Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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First I want to start off by saying thank you. I truely feel that I received great information which was helping to make a decision.
Yesterday we saw the oncologist. By the time we left we decided to pursue stereotactic radiation. After hearing from 3 vets, our regular, the orthopedic and the oncologist that Shea was not the best candidate for amputation, I felt a little let down. After hearing the positivity about the stereotactic radiation my husband and I were finally on the same page. I usually look on the positive side of things. Where as my husband tends to have some difficulty doing the same. But again after the oncology visit he started to have hope.
The oncologist said the only location that does the stereotactic radiation was about 2hrs away. No problem, we will take her. It's very pricey, but no problem we will get it worked out. Ok we decide to move forward. When contacting the facility that does the radiation we were informed the first available was July 18th. Now we are nervous. We can't wait all these weeks. We again talk with the oncologist which we decide to begin the chemo ( which we were already planning on doing in addition to the radiation). We bring her in for her first treatment and another X-ray as precaution. That's when we get the dreaded news of lung mets. We are absolutely beside ourselves.
From here we are going to continue with palliative radiation and chemo. Hopefully to keep her comfortable and slow the disease process. We obviously don't want her to suffer. But right now she is the same girl we have always known. Happy and playful. I want to keep her that way as long as possible.
Geez, you guys have certainly been on one of the craziest roller coasters I've seen on here in a long time. We all jate this stupid piece of crap disease beyond words.
One thing that comes shining through with every single word....your soul deep love for Shea and yoir vow to do everything possible to give her the best quality possible.
It's sooooo important to keep focused on something you just wrote:
..".....right now she is the same girl we have always known. Happy and playful. I want to keep her that way as long as possible."
Obviously Shea doesn't know she's "sick"! Xrays don't mean squat to her! And as far as the met, Shea is symptom free and, as you said, happy and playful! Oir very own hero Jerry, as well as another hero Sassy, got a great amount if extended quality time even after mets were found! Shoukd symptoms start to show down the road from the mets, prednisone, some low dose Tramadol, and a few other tricks can do wonders in keeping Shea comfortable.
For whatever reason...And we have to "trust"'that there is some unforseen reason that the amputation was not meant to be. You have a very doable treatment plan and one that should definitely co tinue to give her a quality life full.Of more spoiling and loving! Although, it would be mighty hard to top the loving and spoiling she's already getting!
You have a very proactive plan and I think you'll find that it will bring some really good positive results!
Remember, absolutely nothing has changed I. Shea's world! Itsq so important to remeber that. It's so important to throw yiur calendar away and let NOTHING rob you of your time together. That's the only way that piece of crap disease "wins" is to try and interfere with your time together...try to rob you of living in the moment. Screw that!
.ake everyday Shea Day! Make everyday a day of filling her bucket list! Yep, drive thru cheeseburgers, ice cream, steak and on and on! And btw, Shea plans on being around a long time. She has a limitless supply of buckets!
And we want to see lots of pictures and video! She's such a lretty "subject"!
Alrighty Miss Shea, we are all cheering for you and sending lots and lots of healing energy!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Wow, my first reaction was to be jealous and amazed you found a place for stereotactic radiation. And then I read all the way through and I am heartsick for this turn for you and for Shea. But as you said, she is the same girl. And you have a plan to keep her happy and keep pain managed for as long as is feasible.
Wishing you every possible good moment for longer than anyone expects.
Sending good vibes!
Lisa and Pofi 
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Hi
It sounds like you've had a real tough time these last few weeks, but we can all see from your words that you are showing great strength in moving forward. Shea sounds like she is still loving life and that's a real testament to you and the bond you share with her.
I'm so sorry about the met, but one thing I've learnt from this site is to never ever give up hope. I've put a link to one of the threads I saw not too long ago. There are a couple of stories on there about some incredible disappearing/shrinking mets. Of course, no one can ever guess or make any guarantees about what the future brings for Shea or any of our pups, but that thread just reminded me that sometimes things can take a positive turn in a way we never would have expected. Hope and Positive thinking are never a bad thing in my book! Shea will pick up on your positive energy and vice versa and that's always always going to be good 
http://tripawds.....sappeared/
As Sally said, so many dogs get amazing extended quality time with or without mets and Shea looks like a beautiful fun loving soul who will continue to live life to the max and on her terms!! No pesky met is going to stop her and don't let it stop you either! Post some photo's of Shea's adventures, we'd love to see some more of her and hear about her personality, she looks like a real character!
Sending lots of positive thoughts your way. Stay connected, everyone is here to support you
Hannah, Beau & the rest of the pack.
You've done such a great job with your homework, feel good about that OK? And that you have such great vets who didn't just stop at "she's not a candidate" but rather gave you options -- too many vets out there don't. Stereotactic radiation therapy is a great option, and one that isn't widely available, you and Shea are so fortunate! What facility are you going to?
I know that feels like forever to wait. Did you ask them if you could be on an on-call waiting list in case someone cancels? In the meantime, what kind of pain management are the docs recommending? Just curious.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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