Thank you!  Her name is Asti.  Yes, I am thinking that even if we get 6 more months out of her pain free it will be worth it.  I don't think we will go the chemo route unfortunately but it seems like the amputation will be the best decision for her.  From what I understand she is already at the pathelogical fracture point since the bone was so brittle.  We don't know when it was initially injured or from what.  She was walking with a small limp for a bit and we were just thinking it was most likely her hips as the vet suggested we will probably start to see some issues as she gets older but then took her in and found this news out.  She is set to go in tomorrow to have the surgery done. Our biggest fear is that she will struggle and get depressed.  I guess at this point it is worth the risk to find out than the alternative. I just dont want it to come down to me becoming selfish because I want to keep her around and her having to struggle for it.  Cant they just live as long as we do!  *sigh*

Unfortunately there are no guarantees, but at the same time, there is no expiration date stamped on Asti's butt (sorry, Sally, had to borrow your saying here!  lol) ...I'm sure Sally will chime in too...  If you were at the fracture point, then really you only had 2 options - surgery or euthanasia.  Bone cancer is very painful, so she's probably been in pain for awhile, but dogs are very good at hiding that pain.  So you have surgery scheduled, that's  a start.  And her lungs are clear, so that's great, too.  Chemo - not everyone does chemo, it's a personal choice, so you have to do what you feel is your best option.

Recovery takes about 2 weeks or so, sometimes a little more for the bigger dogs.  The first couple of weeks can be rough - we won't lie about that.  It's an emotional roller coaster for you.  Many of us question whether or not we did the right thing - but we soon realize that we did do the right thing.  Pain is a big thing to try to control.  Murphy came home on Tramadol, Rimadyl & Gabapentin.  Some also come home with antibiotics and some with a Fentanyl patch.  Make sure that you are giving one medication or the other every few hours for adequate coverage (not all of them at one time).  You can also apply an ice pack, covered with a cloth, on the incision to help reduce swelling for about 10 or 15 minutes a couple of times a day.  Activity should be limited to leashed potty breaks, no stairs if possible, no jumping on the furniture, etc.  Sometimes they don't want to eat, sometimes they don't want to drink, sometimes it takes a few days before they poop the first time.  Sleep & rest is a good thing.  The medications make them not feel like themselves.  You can use boxer shorts to keep her incision clean - put her tail through the fly.

And stay connected - we're here for you!  Whether it's here in the forums, in the chat room or on the help line.  We've all been right where you are, we've had the worries & fears and we can relate.

Donna

Welcome and so sorry you have to be here.  We were not one of the lucky ones to get a lot of extended time after amp.  We only got close to 5 months.  Was it worth it?  ABSOLUTELY!  Max was pain free for most of that time with the exception of probably the first two weeks after surgery.  He went on in happy doggie fashion and enjoyed his life.  We enjoyed the extra bonding and spoiling we gave him. You really develop a new bond going through this with each other.  When we had to let Max go to the Rainbow Bridge we were able to do that knowing we had tried and done all we could for him we never had to second guess ourselves.  The only thing I would've done differently was skip traditional chemo and go with metronomic & holistic. Vet visits stressed out Max well to the max so would have to reconsider that if I'm ever in that same boat.  Many get way more time than we did, but just wanted you to know even our short time was worth it.   I'll be keeping your sweet girl and your family in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow if indeed you do proceed with surgery.  Please keep us posted we'll support you whatever you choose to do.

Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie

also were not. . .ugh!

Unfortunately, dogs are so good at hiding pain, that by the time the cancer is diagnosed, there has been microscopic spread.  That is why chemo is offered.  We did chemo, but I have no idea whether it extended his life or not.  (But no regrets in doing it).  He finished chemo end of April, and end of August, an x-Ray showed cancer in his lungs.  The tumors (mets) were not big, but in his case, they caused tears in his lungs, which caused his lungs to fill with air (in a not good way).  He was happy and seemed healthy until Saturday night, and unfortunately, we had to say good-bye on Sunday night.  So, it was cancer, but it was quick and the tumors themselves did not seem to cause pain.  Statistically, dogs who do chemo get longer than we got, and there are dogs on this site, with or without chemo, who have lived for one, two or more years post-amp.  You just never know.  But, I again, I have no regrets and would do it all over again if I had the choice.  The time in between was precious.

Hi - Pofi is a large, older dog who is now 4 months post amp and we have NO regrets.  His cancer is not osteo, but amputation is only option for the STS he had located in his arm pit.  I don't know how much longer we have and obviously I hope it is many, many months.  But every one of the pain free days since amputation have been golden...

Take a look at our blog, too, for some videos and pics and our story.  

You've found a great resource coming - the tribal knowledge is amazing.