Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I just called her surgeon and the surgeon and oncologist discussed it and since Shelby is 1/2 way through her 5th chemo treatment, this is the "ideal" time for her to have her amputation. To say I am petrified is an understatement. This will be Shelby's 3rd major surgery since June (broken leg fracture plated and pinned, then a spleen removal and now this). But I feel really confident in our vets. We are in Los Angeles and getting treated at a Advanced Critical Care (ACC) and the Veterinary Cancer Group. Thankfully ALL her vets are under one very fancy roof.
I don't know if I should take tomorrow off a work or if it's better for me to come in and be distracted. I am lucky that I can go visit Shelby tomorrow evening and see how she is. I know she will be a beautiful, adorable tripawd but I am scared to death right now. I feel like I have been asking for support from my friends for the past 6 months and this is a LOT to take. I should be used to this by now, I would think.
But I don't know how to spend our last night at home w/her 4 paws. Does it even matter? I know I need to re-read the books that I downloaded but any first hand experience to help get me over this would be great. I am shaking like a leaf here. Thank you for the support.
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
Alison I'm in the chat right now if you want to jump over.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It's OK to be scared, anyone who's been through this nervewracking waiting game understands and has felt those emotions. How to spend your last day on 4 paws together? Well, love her up! Treats treat and more treats! Of course remember that you'll need to cut off food at a certain time (ask your vet). And remember that no matter what, you are making this decision with pure love in your heart for Shelby and that's the best medicine ever. When you see her, you'll be amazed at her strength, so unlike anything a human being is capable of.
Try to breathe. Spend this time just being together. Talk to her, tell her how much you love her but at the same time try not to make too big of a deal out of it because you don't want to set off her instinct that something is VERY different.
As for the care you're getting at VCG, you couldn't be in a better place, they are fantastic! Check out these VCG videos with their founder, Dr. Mona Rosenberg and this Tripawd Talk Radio podcast with Dr. Turner.
We wish you all the best tomorrow and will be thinking of you so DO keep us posted OK? Lotsa Tripawd love coming your way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OH BOY OH BOY! Can we all relate! It feels li,e torture right now...you can't catch your breath..and, if like I was...crying..no sobbing..u controllably! Oh heah, and sick to your stomach and second guessing yourself til you can't even think!
Now, as soon as you get to that "can't even think" lart..that's when you can just focus on mirroring Miss Shelby, who doesn't have a care in the world right now. Well, except she can't wait to get rid od thag pain in er leg!
As yo already kow and we say here a gazillion times.....there are NO guarantees for ANY of us! But one thing we DO know, is to NOT let anything rob us ofour tme together that we DO have, right NOW this very moment! And it is glorious! Yo and Shelbyare together and that's all she wants.
You stay with her and have a ball tonight! In the meantme, sneak away when you feel li,e you're gon a lost it and post here or get into the chat room .....we are all nere for you!
Do you kow how to get into the chat roo ? I klw when I was first posting because I was scared ot of my mi d ad all the ki ds souls here kept saying "C e to the chat room "! I'm thinking, "what the heck are they talkng about? I'm going down for the third ti e and theh want me to go "smewhere" and CNAT?"
Needless to say, I rank very, very high in those hao have virtualy no coputer knowledge!!
Okay, it loos like you're still on li e so I'm gon a send reply and see how else we can help you.
Hugs and love and calm
Sally and Happ 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!
Okay, you aren't still on line. Good, that means you're rubbing Shelby's tummy!
One more thing...or two..
You said you have confidence in your vet team under "one fancy roof" lol....well, based on their recommendations, IF you didn't proceed, you would be second guessing yor decision a lo. I thin almost all of us here, fueled by their professional input and our desire to do what's best for our dog or cat, would also proceed.. And look at it this way.....it's the .ast night with that painful leg...and the beginning of a pain free life!
The other thing.....how 'bout posting some more pictures of Shelby here tonight? Thst'll keep you busy!
As far as to orrow, everyo e of us probaly has a different "tale to tell". I actually stayed in the waiting room the entire day and i to the night with my other best vriend...and hers...Bodie, a sixteen yr. old four legger. This is craaaaaazy, but I just wanted to be close to her. Fi aly around 8:00 pm that ight, they let Bodie and I go see her. She was comp.etely zonked out, but I lay on the floor beside her for a few minutes while Bodie kept trying to lay next to her on the blanket. So, that's how I spent my day.....maybe not the best use of time bt it worked for me!
Sending hugs again....-
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!
Hi Alison
I remember the feelings you are having well......but I was also really glad that the surgeon (who called me at home the night before the surgery) had told me that he was a fine candidate for the surgery as earlier that day my own vet had called to tell me that she had some reservations about Tuck's suitability. Tuck had also had two prior surgeries that year but I was so happy that we could go ahead with this one because the alternative was not acceptable to me 
Now....as everyone else has said.....try to relax and enjoy tonight with Shelby. How wonderful that you have trust in the team that will be taking care of Shelby tomorrow....so pet her a lot tonight...and as Sally recommends.....you can always eat chocolate!
In my case, the day of the surgery I went to work......I really needed to be distracted! I did, however, obsessively check my voicemail and kept my cell phone glued to my body. After I heard from the surgeon, I did indeed relax and/or have a minor moment of crying and then I went back to work..........after emailing or texting all of Tuck's friends who wanted an update 
Please send us updates throughout the day and/or go into the chat room . I never know what time it is in the chat room as I think I am in a different time zone then some but I usually find people there. There will be people to answer questions, support you or distract you if need be.
Take care of yourself...and hugs to both of you.
Linda and Tucker
Thank you for the helpful advice! Shelby is doing really well tonight and I know she'll power through tomorrow like the champ she is! I just spoke w/her surgeon who gave me more peace of mind that I was doing the right thing. And that there was the option to just do radiation for pain management but we both agree - for Shelby - being the high energy dog that she is - this is her best choice! She even said within a week Shelby should feel 100% better. She also said that Shelby powers through all her surgeries like a champ! And thank you for sharing that Tucker had been through a bunch of surgeries too. It is always good to hear other positive stories!
So for now, I am about to have a glass (or two) of wine, snuggle up w/my girl and not think about it as her last night on 4 legs but rather her last night of being in pain. Her surgeon thinks that she might have tweaked something playing and that was why she's started limping more (even maybe fractured something else).
Definitely chocolate! I was going on a post holiday detox but I think I'll take a break and ease myself through this week! She goes in tomorrow - surgery in the a.m. and then I'll go visit with her at night. I expect to bring her home Friday which is for the best so she can attended to during the day while I am at work. And I have all weekend to care for her.
Thank you again and if I could figure out how to post more photos, I would do it! I have tons of photos of my girl, like any proud parent does!
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
Thinking of you Hope everything is going well with Shelby today. Don't worry, be happy. Every little thing is gonna be alright!
It is totally normal to be scared and nervous, but those feelings will disappear the first time you see her after surgery. The people here are a fantastic resource all throughout this process and have great advice to give. Stay strong!
Heather & Barret
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Okay! It's surgery day! Shelby will be rid of that awful leg pain soon!
And remember, tonight she'll be high as a kite not feeling a thing! Depending on what ti e surgery is, she'll probavly still be zonked out when you go see her tonight. Give her a kiss for us, okay?
Don't worry about detoxing on chocoalte for the next two weeks!! We'll help you through the withdrawal when the time comes
Thinking of you and sending you cyber ((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))
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!
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