What a week we've had!  Last Friday night, Callie coughed up blood for the second time within a two week span, so we decided to finally get xrays done to see what was going on in her lungs for the first time since her leg was amputated in July.  We knew deep down and expected there to be lung mets, which was confirmed.  Several mets showed up and some pretty big ones at that.  We went to a different vet than normal because they were open on the weekends so my husband could go with me.  This vet gave us the bad news and suggested we put Callie down soon, as she said that Callie was in great pain and would only get worse quickly.  Going off this vets opinion, we decided to have one last week with Callie and spoil her rotten.  We scheduled an appointment for this past Friday to have her put down with our normal vet who did the amputation.  But all week, I just didn't get the feeling from Callie that she was ready to go yet.  Everyone says you'll know when its time, and I just didn't feel that.  We can tell her breathing is somewhat labored, especially if she lays on her right side where the largest tumor is, but her quality of life still seems enjoyable.  She is not restless or panting yet, so I don't feel like she is really suffering as much as the vet suggested.  She is eating a little less lately, but not too much less, and she still gets around by herself for the most part.  My husband carries her up the steps at night most of the time for bed, as that seems to be difficult for her at times, but other times she does it on her own.  So all week, I just went back and forth with my decision based on what the vet had told us and what I was seeing from Callie.  We prepared ourselves though and even dug her grave... : (

We went to the appointment with our normal vet on Friday, already having said our goodbyes to Callie all week.  I wasn't even sure I wanted to go, but at the last minute I decided to so I could show our vet the xrays and see what he thought.  Thank goodness I did!  He was very surprised to see Callie's demeanor as well as it is and was surprised to see what the xrays showed (one tumor is almost as big as her heart!)  He said her lungs sounded much better than what he would have expected from the xrays and her heart was strong.  He told us he would go through with it if we wanted, but he thought he still had a good quality of life and had more time in her.  A completely different suggestion from the first vet!  So, we decided to put off putting her down and brought her home with us!!  Talk about an emotional rollercoaster!  Callie has done great since then....walking around like normal and her energy has even picked up.  She seems like her old self!  I think she could tell we were depressed last week and I'm sure it affected her mood as well.  She is on tramadol and prednisone, which the vet said would help with her coughing spells and may even shrink her tumors some (the first vet didn't even bring this up!).  Of course, the vet couldn't give us a guesstimate of how long she has...could just be another week, two months, etc.  I'm just happy that we have more time with her, as I just wasn't comfortable with putting her down when I can still see a quality of life in her.  My husband and I realized we need to go off our own opinions of Callie, as we know her best and will know when its time.  When she appears to be heading downhill and showing signs of pain or uncomfortableness, we will definitely decide to end her fight and let her rest in peace....But that time hasn't come yet!  So for now, the grave has been covered up and is just a constant reminder to cherish the time we have left with her, however short or long that may be.