Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Alison, have 2 cookies. We will hope for no seizures tomorrow. She is after all, Shelby Strong. I agree, share, share, share it is a great way to vent and we all truly care for you and your precious Shelby girl. Is she still getting fluids? Probably a good thing. That and extra rest and I don't know about you, but I felt better knowing that when he was just too sick for me to do everything at home, that there was someone there 24/7 when he was at vets. Get some rest tonight. Keep us posted ok? Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
^^ Agree with Lori...2 cookies, plus 2 glasses of wine. You've more than earned it! Seriously, I agree with Lori's other great points and the others before her. Know that lots of us are sending love and hugs and good thoughts across the miles for Shelby and for you.
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
Thinking about you, and sending positive thoughts and love and hugs. I hope the vet can get the meds right and get everything under control so you and Shelby can move past this.
With love,
Carol
Hi Alison
Thinking of you and Shelby and sending lots of love and pawsitive thoughts.
Don't worry about "sharing"....this is the place to do it.....
Hope you listened to everyone last night and had two cookies.
Many hugs
Linda and Tucker
Thank you everyone ... and Karma, no worries!!! I would be thankful for any helpful tips for sure.
Sadly, I do not have great news to report this morning. I went back to see her last night and she was pretty sedate. They had given her a valium after her two day seizures and while she hasn't had a seizure since yesterday afternoon, she's so drugged she doesn't seem to be able to even lift her head w/out help. I was able to get her to eat a tiny bit, baby food on a stick. But she's so out of it. It's awful to see - my baby girl who was so full of spunk and personality.
The vets / techs all seem sooo grim when they are talking to me. I am sure they think i am cruel. BUT I need to keep Shelby strong and stable through the week so I can hopefully bring her home this weekend and help her transition outside of the vet. I really think this is our time. If I could take this week off of work, I would but I don't think that is possible with my one event happening this week.
I hate that she's spending her possible last week in the hospital but she's so out of it, she probably doesn't know where she is. I just have to keep my head up, my tears at bay until I can get to her this afternoon after work.
Thank you for your love and prayers... my heart is broken. I don't even know what a world without Shelby looks like or who I am if I am not her mom or caregiver.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Hi Alison, this is sobering. The vets/techs have seen a lot and their somber story is telling. I wonder - do they feel in order for Shelby to remain stable (that is, no/few seizures), will she have to be so drugged? That's no way to live. Or, is Shelby going through what many here have mentioned - that they still need to find the right dose? No one knows, but the vet must have some idea of how her week will look - drugged vs slow improvement?
My fear is that Shelby declines while you're busy this week. My biggest fear is that she crosses to the Bridge without you. I know you've thought about this. Sigh.
Depending on what the vet says, I think it may be worth while finding out how to take the week off. It sounds like Thurs is a very big, very important solo act at work. That makes it tougher! I just think: what if it was your mom...wouldn't work or this event find another way to deal without you? None of us want regrets, but sometimes they happen anyway. Years from now, I hope you don't look back at this week and...?
We all wish medicine was more confident. When things get bad or unknown, medicine is at its worst.
In my heart, I know Shelby has a lot more love and life to give! She wants to come home! I hope her drug program is smoothed out and you two can have a glorious weekend followed by months and months together. Shelby STRONG!
~ Katy & Jackson
ps: I know you didn't want to do the MRI. I agree. However, would it clarify her severity? I mean, if the MRI revealed what our deepest fear is (cancer in brain), would that change when she'd come home and how your workweek went? It may not change treatment, per se, but might it inform where best to spend resources and time?
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Alison,
I just caught up with news this am. My heart goes out to you and your Shelby for what you have been going through. I hope your able to bring her home.
In our thoughts,
Esther and her Snoop
@ Katy - absolutely - all of that has gone through my mind and it's what is so awful. I think they are keeping her so drugged to keep the seizures at bay because when they ease her off the valium, she has a little seizure which is why they suspect the hemagniosarcoma is in her brain now. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that would happen.
I know I can't prolong her life like this - absolutely this is no quality and no one will say definitively if she will come out of this. No one wants to tell me anything since I start to cry each time they tell me anything. They love her so much, their hearts are breaking ... I can tell.
I am going to talk to my boss. Even if I just work the event Thursday but can somehow be at home with Shelby. My boss is not a 'dog' person (she's of the school of thought, just a dog, not a family member) so if it was my mom, it would be different. Thankfully - all is finalized for the event so just a few last minute details today. But my brain, as you can imagine, is fried. I can't even get through this morning w/out tears. How am I going to shut it off to drive to work safely? You know?
Any tips to make me numb, stoic or non-feeling right now would be greatly appreciated.
Alison & Shelby
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Keeping you and Shelby in our thoughts.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Oh Alison. Oh. It stinks your boss isn't a dog person. That would have helped. I suggest you come to work looking like you feel and let your emotions out. This way, your boss will see your whole self and realize you're not fit to be there. Maybe have a joint discussion with your boss to enumerate the MUST do list before and on Thurs. You do those things. Just those things. The rest of the time, you be with Shelby, either in person, in spirit, or with tears. I mean, if you're worried about the safety of you driving (yep, I get that! been there!), working a full week isn't wise. I have to have faith in your boss and that she realizes your efforts will likely be half-assed at best and screwed-up at worst. There's got to be a common ground.
Time with Shelby is your most important task. I wish all of us could take shifts with you! We'd rotate hanging out with stoned-Shelby and give her the love and presence while momma works. One of us could drive for you too!
HUGS, Alison. This is a crappy crappy thing.
~K&J
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Oh Alison, my heart breaks along with you and the tripawd family. This just sucks. If there is a trick to make yourself feel numb, I need to know it too.
If it were me, I think I'd ask the loving vets that are caring for Shelby, to be straight with me, tears or not. I have to know what I'm up against.
You and Shelby are on my mind and in my prayers.
Hugs,
Amy & Spirit Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Alison,
I don't mean this to sound harsh- but you need to ask the hard question and get a straight answer from the vet. What I am going to say is predicated on the fact that Shelby can't recover from where she is now-
If this is Shelby's time then you need to take control of the situation now. Please know that tears are streaming as I write this, I know how hard this is. But you can't go on like this, hoping to get to the end of the week. You can't focus on work, it is dangerous to drive distracted, you can't be strong for Shelby. It may not be as you hoped, but if it is time for Shelby to cross over then you need to be stong for her like you always have been. I worry like Katy that Shelby will cross without you being there, and I don't want that to happen to you.
I hope, hope, hope that Shelby can pull out of this, and I hope you don't get mad at me for saying this. Or if getting mad helps you then let it rip! I am so afraid that Shelby is going to go without you.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Alison, follow what your heart tells you to do, you WILL know......and the moments that you need it most, you will be stronger, and braver than you ever imagined. Don't think about anything or anyone in regards for your love of Shelby, she is all that matters. You have so much love here to hold you up, never doubt that for an instant. We all absolutely, completely understand ALL your emotions at this point in time with precious Shelby........ We adore her and you, and we will see you through this.
All my Love and prayers.....
Bonnie & Angel Polly
I also want to say, I do agree with Katy, Amy and Karen.......<3 {{{hugs}}}
Thank you all for your love ... it makes me cry every time I read a message from you all!
My boss has released me from the event. I am going to go to our staff meeting at 10:30, re-assign some things and leave here and get to Shelby to see what I can find out about her status and if I need to release her from this world with as much dignity as possible. It all feels so sudden but I guess we have been, in some sense, preparing for this day since we got our diagnosis.
@ Karen - I am in no way mad or upset at your frankness!!! We are all dog lovers here and it shows all the time.
I didn't want her to pass at the vet but if she has to pass there, without feeling the sand in her paws one last time, then at least I know I have the power to take her pain and suffering away.
Hugs ... I will keep you all posted.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Oh, Alison, I'm so sorry. I'm so overwhelmingly sad for and with you.
All that matters to Shelby is her love for you. She will be happy to have you near her, whether this has to happen today or later, whether at the vet or somewhere else. I know how hard this decision is, but remember...you aren't making the decision, the darn cancer made it for you. You are giving Shelby absolute and unconditional love and that's the most important gift of all.
With love,
Carol
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