Happy Hannah's apptt. was in/out in uder an hour. I waited in the....yeah, you gessed it...the "waiting" room! Wanted to make it as "normal...no big deal" as possible. I think an all day thg would have freaked her. Don't know if you can make arrangements to do that or not.
Angel will do fi e regardless!! I actuallh thi k Happh Hannah started feeling noticeably better after ner first chemo! Crazh, huh?!
Sending yoj cal and a big YAAAAAAAAY to Angel:-)
Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
5:41 pm
1 February 2013
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Tracy-
Glad to hear Angel is doing well. That first chemo is the worst (although I actually hate all of them!). I'm lucky in that Shooter's were just injections and now is on oral so there was not waiting around.
We'll be thinking of you and think of all the cuddles you two can have when it's over for the day!!
Luanne & Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
9:43 pm
8 March 2013
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And a stop at the local ice cream place on the way home is nice, too. I did that with Roxie most times, and, similar to Sally and H. Hannah, each of ours was short enough to wait for, so I didn't have to suck up to Roxie for the whole day!
Good luck tomorrow; first time is hardest since you don't know exactly what to expect. Hope your vet staff help ease your mind.
-Liz and Roxie
Angel had carboplatin chemo today. She will have a total of four doses by IV, adminstered every three weeks. She's only been home a few hours, and she is exhausted from being gone for so long. All dogs at the Summit Referra who are getting chemo are dropped off before 9, and they are given the chemo on a sort of massage table with the tech petting and comforting them. She said it takes about 20 minutes to administer. She has to have a CBC (blood) recheck every week until next dosage. The vet said that most dogs don't have many side effects, but I am giving her a Cerenia (for nausea) pill every day for four days to try to avoid discomfort. Here's hoping no side effects!!!!
Thanks for the well wishes and thoughts.
10:04 pm
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Bucketeers
22 February 2013
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Good job Angel! I'm sure youj are completely wiped after being there all dsy! Sorry they domit that way but I bet yoj get a lot of god attention, Look at that mug! How could you NOT get good attention! Maybe a stop at McDonald's on tne way home each time makes up forit!
Not saying it won't happen, but very few dogs have side effects. And if they do, you've got all the meds ahead of time to take care of it.
Keep on keeping on Sweet Angel, you're doing great! Both of you
Se dngo supportive energy,
Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
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