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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Help please! Change of Heart about Chemo, Holistic instead?
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Michigan
Member Since:
26 July 2008
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16
3 September 2009 - 8:53 am
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Hi, I am so sorry that you are put in a position to have to make this decision.  I kind of sat on my response because I didn't want to sound harsh but I do think this needs to be said. 

Yes these are very tough decisions. We thought about it and decided against chemo. It may not be a magic bullet that cures Romeo – it may or may not even give you more time. Each dog is different and what may be right for one dog could be wrong for another.
I just don't want you to feel bad at all if you choose not to do chemo.  You can't explain to an animial what or why you are doing this – As Jerry says – dogs live in the now – not in the what if. 

For us it was a quality of life question as well. I worked for a woman who's cat had feline leukemia and aids. She went the extra mile – did everthing possible – mortgaged her condo. What did that mean for the cat – chemo – daily IV's – countless meds – hair loss – weight loss – sickness – for all of her heroic efforts this cat had no quality of life – it couldn't even be a cat tied to IV's all day. In the end she bought another year for this cat's life – but what kind of year was it from the cat's perspective.

When we got Radar's osteosarcoma diagnosis, we decided we were not going to do that to him. He may have 6 months – he may have 3 years – but darn it those months or years were going to be spent being a happy dog and being loved and played with. 

Radar just past his one year ampuversary – and is doing awesome. Guess we made the right decision for him.

Member Since:
7 August 2009
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17
3 September 2009 - 9:44 am
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Thank you all again for your thoughts and stories. I'm sad anyone has to go through this, but these are beautiful stories of love, hope and compassion. I know people have always thought I'm a little crazy for the way I love Romeo. Our friends know how we feel---they brought him big brother gifts to our baby shower, but they still think I'm a little wacky. Even friends with dogs think I'm a little over the top. But I've told Sylvia how beautiful it is to read all these stories---I feel like there's a whole river of love in this world I've discovered. There are pawrents all over just like us!

I love the picture of Mac by the water. And it is so good to hear Radar is doing great w/ out chemo one year later! Romeo had such a great time at the park today. He's really just returning to his old self. There's a light in his eyes and step I haven't seen since the surgery. I think we are still going to try the chemo, but we decided we are going to wait few more weeks to let him get his mojo back.

Maybe we will start in October. We are going to get his stitches out here in New Haven tomorrow. I am trying to prepare myself because they are good vets, but I know they will be of the "Start chemo yesterday" school.

September 14th we are meeting w/ the holistic vet in VT (same practice where we were thinking of doing the chemo). I am excited for Romeo to have acupuncture. I think it will really help him. I think I should get some myself!

Thank you all again for sharing your stories and thoughts, Eve 

Member Since:
7 August 2009
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18
3 September 2009 - 11:08 am
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Connie and Radar: I also just wanted to say how much I appreciated your frankness regarding your thoughts on chemo. I don't think you sounded harsh. In fact, I found it very fortifying. I was hoping to hear a variety of positions and experiences. It really helps me to work through this.

I know we will make our choice with love for Romeo. Thank you all for confirming that. Eve (and Romeo!)

Cordoba, Argentina
Member Since:
20 August 2009
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3 September 2009 - 5:49 pm
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Hello, I did not participate up to this moment because for us there is no option. chemo is not available to us here so we just got the decition taken out of our hands.

I just wanted to repeat what others have said already. As long as you spend the remaining time loving and caring for Romeo, he won't question you about the what ifs! He won't know the difference between one treatment or the other. It's us who have to adjust.

Thank you Connie for sharing your story here. It's very encouraging for us.

Suerte para todos (good luck to all)

Horacia & Cecilia

Spirit Horacia, Castaño, Olympia + human family Cecilia, Georg and Julia - - - Hori first diagnosed 8/6/09, ampu 8/12/09, run over the bridge 9/10/09 – We miss you every day dear girl!

Storm
20
10 September 2009 - 4:38 am
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Horacia said:

As long as you spend the remaining time loving and caring for Romeo, he won't question you about the what ifs! He won't know the difference between one treatment or the other. It's us who have to adjust.


Horacia I toatlly believe and agree with what you said, you summed up what others have said quite well.

And Connie, Radar gives us so much hope as we too decided to do exactly what you have done and for the same reasons, so we are going live each day with lots of hugs, kisses and cuddles and live in the now.  Koda may have cancer but I am not going to let it take over any part of my mind as that will detract from enjoying every day with Koda if I am a stress ball over it. 

And Eve, your friends may think you are a little over the top, but I am sure Romeo doesn't think so!!! 

Storm and Koda:)

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