Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Today, our worst fears were realized. A call from Eddy's oncologist confirmed the suspected nodule in his right lobe is indeed a lung met. It was 5mm four weeks ago, and now has increased in size, and another nodule has also showed up at 4mm. I am devastated! My sweet Eddy was diagnosed with osteosarcoma just shy of 4 months ago, July 23, 2014. He had his rear right leg amputated on 8-8-14. Since then, he has endured three chemotherapy treatments of carboplatin, that have not halted the spread of this horrible disease. Our oncologist is working with the University of California Davis to have Eddy in a trial study for dogs with lung mets. He will receive an infusion today, along with taking chemo pills daily at home. So that is where we are....
I am just wondering if anyone has any advice on LIVING with lung mets. This has been such a roller coaster ride, as many of you know. I am at a loss of what to do now....
~Betsy
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
I am so sorry for both Eddy and you. Cancer is a devastating disease and it just plain SUCKS!!! I personally don't have experience with cancer and lung mets as that was not the reason my Leland underwent the amputation.
I just wanted to let you know that I'll be keeping sweet Eddy and you in my thoughts while you guys are on this journey together.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Online
Okay...B R E A T H E......We are right here with you and we can offer some help....B R E A T H E......B R E A T H E........
Sure, this is scary news HOWEVER, it is not a death sentence and Eddy xoes NOT have a time frame stamped on his butt!!!
Sassy, one of our tripawd heroes also had mets discovered during the chemo process and had over a half a year sympton free quality time loaded with loving and spoiling. My Happy Hannah maintained a happy quality life even when dealing with a met in o e lung the size of a baseball! And our very own Jerry hero got close to a year after mets were discovered!
It sounds like your vet is already starting Eddy on metronomics
, the daily chemo pill...thate good. Its a very encouraging treatment. There was just an article here on it by Dr. Inlittle....one of the computer geeks will give you the link. Your vet sounds very much on top of things and I'm glad he's researching clinic trials.
Ask your vet aout mushroom therapy...that's another treatment that is showing promise.
Now here's what this whole journeynis about and has always been about...LET NOTHING ROB YOU OF YOUR TIME TOGETHER!!! STAY IN THE NOW, IN THE PRESENT, IN THE MOMENT. EDDY IS NOT WORRIED ABOUT A THING!! EDDY FEELS GREAT!!! No stupid xray has changed a thing in Eddy's world....and that's where you need to stay...in Eddy's world. Longevity is a nice bonus on this journey. But longevity without QUALITY is not living life.
You are doing EVERYTING possible and Eddy knows it!! This is a vicious piece of crap disease that makes it's own rules. But one thing YOU have control over is how you handle it from this moment forward. Make a commitment...a vow...right now to Eddy that this *##*&×#* disease will NOT interfere with your time with Eddy. You will NOT let it rob you of the jy and happiness of having him with you right now! NOW is all that matters in Eddy's world!!!
Now spoil and love like crazy and do something right now to make h is tail wag......really...right now! See! Everything is fine in Eddy's world and will be for a very long time!!!!!
Sending you love and extra hugs! We're here and we understand.
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
Thank you so much!!! I dropped Eddy off this morning and by the time I reached my driveway, our vet called with the not-so-good news. I have had a few GOOD cries today while he is away. I don't want him to see me upset! Although, this is not the way this was supposed to go, it is what it is. I am using these few hours to regroup and recharge! I cannot tell you how helpful this group has been for me.... It is so comforting to have people who have walked this walk, or who are presently walking this walk, beside me on this journey.
The drug Eddy is going to be on is not metronomics , but a new drug they are currently testing. In all of the upheaval of the morning, I didn't get the name, but I will update later. He is having a infusion of chemo now, along with acupuncture, and then will be sent home with oral pills (UC Davis clinical trial). I have decided that I will see how he tolerates this, but if for any reason, it robs him of his "Eddyness", I will stop all treatment and just enjoy the days we have left together. This is so not how I wanted this story to end, but I will make sure he has the best days for the rest of his life, surrounded by his Golden Retriever puppy sister, his best friend felines, and his boy, my 16 year old son, Blake, along with his dad and me!!!
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
I am so very sorry for this bit of bad news for sweet Eddy, but everyone here will tell you that he definitely does not have any kind of prognosis dates stamped anywhere on him....and yes, make everyday count, make the best of every second spent with him, and mostly, spoil him to no end!!
I agree with you, this is NEVER how we want our stories to end with our beloved pups, but unfortunately, it just does sometimes......that's why we let them lead, and they will guide us through this journey.....and importantly, we need to Be More Dog ....like Sally says, DO NOT let this crappy, ugly disease rob you of ANYTHING with Eddy.
The MOST important thing of all, is don't give up the fight......as long as Eddy is doing well and feeling well, that quality is what we try to achieve above all else.
Keeping you and Eddy in my thoughts, and please keep us updated on him,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Now what?
We asked exactly that when Jerry's lung mets raised their ugly head again!
What to expect next …
You'll find more suggestions and recommendations for lung metastasis treatment in the Tripawds Downloads blog...
Canine Osteosarcoma: Lung Metastasis Treatments
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm sorry about the lung mets. I know this news is devastating, but everyone is right- Eddy doesn't know and doesn't care. As long as there are good days there is hope for more.
I didn't deal with lung mets, Maggie had mast cell cancer. Just when I was sure she had beaten mast cell she was diagnosed with a second cancer, so I can empathize with your feelings.
You are doing the right thing, keeping it all about Eddy's quality. Many pups here had good quality time with lung mets, I hope that is how it plays out for Eddy.
Are you actually going to UCD? If so, keep an eye out for Joe the yellow lab. Joe is still a quad dog but is battling a couple tumors. He and Mom Mia are also going to UCD.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
p.s. I hope you don't mind I moved your post here, you posted in Tripawd Alumni which really didn't fit this topic. Don't worry about it though, you have enough on your mind.
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Your commitment to his quality is to be applauded. You clearly have his well-being as your top priority. You are doing EVERYTHING ppssible to give him the best chance at morr time for loving and spoiling.
And yes, if any of the treatments interfere with his EDDYNESS (love thst ...EDDYNESS!) ,then you can stop the treatment and allow him to continue to be Eddy!
Sending lots of hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
PS. And Eddy's story is far from over! Does he like going through drive thrus snd getting burgers or french fries or an ice cream cone? Make everyday an EXTRA, EXTRA, EXTRA EXTRA, EXTRA special day! Everyday is EDDYDAY!!!
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!
Thank you, everyone! One day at a time is the mantra here. Eddy had his 4th chemo session Thursday and they switched to Doxorubicin. They added the study drug, which they won't tell me exactly what it is, so he is taking that 3 times a day. We are trying to enjoy each and every day we have left together. Yesterday, it was an impromptu visit to the post office! I was ready to head out, and Eddy followed me to the door. I looked at his face and said "why not"? Off we went, Eddy riding shot gun. He had the biggest smile on his face!
He goes back to the oncologist next Friday for a check up and acupuncture and then the following Friday, he will have his 5th chemo treatment (2nd dose of Doxorubicin) and we will take it from there. My wish is that he lives to see his 8th birthday on 1-17-15!
Thank you to all of you for helping us through these uncharted waters. You have been a god-send to us!
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
Hello Eddy's mom. Do follow the advice of the more experienced tripawd mommies: enjoy every special day with Eddy and spoil him rotten! I've been doing this with Johnnie, and don't regret it. These 5 1/2 months have been very intense. I dare say I have spent more quality-time with him this year than I had in the past, because I have learned to value each moment that we have Johnnie by our side. That is the sweet part of this roller coaster ride.
Hang in there ! big hugs from Daniela & Johnnie
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
Thank you, Daniela! Looks like we have the same story... I agree completely that these past almost four month, in our case ,have been tense. And, your comment really hit home with me! Before Eddy's diagnosis, he was my husband's best friend, and hunting partner. He spent most of his time with his dad. However, after his diagnosis, that changed. Since I am home during the day, it fell on me to figure things out and schedule appts, etc. Eddy quickly became my sidekick, and he has been by my side, literally for the past four months. And, I wouldn't trade it for anything! The time we have spent together navigating our way through this nightmare, has been a blessing! I guess that has truly been the shining light in all of this. He has taught me so much these past few months...taking a moment to lie underneath the birch tree in the backyard, listening to the chickadees, rolling in the new fallen leaves a couple weeks ago, jumping through the freshly fallen snow this past week....I have learned SO much from my boy! He has handled his situation with dignity and grace! He has kept on keeping on despite losing his leg, and despite the four rounds of chemo that have made him feel less than stellar! He still gets up every time I enter the house and hops to greet me! It has been hard, but I have learned SO, SO much!
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
And that Sweet Betsy, is how TO BE MORE EDDY!!!! You have it!!! You have the lessons he came here ro teach! And is continuing to teach!
Let's all remember to step into our EDDYNESS today and make apoint of listening for the song m of the birds as we go outside, or rustle the leaves with our hands and smell the scent of Autumn. and, perhaps most importantly, eat some ice cream and give our furbabies o ne small scoop too!!
Love to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
There's nothing I can say that hasn't already been said. These people are amazing.
I just want to add one thing. On those days you feel those negative emotions creeping in like guilt and sorrow, remember that's cancer's MO. Turn that negative energy back on cancer and put it in it's place. Maybe hate and anger will be the cure for cancer. Let's "hate" it out of existence!
I'll be keeping Eddy and his loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Awesomely said, well done!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you ALL! I appreciate all of the comments and help! You guys ROCK!
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
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