I'll start off with my dog's story... on Feb 4/13 I noticed my dog JD's (Jack Daniels, Rottweiler, will be six years old March 13, 105lbs) right front leg was a bit swollen. I foster dogs for a rescue and my foster who was a big rottweiler had just left so initially I thought it may be an injury from the two of them playing. I made an appointment at the vet since I wanted to figure out why he also stiffens up when people touch his back (later found out he just has a sensitive area and we did one round of acupuncture). My vet took some aspirations from his leg and because they looked abnormal sent them away. I asked worst/best possibilities and I was told cancer/injury, the furthest thing from my mind was that it could be answer as it was just swollen.

The following Friday I took him to find out the results and have another acupuncture treatment which he never had. My vet told me it was cancer. We did x-rays which indicated that it was not involving the bone but may have gone to the lungs. At this point there was no a bump and no just swelling. He referred me to the Oncologist two hours away.

On Feb 20/13 we went up to see the Oncologist and his lump was no even bigger. They did x-rays as my vet only did two views and discovered that the cancer was not in his lungs (yay, no mets). They biopsied the lump and aspirated the lymph node (found out a day later it was cancer free) and I had to wait a few days for the results, we were hoping for first stage soft tissue sarcoma as an amputation would cure his cancer.

On Feb 25/13 I realized the call from the Oncologist while I was at work that indeed it was not soft tissue sarcoma it was Histiocytic sarcoma, a rare aggressive cancer, my worst fears. The called me again later and said they could get me in on Wednesday to see the surgeon and Thursday for the surgery. I had already decided I wanted surgery if it was soft tissue but wasn't sure what to do if it was histiocytic and this was all happening very quick. I talked to friends with dogs and got mixed reviews from I'm being selfish to do everything I can.

Yesterday I met with the surgeon and the oncologist who had told me that if we didn't amputate the tumor would grow as it had already gotten quite large, impede his mobility causing extreme pain and most likely abscess and open up, probably within two months. I was shocked he wasn't limping (had been on Tramadol since the biopsy) but he was the same old happy boy. They wanted to do an ultrasound to ensure it hadn't spread to his internal organs, which later showed it hadn't! So wanting to do what was best for JD I agreed to the surgery, I was still having a few doubts until midnight last night when I discovered this website and Facebook page, I watched the video \\\\\\\"Be More Dog \\\\\\\". It was after seeing that and crying tears of joy that I was positive I was making the right decision. I now had hope that he could dig if he wanted as that was one of his favorite things to do and could go hiking and live a normal life. I kept telling people he was dying of cancer now I am going to be telling people he is living with cancer.

JD made it through surgery with no complications and is in the ICU, if everything goes well I can pick him up tomorrow. And I'll be spending five days hopefully longer with him as I was able to take time off of work. And I'm hoping is recovery goes well, and being a nurse I'm thinking my experience will hopefully help.

My dilemma now is do I do chemo they said the mean survival times is 12-14 months with chemo and the amp so I'm thinking that may be the best. The oncologist and said they do not want him vomiting or loosing hair as that's not the quality of life he deserves so will be monitoring that. He will need blood work and x-rays throughout his treatment. However, currently he is eating Acana as his breakfast and a commercial raw diet, sometimes with eggs and tripe for supper, with raw bones in between. He is also since the first vet visit on a glucosamine supplement and fish oil. The oncologist strongly discourages the raw diet as he will be at increased risk of infection from it. I am wondering if anyone has experience with raw diet and chemo. I want to do what's best for JD and I know a raw diet is filled with great nutrients. As well is there any great alternatives to chemo supplement wise?

I want to end by saying thank you so much to everyone, I'm so relieved to have a group to help me through this journey.