My senior pal Tillie is going through a ruff time right now, and I'm hoping you guys can give her and her pawrents, Charmain and Denny, some moral support.

In January, Tillie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Her Mom and Dad weren't sure what to do, what with Tillie being twelve years old and all. After much debate, they went forward with amputation for Tillie. But after the surgery, they were second guessing their decision when Tillie had some post-surgery issues. Then they met Genie, beloved dog of Jessie from Alberta, Canada. Genie's Mom Jessie gave Chamain a lot of moral support, and many wonderful suggestions for helping Tillie overcome her post-surgery challenges. After all, her dog Genie had been loving life on three legs for a while, and Jessie convinced Charmain and Denny that if Genie could make it, so could Tillie. She was so right!

Tillie has been showing her family and the world how wonderful life on three legs can be for a senior dog. She's been getting along great, and loving life in her hometown of Asotin, Washington.

Unfortunately, Tillie's cancer has returned in her lungs, and she's also been battling some swelling and pain in her front leg too. Charmain thought that this might be a sign that Tillie's cancer was advancing faster than they thought. But today, she took Tillie to the vet, and here's what she told us:

"I just got back from the vet's. He is not ready to call it
quits. We're going to start Tillie on Prednisone to help the swelling in
her front leg; and Gabapentin for, what he believes is her back. I was
very concerned about her appetite and the weakness in her hind legs, but he
believes it's her back.

His wife is a vet at WA State U Vet Hospital (which is excellent) and has
been using Gabapentin for neurological pain, and has been having success with
it.

I looked it up on the internet, and the following is a brief description of
its use: Gabapentin has also been found to help patients with
post-operative chronic pain (usually caused by nerves that have been severed
accidentally in an operation and when grown back, have reconnected incorrectly).
Symptoms of this include a tingling sensation near or around the area where the
operation was performed, sharp shooting pains, severe aches after much movement,
constant 'low ache' all day and sometimes a general 'weak' feeling. Gabapentin
has also had success in treating certain instances of Complex Regional Pain
Syndrome.

Sooooooooo, I'm hopeful again. I stressed to him that I didn't want
to put her through anymore undue discomfort, but, as I said, he wants to try
this one last thing. "

We are sending our love and healing thoughts Tillie's way. And, we'd like to know if any of you are familiar with this type of diagnosis and medication, and if so, what suggestions you might have for Tillie's pawrents?

Thanks so much guys. Love, Jerry