Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all,
Sam is due for his third round of chemo next week. He is handling it great, is getting stronger, is losing weight appropriately to get himself down to fighting weight, and has so much happy energy it is like having a young dog again. Dr. S wants a chest xray before this round of chemo. I find myself in this weird place of if the cancer has landed, I don't want to know. I want to keep living in the fantasy that we got it, until it is obvious.
The first chest films didn't show any mets. Would a new lung met 8 weeks out and two rounds of chemo later change our protocol or would it just make me worry more? What is the advantage of knowing if it isn't showing itself in the way he is feeling today?
I know we are going to talk about it with Dr. S and I trust her opinion, but I would like to hear if more news changed anything for any of you.
This recovery thing is kindof a yo-yo emotionally. Coming off a really great weekend smack into reality and it is messing with my head. Thank you to all of you, in advance.
-Samdog's mom
Samdog was a 10 yr old Golden and retired SAR dog. We found a bone mass on 8/17/12, needle biopsy showed sarcoma 8/22/12, amputation on 8/23/12, post-amp biopsy confirmed osteosarcoma on 8/28/12. Sadly, we found lung mets on 11/27/12 and my Spirit Sam earned his wings on 12/2/12.
We didn't know where we were headed and we don't regret a single step along our path. It all happened too fast, but he left a legacy of love that we will always cherish. Good bye my heart.
You can find our story at http://samdog.t.....ipawds.com
Hi Sam's Mom,
My pug Maggie didn't have OSA she had mast cell cancer so lung mets were not likely for us. But abdominal mets were so we did regular ultrasounds. At one point I decided that we would not do any further treatment (because of age and other emerging health issues) but for some reason I did the US anyway. Of course it showed suspicious lesions on her liver (where mast cell tends to go) but we could not be sure. Since I wasn't going to do any invasive treatments it just gave me something to worry about.
But that was at a later point in Mag's journey. I think what I would ask myself is would the xrays change our course of action. My understanding is that in OSA there are a couple chemo drugs to try, so if there are lung mets now then maybe you could try another chemo, or stop the chemo you are doing if it doesn't appear to be effective.
I think the bottom line is that if you are not changing protocol no matter what the xrays show then I would ask why do them? As long as you are trying chemo then it makes sense to me to check with xrays at this point.
As with everything on this journey you have to go with your gut and do what you think is best for you and Sam.
He sounds like he is doing really well, I read and enjoyed your last blog post. I hope he continues to do well with chemo.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi Sam's Mom,
I would say I'm not the norm around here but I have never done a chest x-ray on Maggie since amputation(Oct. 2009). But I also didn't do chemo either...doing homeopathy. It was recommended I do an x-ray every 6 months but in reality, why? It wouldn't change how I am treating Maggie, so I have opted out of it and have preferred to go along blindly, I guess...
FWIW.
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
I think it's important to get new chest x-rays because if he developed mets while on his current chemo, that tells the oncologist that they will probably want to try a different chemo drug.
I totally understand not wanting to know, but it really may affect the course of his treatment. You don't want to just keep giving him the same chemo drugs if they are not working.
I think if you weren't doing chemo, there is really no urgency in doing chest X-rays, unless you were the type of person who just needed to "know". If Wookie weren't getting chemo, I would not do any more chest rads... but he is, so I do.
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
When I was living with cancer, I did not have chemo and my people chose not to do regular follow up x-rays. It wasn't until seventeen months later that we did get x-rays, because the curiosity was just too much for my silly humans. Well, the x-rays showed mets.
Finding out the news that the cancer had come back really knocked the wind out of my people, and it was like coping with the original diagnosis all over again. That's when I started metronomic chemotherapy and regular x-rays were a part of the protocol.
My folks didn't know a lot about osteosarcoma or canine cancer back when I was diagnosed, or how oncology works. Now they know a lot more. Would they do things differently now, knowing what they know? Maybe. But back then, it was the right decision for our pack.
I agree with Wookie's advice; if you good the chemotherapy route, it's good to know if its working or you're just throwing money away. But in the end you have to do what's right in your heart. Be still, listen, talk to Sam, you'll find the answer.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Sam's mom,
We did an X-ray half way through Abby's chemo and it confirmed that a super tiny spot on her original X-ray was indeed a lone, small met. We discussed with the onc whether we should try a different chemo drug. In the end we stuck with finishing out the carbo. That is most likely why your onc has suggested the X-ray, since this is a chance to alter the plan if things aren't going well.
If you don't think you will alter the plan no matter what it seen, then you probably woudl want to skip the X-ray.
Sending good thoughts for your appt!
Jackie, angel 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!
Thank you all.
We go in on Wednesday and will ask Dr S. But you all make sense and my head has resumed control of my thinking about this. If this chemo isn't working, of course there are other drugs to try and we need yo know now if it isn't working. That said, I am going to be a mess on Wednesday until I hear good news.
Wish us some luck this week.
- Sam's mom
Samdog was a 10 yr old Golden and retired SAR dog. We found a bone mass on 8/17/12, needle biopsy showed sarcoma 8/22/12, amputation on 8/23/12, post-amp biopsy confirmed osteosarcoma on 8/28/12. Sadly, we found lung mets on 11/27/12 and my Spirit Sam earned his wings on 12/2/12.
We didn't know where we were headed and we don't regret a single step along our path. It all happened too fast, but he left a legacy of love that we will always cherish. Good bye my heart.
You can find our story at http://samdog.t.....ipawds.com
Our oncologist didn't do xrays until after the 4th chemo treatment (ie. prior to doing the 5th treatment) but I notice that others here have had them done earlier. At this critical stage in the journey knowledge is power and can affect the choices you make regarding the treatment so if your oncologist is recommending it I'd be going with his recommendation.
I still remember what a nervous wreck I was waiting for the results. We will be thinking of you. Try and keep yourself busy on Wednesday.
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/
We had x -rays only once after chemo. Trouble made it 27 1/2 months cancer free and we didn't have the added stress. Our vet recommended only if symptoms indicated it was necessary.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Good luck today Samdog! Keep us posted on how the visit went.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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