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New Tripawd Mommy Here And I'm Terrified!
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Westminster, MD
Member Since:
31 August 2013
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24 October 2014 - 4:26 pm
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Pam and family, 

I am so terribly sorry to read this news........but I do have to say, please don't give up. It may be a bit more difficult, but as long as Harmony is feeling good, then that is a huge positive. Live in the moments with her, make every second count, and spoil the crap out of her.......let her lead, she is looking at you with those beautiful trusting eyes because she loves you, and  knows you are doing everything possible for her, and you love her so much in return.

Hang in there, we are all here for you to help in any way, and sending {{{hugs}}} tonight....

Bonnie & Angel Polly

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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24 October 2014 - 8:16 pm
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Oh Pam, I'm sorry the news is bad.

Don't second guess yourself, you made the best decision you could for Harmony, you gave her a chance.

You never know how effective the chemo could be- Maggie was given 6 to 9 months after her amp because of lymph system involvement.  She had more MCTs, but lived almost 4 years and did not pass from mast cell.

Liver involvement is not good, but take your cue's from Harmony.  As long as she feels good there is hope for another day.

 

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

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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24 October 2014 - 11:13 pm
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Yeah, ditto what everyone else is saying.

Right now focus on getting Harmonty through the recovery. Everything y ou are describing abou her actions today and last night all sound within the "normal" :range. Her sparkle will come back and that will uplift everybody!

Right now you are exhausted, you are mentally drained, the stress level is off the charts right now., and Harmony isnt exactly having a party het!!! , Needless to say, it's hard to feel positive right now! That's why we are all walking by your side to help hold you up!!

Harmonynhas already proven that, even though she jas a gentle name, she isa strong fighter! Harmony is her own on dog and is NOT paying any attention to any ole' lab report! NOTHING has changed Harmony's world!

Also, you may want to chexk with a Hooistic Vet about liver supplements. Milk Thistle is pretty well known to help compromised livers. You can search onnthis site for holistic vets, as well as nutritional supplements, etc.

Harmony is loving innthe now, innthe present and not worried about a thing! Harmony does not have a timeframe stamped on her butt!! Other than recovering from major surgery....Harmony is feeling fine!

I'll address the second guessing that this journey does to all of us! If you h ad not tried...if you had not given Harmony every chance possible, you definitely would have regretted that. Right now, the surgier, the chemo, etc. are alk still giving her a chance! Harmondynhas a chance at more loving, more spoiling, more tummy rubs, more ear scratches, more snuggles than anyone could ever imagine possible!!!

Stay connected tonis, okay? KNOW that she will get her sparkle back and you will continue tonjave quality time together!!! Hang in there!!! Harmony sure is!!!

Sending you so much love and hugs!!!

Sally and Alumni 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!

Norene, TN
Member Since:
21 October 2014
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25 October 2014 - 6:54 am
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All y'all (yeah, I'm southern) are right and I know it. It's hard to know it in my heart when it's falling apart.

You're also correct about the fatigue and emotional exhaustion skewing my outlook. When the hub-a-dub got home from work yesterday I allowed myself to feel the drain. I could hardly keep my eyes open. After a good night's sleep, knowing he was watching her, I woke feeling a lot better.

To add, Harmony developed a slight cough last night. I contacted the doc and he told me as long as it wasn't real bad or got worse to not worry about it because they will sometimes do that up to 14 days post surgery. He also said they had checked her lungs and they were clear of the disease. That made me feel a lot better too.

And, yes, we've been looking into a holistic vet right down the road from where she had her surgery. We're very much into trying to eliminate the things that might be impeding or causing her illness.

Her lab work identified her disease as anaplastic round cell tumors in her skin, spleen, lymph node and liver.

Today will be her first day where we'll leave her alone for just a couple hours while we run some put-off domestic chores.

As I sit here typing, she's in her regular spot looking at me with alert ears wondering what tha heck am I doing. I think it's her way of communicating, "You've got to get back to the normal stuff, you're driving me crazy!"

Again, thank you so much for listening and feeling with me. You can't imagine how much it means to me. I'm so lucky to have found you.

No poody-poo yet, stay tuned.

Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.

"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."

- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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25 October 2014 - 10:23 am
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And Harmony said tl mom this morning, “You’ve got to get back to the normal stuff, you’re driving me crazy!” The "thought bubbles" of our dogs are simple--yet so profound sometimes!!!

Im glad you got some rest and are feeling better this morning. Exhaustion can destroy our ability to stay in the moment and to proceed forward with solution oriented energy and actions.

Really glad you have a Holistic Vet joining Team Harmony! You'll be able to support Harmony's immune system on so many different levels now.

As Jerry says....."Prognosis...schmognosis"! Here in Tripawd Land, many, many dogs turn out to be miracle dogs who create their own new "statistics" everyday!!!
And I do believe Ms. Harmony is a miracle dog with amazing advocates on her side!

Let us know how she handles you being gone a few hiurs today....bet she'll fare far better than you!!!clown

Hugs to all!

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


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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25 October 2014 - 11:06 am
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harmony said

As I sit here typing, she's in her regular spot looking at me with alert ears wondering what tha heck am I doing. I think it's her way of communicating, "You've got to get back to the normal stuff, you're driving me crazy!"

Aw I'm sorry I'm just now reading up on the lab work, I'm so sorry, I'd be a mess too. But the reason I quoted you here is because, BINGO! YOU GOT IT! clap

She is saying "Mom, I'm STILL here so let's have FUN OK?"

You are hearing her speak to you, congrats, that's a big step while you're coping with such a big emotional situation. You get an A+.

No matter what, keep telling yourself, "Be More Dog ." Cause it's the only way to survive this ordeal and make sure that nothing but love and happy memories surround your pack during such ruff times.

{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}

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

Member Since:
18 June 2014
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37
25 October 2014 - 1:03 pm
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You got to get back to the normal stuff is right! Harmony wants life to go on and she doesn't understand why you are hovering.  I know the news sounds horrible but their are still options. Harmony doesn't gave a rats A_ _ about grade and site of Cancer.  Live in the moment...Be More Dog and let Harmony be your guide- Your driving her crazy LOL- Keep connected!

Laurie

Norene, TN
Member Since:
21 October 2014
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38
26 October 2014 - 7:29 am
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Good morning! It was another restless night for Harmony (and her mommy). There's a new complication. She's accumulating fluid in her abdomen. I talked with the doc and he said it was effusion caused by her liver and there was no immediate remedy until we can get her on chemo and that doesn't start until 11/3.

She did great while I ran my errands. In fact I think she was genuinely glad to be rid of me for a little bit. She still hasn't got much energy. She's pretty well spent when she walks just a few yards and drops where she's at. This has been going on since her first day home. I've read a lot of that has to do with her not having a spleen as well as getting over two major surgeries.

While I'm on the subject, her appetite waxes and wains. I understand that, but how can I get those much needed meds down her and keep them down? Do y'all have any wonderful, magical ways to get this accomplished? We've tried peanut butter, cheese, chicken and all her other favorites. But one thing's clear, when she has no appetite, she will not take her pills. And if by chance we do get it down her, she'll just throw it back up.

I can't tell you how much this site means to me. I haven't had near the amount of free time to read everything, but I'll get there eventually.

I want to share something that's been on my mind and heart. I don't know if you've seen the movie "Life of Pi", but one thing that etched my heart was what Pi's father told him when he was caught trying to feed Richard Parker (tiger). To paraphrase, he said to not confuse what we see in an animal's eyes. What we see is the reflection of ourselves, our own emotions. What I carried away from that is when I look deep into my Harmony's eyes, I need to remind myself that she doesn't feel sorry for herself. That's an emotion I'm reading from the reflection I see.

Love to you all.

(Still no poody-poo)

Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.

"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."

- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey

Member Since:
18 June 2014
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39
26 October 2014 - 8:31 am
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You are 100% correct. Harmony is not afraid- she feels your fear.  I used pill pockets, coldcuts etc... Is Harmony on Tramadol?  Some say that it is the smell of it that caused their dogs not to take it.  You need to find something that will mask the odor.  Have you had a heart to heart talk with Harmony?  Try it.  Let her know how much you love her and ask her to tell you when she has had enough.  We are here for you!

Laurie

Member Since:
1 September 2014
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40
26 October 2014 - 8:59 am
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One thing that I did to help get Millie's pills in was to buy some large empty gelatin capsules. I could put several pills in one, so there were fewer doses. This worked especially well with the Tramadol that she was very much opposed to taking.

My dogs love to eat off a spoon & will grab whatever I am offering before making sure it is really food, so I found that I could get pills into her easier if I put it in something & fed off a spoon vs just handing her a meatball or putting a meatball in her dish. Solid Gold's canned tripe formula is a good one--it's soft so it slides down easily & it's super stinky (YUM!). We also used canned pumpkin, cottage cheese & canned sardines (packed in oil)

Millie did become wise to this & hence the gel caps mentioned above. If you are worried about the gel cap changing the dissolution of the meds, you can cut the ends off with scissors.

If not already on it I would put her on Milk Thistle and SAMe (or ask vet about denamarin , a combo of the synthetic versions of them). I would ask about Pepcid. It may help if she's having nausea.

Remember to take care of yourself and give Harmony a scratch on the rear & a gentle hug from us here.

Sonya & "Millie"--born Feb 1999, diagnosed with OSA 8/27/14, set free 9/27/14
(RIP baby girl)

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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26 October 2014 - 10:53 am
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Aww that's a great take-away lesson from that movie, I remember that scene.

I'm sorry things have been rough. Yes, it is major surgery, she's had an extra whammy thrown in there so her lowered energy is understandable. Keep your vet in the loop and meantime remember that if she hasn't eaten a whole lot there's probably not a lot to poop out either. Here are some appetite stimulation and pill taking tips that may help:

How to Give a Dog Pills

Make Your Own Pill Pocket Treats

Get Your Dog Eating After Amputation Surgery

Improve Your Dog’s Appetite During Chemotherapy

Goats Milk Perks Up Finicky Tripawd Appetites

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

Norene, TN
Member Since:
21 October 2014
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27 October 2014 - 10:21 am
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Okay, let's see if I can do this. Here are a couple of pics of our sweet Harmony.

1 Day Post-OpImage Enlarger

2 Days Post-OpImage Enlarger

Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.

"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."

- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey

Westminster, MD
Member Since:
31 August 2013
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27 October 2014 - 10:36 am
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Oh yes, sweet, precious, absolutely adorable Harmony........Pam, thank you for these great pics of your Harmony......just a kissable face.....

Any poo yet? She has had some ups and downs, so it still might take a day or so.....

Keeping positive thoughts, and sending healing energy and {{{hugs}}}...

Bonnie & Angel Polly

Norene, TN
Member Since:
21 October 2014
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27 October 2014 - 11:23 am
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Nope, no poody-poo yet. Keeping my fingers crossed for today.

Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.

"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."

- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey

Martinsburg, WV
Member Since:
3 June 2014
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45
27 October 2014 - 12:03 pm
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Harmony is just precious!!  For being so soon after surgery she looks really good.  From what I can see in the 2nd pic the incision site looks like it's doing well.

I'll be sending Harmony positive thoughts.

Sahana and her Angel Leland

smiley

Leland

November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014

May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!

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