Dawn,

I am so glad that you have Raven home again and that he is feeling better. I lost my heart dog Rosa 4 years ago today to hemangiosarcoma and when I read your post about Raven's latest diagnosis today I sobbed as if it were just an hour ago.

It sounds like you have a great vet team. Just keep asking questions until you feel that you can make a decision and be comfortable with it. But most of all pay attention to what Raven tells you, with his mood, with his actions, with his eyes.

Rosa was diagnosed, out of the blue, just after Thanksgiving and I was basically given the same prognosis as you. 2-3 months with surgery, if she did not die on the operating table, or 2 weeks give or take without. We decided not to do the surgery because she was twelve and we felt the trauma of the surgery and the time it would take to heal vs the time it would buy us would outweigh the benefit. They told us once the main tumor was removed, the rest of the tumors (they felt certain due to the size of the main tumor that the cancer had metastasized) would start to grow. They also said that she could begin to bleed out again at any time. She made it a week and a half. I am thankful that I had that very special time with her, knowing that we were nearing the end. She was so tired and trying so hard to mask her weakness. She slept most of the time but I figured as long as she wanted to eat and go for a ride and maybe a little walk that she was still enjoying life. I kept asking the vets what would happen if she were to start to hemorrhage again--I could not get a straight answer for a long time but finally one of them told me that it could be very distressing for her. I kept praying that she would just pass easily in her sleep but she didn't. And every day that passed I was terrified that she would have an "event" that would be painful/confusing/frightening for her and I did not want that for her. The morning  she wouldn't eat was the day we had been dreading. I really looked at her and saw clearly how tired she was. We helped her leave her physical being December 6, 2005.

I hope this helps a little. Cancer is so strange and random. It seems every case is different, every dog is different. The decision to let our loved ones go is heartbreaking. But is also such a privelege to be able to help them leave a body that is failing them. You will know when it is time, all you need to do is listen to Raven.

Every candle in my house burns bright tonight, in memory of Rosa, and in honor of Raven and his brave fight against the evil C.

Peace to you Dawn and to Raven,

Martha

Hi Dawn,

When I first read your post, all I could think was "WTF"! Not the classiest reaction, I know. 🙂 But I lost a dog to hemangiosarcoma so I know how awful it is. In fact, when I attended school for Veterinary Technology, I actually did my end of year case study on my Waldo. I know more than the average person should about hemangiosarcoma. And just seeing the dreaded diagnosis mentioned in any post floods me with so many memories.

Out of curiosity about Raven, I went and read your blog. What a relief, huh? I'm glad to hear you got that second opinion before making any drastic decisions. Keep bouncing, Raven.

-Melanie