Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I had almost forgotten about these since they seem rather insignificant considering she's being treated with chemo for hemangiosarcoma which was found in her spleen in September (thankfully we got it out before it ruptured). The lab that did her leg biopsy did not find evidence of Osteosarcoma BUT did find evidence of a sarcoma so we are going to have them see the tissues match the tissues from her spleen in which we found the hemangiosarcoma. Dr. Turner, her oncologist says they wanted to check again so that we can make sure we are treating the cancer the right way. And while it's not uncommon for a dog to have 2 kinds of cancer, it is pretty rare. For all we know, Shelby has an entirely different kind of cancer. I just hope that I didn't hurt her by not taking the leg off back in June and trying to fight whatever it is then. But I think with hemangiosarcoma, even if it wasn't presenting, since it's a blood based cancer, it was probably already there so our outcomes would have been the same.
All in all, my dog has cancer and that much I do know and that is what I have worked to come to terms with since September. And I am thankful that we had an amazing summer together, with a healed broken leg, and no concept of cancer looming. We were able to do all the things we loved together; the beach, happy hour, brunch...
I do believe with all my heart (90%) of the time, that I have made ALL the right choices for Shelby (albeit some very $$$ ones) and have been an amazing caregiver and mom for her. It's just been an exhausting 7+ months trying to navigate all of this and I hope that once she is healed from her amputation, gets back to normal (aka out of my bathroom) and we do her last chemo on Tuesday and start the maintenance cocktail drugs, things will slow down a bit for us. Lord knows as exhausted as I am right now, I need a little bit of a break.
Any other dogs with multiple cancers found? Is Shelby really a medical mystery as has been suspected for months now? She's a trooper - that is for darn sure!
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
To answer your question Alison yes. Roxy did she had Osteoscaroma & then got one in her mouth. Here is her blog http://micaroxy.....wds.com/ I am sure there are others but can not think of them at this time. Nova the great dane had Osteoscaroma but passed from a brain tumor. I am sure Admin or Jerry (Rene) will give a list of a few others or other members who can think of a few more
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Beautiful photos of Roxy! What a sweet and adorable face. Thank you for sharing your story. I can't read it all now since I'm at work and I'll start to cry but thank you for sharing.
BTW - I saw her 2 month amp photos - how did her fur grow back so fast? Shelby had her leg shaved when she broke her leg in June and it was still pretty bare when they took it off last week. However, I guess now that there is a smaller surface to cover, maybe the fur will look more filled in quicker. I don't mind but I am sure Shelby would be happier with more fur too! If winter ever comes to LA.
Alison (and 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
Hi Allison,
You ARE A PAWESOME PAWRENT! Never forget that.
Yes, we've had many other puppers diagnosed with multiple cancers at different times in their journeys. I will put a call out on Tripawds for folks to share their stories here. In the meantime one idea is to search the Forums & blogs for your specific type of cancers that you're dealing with, you're sure to find some examples (unfortunately). Some day, this disease will be gone. I fully believe that.
xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Alison I am not sure how long it took Roxy to grow her fur back. Her mom Mica comes her sometimes now since Roxy crossed the Bridge. She would know that information. We got to know her in the chat room and became friends. My dog was Sassy.
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Alison - I totally agree with Jerry, you're a fabulous pawrent!!!!!!!! Exhausted, yes, but thorough and determined and loving.
Michelle,
Roxy's blog warmed my heart, thank you for sharing that. It's easy to tell from the pictures that she had a fabulous life with a very loving family, and it certainly looks like she had A LOT OF FUN and tons of cuddle time. Love love love the picture of her with a box on her head. Hahahaha. What an inspiration, maybe I'll take on a blog for Jersey Girl...although that sounds like a lot of work. Lol
Claudia
Oh I was so confused because your tag line said Sassy! 
Her blog WAS wonderful!
Thank you, Claudia! I think all of us are amazing pawrents ... it's a hard job but wouldn't change it for the world! She's my life.
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 Allison,
My Polly is very similar to your Shelby, sharing the same diagnosis in hemangiosarcoma. She also has had 2 different cancers since the age of 6. Her first diagnosis was with mast cell cancer, we caught it early and removed it with very clear margins. This latest bout is hemangiosarcoma, which presented itself in her front right leg. We ended up removing her leg after a couple of cancer removal surgeries, and tons of chemo. We have been doing all the comprehensive exams to check internally, and it has not made an appearance yet, but doesn't mean it won't at some point. That is what baffled her oncologist, because a leg tumor of this type cancer, is usually a secondary cancer to the original, that usually starts in the spleen. This is a scary cancer, I know, because my black Lab Maggie died very quickly from it less than 2 years ago. Her spleen ruptured before we even knew the cancer was there. We did do emergency surgery on her, but she only lived for 46 days after. Needless to say, I was devastated when Polly's results came back as the same cancer. She now has another lump/growth on her back leg that we are having biopsied this coming Monday. Gotta say, I am pretty well stressed. The crappy thing is, I found this growth exactly one year to the day I found her first one last January 12.
Hang in there with your cutie, Shelby, it is exhausting, but we all will do almost anything for our pets.
Bonnie
Just a quidk "post hijack".......
Bonnie, just want you to know We're keeping all paws crossed over here. You are a STONG and POWERFUL advocate for your Polly, and she knows you are doing everything possible!
The fear on this journey is almost unbearable at times. Try and remember..."this dos not equal that". Whatever happened inthe past does not mean it will happen this time.
Polly jas already proven she's exceptional and has NO intention of going anywhere anytime soon! Hang in there! and stay in the moment! And in this moment all is well in Polly's world!!
Hugs to you....realy...give yourself a hug!! Yeah, a big one! Now go give Polly a hug and watch her tail wag!!
Sending love!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Thank you so much, Sally. You make my heart happy, and my soul less stressed. Polly is very happy today, and we are ready to go out in the little bit of snow we got last night to let her play in it. I think your posts are a huge inspiration for us all on here, and I know Allison will agree!
Bonnie and Polly <3
Definitely concur!!! Sally's posts bring such a ray of sunshine into my life and day! Thank you for always being so positive and optimistic!
Hugs!
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
We got the definitive results on Shelby's leg biopsy the other day. The good news (if you can call it that) is that it wasn't osteosarcoma that broke her leg back in June. It was a strain of the hemangiosarcoma that eventually overtook her spleen in September. If I can find peace with any decision I have made along this journey (and I really need to try and do that) is that even if we had taken her leg, they might not have found this in the biopsy since it hadn't reached her spleen yet and we wouldn't have taken the spleen earlier. Shelby has been a medical mystery from the start - obviously.
Also, if I can find anything good that came from her breaking that leg is that we were 'on alert' and we knew that 'something' was off and we watched it closely and that I found the fancy vet that has treated her for all her surgeries.
I also have to hope that since it wasn't bone cancer, she wasn't in a TON of pain until just recently - but how she was walking (normally) up until the last couple of weeks really indicate she wasn't in true pain.
The good news is also that we have done all the chemo treatment the right way all along the way - fighting the same cancers and we will continue for the course of her life with the right meds. I guess she goes on a cocktail of drugs for the duration of her life now that she has concluded all her chemo.
It doesn't change the outcome - I do know that my dog has terminal cancer and that she has lung mets (albeit tiny). But she has fought a strong battle and together we will find and ignore the 'odds' that the vets presented to us. and live each day in the moment!
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
You have a wonderful attitude about everything! Being able to find the good under these circumstances is a tremendously challenging thing to do. You get an "A+++"!
I'm sorry it's hemangio. But you know I was talking to someone yesterday whose dog lived an entire year after a hemangio diagnosis, and then there's this great story of Bucky, who is STILL beating the odds! We just saw him in October, he's doing great.
So yeah, you just never know, all you can do is keep on living life and making the most of every day. You just don't know what tomorrow will bring with or without cancer so why not live each day to the fullest no matter what?
You've got that down! Yay!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you! I have been told that I do have a positive attitude which is so hard when you are living with a dog with terminal cancer. Not sure where my strength comes from other than the saying that goes like, you can be strong when it's the only choice that you have!
I love the positive, exception to the rule stories! That is how Shelby and I live! And that's what I told Dr. Turner - that I knew the odds but Shelby was a fighter and she was going to prove them wrong! And she has - every step of the way. Shelby lives each day to the fullest and wakes up each day w/a clean slate and has no clue she's sick. So that is what I try and do. And I am thankful each day I have with her. Shelby and I are firm believers in the power of positive energy and that is how we face this! And ignore what the doctors say about statistics! It's the only way to be!!! XO
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
Awwwwww! You got it!
{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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