Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, I wish I had a better report to give. Unfortunately, we have decided to remove her from chemo. Her tumor continues to grow at 1cm a month and vet just called and said her platelets are extremely low. From 90,000 last visit to 30,000 this visit. (200,00 is normal)Not sure if it is caused by the chemo or has the cancer has spread. The fear is she will not be able to clot if she gets cut or bruised internally. She has slowed down quite a bit, but she still gets around ok and is still wagging that tail often. She is in good spirits and does not seem to be suffering. My dilema now is to go on my regular yearly fishing trip or not. I feel I need a break from the emotional roller coaster, but on the other hand I could not bare the pain if something were to happen if i were not there to say goodbye. I guess I am looking for some guidance. I know there is no right or wrong answer. I am at peace with knowing I have done everything possible. But this last leg of the journey is a very painful one. The vet suggested another blood test in a couple weeks to see if possibly her platelets increase. I feel a bit guilty for not posting more often, everyone has been supportive and in honestly sometimes at least for me it helps not to be reminded of the situation on a regular basis. We are just trying to get as much quality time in as we can. I know each and everyone her understands. Enough of the bad stuff. Here is a picture of her today and still Happy. Thanks for lending the ear.
Awww look at her pretty face! She looks very content, and happy to just be with you and her favorite toy. Coco is still Coco, no matter what the labs say.
My dilema now is to go on my regular yearly fishing trip or not. I feel I need a break from the emotional roller coaster, but on the other hand I could not bare the pain if something were to happen if i were not there to say goodbye. I guess I am looking for some guidance. I know there is no right or wrong answer. I am at peace with knowing I have done everything possible. But this last leg of the journey is a very painful one.
I don't blame you at all for feeling so conflicted. We've had other people face the same dilemma too. I can only think of one situation where a family was faced with an emergency situation while they were away. Odds are, she will be fine and nothing will happen while you're away. Dogs just have a way of knowing that their human is depending on them to be there. How long will you be away? Will you have access to cell service just in case, in the teeny teeny off chance something does come up?
Yes I agree, where you are at with her right now is a very stressful time. I remember going through it with Jerry, and I relived very similar emotions when my dad was in hospice two years ago. All I can say is, while it's important to make sure you put on your own oxygen mask, it's equally important to remember that if you're blessed enough to have some warning about a loved one's decline, spending as much time as you can together without making yourself insane is something you'll never regret.
Coco knows you will do what is best for her and you. The two of you have been through so much together, that anything you do will for sure be in her best interest.
Everyone needs a break occasionally.
I recall knowing when one of my dogs decided he was just done-in with the pain of arthritis etc, morphine wasn't cutting it anymore, and it was I who delayed having him put down so I could have one last weekend with him without work intruding on our time. Was that a fair decision?? I don't know, but I made it.
We're not perfect, we love our pets and do the best we can.
Thanks so much for the kind words. I will see how she is this week and make a last minute decision on whether or not to go. For some reason she seems to get more worn out when we go to the shore and she just seems to get more sore down there for whatever reason. If I l do go I already made the decision to go just for a 3 days instead of the full week. If the wife gives me the thumbs up that she seems to be good. I may stay the 4th day.
You are so welcome.
Walking on sand is really hard work for anyone, and especially so for a Tripawd. It's like a constant resistance workout. So it makes sense that she's tired and sore, even though she had tons of fun!
By the way, you forgot pics! 😉 Give her a smooch from us OK? Thanks for the update.
Wish I had some "words of wisdom". The most I can say is I understand everything swirling around in your head perfectly. Thrpugh all my uears of loving my dogs, I, like many have been in the same situation.
One thing my Vet told me during these "dilemmas" is that an unexpected "crisis " can pop up at any time. Iif you are out of town for a day, "it"can happen. While you are at work, "it" can happen. Basically sometimes things "happen" whether you are there or not. Not sure if I'm making sense. The Vet said it better than I. Besides, it's not like you are leaving her with a stranger in a strange place. You are leaving her at home with your wife and, from Coco's perspective, that's just fine👍
Based on what you have posted it sounds like ypu have a really solid, well thought out plan in place that is a good win/win for you and for Coco. You have some much needed time to "recharge" so you can be fully present and relaxed with Coco when you come home. She still seems to be Coco, just at a slower pace. Not having as much energy as ahe used to is not painful. And as Jwrry said, she is fping to be more sore after shore trips and more tired, but still having quality. It doesn't appear Coco is any "crisis" mode. Obviously a Vet check can confirm that for your reassurance.
Pretty sure Coco is hoping you'll bring home some "fish to fry" so she can have a special treat! Of course no one knows what the future holds, but I think we are all cheering for a "thumbs up" from your wife for a "go"for day four👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
And yes, another photo, or several, of pretty girl Coco!!!
Hugs
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 the kind words of encouragement. They are much appreciated. A little update on Coco. Since stopping her chemo last wednesday she had a rough weekend following us stopping the treatment. Monday she is much more her happy self and although her trips outside are getting shorter and shorter, she still seems to be getting around better than the past weekend and her attitude has definitely picked up a bit. Even though you can see she is a bit frustrated with herself not being able to do what she once could, I do believe she is living her best life. With her seeming to make a little up turn. I feel confident in being able to go on my trip and know she will be here waiting for me. We are certainly gonna miss bed time for a couple days. I am pretty sure you be happy having the wife subsitute. We dont know when that last day is gonna be, but for now I feel we are good for awhile yet or at least this week. The vet said to get her blood work again to check her platelets and when I mentioned I would take first week of Oct. She didnt seem it was urgent I get it done sooner, which leads me to believenI have a month or to left or more hopefully.
She does look really good! That chin, oh my gosh please scratch it for me. I want to 
her pretty face!
Glad things are stable. With this disease it can be a week-to-week thing, and your positive, realistic attitude is making life so good for Coco. She will be so happy to see you when you return! Hope you have a great trip. Let us know how things went.
Coco telling me shes good while I am away. Wife has been sending her picture every morning. It really brightens my day. I think we both needed a break.
Hoppy girl! Tell your wife thanks, this pic brightened up our day too 🙂
I'm so glad things are going well. You're so right, sometimes a break is exactly what everypawdy needs. How's the fishing?
Happy pictures indeed😊 Yes, this little break will do you both good. Clearly she's being very well cared for. I love that your'e getting photo updates. That means we get ro see more pictures too👍 !!
Continue to have a great time! Coco is getting plenty of spoiling while you're gone .
Hugs
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!
Fishing been so-so. Unfortunately, its been raining here in upstate Ny for 2 days. All in all still a great time. And the daily updates certainly help
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