Thank you all!! 

Because of where the cancer was in Ruby's hip we were unable to do a biopsy without major surgery. We decided to do the amputation at the same time, because we knew we would do amputation and we didn't want he to have to do surgery two times. 

Today we will find out the results of the biopsy. I am so nervous again and I don't know why... maybe because this is it. Finally we will have a clear answer. We know that it is a type of sarcoma from the aspirates, but that is all we know. 

For the last 1.5 weeks of recovery I almost forgot that there is a phase 2. I was so caught up in getting her healed I didn't let my mind wander to what is next. 

She is so strong. And is ALWAYS proving people wrong. I know that she will be okay. 

I pray that we get a treatable diagnosis today, and best case being that they got all the cancer!!

Please think of us today. I am trying to stay calm and know that she is okay. 

-Laina and Ruby 

Hi, Supporters!

We are in need of support right now. As I said in my post this morning...Because of where the cancer was in Ruby’s hip we were unable to do a biopsy without major surgery. We decided to do the amputation at the same time, because we knew we would do amputation and we didn’t want he to have to do surgery two times....Today we are 11 days out of surgery. 

We found out that she has Osteosarcoma (it is very surprising that it is this type of cancer because per the oncologist it is not a normal place for it to start). They did say they got "great margins", and from her scans two weeks ago, they said had not spread from what they could see.

We had an appointment at the specialist tomorrow to remove the staples and they have suggested we start chemo tomorrow along with removing the staples. We have decided to do this. They will be alternating every 3 weeks using Cisplatin and Doxorubicin (Adriamycin). 

Any guidance around Cisplatin and Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)? Tomorrow they will be doing Cisplatin, and we have to be there by 8:00am. They said it will take 6 hours to administer the chemo. 

We are nervous. We are sad. We are struggling to stay positive, but we know that our girl needs us to. She is ALWAYS proving people wrong, and we are confident she will continue to do so. 

We had not fully prepared ourselves for this, so we are trying to get all the information we can. We are nervous about side effects and quality of life. Any feedback you have is appreciated! 

Thank you all so much! I am so thankful to turn here for support during such a hard time in our lives. 

-Laina & Ruby

Yesterday was a great day!! 

Ruby did great with her first round of chemo! She did not get sick at all! (and they said most dogs get sick during the first hour after).

When I was leaving the specialist vet yesterday I was asking questions to the tech that was discharging Ruby. She was an answered prayer! She helped calm my mind and have a new perspective on things. She told me that we are doing this for Ruby so that she can be a “normal dog” and right now we are treating her like she is not normal. She said, while we need to be aware that she is different, we need to have the goal to make her life as normal as possible. 

Yesterday Ruby also got the all clear to be able to take longer walks, be off the leash in the back yard, start doing steps, and start being normal.  When we got home yesterday we let her be Ruby! She really did have a great day yesterday.Part of it I think was all the fluids she got and part of it was she did not have any pain meds yesterday.

She hopped around the back yard, and when she went to the back steps she hopped right up them!! Then turned around and hopped back down…. I cried I was so happy! She did it!!! She even hopped across the wood floors without slipping! She wants to be normal just as much as we want her to be!  I know that we have to ease her back into activity, and there will be good days and bad… but yesterday was much needed! I am proud of her!