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Hi all - I know it's been a while but that's because my boy Rufio was going through 6 rounds of chemo and trying to beat this stupid cancer! Last week was his last chemo and the oncologist looked at the xrays and said she had no concerns so they declared him a "Cancer Survivor"! We celebrated something fierce, we were so excited. But today the oncologist called and told me that the radiologist took a look at the xrays and had a concern. There were a few "nodes" (mineral in size) that were not there in Rufio's initial xrays when he was first diagnosed. They are not typical for the nodes they see with the mets of cancer so they were a little thrown off. They mentioned older dogs (Rufio is 11) can get these nodes that are harmless so it could be that but they are concerned mostly because they weren't there 3-4 months ago. My heart sunk. I mean, this was a slap in the face. She gave me two options - come in now and get a CT to distinguish if these are a concern for cancerous nodes or wait 2-3 weeks, come back for xrays and if they grow in size we know they're related to the cancer and that our 6 rounds of aggressive chemo didn't prevent them.
I can't put my baby through any more chemo, that's a given - even the oncologist agreed that's not an option if it comes to it. She mentioned oral pills (I think they're a type of chemo) he could start taking but I just worry it'll wear him down just like the IV chemo did (this last round was the worst ever for him). I'm just so confused and worried and discouraged like I was when he first was diagnosed.
Has anyone else had a similar experience who can provide some insight or advice or just hope? Besides this bad news Rufio has been his happy, healthy self and even on his last chemo visit last week the techs all felt very strongly that he had more or less beat this...which then started the doubt that what if he IS okay and now they just want more money from me?! It's is a little ironic that when we brought him in on his last chemo they didn't realize it was his last and we had to tell them. Then they say he's beat cancer and a week later call with a concern that will cost me more money. I'm sad but also a little skeptic too - and I don't want to go get more opinions because that'd be even more money at this point.
Thanks,
Kristie
Hi Kristie and Rufio 💗🐶
So sorry you have to go through this ...
My girl Eurydice has osteosarcoma, had her right front leg amputated a few days shy of 6 months ago and did 6 sessions of chemo and luckily she sailed through it all like a trooper.
Her X-rays and PET scan were normal but we were warned that mets can develop like lightening so the fact she might have clear X-rays at a given moment doesn't mean she cannot show a different result very soon after...
It is the nature of this crap disease, it can move incredibly fast.
Having said this, I totally understand you do not want to subject Rufio to a CT scan given his age, let's not forget it requires general anesthetic so maybe best to check with an X-ray in a couple of weeks.
As for other chemo treatments, my girl is doing metronomic therapy for over 1 month now.
It is given orally on a daily basis, it consists on 1 pill of chemo (20 times less potent than the original injected chemo according to her oncologist) 3 pills of antibiotic and anti inflammatory every other day.
Doses are, of course, calculated according to our baby's weight.
The aim of this treatment is to cut the blood supply to the existing tumours and/or cancerous cells who live in arteries and by doing so it is hoped that their growth slows down or stops.
There are potential side effects, namely urinary complications so regular blood and urine tests are required in order for us to deal with any issues before serious damage is done.
Eurydice has been totally great and showed zero side effects from this new treatment.
I wish I could help more sweet Kristie, please update us as soon as you decide which way to go, we are all keeping our fingers, paws and tails crossed for both of you!
Sending you all the pawsitive energy I can master and big big cuddles to your cutie 😘😘😘🐶💗
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
I'm sorry you might be facing some mets ... BUT lots of dogs here have had mets and lived on for many, many months. Shelby had tiny mets too and they never really grew but the cancer metastasized in her brain and that was the end of our journey sadly.
I know others will weigh in ... I do know oral chemo, Padilla maybe? We didn't use it but it can be helpful too. I don't know about any side effects with it.
Sorry, I'm not much help but wanted to offer some support!!!
XO
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Thank you both for your encouraging messages! I'm feeling a little more optimistic about it but still not as much as I as last week when I thought we had been further along.
I'm interested in these pills but the side effects of urinary issues kind of concerns me too. When Rufio was diagnosed the surgeon mentioned that he saw some bladder stones in his xrays and ultrasounds that were big enough that needed surgery to remove them. He tried to push me to removing them at the same time they removed his leg. I was NOT happy about this request and it definitely felt like overkill. I decided an amputation was enough for my baby and decline the bladder stone surgery. If he does have bladder stones they're at bay for now but perhaps these pills could really agitate that to the point he does need the surgery. Goodness, so many outliers! Wondering if it is worth a second opinion at this point.
Thanks again!
Hi Rufio and Mom 💗🐶
Yes, it is a tough one.
I would go back and readdress the bladder stones issue...
A lot of us have gone for metronomics but I can't remember anybody with bladder problems going for it.
There are a few cases of hemhorragic cistytis, namely Lego who posted today in this forum but his Mom doesn't seem to regret having done it as he had 11 months of happy quality time so far.
Again, I think you should get a qualified opinion given his specific circumstances.
Sending you a cloud of pawsitive energy and big tummy rubs to your fluffy 😘😘😘🐾🐶💗
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
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