Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi again, just wanted to let you know that Lily is doing fantastic. It's been 3 months since her surgery and it's too easy to forget how sick she is. I just wanted to say that what has been so hard for me is dealing with people who make me sound like I'm a bad person for being realistic about Lily's diagnosis. I even have people at the vet tell me that Lily will be fine since we caught it so soon. Think positive, right? I am hopeful that MY special dog will be the one who survives this but I also try to be realistic and prepare for what does happen to dogs with bone cancer. I hope I'm in the right state of mind with her sickness, if not, please set me straight. Thanks again.
Kim & Lily
It is sometimes hard to strike a balance that others can understand. Trouble also is doing well, post amputation and post chemo. Her post chemo x-rays showed no indication of mets. Knowing what we know about osteosarcoma, reality tells me that at some point it is likely to return. However, for now she is cancer free and that is how we will live. That does not mean we are not ever mindful of what the future may bring. It does mean we are vigilent about watching for changes, behaviour, breathing, lump or bumps so changes can be addressed expediently.
We are ever greatful for the extra time we have been given, when this all began, we certainly did not expect she would be happy and well six months later.
My point is you can be mindful of what may come to pass without letting that outcome cloud your positive attitude today.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
You're about where we are--Cemil's surgery was on Jan 26th--and I'm having the same struggle. We have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst, but stay positive. That's hard. One friend of mine admonished me to refer to Cemil as my Cancer Survivor, instead of my Cancer Dog, because of "self-fulfilling prophesy". I try to do that. I frequently slip into denial since he seems so "fine", and assume he's going to stay that way...then I remember the statistics and try to prepare myself for the bad part without letting on to him. I guess that's just another aspect of the roller coaster ride. I'll be following this one with interest...
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Hi Kim, that's great to hear about Lily. Thank you for the update, we are right there celebrating with you.
For humans, it's hard to put aside the feelings that the cancer may return eventually. Just try to keep this in mind; statistics are just statistics. They can tell you all about what happened with other dogs, but they can't tell you what will happen with Lily. Remember: nine out of ten statistics are wrong!
It's not that we want to see people have false hopes about beating this cancer. But it would be great if pawrents could just try to think more dog, and live in the moment, without worrying too much about what may (or may not) happen in the future. Remember, nobody has any control over that. But we can all control over how we behave and feel, today.
My Dad wrote a great post about this, called "Buying Time on An Emotional Budget," that you may want to read.
Personally, I think your state of mind is just fine.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks again. I like the term cancer free right now. I don't feel like I'm lying to myself or anyone else and yet it still leaves hope in the picture. We certainly do not treat Lily like she is dying - we treat her like we always have, like we want her to be with us forever and no matter what, we never know what ones forever will be. Thank you and I hope to announce many more successful months and years ahead!
Kim
I completely understand where you are coming from. My husband likes to ignore the facts of life. I think he gets irritated when I point them out. It's not that I wait for that moment everyday, it's just that I know it will come eventually, and I try to mentally prepare myself for the basket case I will be.
With that being said, Tika celebrated her 5 month ampuversary this weekend and celebrated by catching a rabbit. YUCK! So, she's not gonna give up any time soon. I think she got confused that instead of grossing out on her, I was almost a little proud.
I did have a coworker ask me why we amputated her leg "if she's gonna die anyway" why we didn't keep her whole. Wow. I did get a bit nasty with her, I have my baby, pain free, a little slower maybe, but I have my baby with me. How is it possibly more humane to leave a leg on with a huge tumor eating away at the bone, in pain and guaranteed shortened life span?
My friend told me to think of the comedian Ron White: "Next time you have a thought, let it go....."
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
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