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Lung Mets at 4 Months and now Palladia
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Member Since:
14 April 2016
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11 October 2016 - 7:00 am
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Greetings everyone,

I read on this site all on the time and it has been so comforting to get information and read about others experiences. I want to give some information on our story in hopes that someone else has had some experience and can guide us. Dior is a 4 year old Great Dane living life in the Big Apple!

Also, how do you add pictures. I would love for you guys to see my baby! 

Here is how it all began...

In April Dior had her surgery at UPENN and recovered pretty well. We were entered in a clinical trial to test a new drug called Rapemyicin. Everything was going well and Dior was even featured in an article in Science Magazine. After Dior's fourth and final round of chemo we were scheduled to go back in 3 weeks to do x rays. Nothing had changed and Dior was doing better than ever. We live in Brooklyn so we enjoyed an amazing NYC summer. When we went back at the 3 week marker I was sure things were all great and Dior would be in perfect condition. Well... The oncologist walks out and says "I think it might be mets to the lungs" I was crushed. I couldn't believe it we changed her diet, put her on holistic supplements and she had been getting around great. The Dr. then tells us she is unsure so we should wait a month and come back to see if there is any progression. 

As we wait for the month to pass we enjoy more great summer days and Dior is still chasing pigeons and barking at street sweepers. We go back in the month and it is confirmed it is lung mets and now there are 5 nodules. She never said the size but before we left she said "hopefully you can keep her comfortable for 3 months." It was such devastating news we had no idea what to do. I called my local vet and she referred us to an Oncologist her in Brooklyn. We went in a few days later and she recommended Palladia.

Palladia experience...

We have had a tough month on palladia and sometimes it feels like I did not make the right decision. She has had diarrhea, blood in her stools and a but of lameness in her leg. We go in today to see if the palladia has been working. We are thinking of going back to a more holistic approach whether the Palladia is working or not. I have been looking into canine cannibas and stasis breaker tea. Has anyone had any experience with either of these? 

Member Since:
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11 October 2016 - 7:12 am
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11 October 2016 - 7:13 am
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So sorry to hear that Dior has mets.  When Otis started Palladia, I thought a lot about quality v. quantity of life.  We never got that far, but hopefully the tests will determine whether it has been working.  Pofi has been on Palladia for a while.  You might want to reach out to her mom.

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

London, UK


Member Since:
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11 October 2016 - 7:34 am
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Gosh, I'm sorry. What a rollercoaster of hope and disappointment. I don't have experience with Osteosarcoma, though sadly many others do, and I'm sure they will share their experience. Just wanted to send you every good vibe and to admire your beautiful girl. She really is a stunner. I love the image of her chasing pigeons and barking at street sweepers...

Warmest wishes,

Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

Member Since:
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11 October 2016 - 8:30 am
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Hi,

So sorry to hear about Dior and the mets.

My guy Milo got accepted in the same Rapamycin trial through Tufts University outside of Boston.  He qualified, had the amputation, but then the full pathology came back and he had giant cell osteo which is crazy aggressive.  He got the boot so we never did the chemo.  He had been assigned to the chemo only path, and it sounds like Dior was too, e.g., no Rapamycin.

I have no experience with Palladia.  We did use Sanshedan Chuanbei Ye (https://pathwit.....ht-cancer/), and used the Path with Paws website as a guidance for many things.  We also used Artemisinin (lots of links here and all over the web.)  We changed his diet, added K9-Immunity, and did the Budwig Diet cottage cheese and flaxseed oil. There are people who add way more than we did, but the need for sanity and not being driven by the disease was important to me. 

Did they help?  Who knows.  We thought we'd get a month with Milo once we found out it was giant cell.  We got 10 weeks.  While that's nowhere near enough, is it better than if we'd not done it?  There's no way to know.  Milo's mets showed up as 100s of tiny mets -- not single number measureable mets.  As always -- everything about Milo was unique.  

If I were in the same position again, I would probably make the same choices with regards to diet and Sanshedan and Artemisinin , with perhaps some small tweaks.  Compared to all of the other expenses of owning a dog with cancer, those weren't huge.  

BTW, I did see an article last week on CNN about Rapamycin.  http://www.cnn......-longer/  It seems some people have had some success getting their vets to prescribe it for their dogs for various reasons.  Having read about it and asked our oncologist so much about it when we were in the trial, I would probably try that, too.  Again, no real data, but as a geek, it sounds interesting to me.  Our onco at Tufts explained that Rapamycin had already been through the state A testing to find reasonable dosages with minimal side effects, and they found that the smaller dosages were most effective against the cancer.  The original purpose of Rapamycin is to prevent rejection of organ transplants, which sounds like it suppresses the immune system which sounds backwards, but that's not what the initial tests are showing.  Anyway, just a thought to add to your pile of ideas.

Best of luck to you and that gorgeous beast!  Great Danes always take my breath away with their stature, style, and goofiness!

Jenifer & Milo

Virginia







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11 October 2016 - 9:03 am
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Nope, not what anyone wants ro hear. Obviously though, Dior didn't hear it and certainly didn't hear anything about timeframes!! She does NOT have a timeframe stamped anywhere on that magnificent Great Dane butt of hers! Take a look! Nope, nothing there!

Sometimes when the treatment causes too many side effects and interferes with quality, from a dog's perspective, quality is far more important than days on a calendar.

Rottie Sassy got almost eight months extended quality time after mets were found. My Happy Hannah and I shared so 0me glorious extended time even after a met "the sixpze of a baseball" was discovered! Statistics don't mean much around here!

Here is a link I found on the Stasis Breaker and mention of a few other things. There's a ppst from "Tazzie", a giant Mastiff. Her Mom is a Veterinarian and she used it.

http://tripawds.....or-cancer/

I know that Cannabis has been tried here. As far as I recall, some felt it helped as far as comfort level and yes, maybe I creased appetite. I think sometimes if we know something causes no narm, it doesn't hurt to try.

BTW, loooove that picture of you and Dior snuggling!! My goodness she's a big girl!!

And it's wonderful to hear how well she has been doing! She really is sshowing the world how well large dogs can do on three legs!

Continue to live in the moment and treasure every beautiful memory Dior is creating with you. Let NOTHING rob you of your time together NOW! Keep these great pictures coming and spoil, spoil, spoil!!! And yes, continue with great nutrition, but a scoop of ice cream and a cupcake are always good for everything!!

Update when you can.

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!



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21 May 2016
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12 October 2016 - 5:09 am
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Hi Dior and Mom 💗💗

I am so, so sorry to hear about Dior's lung mets ... 

Eurydice also has osteo and had her amp 5 1/2 months ago but luckily no mets so far so no experience with Palladia.

What she is doing is metronomic therapy and it is going really well, I wonder if that is something Dior could do as the only side effects (mostly affecting the urinary tract) can be monitored on a regular basis so treatment can be adjusted or stopped if need be before real damage is done.

The point of metronomics is to starve tumours from the blood supplies they need to grow, so maybe you could check with your vet if this would be suitable for Dior?

I absolutely adore the picture of Dior and you hugging, there is something about hugging a giant breed, one gets a full hug all right😄 

Sending you both all my love and lots of pawsitive energy, please keep us updated on your beautiful girl 😘😘😘🐾🐾🐶❤️

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

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12 October 2016 - 8:57 am
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12 October 2016 - 9:06 am
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Hello everyone,

Thank you for all of your speedy responses! We went in yesterday and had chest and leg x rays done but have not heard back from the oncologist yet. The results are supposed to tell us if the Palladia has been effective. I am waiting for the results but still question even if it is working what Holistic options there are. I have read up on some of the things you guys have posted such as the Stasis Breaker tea but am not sure were to get it... Would my regular vet be able to prescribe this or would I have to go to a holistic vet. Dior is not doing terrible by any means on the Palladia but she is different. I want her to be able to run around and enjoy herself vs what we are at now which is some good days outside and some not so good days. On the days that she isn't getting around so well I am carrying her up and down 4 flights of stairs 3 times a day. And with a Dane this is not small gesture lol. I love her so I will continue to do whatever helps her but sometimes I wonder if me having to do so much dampers her spirit. She has always been a ver VERY sassy lady. 

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12 October 2016 - 9:15 am
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Totally get where you are coming from.  Otis had some digestive upset on the palladia - it was not horrible, but I was thinking a lot about whether I wanted the rest of his life to be marred by it.  I never got to make that decision unfortunately, or even get to the point where we could find out whether the palladia was working.  It is hard to see a dog who is doing great after recovering from the amputation and completing their chemo suddenly start to feel not 100% again.  Especially if you suspect it is a pill causing it, and that pill is not a cure.   Wish I could say more - it is a really hard decision, and hopefully the x-rays will make it easier for you to decide.   (But I probably would continue to look into the holistic options).

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Virginia







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12 October 2016 - 9:32 am
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The pictures of Dior are wonderful! She's a lovely gentle giant. I really like the first photo with her silhouette and surrounded by light...very pretty.

Now, keep in mind, the link I'm giving you is from Dr Google, so who knows what's legit or not. I was looking up how to purchase Stasis Breaker and this blog came up on Morgan, a beautiful Great Dane. In the article there is a specific link on where you can order it. Now whether it requires a Vet prescription, I don't know. There is also a lot of other good I for on holistic therapy.

Anyway, here's the link...

http://www.grea.....on-in-dogs

Update when you can. And WOW...four flights of stairs trying to carry a Great Dane, or any dog for that matter, lretty darn rough!!

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((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!

Virginia







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12 October 2016 - 9:39 am
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I think I gave you this link before, but here's o e started by Nesta's mom abput Stasis Breaker. It had some updated responses from our members.

Actually, you'll see an updated reply from "Daniella", who also was on the comment section of the google link.

http://tripawds.....or-cancer/

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!

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13 October 2016 - 5:21 am
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Well unfortunately, we got so not so great news yesterday. Dior has been on Palladia for 1 month and the tumors still continued to grow. In August on the natural regiment she went from 2 to about 5 in 5 weeks. Yesterday the onco said Dior now has about 10 nodules with 2 or so that doubled in size. Palladia was rough on her so we do not want to continue. We are going to consult with our hollistic vet tomorrow to see if a hollistic approach with maybe metronomics would help. She still looks great and is getting around amazing! The Onco said none of the tumors are big enough to inhibit her breathing but she may begin to slow down. I am not a fan of statistics and we are choosing to stay as proactive as possible. I believe we are also going to start acupuncture to see if that helps with he stress of only having one hind leg. We have her on a super strict diet she only eats organic meats, drinks filtered water, and has a nice supply of quality supplements. Has anyone else had a similar experience with lung mets? She is only 4 and has always been a lean and healthy dog so we thought lung mets were so far out of the scope for us. Now we kind of feel like we are behind the 8 ball with plans of treatment. 

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13 October 2016 - 7:11 am
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Although this is not the news you hoped for, it helps make your decision about the Palladia easy.   The answer is no more, which should rid her of any digestive issues caused by the pills.   And not having to agonize over that decision is a good thing.  Many dogs on this site have lived for months with mets.  And now you will be able to enjoy whatever time she has left without worrying about whether the medicine is impacting upon her quality of life.   Sounds like you are doing everything possible for her, and that, in itself, is a plan for treatment.  Enjoy your time, no matter how long it may be - I guarantee you that she will. 

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Virginia







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22 February 2013
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13 October 2016 - 9:52 am
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You are a great team! Dior doesn't listen to statistics, and neither do you...and neither do we!! Many of us have been here @ong enough to know "statistics" really don't mean much around here..good or bad.

I'm really glad you're consulting with a Holistic Vet and following up with some "alternative" treatments. I know many here feel like acupuncture is beneficial on many levels.

Metronomics have been used here a lot too. Jerry used them! Another option to check out is Lukeran...Lurekeran...Lukren.... Of course I'm not spelling it right. If I recall, itsw along the lines of Metronomics.

THE best treatment is to continue to Be More Dog !!! BE MORE DIOR!!! This stupid piece of crap disease can be beaten on many different levels! . To not let it rob you of your time together with Dior....to not let anything interfere with your time together...to not worry about your tomorrows while you have your todays...these are all ways to stick it

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!

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