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Two months past diagnosis . To chemo or not to chemo?
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Member Since:
30 December 2014
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27 January 2015 - 12:45 pm
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I have read some of you guys posts and this is more of an emotional call I guess than anything. Sometimes the voices of others will help you in your confidence to make a decision.

Due to a lack of Dr asking and us asking after amputation leg was not biopsied so we either have Synovial cell sarcoma or histiocytic sarcoma =/ We had to wait a mont for amputation due to scheduling with surgeon (our local vet ) and available funds. Oncologist recommended amputation and 6 months chemo.

Well Bonzai had lump 1 month before it was diagnosed as cancer.

2nd month before we could do surgery.

3rd month he will be done with healing and ready for chemo. (next week hopefully)

We did xrays at 1 month and again before surgery. I am wondering now. At 3 months past cancer diagnosis. Is chemo going to help?  Oncologist says can't hurt. Surgeon seems to say it's not necessary due to dogs age and no proof cancer spread.

 

UGh! took a month to decide on the amputation now this. tired of these decisions =[

Virginia







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22 February 2013
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27 January 2015 - 1:27 pm
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We can all relate to your frustration and confusion on this craaaaaazy journey!

After crying every day for over amonth and going back and forth on whether to go forward with the amputation, I FINALLY decided to proceed! And then I CANCELED the scheduled surgery a few days before! I was soooooo scared! This was after my Happy Hannah was treated off and on for a few months for "strian", possible arthritis, etc.

I'll share my thought process on why I proceeded with chemo for my beloved hunk of love and joy, Happy Hannah! Now, keepin mind, that Happy Hannah was disgnosed with osteosarcoma, so I'm not really addressing the "treatment" as her case is different from Bonzai. Again, just addressing my thought process.

In deciding to go through with four rounds of carboplatin...three weeks apart:

*I could always stop the treatment at any time should she have a bad reaction (rare, but it happens).
*Happy Hannah always happily got in the car to go the the vets. In part, probably because we woukd hit a drive thru on the way home and she would get a burger and fries! On treatment days, proper nutrition was not a high priority!
*For me, I felt that if I didnt "try" this treatment, I would always second guess myself. Of course, on this journey I've learned that we pretty much second guess everything anyway!! Just goes with the territory!
*I was able to do her treatment on my day off, so I could always stay. She was pretty much in and out within about thirty minutes or so.

As far as it being three months since actual "diagnosis", that's not unusual at all It takes awhile for us all to wrap our heads around the decisions that need to be made, researching, maybe second opinions, getting finances together, etc.

You have two different opinions on which way to go. Unfortunately, that happens too! I hope others will chime in on this specific diagnosis.

As always, you will make your decisions out of love...and that will be the right decision!

Sending you lots of love and hugs!

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!

On The Road


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27 January 2015 - 6:18 pm
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We never did IV chemo with Jerry. But many members have provided feedback about their experiences in these forum topics...

Regrets about Chemotherapy

Costs of Amputation and Chemotherapy for Dogs: What Did You Pay?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

My heart lives at Rainbow Bridge
Member Since:
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28 January 2015 - 7:19 pm
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I, too, struggled with the chemotherapy question.  For us, the cancer was contained and there were no lung mets visible at the time of amputation. The vet was very confident chemo was our best option.  My husband was confident it was Trouble's best chance at survival, and I was sitting on the fence. Scared of side effects, not wanting her to be sick on top of having to recover from major surgery and learning a new way of life.

They (my husband and the vet) finally convinced me to try one round.  If she didn't handle it well, we wouldn't do any more. For us, it was the best choice. She beat the odds for 27 1/2 months, months we may not have had without it.  But then, we don't know for sure.

In the end, you make the decisions based on the information you have, your circumstances, and what you feel in your heart.

Good luck on your decision.  It is a personal one, and everyone here will support you regardless of your choice.

Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul.  Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Member Since:
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29 January 2015 - 7:03 am
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Hello !  my advice goes in the same line as Sally's with Happy Hannah.  The vet will probably do a full check to see if his blood exams are normal and chest x-ray is clear.  You can always stop if your dog doesn't take it well.  

We decided to go for the 6 rounds of carboplatin, and Johnnie tolerated it very well.  The side effects are nowhere as harsh as in human patients.  He is now 8 months post-amp, and almost 1 year since diagnosis.

Here at Tripawds what we are taught is to trust your "gut feeling" and be at peace with yourself that in all your decisions you are looking for what is best for your dog.  The best possible care and all the love they deserve.

Daniela & Johnnie ( & Pepa )

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.

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1 February 2015 - 11:14 pm
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Hi everyone , 

This is a timely discussion. Maddie. Is 23. Days post amputation and had her first Round of Chemo on the 24th with no ill effects, no stomach issues no loss of appetite .  She had the same limp just before thanksgiving - diagnosis about 5 weeks later on the 2nd , amputation on 1/8/15. There. Was cancer in the lymph node so that was removed also a piece of tissue in the vein leading away from the shoulder was suspect and was confirmed to be osteosarcoma. No tumors in the lungs were seen so that is good. And she is in good spirits. And amazes me every day .

i read and was given the opinion that chemo would be the thing that had. The best chance of providing her with the longest and best time here.  50% of the dogs alive at a year and 20% at 2 year. I spoke to people whose experience was 7 months, 17. Months , 15 months...the checker at the grocery stores dog had amputation at 11 yrs old and No chemo and it has been 3 years and going strong.

if Maddie continues with the easy time and her blood work in good on 2/10 then chemo  #2 on 2/17.

I know that the cancer had metastasized

 , I know that this chemo is not curative but it also doesn't feel like it is only palliative. So I feel pretty informed .

goodluck to you and your pup.i am rooting for you !

 

connie and Maddie 

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31 December 2014
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1 February 2015 - 11:21 pm
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Oh and I fog it Maddie has lost 9 pounds okay much of that was her front leg but I am so pleased ! She is eating 1/2 cup of pumpkin and 1/2 cup of kiwi peak no grain kibble and a few little pieces of steak or chicken in it. And a glucosamine pill and fish oil campus le and metacam in the morning. I think I may get that k9 immunity wafer thing also

 

conni

On The Road


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2 February 2015 - 11:32 am
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Connie, thanks for sharing Maddie's story with us, I'm so happy to hear you're both going strong.

You mentioned the cancer had metastasized but you just mean that it was in the lymph node right? If so, and there are no mets in her lungs, that's awesome. Most times when we refer to "metastasis" here we mean that it's gone to the lungs, organs or another bone, which is a more advanced stage of the disease. I'm thinking Maddie isn't there yet right?

What a great outlook you have, and she is very lucky to have you for a pawrent. That's a great diet you're feeding her!

And yep, cancer with or without chemo is a roll of the dice. There are no guarantees so what we say here is live life to the fullest every single day and you'll never have regrets.

Keep us posted on your  journey and feel fee to start a whole new topic for Maddie so we can follow along.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
31 December 2014
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14 February 2015 - 1:19 am
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Thanks Jerry ,right the cancer was in the lymph node and also a piece of tissue that was in her vein was also the osteosarcoma,,,,,, but was not in the lungs at the time of diognosis ! 2 nd chemo is scheduled for Tuesday 2/17 ,,,, 

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9 February 2015
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14 February 2015 - 4:21 am
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Hi Snooperloop,

My bullmastiff has the same diagnosis of synovial cell sarcoma. I first noticed a small lump on his ankle about 6 months ago, and he just had his amputation on Thursday. When I found out it was cancer, I had the same reaction, wondering if it was already too late to do anything that would make a difference. Well after lung xrays and lymph node ultrasound, everything looked clear, so I went for the amputation. I am now faced with the same decision as you, to chemo or not to chemo. My thought process at the moment is much like Sally's was for Happy Hannah. He is healthy and strong so it wouldn't hurt to try one round and see how it goes. I want to know that I gave him every opportunity for more happy, healthy time here with us. I know it is a difficult decision and I completely understand what you are going through - I think everyone here understands and will support you in this. 

Love to you and Bonzai,

Jennifer and Titan

On The Road


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14 February 2015 - 11:54 am
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Yay for no mets in the lungs! Good luck on Tuesday, hope it's a piece of cake :)

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
27 March 2014
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28 February 2015 - 7:46 am
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Everyone that has replied that you can stop chemotherapy at anytime are right.  Most dogs have no major problem with chemo.  I share loads of FB posts from oncologists both from Australia and USA and UK and they all are doing well with the chemo itself.  My personal experience with Frodo was no ill effect business as usual throughout his treatment.

Having spoken to a couple of hundred dog owners in Australia over the last 5 yrs about their dogs with cancer one thing has stood out to me regarding the ones that had problems with the chemo.  After asking a number of questions a really common factor to most was that corners had been cut with diagnosis.  Many had not had pathology (diagnosis by the vet visually), many had not had the correct radiology that is required however they were given chemotherapy drugs.  The thing is with chemo it is specific to the type of cancer and the stagging and grading of the cancer. If the wrong one was given due to the corner cutting this could not only not have the desired effect, but make the dog sick.  I have info on chemo on my page Treatments

I do have a question for Snooperloop:

How did it happen that the sample was not sent for pathology? As I understand this was your primary vet that did the amputation but did not get the biopsy?  I think I would prefer to listen to the oncologist if he thinks chemo is the way to go. If it is histiocytic sarcoma was it localised or disseminated?  Frodo had it localised and was successfully treated with Lomustine.

http://www.cani.....cer.org.au - Dedicated to Canine Cancer Awareness

 

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22 December 2013
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6 March 2015 - 6:05 am
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My girl had osteosarcoma and we chose amputation without chemo. We had 14 months more months together. i chose not to do chemo because she got stressed out at the vet and I couldn't imagine bringing her there regularly for chemo etc. when she was supposed to be enjoying her days, no matter how many she had left. Each case is different and you are the only one who knows what is right for your pup. Trust your gut. Good luck and keep us posted! 

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