Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Everyone,
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We had an appointment at CSU today. We discovered that our K's lung mets are growing and multiplying despite the metronomic protocol. We've decided to add Palladia to the mix (so we'll be doing MP and Palladia simultaneously). The CSU vets said that they did a clinical trial last year that showed the two treatments (MP and Palladia) can be mixed safely.
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The bad news was that, at the rate that the lung mets are growing now, our time is short. I am feeling heartbroken at the tentative prognosis of a month or two left.
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K still seems to feel great - so we're going to keep seizing every day that we have left.
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Thanks to everyone for their support,
KB
K, an 8 year old chocolate lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the radius and ulna on 12/23/11. She had stereotactic radiation to kill the bone tumors, and 3 rounds of carboplatin. On 3/16/12, lung mets were found. We tried several different kinds of chemotherapy to slow the lung mets but none worked. Finally, mets appeared at other sites, including her spine. She earned her angel wings on July 15, 2012. K changed my life, and I'll never forget her. Our/my journey is chronicled at romp-roll-rockies.blogspot.com.
I'm really sorry to hear the x-rays didn't offer some better news. Â But, you have the right attitude: Â you are seizing and loving every single day you have with your girl. Â And try to remember, the dr's prognosis is just an estimate. Â As you know, there have been plenty of dogs that have lived happy and actively for many many months with lung mets. Â Either way, like you said, she's feeling great and loving every day! Â A true lab!! Â Good luck with the new protocol, and keep us all updated on how K is doing.
Dang- I'm sorry. Even though we acknowledge where this journey is taking us it is still really hard when it slaps you in the face.
It is all about K now- make every day her best day. That was my plan when Mag was diagnosed with her second cancer. Try not to think about where you are going- just make every day count. This is truly the time that 'being more dog' will help you through. And K is still feeling great! That is great- as long as she is having good days there is hope for another.Â
We are here if you need us- but it is understandable if you don't spend too much time here for awhile.
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Karen and the pugapalooza
OH NO!
I'm so, so sorry to hear about KB's diagnosis. That is just devasting. I'm just so sorry. How utterly heartbreaking.
Like Karen said - KB doesn't know except for maybe some shortness of breath, so make the most of it. Remember as sad as your heart is, try to stay very, very happy. You'll be so glad you did.
Also take tons and tons of pics and videos.  It may take a long time for you to look at them but you'll have them.  I took the most mundane videos of Comet in her last year. I didn't know it would be her last year, I just knew she was 12 years old.  She wasn't diagnosed with cancer until her last day (hemangio) when she collasped. But because her brother dog died suddenly of hemangio earlier at 8 years old, I knew I didn't have enough photos and videos of him and it was rather sad. I figured if Comet left me suddenly (which she did), I would have pics and videos.
Hugs to you.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly  January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
So sorry to hear the news. I hope each day you have together brings new joy.
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Heather & Spirit Shadow
well, this is sad news. but, as all have said - keep capturing the best from every day. squeeze each and every drop of joy from each and every moment. these memories with your kbear will carry you through the dark times, when they come. sending our wishes for as much time as possible.
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charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
I hate it when cancer does what it wants to do, I'm so sorry. We remember getting news like that, and it's like getting the wind knocked out of you. Always remember though that K doesn't care or know what the news meant, as long as she still feels good, there's no time to dwell on what the future holds.
We've heard lots of good things about Palladia so we have our paws crossed it will do this to those nasty mets:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry for your news...I know how devastating it is. But as others have shared, K doesn't know the time frame! just enjoy every second you have - you'll find it's a very special time - plenty of time to be sad later so just cherish what you have. The doctors just give a guess at the time frame...many of us had more time then estimated....and loved every second! Hang in there. xo Sue
Thanks to everyone. You're all right - K has no idea what the vet said yesterday and she's very happy today. I decided to mimic her spirit, and we had a wonderful romp in the woods this morning.
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Thanks, Jerry, I love the video! Now, let's hope that the Palladia acts like that rock.
K, an 8 year old chocolate lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the radius and ulna on 12/23/11. She had stereotactic radiation to kill the bone tumors, and 3 rounds of carboplatin. On 3/16/12, lung mets were found. We tried several different kinds of chemotherapy to slow the lung mets but none worked. Finally, mets appeared at other sites, including her spine. She earned her angel wings on July 15, 2012. K changed my life, and I'll never forget her. Our/my journey is chronicled at romp-roll-rockies.blogspot.com.
Dear KB I am so terribly sorry to hear your news. We had some success with Palladia so hopefully you will too. Just watch out for the GI upsets. The last 2 weeks of Magnum's life was marred by painful tummy upsets.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Having just lost my precious girl I can only say, continue to live each day fully because no matter how much you think you are ready/in control, the final day can still sneak up on you and catch you by surprise. Love her like there is no tomorrow.Â
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/
I am sorry to hear about your mets: I just read Levi's update-- he was given 30 days four months ago and is still going strong despite growing lung mets, so hang in there and let's hope Palladia does its magic. Enjoy those romps and may you have many, many more.
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
I am also very sorry that you got discouraging news. I do agree with OK Scout about Levi's update. And, don't forget, Zeus had a met at the time of diagnosis and our vet gave us about six weeks with him even with amputation. He just passed his five month ampuversary and, as I type this, is bouncing all over the house waiting on Dad to get home from work. Try to be thankful for every single moment you get regardless of how long it is! You will be in our thoughts!
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/
So sorry to hear the mets have progressed. I know what it's like to get that news (since the evil Boris & Natasha were in Abby's lungs - and then they were joined by Fearless Leader).
Yes, sieze each day and live it to the fullest. Like you said, K doesn't know. She just knows she is loved and wants to have fun with her pack. I hope you have lots of time left together! Hang in there.
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
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!
Sending hugs to you all - keep romping in the woods sweet K girl, you don't let those mets slow you down 🙂
joanne & Lylee
http://lyleegir.....ipawds.com
Sorry that those damn mets are growing. Tai had good success with Palladia, tolerated it really well, so we'll keep paws and fingers and toes crossed for the same with K. When I knew my time was limited with Tai my mantra became a saying that one of our members had as a signature line..."When you start missing what isn't gone, you lose what's left." All K knows is that you love her, she loves you, and even with those nasty lung mets there is still some good Lab Livin' and Luvin' to do.
Keep the spirits up.
Laura of Kali and Angel Tai
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
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