Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I have been a part of this community quite a while now and still I don't know which forum to post this in.
We had the scan today, finally. Everything, again, is different than we thought it would be. I thought that today we would: a)see if the Palladia has worked some or not, b) if the big tumor is a met or a primary tumor to maybe be taken out via endoscopy.
what we found out was the most unlikely option, one that I didn't even have on my agenda. At all.
The tumor does not originate in the lung but in the ribs. it takes up room in the thorax and thus presses on the lung a little and is big enough to reach the spine. This means it's osteosarcoma. Originating from the ribs.
It is inoperable as it is way too close to the spine and also on the ribs just under the remaining shoulder blade and the remaining leg.
Which is ridiculous. I feel, well, played, really. Played by cancer.
We've had diarrhea for the past four days so it is somewhat of a relief to be able to stop all meds immediately. Manni is now getting new, strong pain meds. Obviously, we now have the same problem as before the amp: osteo is effin painful. So the only thing left for me to do is make sure to keep my dog pain free for as long as possible. After that we're done.
Oh, have I mentioned that Manni's lung is clear and that there is not a single met to be found in the entire dog?
I will not blame myself for not having that scan done sooner because it probably wouldn't have changed anything at all. So there.
I will keep doing what I have been doing these past weeks and even maybe the past 19 months and I will watch like a hawk for any signs of pain. And I won't break down until we're done. Which we aren't quite yet.
For reference, if anyone's interested, here's the scan picture:
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tina, you are posting in the right forum, it's all good. Sorry that it's confusing, you have enough to deal with.
I am so sorry. Manni is indeed one of the most unique dogs we've ever had the pleasure of getting to know here. And this latest turn of events is just more proof. Osteosarcoma in the ribs is in the textbooks, but it's something that we have rarely, if ever, seen here in our community. I shake my head and want to cry, I feel so badly this is the news.
There are no words I can write that can make this any easier, or give you any more direction than you already have. You carry a heavy burden with all the intelligence and compassion and wisdom that any dog could ask for. All that you are doing for him is perfect, because you are making these choices with his best interests in mind.
Thank you for finding the strength to share this with us. Cancer is a tricky bastard and we never know which direction it will go. But by sharing your experience here with us, some day there may be someone else going through the same thing (dog I hope not), who will be comforted by knowing that another member has walked the same path.
If you have any questions or just want to talk, we are here always. I have the Tripawds Chat room open right now if you are around.
Please give Manni extra hugs and smooches from us. We are keeping you both in our hearts.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sweet Tina, sweetest friend 🌹
We spoke a few hours ago but I am still stunned and shocked and deeply angry at how this stupid cancer dares to turn one's lives upside down over and over again !
Osteo is the most evil of monsters, I so despise and deeply, deeply, deeply hate this piece of crap disease that gives us no peace and plays dirty all the time 😡😡😡
It is so unfair, damn it !!!!
All you can do to have the upper hand is enjoy your days with Manni, make each day interesting and loving just like you have done up to now.
Carpe Diem my beautiful friend 🌷
By doing this and ignoring cancer's ugly, despicable face you "win" as cancer will not be able to rob you of the HUGE love you and Manni share 💝
I so wish things were different for both of you and there was room for fighting the fight actively but sadly there is a point where all we can do is make sure every day counts ...
I am here and will always be here for you, you know you can count on me unconditionally, I just wish I could do more than holding your hand and Manni's paw and keep my heart with yours 💕
Sending you all my love and Eurydice's protecting loving energy too, can you feel it, sweet Tina? 🐮💫✨🌟🌹
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 :-)
So sorry to hear this news, but know that Manni could not be more loved and cared for than he is with you.
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.
Oh Tina! Sending much love and huge hugs (yes I know Manni hates hugs but just this once) to you both. Cancer we hate you! We hate your lack of rules! We hate you change the few rules you do have when you're not winning! Well I guess we'll take a small bit of comfort from the fact Manni doesn't have to take the Palladia now. I pray the tumor grows slowly. I pray you and Manni get a lot of time yet to have many "make 'em count" days. None of us can see the future but I do know you will take everyday you get and make it a precious memory. Wishing we could be with you in person, not just in spirit. But do know we are with you and Manni always!
I'm so sorry to read this. It feels like a punch in the gut and I don't really know what more to say than that.
I don't really have my head together just yet. I wish that I had some wisdom to impart but all I can think to do is tell you that I am here - we all are - and we love you and Manni both. It's little consolation, I know, but true all the same.
Go make lots of memories and know that I'm thinking of you.
Amy & the sweetest angel bulldog ever, Izzy
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
this stupid effing disease. I freaking hate it. I am so sorry Tina. I know you and Manni will make the right decisions for him. I just can't freaking believe it. I cried when you told us this morning.
You know we are all here holding both of you up. Lean on us as much as you need. Curse this effing disease.
xoxoxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Ive had to read this several times to try and grasp what has happened. So the Palladia actually "worked" on the lung met???? There is no evidence of any lung met???
What has developed now and where it is basically unheard of, is that right??
I have no idea where I'm going with this. Just that Manni has beaten the odds all along....on the upside by most recently getting good results with the Palladia and then, of course, on the downside....what are the odds of that piece of s**t disease showing up like that???
I think Manni WILL feel better being off the Palladia now once the diarrhea clears up. Additionally, he'll have better pain management as needed.
Just like every aspect of this journey, regardless of what tests show, it means NOTHING to Manni...never has,never will. I know you already know that, but I think it's important to remember that Manni is TRULY an individual! I mean, heck, don't believe it? Leave to Manni to get Osto in an almost unheard of way! Leave it to Manni to rid himself of any lung mets! And Manni's "uniqueness" is EXACTLY what will give you two much more quality time together. No, he's not done yet! So yes, you and Manni keep doing what you've been doing!
And do NOT be stingy with pictures and videos!!! We @ove having our "Manni Fix"! We shall continue to celebrate every Manni moment and smile at all the different ways you come up with to spoil him!
Sending you love always
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!
Still can't believe it Tina, so sorry you got blindsided. Well, at least now you know, and you know how to proceed. Now, more than ever you need to "Be More Dog "; I hope you figure out how to do this in these final stages better than I did. I'm sorry to say your greatest stress most likely is still to come. How I wish I could save you from this. I know you will be as strong as you need to for your boy...the way you've been every step of this journey. I love you, my friend, and walk these final steps with you in spirit, at least.
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Tina,
I have been offsite for family reasons another FKN CANCER!!
I knew the CT was this week just didn't know what day, finally had a chance to check in!
NO WORDS !! We are devastated to hear this & so very sorry! Gutted, disgusted & in tears!!
I know you guys will give Manni the best time of his life because you have always done that!!
We can't predict this stupid disease & it continues to prove we can't predict it!
We can just watch & fight and do the best we can!! You have done all of that Tina & then some!!
Cancer still isn't winning this you & Manni have already won & defied the odds & you wont let the cancer win!! You will save your sweet boy from that cancer when he is ready ! Not a day sooner!
So until Manni that dreaded day, go out and have fun and have more Mannimobile days and that boy needs ice-cream every single day & whatever else Manni wants!!!!!
Can we all just say FUCANCER!!!!!! FUCANCER & FUCANCER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will continue saying prayers for you both for more quality pain free time!
My heart hurts for you both!
((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))
I am still so stunned by this turn of events ... it makes no sense until I realize, cancer never makes sense. Like with our case, we did have mets. I focused SO hard on those f'ing mets as did our oncologist that we never saw or made the connection that the cancer was in the brain. How did I miss that? I beat myself up for far too long.
You are the most dedicated, diligent, knowledgeable dog mom I have had the opportunity to get to know. You have done countless hours of research on behalf of Manni so I have no doubt, you will remain as focused in all this ... like Paula said ... it is really time to "Be More Dog "... live in the moment. You, sadly, have the facts that you needed and it isn't what any of us wanted to hear so I hope you will try and "live a little", "love even more than ever" (if that is even possible as I know the love you both have for each other is the purest love story ever)... and smile.
Let us all get angry for right now (and trust me ... I am mega pissed and no one wants to see that ...) and allow us to curse cancer. Be in the moment with our sweet Manni and I will hope and send positive energy for NO pain and many more quality time together!!!
We love you!!!
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart (and little Jasper too)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I'm so sorry to hear this, Tina. I was so hoping..., well as we all were. Manni is a true one and only, European Village dog extraordinaire. He does everything his own way and that's why we love him (well one of the reasons... ). I just wish to hell you weren't having to deal with this. You could not possibly do more or love more or be a more caring, compassionate, courageous Mum to him. Thinking of you and Manni, sending love and strength and praying for more precious, quality time.
Meg, 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...
This sucks. I was hoping y'all would get good news, not worse news.
Is Palladia no longer an option to try to keep it from growing and causing more pain?
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
Tina, I'm so sorry.
I've been away from the site for a couple months for a summer job and family commitments, I've just been peaking in occasionally to try and keep up.
So devastating when you think you know what you are up against and at least have a battle plan...cancer is such a sneaky bastard.
We are all here to help carry your burden as much as possible, lean on the strong shoulders here.
Manni is such a special soul and a brave warrior.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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