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Polly has been diagnosed. Its Osteosarcoma
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Member Since:
16 January 2013
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28 January 2013 - 9:20 am
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Guys, I am beside myself. When they amputated Pollys read leg, the said that the chance of it being cancer is low. So we amputated. Her blood and xrays came back all clean so we thought we were in the clear!

 

Then I get the call today that the bioposy of the leg that was removed is Osteosarcoma. As of right now it hasnt spread, but the specalist said I have about a month... this seems pretty fast doesnt it?!

 

He wants us to see the oncologist and start Chemo, but honestly we just spend 3,000 on this amputation and he also said on the phone with chemo i might get up to a year. I cant imagine putting Polly through those injections and only getting a short time with her.

 

I need advice. From people that have had something similiar happen and have either gone through chemo or have chosen not to. The results, why you chose it and the outcomes.

 

this is a tough choice for us. Finanically we really cant afford another 2-3 thousand to do chemo, but at this point I dont want to regret my decision and only go halfway to get her healthy. I can make the finances work if i need to. I just want to do what will be best for her in the long run. Shes only 6 years old and rat terriers can live up to 15 years...

 

Help guys! You have been so wonderful during this process I am so thankful.

New Haven, CT
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28 January 2013 - 9:48 am
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Hi.  Deep breath.  Then, hug your girl and tell her to be strong and that you'll be strong.  We're here for you, too!  We've all (almost all) been there and we all freak out.  I sure did and still do.  I'm sorry it's osteo.  It sucks.  Here are my thoughts:

OK, so the stats aren't good for osteo.  But as folks here keep saying, those stats are for some dogs and maybe not yours.  Others on this site who have been around longer will be able to tell you and direct you to folks who have had super, miracle dogs.  Dogs that have outlived osteo's stats - and of those dogs, only some got chemo.  There frankly is no way of knowing if chemo is going to extend her life by a year (or so)...or more!  It's a maddening, confusing crapshoot, that also comes with a financial cost.  It's wicked tough.  I read stories of dogs that got chemo and never developed lung mets, but that mets appeared somewhere else or another cancer came along.  I've read of dogs outliving the stats without any chemo or without traditional IV chemo.  We had a lot of questions and so we did research, here and in Dr D's book.  We owed it to Jackson to meet with an onco and hear her treatment plan(s) and costs and time constraints.  We went with chemo.  Reasons: Jackson is young and full of life and a fighter.  He has no other health issues - no kidney problems, arthritis, etc.  The size of his tumor didn't impress her (which, for an onco is a good thing!).  His bloodwork and ALP level (I think that's the acronym) were normal.  We went for it!  We, like you, didn't want to regret anything.  This may sound cruel, but both my husband and I will be devastated and a little pissed if the chemo doesn't work.  It's a lot of money and time.  And by "work" we mean at least a year of more time with Jackson.  We're really optimistic over here and we are fighting for Jackson to be one of Tripawd's miracle dogs!  But we ALL want our pups to be that One.  Chemo's price is largely tied to body weight, so in that sense you're better off.  Jackson is 58lbs.  His chemo appts with exam, bloodwork, and takehome drugs (which we don't get every time, b/c we have leftovers) is ~$700.  That's every 3 weeks and we're probably going to do 4 treatments (the recommended protocol now).  An appt takes about an hour, so that's OK with our schedules.  Jackson loves car rides, so he's game to go anywhere!  Jerry recently posted about a new kind of chemo treatment, where you leave your pup with the onco for a few days and there's a continual, slow drip.  Apparently, its success rate is the same as 4 carbo's, every few weeks.  Leaving your pup may be hard, but it may be cheaper!  Ask about it.  Since you asked, I would push you to find a good onco and get a meeting and consult.  Do research.  Get questions.  Get them answered.  Then, take some time and decide.  I don't think you have to rush right into it, but, sure, the sooner the better.

Whatever you decide, we will support you.  And whatever you decide, at this point there are many of other families who have made a similar decision.

Keep us posted!  (((HUGS)))

ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12.  Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ!  No side effects.  We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments.  He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors!  Our love. Our funny little guy!

Member Since:
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28 January 2013 - 10:15 am
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Wow, I was in the same position about 2 months ago. I had Maggie's leg amputated but decided not to do chemo. My decision was largely based on her reaction on going to the vet (hated it) and the stats on doing chemo. I was also worried about how sick she would get from chemo and my work schedule, the cost and her quality of life. After joining Tripawds I was able to make up my mind. And some days I look at her and wonder if I did the right thing but I try in my life in general not to feel guilty about decisions I've made because it only makes things worse. She's doing wonderful now and I will enjoy her every minute. You will do the right thing!

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28 January 2013 - 2:39 pm
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I'm sorry the diagnosis for your dog turned out to be cancer, especially at such a young age. My situation is a bit different than yours, but here are my thoughts-

I chose to do chemo, 6 rounds of carboplatin, at a cost of 150-400 per visit depending on if send-out labwork or a chest X-ray was done, plus 2 extra visits for labwork. My regular vet administered the chemo, so that was definitely a cost savings over the specialty hospital. My dog is 95-100 pounds, so I think he still undercharged me (: In any event, I wouldn't have contined the chemo if it had been too hard on Diesel, but it turned out he tolerated it pretty well (and he loves his vet). I think the hardest part of the chemo was getting him in and out of the truck to get there. He is now 10 years old and wasn't in the best health before all of this, but was still happy and full of life. When I chose this pathway - amputation and chemo, my thoughts were if he could get a year more, that would be 10% more of his life. I am blessed that it was not a financial burden, only a choice of what the right thing to do for him (and me) at the time. I would do it all again, even if we don't end up getting that year.

I'm not much of a medicine person, but I thought for us as long as the chemo didn't harm him, it might give him an advantage in this fight. I don't think it is the right choice in every situation, just turned out to be the decision I was most comfortable with for my dog. He is currently 6+ months out from the amputation, 7 months post diagnosis.

On The Road


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28 January 2013 - 2:39 pm
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We decided not to do IV chemo with Jerry, and he lived two years after his amputation due to osteosarcoma. Instead we chose to focus on nutrition and supplements. After his lung mets appeared, we did put him on metronomic chemotherapy and K9 Immunity which we believe helps contribute to his longevity.

Please know that every dog is different. And nobody will condemn you, whatever decision you make. There are no right or wrong decisions, we all just must decide what is best for our own dogs considering our own circumstances. What is most important, is to focus on quality of life, not quantity.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Sydney, Australia
Member Since:
13 September 2011
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28 January 2013 - 2:52 pm
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I'm sorry you have been given this diagnosis. Cancer sucks big time.

It is really hard to know, it is such an individual choice.  I was told we had a few months without chemo and 12 months with it.   We did 6 rounds of carboplatin and got 8 months (it turned up again in her lungs and other bones around the 6 month mark).

I'd suggest asking for a copy of the lab reports and getting the vet to explain the results in detail to you.  It might help you come to a decision that feels right for you.  I never got these reports (just the verbal interpretations from the oncologists and given the emotional state I was in that was probably not enough). I only got a copy of the initial report after Magnum died (so that she could complete her memoirs).  I knew Magnum had a very aggressive cancer but when I read the initial lab report it said her cancer had with a "high mitotic rate" (which is bad) and also suggested it might be telangiectatic osteosarcoma which is very aggressive.  I never asked for the complete lab report of her leg to find out if it was telangiectatic osteosarcoma.  I decided I'd done enough post mortem by then.

I understand there have been some advances in thinking regarding the best chemo protocol so I'd be asking about that.  It does take its toll on dogs.  Magnum always loved going to the building where her leg was taken but by the 4th chemo she no longer wanted to go into the oncology building, although she still loved all the staff once she was in there. 

 

Good luck with your decision making. 

 

Karen and Spirit Magnum

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/

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28 January 2013 - 3:11 pm
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Hi there, So sorry you got the C diagnosis. It sucks, especially when you're not expecting it. We knew Bo had C at the time of amputation and we knew that we would not be able to do chemo. We could not afford it and we wanted our time left with Bo to be happy...not in the vets office and sick. Bo lived for 3 pain free months after surgery. Of course, we would have loved more time, but we made the days count and got to enjoy our time with him.

We would have made the same decision again. Chemo is a great option for some, but you can still enjoy your time with your pup without going that route.

Good luck and keep us updated!

Meghan & Angel Bo

krun15
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28 January 2013 - 4:48 pm
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I'm sorry about the crappy diagnosis, I know how hard it is when you get way worse news than you expect.
I agree with Karen, get the path report. If Polly's lungs are clear and there are no other signs of cancer then a month seems pretty short. You should know if they think it is particularly aggressive.
My pug Maggie had mast cell cancer and did 6 months of chemo. I chose chemo in part because I thought her amp would be curative. But when the path came back on her lymph nodes we got bad news. In Mag's case the chemo was supposed to get us 6 to 9 months, but she far outlived her prognosis.
I thought then that chemo was as rough on dogs as it can be on people. It was not so in Maggie's case, and most dogs here have tolerated it very well. I know several people who have gone though chemo and it was really tough, but it's not like that for the most part in dogs. You can always stop too if Polly doesn't tolerate it well.
All that being said- chemo is not for everyone, and it does at time seem like a crap shoot. My local pal Cemil is almost 4 years past his amp for OSA and he did not do chemo. Several here threw everything there is at the cancer and only got a couple months. And don't feel bad about considering finances- it has to factor in. It doesn't mean you love her any less. Most of us don't have unlimited resources- it's just how it is.
I have chosen not to do any chemo with Mag's little sis quad-pug Tani, she also has mast cell cancer. I factored everything in and decided that it just wasn't right for her.
So I recommend that you collect all the facts, then decide on what is best for Polly and your whole pack. I would also suggest that you write your thoughts down so you can refer to them later. It has helped me remember why I chose what I chose when things get bad.
No judgements from this group, once you decide what to do everyone will be behind you.

Karen and Spirit Maggie





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28 January 2013 - 5:03 pm
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Welcome to the club no one wants to join.  Sassy was diagnosed with Osteo after her amputation.  We had done 2 bone biopsies which both were inconclusive.  We are doing chemo.  I debated and debated.  I wanted to give her the longest chance I could and spend as much time as I could with her.  Her lungs were also clear at time of first x-rays.  We did x-rays which was 2 months after the first ones and right before starting chemo which is 5 doses.  Those were also clear. 

Our chemo is administered by our vet and is approx 550.00 per session and it is a pay as we go option so we didn't have to come up with all of it at one time.  That cost can very if we choose to do the extra blood work & x-rays.  We have 3 chemo appointments done and 2 to go.  She has handled them pretty well. 

 

No one will judge you if you chose not to do chemo or not.  We are all here to help.  The chat is open 24 hours a day and a lot of us are there in the evenings.

sassymichelle-sm.jpg

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."

On The Road


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28 January 2013 - 5:17 pm
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Polly and Family, I'm so sorry to hear this shocking news, I know how awful it is and how you must be reeling.

A one month prognosis with clear lungs? That sounds odd, usually vets will say "four to six" without chemo, one year with. Whatever the number is, remember, MANY dogs here have made cancer look reallllllly stupid and lived far beyond those prognoses, even dogs like me who didn't do chemo. There are so many to mention, but I'll tell you about one of my dearest buddies, Eisen. He is all over the blogs here, just do a search and you'll find lots of info about him. He lived FOUR YEARS without chemo. So remember, there IS hope, this is not the end.

Stay pawsitive, hold those tears back for some other time waaay far into the future, it's not time for them now. Right now Polly needs you to be strong and optimistic, because she's not letting this get her down and the last thing on earth she wants is to see you sad. We know you can do it, and when you feel like crying, you can come here and talk to us, everyone here understands.

{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

concord,ca
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18 October 2012
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28 January 2013 - 5:24 pm
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I know how devastating the news can be.  I remember waiting for the results with Cadence. Deep down I knew it was Osteo, but I was still holding out a bit of hope, wishing it was something else.  When we got the news, my heart was broken.  I spoke to my brother who had a dog that went through chemo.  He told me, if he had to do it over, he wouldn't.  My sisters friend had a boxer that had Otsteo.  She did the amputation and the chemo, she also said she wouldn't do it again if she had to.  Its an individual choice.  There are a lot of things to factor in such as cost and whether the dog is OK going to the vet.  With Cadence, we decided to go with what we thought was best and not anyone else.  We went with the Chemo.  For us, we had to at least try.  Cadence was healthy otherwise, so we thought we would give it a shot.  Two weeks ago she finished her last session. (carbo)  The xray showed no signs of cancer.  On the 26th was her 3 month ampuversary.  She is doing great.  We were lucky and the only real side effect she had with the chemo, was she was usually tired 2 days after the session.  She never lost her appetite and came through it with flying colors.   We treat everyday as a blessing and we will continue to do so.  Keep us posted, we are always here for you.

“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera

Palm Desert, California
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8 February 2010
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28 January 2013 - 8:03 pm
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We are sorry to hear the diagnosis; you have received a lot of background and alternatives that others have taken.  Meet with the Oncologist and discuss your options before making a final decision, as their evaluation may be different than the vets. 

Rusty had Fibrosarcoma, and the surgeon felt that we would have 6 to 12 months with surgery and more time with Chemo Therapy.  When Rusty's Oncologist reviewed the lab results of the amputated leg, he said that Rusty had the most aggressive form of Fibrosarcoma possible.  Without Chemo he said that we would have 1 month and with Chemo we should have 9 to 12 months.  Since Rusty was only 18 months old, we felt that he deserved more time before he crossed the Rainbow bridge.  Rusty was on both IV & oral Chemo for 6 months plus another 6 months of oral Chemo only. Other than digestive and diarrhea issues, he handled the treatments without any serious problems.  We now know that his digestive issues were more from his kidney issues than from the Chemo.

Rusty is one of the miracle dogs referred to in the posts, as we just celebrated his 3rd ampuversary last Friday!  His cancer is still in remission and if not for the complications of a kidney birth defect and the damage done to his liver by the oral Chemo, he most likely would have beaten the cancer and led a normal life.  Unfortunately, the liver damage is irreversible and he will succumb to liver failure.

The cost is definitely a factor, Rusty's treatments along with the lab work were $650 to $750 per month for the year that he was on Chemo.  Fortunately, we had insurance otherwise we would probably would have discontinued his treatments after 6 months.

Good luck on your decision and we hope that your girl becomes another miracle tripawd.

 

Chuck & Rusty

Rusty is a Labradoodle who was diagnosed with level 3 Fibrosarcoma on January 16th, 2010 and had his left hind leg amputated on January 25th, 2010 five days before his 18 month birthday. Please see Rusty's blog @rusty.tripawds.com.  He is putting up one heck of a fight against this terrible disease.

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16 January 2013
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29 January 2013 - 11:24 am
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Thank you everyone for your advice and stories.

 

We have met with our vet and the oncologist and have decided not to persue chemo. The cost of both time and money overshadow the outcomes we have seen with other Chemo stories and results. We dont want to have the last bit of our time with Polly spend running from Vet appointments to Xrays and having her go through up and down days while undergoing treatment. We decided we would prefer to have a few really good months instead of a bunch of months where our focus wasnt on spending time with her and spoiling her.

 

We are blessed that our vet has some holistic options that she has used in he past with great results. We have accepted the fact at this point there isn't anything we can do to save her, so instead of trying in vain to do so, we are just going to spoil her and try some of the nutrition and supplements that are mentioned here as well as with our vets experience. We are hoping for a good 6 months of quality time with our girl. We are just so happy to know we can make the best out of our time together, it is such a gift to be able to do that with her.

 

I want to thank everyone for their honest answers and those under going Chemo, I have a new respect for you and the love you have for your pet.

 

We will always be on this site, it is so amazing and has given me real faith that we are doing the right thing in our situation. Thank you everyone, you guys are so wonderful!!!

New Haven, CT
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27 December 2012
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29 January 2013 - 12:06 pm
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That sounds like a great plan and good decision.  It was made with all the information, research, support, experts, and love possible.  Polly is a lucky pup to have you guys.  Best wishes!  And who knows....the amp could have gotten it all and in plenty of time so that you're looking at years rather than 6 months.  Let's hope!  Here's to many, long, loving belly rubs for months AND YEARS to come!  Fight on, Polly, fight on!  Kick cancer's butt!

ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12.  Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ!  No side effects.  We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments.  He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors!  Our love. Our funny little guy!

krun15
15
29 January 2013 - 1:15 pm
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It must feel good to reach a decision- and have a plan! We don't have control over much in this cancer battle so we take what we can get. Your vet sounds great too- it is so important to have someone you trust in your corner.

I hope you and Polly are around here for a long time to come!

 

Karen

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