Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey y'all. I haven't been around here since Christmas, when things were still merry and bright. I've read some threads, and mentally "woohoo'd", but I've been stuck in a funk these past few weeks.
Grady has a new cancer. We found a tennis ball sized lump, literally overnight, about 2 weeks ago. I didn't take him in immediately, because it actually disappeared almost as soon as it popped up. His attitude hadn't changed, we actually ADDED a mid-day meal cause he's been hungry (and gaining weight), and I thought maybe, MAYBE, he'd banged his chest going down the stairs (my neighbors had a female in heat, and I discovered 1 more thing that a tripawd can, and will, do,lol! But it came, it went, and came again. He has a mast cell tumor, it's subcutaneous,and it's attached to the cartilage between his ribs. His attitude is great, he doesn't seem to be in ANY pain, but I can see him getting tired. My vet doesn't think it can be removed, without taking about half of his rib cage and possibly part of his lung. He still just wants to eat all day and fetch his ball...and sleep. I have some time yet, to figure out my next move. I found a clinical trial for non-resectable mast cell tumors at a university less than 3 hours from me, so I'm hoping to enroll him.
If I should. That's the thing killing me. How far should I go? Would I only be hurting him, deluding myself, and setting us all up for further disappointment? 2 separate cancers in under 6 months? On an 11 year old dog? I don't know if I should fight, or just make him as happy and comfortable as I can, for the time he has leftl. The selfish part of me won't let go at any cost. The practical part of me can't keep fighting if he's done. I thought i'd know, that he'd tell me, when enough was enough. But, he's Golden through and through, and all he wants to do is make his people happy. I apologize for being a downer, it's just so confusing! 3 weeks ago, he was making his rounds at Life Enrichment Center (adult daycare), and today...he's half asleep and feeling bad. Honestly, with 1 kid in college and 1 about to go, and a crazy tax bill in my future, I don't know how much I can sink into this financially. I hate that that would be my deal-breaker, but in the cold light of reality, it is. I could handle a tumor removal, and pathology...but treatment beyond that? That's why looking into trials. I'm in NC , so there's NC State, U of Tenn, and Virginia, so I'm praying for a trial.
Any advice? Anyone think I'm not insane for just letting it play out to the end?
Oh gosh! Okay. You know the first advice...here we go...
B R E A T H E..........B R E A T H E.......and you know we're serious when we say to do that.....B R E A T H E...........okay, let's get ceneterd, fee frmlyplanted on the ground...stand strong! You are strong and so is Grady!
Let's chunk t down. Right NOW Grady is feeling fine, clearly eating gret!! Being "tired" means othing more than jist tat...being tired. He's eleven, he's a tripawd...he gets tired.
I'm realy, reall glad yo are investigatng options. I kow this is such a roller coaster and exhausting and overwhelming. And NO, your not insane for tryi g to do what's best for Grady!! Okay! Wait! Maybe you're crazy for "thinking" your crazy for trying to do what's best for Grady
But you are on "mom ode" automatic pilot right now and that's good.
TRY not to fast forward right now. Just talk to tne professionals, check out all the options and then sit down and have a "talk" with Grady..
Remember, as Jerry would say, "prognosis schmognosis"! NOTHING has changed in Grady's worldz! He's still the happy fun-loving pain free Grady, living in the moment a d loving every second of it!! And he's got a girlfriend net door in heat.....of course he's tired!! It wears him out just thinking about it
Gosh, I'll probabaly get this wrong but Jerry can correct me....-Pug Maggie mast cell maybe?? anyway, she lived YEARS after a "schmognosis" of just a matter of months with whichever crap disease she hdad
NOTHING is going to rob you of your time together REGARDLESS!! You are scared and ocerwhelmed right now and sad. Same feelings you had with the amputatin diagnosis...and look at Grady now! All of you worked through it---practiced living in the NOW with Grady and "living like a dog"!!
Just get yor i formation first and don't even think avout anything but making Grady's tail wag. You'll process your results and yoj WILL make a decision that gives Grady optimum QUALITY time with some longevity along the way.
We are walking byyor side. You know you are not alone. I'm so glad you posted today so you can let us support you and help you B R E A T H E!!
Give that chow hou d of yojrs so e extra treats for us tonight...and you, of course, a boat load of chocolate!
Love, lots of love, to you and Grady!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
May I make one ore suggestion? Okay, I think I heard..."heck no!" But I will anyway!
How 'bout oving this thread to maybe "treatment, prognosis, etc" because Grady is ne strng delightfuly happy fella' and he's very much here with you!!
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!
Your mixed emotions are so easy to understand. If you can find a trial or treatment that you believe is worth a try and that is within your budget (no guilt for having a budget...most of us do and I for one never have one big enough to do what I would like to do for my dogs and all the others out there who need help) would it hurt to give it a try? As long as Grady's quality of life is good of course. His quality of life is what counts. If you find that the treatment is impacting his quality of life, you can stop the treatment.
You know Grady and you love him. Whatever you decide to do, it will be the right decision because it will be made out of love.
Hugs,
Carol
Never feel guilty for considering finances, we all wish we had unlimited funds but the fact is we don't.
I've been dealing with mast cell cancer in two pugs over the last 8 years or so. Mast cell is frustratingly hard to deal with because it is so unpredictable. It is common for MCTs to shrink and grow.
Maybe where you need to start is what are you willing to do with Grady? If money was no concern is surgery the best thing for him now? How does he recover in general? Maggie lost a leg to mast cell cancer, had recurring tumors, then developed oral melanoma. The standard treatment for that is surgery to remove the tumor and some of the jaw. Mag had some other health issues at the time and I decided that we would not persue agressive treatment- it wasn't right for her. If you are willing to do anything be sure you are doing so for Grady and not for you.
I'm not judging or telling you what to do- but asking myself what was best for Maggie helped clarify things and helped me make my decisions.
There are several options for tumors that are not removed. Radiation, several chemos, and holistic options. My quad pug Tani has been battling cutaneous MCTs for 7 years now. She has/had a total of 10 confirmed tumors. I removed some surgically, then a couple with punch. Now I am just letting them be because they keep coming back. Sometimes I can find them, sometimes not. She is taking a herb that is used to treat cutaneous tumors- I can get you the info if you want. I don't know if is used for sub-q tumors.
I'm sorry you are dealing with another cancer. Let me know if I can help in any way.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Just wanted to let you know that Tucker (Grady's amp twin) and I are here to support you!
You will make the right decision for Grady....and he will guide you with his actions.
Many hugs,
Linda and Tucker
Sadly, I know this feeling. I will share with you Roxy's story.
Roxy was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in March 2013 at age 12, which we started treating with amputation + chemo.
Shortly after she started her chemo, the vet noticed an area in the back of her mouth that was suspicious. Since it wasn't very big at the time, we continued with chemo to treat the osteosarcoma. After a first biopsy, the mouth thing turned up to be nothing.
After a few weeks, the mouth area started growing more, and we did a second biopsy. Turned out to be fibrosarcoma. They wouldn't be able to remove it without removing half of her jaw/face, so we changed direction in the type of chemo we were doing, one that could potentially treat both.
In the end, none of what we tried (chemo-wise) helped the mouth tumor, and Roxy ended up not being able to eat.
She was well on the road to beating the osteosarcoma odds, with almost 6 months lungs clear, and it was the fibrosarcoma that ended up affecting her quality of life. We lost her in September.
But we did all that we could, and I regret nothing about the treatments we chose. We tried everything and Roxy was enjoying life up until the last stretch. I wasn't ready to just "ride things out" until I knew we had tried everything.
Everyone's situation is different and you know your pup the best, your tripawds family will support you whatever route choose to take.
Wishing you all the best!
Mica, Zeus and Angel Roxy.
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
I am so, so sorry you're dealing with this. Please, do not beat yourself up for considering all that you have going on in your life, or the money situation, when it comes to Grady's care. There is never enough money at a time like this. And of course these things play into the decisions you will make for him, because if you're not happy, he won't be either. You are his leader and he looks to you for direction, so for the well-being of your pack, all of these factors will play into the path that you choose. As long as the decisions you make take his happiness and comfort into consideration, they are the "right" decisions for Grady.
You did great by looking into the clinical trial. Who knows what it is, maybe it's something as easy as taking a pill? By gathering information like that, you have the knowledge to make informed decisions. Even if you don't pursue the treatment, at least you know you did the best that you could with the information you had. Knowledge is power. Your heart, your head and your pack will be stronger by gathering the facts and then going from there.
One hop at a time, it's all you can do and you are doing really great at it. And like everyone said, you are not alone. I'm glad you came back to post so we could help in some small way. Please let us know how the research goes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
((((HUGS))))
While our pups are feeling great, it's easy to say "I'll FIGHT! Doggy will FIGHT, so let's do this!". I imagine that while he's doing OK now, you wanna fight.
Then reality strikes: he's 11, 2 cancers, and a major financial burden. I get that. Really, I do.
Tell us this: How's has his life been? Probably overflowing with love! Life! Tennis balls! Special meals, foods, and treats from those he loves best! He has had the BEST life he possibly could. Any regrets? Pa-shaw, not from him.
You?
We all know where our pups, especially those owned by folks here, stand (besides, leaning, or perfectly balanced ). Our dogs here have loved IT ALL.
So it is up to us. What will you regret? Can he handle another surgery? What's the prognosis of that PLUS his original cancer?
We all know you will do what is best - for HIM and for YOU. We also know there will be pain and heartache, but some of that can be controlled through knowledge and a great vet.
((((HUGS))))
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Darn cancer! Shooter had mast cell and, unfortunately, his Grade was a 3 and returned after amputation even with treatment. I have a friend whose Springer was just diagnosed with a mast cell in almost the exact same place as Grady. He is also11 and they chose to only treat him with Benadryl It seems to be working and they plan on just this treatment until his quality of life is affected. At this time it has completely disappeared and they will wean him off benadryl and just use it for flare ups. If you are OK with prednisone and he can tolerate it, it also will work along with the Benadryl. Both are inexpensive and not really horrible to the system.
Sending thoughts your way.
Luanne
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Our dogs here have loved IT ALL. So it is up to us. What will you regret? Can he handle another surgery? What's the prognosis of that PLUS his original cancer? We all know you will do what is best - for HIM and for YOU. We also know there will be pain and heartache, but some of that can be controlled through knowledge and a great vet. ((((HUGS)))) ~ Katy & Jackson
---------------
I have nothing much to add here but "ditto" what Katy said. Do what you feel in your heart is the right thing to do. No matter what, you'll have guilt one way or the other...it's inevitable....at least in my experience, it has been. We love our dogs so much, it's hard to let them go...
Thinking of you....
Tracy & Spirit Maggie
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
LOL, Sally, you're probably right on the forum change, but it *said* anticipatory grief and end of life decisions, and that's kinda where I felt at the time.
We've scheduled a biopsy for next week, just to be 100% sure. He's been presenting with rapid growth (seriously, it was OVERNIGHT), shrinking, growing, disappearing, and itchiness, so my vet feels that is hallmark mast cell. He feels that given the location and size, it's not operable, BUT...thus far, there appears to be no organ or lymph node involvement, and that he's 100% treatable if it is mast. We'll discuss options when the time comes, but he mentioned that we could do oral chemo, buy the meds at any pharmacy we want, and that it is absolutely affordable. If it is not affordable, I would look to enroll him in a clinical trial at University of Tennessee, which my vet also thinks is a great idea, and that he's a great candidate for it. But, first things first, and that's waiting on the lab results. The obvious upside is that he seems to think that by treating this one, we can head off future tumors.
Right now, Grady seems to be be feeling fine. He enjoyed the snow, still wants to play all day long, and can't get enough of bringing toys (and socks, and underwear...) to anyone who comes to the door. I feel much better, tho, for having my vet tell me that he certainly thinks it's WORTH treating, and it's not just me not being able to let go when I should. I always said that I'd know when it was time...but I was really questioning how true that was lately, lol.
Thank you all so much for not letting me throw myself a pity party 
That was not a wi dstorm you just felt...it was a collective sigh of relief from the whole tripawd community!!
YAAAAAAAAAY GRADY! Yoj are Golden through and throug Just seeingyour avatar smiling face makes me grin ear to ear! So yes indeedy, we MUST have more photos!!
Speaking of which, when I told Happy Hannah about Grady stuffing toys and socks, u derwaer, etc. in hos mouth, she wanted t send him a card as a present...this toy is for you Grady fro Happy Hannah...loaded with slopph get well kisses.....
http://s1351.ph.....a.jpg.html
Pity party? Are you kiddin' me?? It's a wonder we aren't all driven absolutely bonkers on this crazy, sad and desperate roller coaster of a journey! CRAZY!! We DESERVE to have wild and crazy pity parties every now and then!! Weve earned the right!
HOWEVER, we also sure know how to CELEBRATE the glory of a moment lik,e this!! GRADY IS FEELING GREAT and that's what this whole journeyis avout! Grady's got game! QUALITY!! He is clearly enjoying every moment of his fun -filled loved life and not worried about a thing!
Sounds like you jave a great positive and solution oriented vet. That's really good! You've got options and plans a d that's so reassring!
Thanks so much for gettng back to us. We're all family ya' kow and right by yor side!
Now go get us some happy Golden pictures!! And the crowd roars...pictures!!! We want GRADY PICTURES P L E A S E!!
Sending you love and hugs anda YAY MOM and a AY GRADY
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
That is some good news! It's wonderful Grady's doc thinks it's treatable and worth treating. That's great!!! And isn't it wonderful he has no idea anything is happening? He's out there in the snow enjoying all its glory. Play on, buddy!
Good luck with the test and its results. I hope it's the best possible result!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
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