Hi Smokey...best wishes to you pal. Tell your pawrents to stay as positive and upbeat as possible...we pick up so much on how they are feeling and follow suit.

Mom always stayed happy and upbeat with me and in front of me and it really sped up my recovery. I knew she snuck in another room to cry sometimes when I wasn't looking...or so she thought, but that's ok...I know how much she loves me and she's entitled to a few tears.

I'm 10 and 3 1/2 months post op...I'm doing FABULOUS...knock on wood. I can do everything that I used to do except take really long walks. It just takes a time to recover and it took me time and mom was worried about making the right decision. Tell your pawrents to have faith and listen to their hearts...that's where the answers lie.  

Stay in touch here...we're here to help in any possible way. This site is an enormous support. There is a tremendous amount of information, support and love here. 

Our prayers are with you ~

Love Zeus and Mom

Like Smokey, my 10 and 1/2 year female Golden, Bailey, will be joing the pack. This coming Tuesday, 7-29, she is scheduled for her surgery. The CT suggested synovial sarcoma in her left hind leg. This is the same leg she had knee surgery on when she was 5. Her other hind leg has a "partial tear" on that knee. Bailey shows not sign of pain. If you watched her you wouldn't realize that something is not right. There is just some swelling in that leg. I was wondering if anyone else has a large, female who has lost her hind leg. OK, so I am curious about what it will be like for her when "nature calls". Guess she will have to learn how to "pee" standing up just like the boys. (sorry but sometimes humor is what I use to get through hard times, even though my heart is hurting.) I do plan on sleeping on the floor with Bailey while she recovers. She is use to sleeping in the bed between me and my husband. I was also wondering about how long to expect the pain to last? I hate this "C" word. How can something so bad happen to such wonderful living creatures? Right now I am very anxious. I have gone through so many emotions this is one I have not used yet. Like some others, this is not my first with cancer. The Golden we were lucky to share our lives with passed at 8. Now we are faced with this again with this great girl. I also have to give attention to Bailey's older sister ("Buttons", and 11 and 1/2 year Sheltie). Has anyone used "wheels" for their dog with a rear leg amputation? I was wondering if it might help with the other knee a bit. We do plan on getting Bailey a harness for sure. I was just wondering about the "wheels" to help with the walks and she still loves to run after what ever you throw. But that other knee does give me some concerns as well. I am very thankful to Jerry, to this site and to everyone else who has given suggestions, help, and shared their stories. .

Yes, thank you. I do plan on sleeping on the floor as I did after her knee surgery. As I know she will try to get to where I am. As she starts to get better I will then move to the couch and then when the Doc says she is ready will I move back to the bed. I had the discussion with my husband about a better mattress for her. So you helped my cause. When I finally do leave (only after I know she is out of surgery and doing fine) then figure shopping will help. So I plan on going to find something better for her to sleep on while she is on the "floor".

My sister uses a baby crib mattress for her older dog. I was wondering how that might be. I know it also needs to be easy for her to get on and move on. Buttons and I will share the "air bed" right next to Bailey. It still just boggles my mind as even today Bailey was happy and started to run. She still walks faster, is still strong enough to pull me (and I am not a little person), she still has a great appetite, and even tonight when I am now tired, Bailey still plays with her toys (by shaking, and squeaking them) then she goes for some good bone chewing. Yes, it is hard for a person to remember that dogs do live in the now.

I do need to learn from her about live your life to the fullest NOW. I know it will be a long day Tuesday as we wait, and then more long waiting with nerves for the pathology report.

Love the bed idea! Tomorrow is surgery. We can stay with her even through sedation. We could bring her home tomorrow evening, but her Surgeon suggests it is best for her to stay at least one night to help with pain management . So of course we will do what ever is best for her. However, I was wondering if anyone has taken their dog home the day/night of the surgery?

Thank you. The surgery is over! My husband and I sat with her right up till she went into surgery. Everyone was very nice. Her Surgeon even came out to talk to us. We decided to sit right out in the waiting room as there was more activity for all of us. Even after she received her pre-surgery meds. a towel was given to us in case she was sick to her stomach.

I highly recommend all to stay with their pets before their surgery. It really helped relieve Bailey's anxiety as well as ours. It was a long morning as we needed to be there by 8:15. She would leave long enough for her vitals and blood to be checked and then for the pre-surgery shot. I sat right on the floor with her on her blanket with her favorite toy.

About 12:30 she went back for her surgery. My husband and I left long enough to grab a fast lunch and then were right back to wait until she came out of surgery. Well, we seemed to have been there a bit longer as she was moved from recovery to the ICU, where we were informed she was doing very well.

As we waited during the surgery we were given up dates from time to time. The Surgeon came out after to talk to us. He found a polyp on her tonsil which he removed. He removed her leg and femur. Also he feels instead of synovial sarcoma she has myxoma or myxosarcoma. He did explain this but at the time my mind just was not registering, thankfully my husband was there the entire time. So will now do some research about this.

I am thankful the surgery is now past so we can now move on, to heal, and then get back to enjoying life to all of our fullest. Even though I have taught special ed swimming, I have no idea how I will handle tomorrow afternoon. Is anyone ever really prepared?

When she is able there is a place I can take her for "therapy" swimming. Something near and dear to my heart. After doing this with people for so many years, I am so happy to have found a place for dogs. We are fully committed to do what we can to help her gain her strength and to continue with a good life. Of course the final word will be the result of the biopsy.