[lucasmom]

Hi Mike (Xena's Dad) and all...thank you for all of your responses to my post. I so appreciate being able to share with all of you. It is such a consolation to know that you are not alone during this very difficult time. As Mike requested, I did post some pictures of Lucas so you could see my "love dog"!! He is the most wonderful, kind, and gentle dog I have ever had. It makes me sick to think that our time together is coming to an end because the this dreaded OS.

I wish that there was more that I could do. There are no oncologists in our area. The closest is at Cornell University. I did call there and they only want to see you if you are considering chemo and surgery. I don't think that I could bear seeing Lucas suffer any more. I feel like he would no sooner be recovered from surgery and then he would die. I just want to spoil him and love him in his last days. I made him 70 little meatballs yesterday that I hide his pills in three time per day. He knows the word, "meatball" now.

I got really scared yesterday because he couldn't get up after lying down and his hips looked like they were giving out. I had to help him get up and his back looked like it was sagging. Could the cancer have metastisized to his hips?? Anyone have any ideas? I was upset the entire evening after seeing him not be able to get himself up off the floor.

Thanks for everything and for your support and friendship. Laurie P.S. Mike I looked at Xena's pictures and she is absolutely gorgeous. What a beautiful girl she is!