Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Everybody, Levi went in for his 4th round of Carboplatin today. We had an X-ray done first...not good news, lung mets EVERYWHERE. I knew something was "off" I just didn't think it would be this devastating of news. I was really hoping we would get our average "12-18 mos" it was just not meant to be for our Levi. Has anyone else had an X-ray with this much spread? Any idea what I can expect from here to the end. I've spent so much time worrying about the amputation I haven't thought much about what to expect now...all I can think about now is how sad and angry I am.
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
Oh no! I'm so, so sorry to hear the bad news about Levi! This is so unfair!! Cancer is so mean! It just doesn't follow the rules.
I now there are still many support therapies for Levi and I know others will give their knowledge who have dealt with lung mets
Sending biggest huggs to you
Joanne & lylee
http://lyleegir.....ipawds.com
I'm so sorry to hear Levi's news of mets - I completely know what a punch in the gut it is after all you've been through. Our Sam had a similar path - doing real well and then mets exploding out of nowhere. From having zero at one x-ray, he had at least 12 his next round 4 weeks later! It was devastating! But we didn't panic - we reset our minds to understand every day is a gift and we moved forward to treat while keeping him comfortable. Please don't panic - our heroes don't have expiration dates - there are no rules to this cruel disease so just keep moving forward and take your cues from Levi - and cherish every day! Sam lived large for 9 months - and I mean large! When his mets were so bad we were told he had about 8 weeks left - he blew it away and lived 17 - there are no rules to this - let Levi lead you! After 6 rounds of carbo we started metronomic and arteminisin. We didn't try m other chemo as he didn't tolerate carbo well so wanted to optimize his quality of life. Please hang in there - it's hard but it helped us to remember that if we spent time being sad and angry, we would miss out on our precious time while he was with us - easier said then done though! Hugs to you and Levi! Xoxo Sue
I am so sorry for your news...I know how I felt when Brindy's x-ray showed lung mets...but, she lived full til her last minute on this earth! And she is living large in Heaven! Just keep you baby comfortable, and cherish every single day! Know that when the "end" comes...it isn't really the end, because you will see your fur baby again!
we are so sorry to read this. we immediately thought about our friend sam, glad that sue has offered her insight. keep enjoying each and every moment. the anger you feel is natural, but don't let it steal any of the love and joy you have to share with levi. hugs to all!!
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
We didn't deal with lung mets, Tate's cancer spread throughout his abdomen. But I just wanted to say I feel really bad for you, I know it's very, very hard right now. Tomorrow will be better.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
I was just telling JB of Levi's news and he reminded me of my lung met rant when we got Sam's news!
sorry....this is my rant link (the other link is for pictures my sister-in-law is using to make JB a calendar!)
I hate cancer and this news sucks. You have every right to be angry and sad. I can't even think of anything to say that is coherent and doesn't involve a lot of swear words.
But... as others have said, there is still life after the discovery of mets. There can still be good times ahead.
If you consider using Palladia or artemisinin , you can always PM me as we've done both. (And are still doing the arte.)
Hang in there. We're all here for you.
Jackie, 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!
I'm so sorry to hear about Levi's lung mets. Does your oncologist have any recommendations of alternate chemo treatments to try? When Percy's mets started increasing (on carboplatin alone), our vet changed his chemo treatment (vinorelbine plus carboplatin) which resulted in his next xray being clear. Percy has hemangiosarcoma, not osteosarcoma, so I don't know if the specific drugs he is getting will help with osteosarcoma but your oncologist might have recommendations of alternate treatments that Levi could try.
I'm so sorry. I have nothing to offer that hasn't been said. Charon is absolutely right--be angry but don't let it take away from what you have with Levi. He wants to be a dog and play and do his dog stuff. Help him live large, as Sam did, and do all the fun stuff he loves. He may surprise you with his own plans, so don't write him off. Give him a scratch from me.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
I'm so utterly sorry about Levi. Just so very sorry.
Any idea what I can expect from here to the end
With a heavy heart, I only write this because you asked….From my understanding, lung mets can create a cough and/or low blood oxygen and/or shortness of breath. The effects can cause extreme fatigue, an unconscious state and even worse. And the really bad part; it can have a sense of feeling like one is suffocating when it gets severe. (Again, from my understanding)
I'm sure your vet will talk with you and give you a better idea.
Again, I'm just so sorry.
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 about Levi. Mets SUCK!!! Whether they're in the lungs, the abdomen or the lymph nodes -- they just SUCK! You have every right to be sad and angry, but there will be plenty of time for tears and raging later. Right now, Levi just wants to be happy and live life big.
Find lots of ways to make special little memories. I take Rio for short stints to the beach (when we get a break in the rain), or just for a ride around town in the car. I take her to visit friends and for special treats (she loves ice cream, even in the winter). I try to find something different every day to do with her -- getting her out of the house seems to help with her energy levels, and it definitely makes me feel a little less like I'm just sitting around waiting for the end to come. And I think that keeping my attitude positive definitely makes her happier, too.
We're thinking of you and Levi.
Micki and Rio
 |
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
94vettegirl said:
I haven't thought much about what to expect now...
We were feelingthe exact sane way when we wrote this post a feww weeks before losing Jerry:
...all I can think about now is how sad and angry I am.
Many here can totally relate to what you're feeling, but remember: Levi doesn't know he has cancer. He is not angry, nor does he fear the future. He only wants to be happy now. Try to Be More Dog and enjoy every precious moment you have together to the fullest.
Doug Koktavy's book is another helpful resource for coping with the anticipatory grief you are feeling.Best wishes and please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
When Tai developed lung mets I took advice from another members tag line " when you start missing what isn't gone, you lose what's left." As hard as it is, live life full, enjoy every moment, create memories, laugh and love with your whole heart.
Thinking of you...
Laura 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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