Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So the results are in and it's not good news. 😔 Sandy has another cancer which is high grade and metasis which means it will spread. We have an appointment on Tuesday with the specialist to discuss possible treatments.
it is likely she will need a CT scan which is horrifically expensive and then further chemo or radiation.Â
I am distraught. We have come this far and thought we had won! I feel for sandy as six times we have been here. She is 13.5yrs old now. How much do we continue to fight this? Until I speak with the vet I don't know what avenue to take. Is it fair to put her through more at her age? Do we continue to battle this awful C as we've come this far already? I'm lost as to what to do.  She has arthritis in her elbow and are treating this accordingly daily to manage this. I just want to scream!!!!!!! 😡
Dawnie I'm so sorry, this is ruff news. I can only imagine how frustrated and upset you are.
If you can, and I know this is hard, look at it this way: Sandy HAS won. She has beat cancer so many times, she has lived a life that's full of verve and spunk and nothing has stopped her. You have both shown cancer that it cannot take away Sandy's zest for life, or yours for that matter. As you decide what to do next, if you can shift your way of thinking and look at cancer as not necessarily an evil entity to fight (and boy this is really hard right?) but as a condition to manage, it will be easier overall to make decisions. Take the anger away and decide on her next course of therapy as if it was a condition like diabetes. Mange it, show it who's boss, but don't let it steal you of your time together by filling your heart with anger. That's the only way cancer can win.
You're right, until you speak with the vet and get the information you need, you won't feel comfortable making a decision. So don't. Wait, and until then, keep doing what you and Sandy do best, because to her, life is just the same as always. Live as she does and you can't go wrong.
{{{hugs}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jerry said every so well (as usual).
And btw, go ahead and scream and vent and rage. We all do it here! But then, as Jerry said, let go of the anger so you can be fully present with Sandy and never, ever let anything interfere with your time together! Sandy sure isn't!
Gather your information from the Onco. Balance that with her age and your focus on quality and see how things look from Sandy's viewpoint.
To what you need ro do to remind yourself that Sandy is feeling good and no "diagnosis" has changed anything in her world!
Update when you can. In the meantime and as you have done everyday with Sandy...LOVE AND SPOIL! It will be good for both of yoi! 🙂
Lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Thank you for your kind words of support.
Sandy's stitches are out and the vet advised to place cold compress on area to reduce swelling.
Awaiting to hear if I need to take sandy in with me Tuesday for the dreaded discussion. Hope we have suitable options.
Dawnie,
I'm so sorry that you and Sandy are going through this. I just wanted to tell you that I'm thinking of you and sending hugs to both of you.
Joan and her angel, Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Thank you Joan. I just keep asking why...why sandy. Why again. 😔
So I went to see the specialist this evening without Sandy as didn't want to stress her with another vet visit when she wasn't needing to be there. The vet was thorough & knowledgable about what options we have.Â
Given Sandy's age, I ruled out CT scan with radiation. We've been there years back and it wasn't nice. Having to put them to sleep every week for the radiation is not good for her age and she didn't like it last time. So that's option one ruled out.Â
I've also ruled out palative tablets as that may affect her liver and kidneys over time and is a life long drug. Costly too. Why add further complications to what we have. So option two ruled out.Â
Then there is the chemo option alone which I am airing towards. We have coped once so hoping we will cope again. Option three preferred.Â
Now he question is - Do we have a CT scan prior to see IF it has spread or where it may have spread, or do we go straight into chemo not knowing?? Chemo we have done before & knowing that this will help radiate those cells and give her time sounds preferred. I don't like the idea of sedation at her age, especially so soon after her op. The risks are greater. Do we really need to know what a CT scan may see when the treatment plan options are the same and I have ruled other options out!?Â
Will a CT scan give us any positive help? Will I worry knowing it may have spread? It won't change the outcome and it won't mean I wouldn't not take the chemo route. So I'm thinking why upset myself further with the knowledge of what's going on inside when the treatment options will be the same.Â
Got to call to advise of my decision tomorrow morning to get things moving forwards, or the cancer cells pushed back!Â
I have been blessed for the past 13.5years with Sandy and i WILL be blessed with more! We are here to fight back and win! Every time! This will NOT defeat us! We have come this far and will go further!Â
The decision this time round has not been any easier, but i have re entered into this more knowledgable and knowledge is power!Â
You have done an EXCELLENT job of.processing everything and drawing a conclusion based on Sandy's well being. I really mean it, EXCELLENT!
Re-read your post. You have your answer. It comes across loud and clear.
You've considered every aspect of what's best for Sandy. Doing anymore tests wouldn't change a thing other than, like you said, possibly making you worry more. Worrying keeps you separate from living in the moment with Sandy. The chemo route certainly xould work. If, for some bizarre reason, it did cause Sandy issues, you can stop with no harm being done.
I know there is some relief in deciding in a course of action and getting in with life! Always remember, nothing has interfered with Sandy getting on with living life to the fullest ever since she was bor !
CHEER FOR YOU SANDY!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
I love that you went to the consult without her, that is super conscientious of you, putting her needs first.
I would want to do the CT scan first. See my Tripawds News blog post (scroll down to see the info about CT scans). Anesthesia is safer than ever as long as your vet is practicing modern protocols. The risks are so minimal compared to years past. I think it would give you the piece of mind you're looking for.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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