Hi everyone, I figured I would share my story since all the other stories helped me prepare for this crazy journey! Sorry ahead of time for how long it is. I didn’t realize I had so much to say!

Oakley is a 7 year old Newfie/lab/Anatolian Shepard mix who is the love of my life. My “Goofy Newfie” as I call him. About a month and a half ago he was a little more lethargic than usual for a week, followed by a week of limping with his back right leg. I took him to the vet (who thankfully is my Aunt) and we thought it was a sprain, with a plan to let her know in a week or so if aspirin didn’t help. Last minute we decided to do an X-ray to be safe, and she was really glad I pushed her to do it. She saw a lytic bone lesion that resembled osteosarcoma. She said it didn’t look like “typical osteosarcoma” so we went ahead and scheduled a biopsy for later that week.

The results came back as inconclusive, and the pathologist requested a larger sample. So a few days later, he was back in surgery for a bigger piece to be sent. Unfortunately that also came back stating that there was “reactive woven bone” but no cancer cells noted. I was obviously very relieved, but my aunt however stated that this can happen, and we should see the oncologist anyways. 

Fast forward to yesterday, when we met with the oncologist.  He reviewed the labs, imaging and pathology as well as exams Oakley, and said the same thing. Looks like osteosarcoma, let’s treat it like osteosarcoma. Having the most amazing vet/aunt in the world, she agreed to come with me to the oncology appointment, and have her OR ready for surgery that afternoon if the oncologist agreed amputation was best.

Oakley went to surgery around 1pm, and  at 530pm my husband and I were picking him up! He had already gotten up on his own before we got there, and when we got there he bolted out to the car like 3 legs was nothing! He was certainly scared of getting in the car and that took some help. I had made the grocery bag sling but that seemed to just irritate him more than anything. 

Getting him home and into the house was another challenge. We drove as close to my deck as we could get as that entrance only has 4 deck stairs. He was scared to get out of the car but finally just hopped out on his own. However he would take a step or two and then sort of freeze like he didn’t know what to do next. We tried building a little ramp as he was familiar with ramps at my Nanas house, but he wanted no part of it. After about 20 minutes we put his dog bed outside, got him to lay on it, then we carried him like he was a prince in a parade into the house. 

He also came home with a drain. I am an oncology nurse so I thought I would be prepared for a drain, however I didn’t realize this one didn’t have a bulb or any “collection device” other than 2 small tubes sticking out about an inch just below the incision. Let’s just say it made for a bloody mess. It is now about 24 hours after surgery and it has slowed down, mostly just dripping when he walks. Lots of hydrogen peroxide on hand to clean up all the drops as I hadn’t thought of that when putting rugs down over my hardwood and tile floors. This will come out in 2-4 more days, whenever it stops leaking. 

Otherwise our night went OK all things considered, as most people on here get their dogs a day or 2 after surgery, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  He took his meds without any issue but didn’t want to eat.  We carried him outside Prince style again before going to bed but he had no interest in going the bathroom. Otherwise just lots of laying down but making these whining noises/heavy breathing using his stomach muscles. He wasn’t due for any pain meds so all I could do was lay down next to him and keep telling him it was OK and he eventually quieted down. Even though I had a cot set up I ended up just bringing my pillow to the floor so I was working petting distance and slept next to him there. About 2 hours later I woke up to him standing over me leaning against the couch. After a lot of “what do I do?!” He decided he just wanted to go outside and go the bathroom! He hoped out to the deck (maybe about 75 feet from where he was laying) and down the 4 steps with minimal issues and no help from us! He slipped a little going down but got right back up. He peed and pooped! I was worried I would have to use the sling to help him get his balance to go, but he squatted and pooped with no issue. He had some issue with peeing as I think without the help of his now missing leg, it didn’t pull his penis out for him to or standing up, but he quickly realized he could squat and go just fine. He came in and drank a TON of water, and went back to sleep for another 5 hours!

In the morning he still didn’t want to eat his breakfast, and his pill pockets weren’t doing it for him so I gave him pills rolled in little bread balls and that went well, and made us both some scrambled eggs for breakfast.  The drainage has slowed down a lot and just drips when he hops, but has just been laying down for the most part. I had to entice him outside with another slice of bread but it worked well!

Our current meds are 100mg Rimadyl, Gapapentin 300mg, and Tylenol with codine #4 with breakfast and dinner, and 2 tabs of amantadine with breakfast. He is also on an antibiotic for a week due to having the drain.  He is tired but will wag his tail from time to time, and lift his head and back when my Dad and then Mother in law have come to check in. His sister doesn’t get why he won’t play with her, but is loving having frisbee time to herself for the time being, as well as being able to steal his food when he isn’t eating it.   

I will update as things progress but I hope this helps anyone going through this, especially if you are bringing them home same day!