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Jackson's 19 month is today!
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New Haven, CT
Member Since:
27 December 2012
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28 July 2014 - 2:02 pm
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Hello all!  Today we celebrate Jackson's 19 month ampuversary!  WOOT WOOT!  WOOT WOOT!

Last week he had his onco check up.  He lost 3lbs in 3 months.  I wanted him to lose some, but now that he has the question is: is it because of vigilant portion control, or something else?  I hate cancer!  Why can't we just be happy he's trimmer rather than worrying something else is going on?!  Grrr.  So I'll bring him to his regular vet, right up the road, and monitor that way.  His urine pH was good = 8.  But those damn crystals were back, albeit very few (like always).  Grrr.  So he'll go off veggies, again, for a few weeks and get a recheck.  I'll also re-administer cranberries to him, probably pureed at home and topped on meals.  Besides that, his onco was happy to see him and happy that he's doing so well!

That said, I feel like he's slowing down.  Walks are slower with more pauses.  Play time is just as intense and fun, but shorter bouts.  Is this a sign that something's happening (add to that, weight loss...)?  Or, is it because it's HOT out, AC is on, he's 9.5, and a tripawd?  No idea.  No matter: we love him up, support him, feed him good stuff, and monitor all that we can.  Until there are additional signs, I guess we proceed with the notion that it's too hot out and he's aging.

Oh, and he'll be on leukeran for no more than 3 more months, totaling about 1.5 years on metronomic therapy (>1yr on leukeran).  As Erica pointed out, Jilly Bean lost weight on leukeran.  This highlights the importance of monitoring!  If there is some drastic weight loss, we'll reassess.

At the end of this week, he'll spend the week with my parents in New Hampshire since hubby and I go on vacation.  Jackson LOVES his grandpawrents and the chipmunks run in fear.  He'll have a good time....and, grandma will MOST certainly reverse the weight loss!  Ha!

Here's JACKSON:

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~ 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!

Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
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28 July 2014 - 3:03 pm
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YAY Jackson! Sounds like a great update!!!!

Shelby kept losing weight too and there was NO plausible explanation for it - ever. It didn't have anything to do with the cancer so perhaps 'seniors' tend to lose a bit more without really trying... I would love to be at that point in my life! :-) But three pounds in three months doesn't sound like that much. That's really only a pound a month and if he needed to trim down, then perhaps that's a good thing? As my daddy always said ... don't borrow trouble! He looks good and he's feeling great (on all those home-cooked meals how could he not?!?). 

And I would say, I am less likely to want to run for longer bouts when it's hot, hot, hot outside!

Overall... glad to hear a great update on our buddy Jackson!!! Cheers!!! Wine for all! 🙂 

XO

Alison & her Shelby fur-ever in her heart (and little Jasper too)

Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.

October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014

Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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28 July 2014 - 3:05 pm
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OMD!!!!! Soooooo many, many reasons ro celebrate!!

NINTEEN MONTHS!!!!! SPLENDIDclap

GOING TO GRANDMA'S TO GET FATTY .......shhhhhh...don't tell Katy, but he'll probably get a scoop of ice cream after a hard day of.chasing chipmunks!clap

WE.GOT.TO.SEE.PICTURES.OF.HANDSOME..JACKSON LOOKING PERFECTLY FIT.AND.HAPPY!!!clap

GREAT.CHECK.UP...GREAT BLOODWORK...a few crystals don't amount to squat. way-cool

Katy, a little "reality check" here...Jackson IS 9 1/2 years "mature".....it IS.summer, hot and humid, .....he IS a tripawd...yeah, that's the reality of what's "going on"...and that's a great reality!!!clap And heat zaps.energy in all of us!!!! Many, many dogs and humans "skinny up" as they get older! Happy Hannah never bought into that theoryclown

And maybe the scales at your vets.are.the most accurate in the world, but my vet scales can vary like crazy with one thump of.a tail.or.wiggle of.a.butt...or even sta.ding still!

Jackson is enjoying maturing and taking it a touch easier.....and soaking up al l that wonderful gift.of.love you bestow on that boy every second of every day!

WAIT! WHAT THE HECK? ........well, well....looky what just fell out of the sky..........looks like Jackson's being watched over very well by many Guardians of Tripawds!superstar

LOVE!

2014-07-28-16.30.19_zps5mymj13h.jpgImage Enlarger

Sally and Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle...........

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!

Idaho
Member Since:
12 March 2013
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28 July 2014 - 3:26 pm
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Hoppy ampuversary, Jackson!

Our Gus is a senior quadpawd who also slows waaaaay down when it gets hot out. As far as the weight loss, unless it is drastic, I would attribute it to differences in vet scales, too. Our two always weigh a couple of pounds different on the scales at the regular vet as opposed to the one at the specialty clinic.

Kathi and Murphy

Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!

UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!

Member Since:
18 September 2013
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28 July 2014 - 3:30 pm
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Happy, hoppy 19 month ampuversary Jackson!

Hey Katy - I'm thinking the weight loss is due to heat and portion control - and you're right - he will likely gain it back this week at is grandpawrents' house.

Glad to hear (and see from the pics) that your handsome boy continues to do so well!

Have a wonderful week away with your Hubby!

Hugs

Linda and Tucker

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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28 July 2014 - 4:30 pm
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Happy 19 months Jackson!

Is his apatite good?  Maybe a little blood work at the vet to make sure the organs are doing OK.

Slowing down a little? Maybe he is channeling his inner pug big-grin

 

Have a wonderful vacation.  And I know whenever the pugs spend time with Grandpa the harnesses get snug.  Grandpa says it's because the harness get wet and shrink...

 

Karen

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Ohio
Member Since:
21 February 2014
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28 July 2014 - 5:55 pm
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YAY jackson!!! clapclapclapclapclapclapclap

 

You are a true inspiration to all of us here! Keep it up! Here's to many more ampuversaries! superstarsuperstar

Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.





Member Since:
16 October 2012
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28 July 2014 - 6:24 pm
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yay Jackson.  I am so glad to hear you are doing so well.   A few pounds isn't that much.  I know the worry though.  I think if he loses a lot then there is a cause to worry.  Slowing down can be the heat/humidity age all rolled into one.  But as a pawrent I know the first place our minds go. 

One more month closer to 2 years cancer free I can't believe its been 19 months.  I am looking forward to celebrating many many more Ampuversaries with you & Jackson Katy.  5 more months it will be 2years each & every day is a joy to see our surviving Winter Warriors Battle on.  We are cheering for you and watching over you everyday.  We cry with you & celebrate with you. 

 

Hoppy Ampuversary

 

hugs

Michelle & Angel Sassy

sassymichelle-sm.jpg

Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013

05/04/2006 -  Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19  fought cancer for 4 months.

"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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28 July 2014 - 7:22 pm
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Hoppy Ampuversary! Hoppy Ampuversary! Hoppy Ampuversary! Hoooooooooooooppy Ampuversary!

Yay Jackson you are a rock star, the apple of our eye, the light in our universe! WOOOHOOO! Congrats mister, you are just incredible.

Katy, I vote for the weight loss as an effect of both portion control and leukeran. Please try not to worry. Go have a great vacation and know that everything will be fine. Jackson is doing great, run with it!

xoxoxoxo so glad you're here to share this major milestone!

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

Rock Hill, SC
Member Since:
28 November 2011
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28 July 2014 - 7:30 pm
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LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!  Yay for 19 months.  Happy Ampuversary!

Lisa

Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11.  A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/

New Haven, CT
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27 December 2012
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29 July 2014 - 6:57 pm
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Awwww, your everlasting love and support just warms our hearts and paws around here!  Love your poster, Sally!  You're so so so very sweet!

I'll keep the updates rollings as things develop.  I have found, that there's some evidence that some dogs just have these struvite crystals.  He did at the start of his cancer diagnosis (I had the onco go digging for old records) and his numbers have always been the same.  It's quite possible this is just Jackson and it's not worth a battle and may not point to any problem or any brewing problem (especially w/o any additional symptoms).  That said, a more normal urine pH is something to strive for, so we'll continue to fixate around 7.5-8.  I just blended up a combo bag of frozen cranberries and blueberries to top his meals.  He loves it!

Thank you all for reminding me of where we are in this and that he IS a mature pup, it is HOT, and we're pretty careful about his kibble amounts - all those can explain lack luster puppy energy and (intended!) weight loss.  A month from now we'll know more when we go in for another weigh-in and urine check.

HUGS and love to all!

~ 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!

Westminster, MD
Member Since:
31 August 2013
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29 July 2014 - 7:50 pm
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Yay, handsome Jackson! Keep doing great and hope you have many happy celebrations ahead! Just wanted to say that my black Lab Maggie had struvite crystals on and off her entire life, mostly on. We never could figure out why, so figured she was a pup that it was just gonna happen.

Yeah, the heat can be an energy stealer.....it takes a lot out of my young black Lab pup, Pearl.....she is almost 18 months old and I try not to exercise her much on hot days. So if it is hard on her, it will definitely be really hard on Jackson.

And the weight thing, everything our pups go through during this journey is bound to result in some weight loss.....my Polly went from 65 lbs to 56 lbs and stayed down till she passed away. That including the amp, though, but her spare leg only weighed about 3 lbs.

Enjoy each and every day, and make each day count as well.

Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly

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