Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Saw our onc today....he says the tumor is stable in size compared to last week, which is slightly smaller than when we started radiation. Overall, he thinks Clyde looks good, heart and lungs sound good, no new swollen lymph nodes, etc. so he is happy with our progress. YAY! Clyde still doesn't really show any symptoms, so that is even better news. Apparently we've been spoiling him a bit...he has put on weight every single week. Oops! My fabulous doc said he couldn't care less - as long as Clyde is happy and enjoying life and doesn't get huge, we can just go ahead and spoil him while we can (we think that Clyde must have paid him off somehow to get him to say this).
In two weeks, he is due for his 4th and final melanoma vaccine, but first we will do the dreaded chest x-rays. If they are still clean, we will go ahead and give him the shot; if not (or if his primary tumor is growing again, I suppose), we will discuss a new game plan. If everything goes as planned (ha!), from there we will just go on a regular old monitoring schedule - no more treatments for now! I can't even imagine not constantly being at the vet.
I have to brag a little about my own accomplishment...for some reason on the drive to the vet today, I started thinking about our first time there with Holly...is was really not all that long ago - just the end of April. I got a bit teary in the car, but had it together by the time we arrived. I managed to go our entire visit without crying! A low standard, I know, but nonetheless, I am a bit proud of myself for being a little bit stronger today. Please keep your paws crossed that our next visit goes well and that we can take a little break from vet appointments. 🙂
hollybeans said
I have to brag a little about my own accomplishment...for some reason on the drive to the vet today, I started thinking about our first time there with Holly...is was really not all that long ago - just the end of April. I got a bit teary in the car, but had it together by the time we arrived. I managed to go our entire visit without crying! A low standard, I know, but nonetheless, I am a bit proud of myself for being a little bit stronger today. Please keep your paws crossed that our next visit goes well and that we can take a little break from vet appointments. 🙂
Hey that is HUGE. Seriously. I can't imagine how emotionally difficult it would be to go back to the same vet's office over and over again to treat Clyde. You should be VERY proud of yourself because we are too.
And of course super happy about Clyde's latest news! "Stable disease" is exactly what docs shoot for when it comes to cancer, so you're THERE. Congrats, this is wonderful. Paws crossed that it keeps up, the x-rays are good and you're able to wrap up treatment. In the meantime....more burgers for Clyde!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Great news on Clyde. He is a a trooper. I mean really. A MonkeyButt to begin with, then all of a sudden he has cancer....holy cow! Now he gets the spoiled dog treatment....he deserves it! Sounds like it's going great though.
I'm really proud of you. Those emotions are going to crop up and for Clyde's sake you held it together. I know our dogs feel everything we emote and I'm sure he is proud too. That sounds strange but I believe it. My dogs know when something is going on even if I haven't said a word(angry or sad, etc) and act accordingly. So for Clyde's sake, great job.
You have been through quite the ringer and please take care. We care about YOU and Clyde. Happy to hear you are both doing good!
All the Best
Suzie and Rizzo
PS MB Ears are at PETCO.......Clyde needs a pair.....hehe!
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
Yea for Clyde!
About 4 months after Maggie passed I went to a MAF K9 Cancer walk. I thought after 4 months I could deal OK. I got a little choked up pulling into the parking lot- but then got it together, which lasted about 15 min...
When I checked in the guy handing out shirts said 'I lost my dog last summer', I managed to croak 'me too'... then had to walk away. I couldn't talk to anyone that day about Mag, or cancer, or dogs, or loss.
So I think you should be really proud of yourself! It is not a low standard at all. Just be sure you give yourself plenty of time to grieve for Holly (but in private is fine!).
Karen and the pugapalooza
I agree with Karen, that is definitely not a low standard at all. Perfectly normal 
. It's all the little steps that lead us to a point where we can look back and go "you know what, I am a little less sad now than I was then (however long ago "then" was)!".
It's wonderful news about Clyde. I'm with Suzie, maybe it is time for him to get his ears!!
We'll be crossing everything that Clyde's next visit goes well.
Lots of hugs
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Paws, fingers and toes crossed for a good report next time. I am truly sorry that you are facing this so quickly after your loss of Holly. It just doesn't seem fair. But, please know that you and Clyde are not alone in this battle - you have many people here praying for you, thinking of you and sending massive amounts of ju-ju.
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/
Great news about Clyde and well done for yourself too!
I love that your vet says it's okay to go a little nutty with the spoiling and the treats (and Clyde must love it too!). Rita would love to get our vet to say something like that about her...
I hope all goes well and you can take a break from the vet visits!
Jackie
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
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