Thank you so much for the info about the home therapy program!  I hadn't heard of that.  I'm very interested to learn more.  I will definitely look into this.  

Thanks so much, Jerry.  We had really promising news from the dental visit today.  The vet said nothing was showing up in the bone and it wasn't a tooth abscess. She didn't see anything super concerning about it, and thinks it's probably just overgrown gums, which I didn't know was a thing.  She removed the mass and sent it off for testing just to be extra sure.  So waiting for those results to come back.  But feeling much better about the gums thing.  Next up is the oncology visit where we find out what type of bone cancer was in his leg, and what treatment plan the doctor recommends.  

Here's something I'm kind of struggling with - and maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.  I've only met with the oncologist once so far, for the initial consultation.  I liked her a lot.  She was compassionate and seemed very competent, I trusted her guidance.  But I haven't had the best experiences with her support staff.  They've all been very nice for the most part. But the tech who did his intake during the consultation visit called him by the wrong name, got the injured leg wrong (she said back left, it was front right), didn't have a pen on her to fill in the forms, and then didn't have a watch on her when she was taking his heartbeat - just generally seemed "not ready" to see patients.  Then when I reached out to the oncologist's staff when the lump appeared on his gums, I had a kind of an unpleasant interaction with the person who called to read off the doctor's recommendations for how to address the lump.  She was clearly just reading off the notes from the doctor (which was fine) but when I had follow up questions she wasn't able to answer them and instead of saying "I don't know" or "I can find out and get back to you" she just clearly made up an indefinite answer (it's probably...).  So when I asked to speak to the doctor directly at her convenience, she got really flustered (even annoyed?) and told me how busy they were and she wasn't sure when the doctor would get back to me.  If it comes that Roman will need chemotherapy, I would like it to be with this oncologist.  As I said, I've already formed a connection with her and I like that she's in the same practice as his surgeon for continuity of care purposes (just makes me feel better.)  But I'm concerned about the level of support I will get from her staff as we go through that process.  I know I was on the phone with the surgeon's staff at least every day during his amputation recovery, and they were so patient and compassionate with my questions and worries.  I expect the same will happen if he goes through chemo.  I do have 2 "second opinion" appointments with other oncologists scheduled after we meet with oncologist #1 next week, so maybe I'll find a clinic that I like better.  But wondering which I should put more stock in when choosing an oncologist for possible chemo: the doctor or the support staff?  I feel like I'll have more direct interaction with the support staff...?  But the doctor will be the one overseeing/administering his care.  I don't know....  I appreciate any thoughts on this.  Maybe someone else has had to navigate a similar experience? 

Hi Jerry, thanks so much for your thoughtful response.  Almost a month out, I have some more perspective and can see how I was just spinning with all the new info that was coming at me at the time.  Roman's gums pathology was confirmed to be benign, just a gum overgrowth so that was a huge relief.  I also met with his oncologist to talk through a treatment plan as his leg pathology confirmed osteosarcoma - chemo, 6 sessions of carboplatin 3 weeks apart, regular chest x-rays to check for lung mets.  This seems to be a pretty standard treatment plan for osteosarcoma, as confirmed by a 2nd opinion.  We moved forward with his original oncologist and he had his first chemo appointment on Oct 4.  So far, he has handled the treatment really well, no upset tummy symptoms.  We had his CBC panel done today to see how his white blood cells are doing; waiting for results to come back.  Otherwise, just moving forward with life, spending a lot of time sitting outside in the grass and visiting with neighborhood friends.  

I had originally planned on meeting with a rehab therapist, but he's moving around really well on his own.  Plus he doesn't love doc appointments, he gets pretty stressed out, and with having to go to so many between chemo and blood draws, etc, I felt bad dragging him to yet another regular appointment.  I'm still struggling with the idea though. 

I do plan to consult with a holistic vet for any additional treatments or nutrition/supplement information they might recommend.   

Hi Jerry!  Thanks so much for the encouragement and guidance on this post and in the other forums.  It helps so much to hear outside perspective.  I really am still on the fence about rehab but hearing that his raw toe beans (haha) could be an indicator of weak/incorrect gait, maybe an at-home therapist would work for him.  I'll see what I can find and will reach out if I need help, thanks so much for the offer!

Hi everyone!  Just wanted to share the good news that today was Roman's last day of chemo and I'm so happy to report that all his scans are clear.  He's been such a rockstar through this whole process.  We are so happy to be done with chemo and to also have the good news of no mets detected too.  Thinking back to the beginning, it felt like we were never going to get here, but 5 months later here we are.  This forum has been such a great resource and support.  I'll continue to update Roman's progress here but for today, we have great news.  🙂