HELP - My best friend has osteosarcoma

[Anne]

Originally Posted by Ninasmom

I have stayed out of this specifically because I currently have an osteo-dog and reading this thread sometimes is too emotional for me. But I need to say something now, since Nina was diagnosed on 12/22 that I think some people reading this thread need to understand. Everyone living with an osteo-dog knows what I'm talking about.

None of us wants these dogs to die. None of us asked for osteo as the way to check out. If I could choose her death, it most certainly wouldn't be like this and most certainly wouldn't be soon. But I can't. So I sit and wait and watch. Because I don't want to be wrong; I don't want to wait too long. I don't want to be selfish. So I sit and wait and watch.

Ninasmom, I've been wondering how you and Nina were coming along. Our dogs were diagnosed around the same time. Sophie had her definite diagnosis on 12/24 though the first sign of her illness was at the end of August with an inconclusive pathology result on 9/4.

I'm glad you came into this thread. I think of you and Nina often.
I understand what you are going through, we too are going through this.

Sophie is still doing well too. Like you, I watch carefully for any sign of suffering in Sophie because I must be sure I don't ask too much of her. She is happy and enjoying life right now, doing the things she has always done. I too would not want to wait too long and have my dog suffer just because it's too painful for me to part with her. I will do what she needs me to do when she tells me she's had enough. She will tell me and I will listen to her.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Nina and with all those who are walking this dark road with our beloved dogs.

[ECAV]

Shelneese- A special prayer for you and Chama.

[Ninasmom]

Nina's hanging in there. She's on the rimadyl/tramadol cocktail (100mg. rimadyl 2X a day; 100mg. tramadol 2x a day) and it's working for her. She's eating well, and is playful and her usual goofy self. She even chased the cat the other day. She sleeps a bit more, but I'm not sure if that's from the osteo, drugs or simply because her 10th birthday is coming up (May 29). She doesn't whine, doesn't limp, doesn't favor the leg. We also treat her like crystal, so that may have something to do with it (at least it makes us feel better).

[aprillovesherdogs]

shelneese:

I hope everything went peaceful last night. How loving that she got to be at home where she was loved. I am really thinking of you and your family right now.

I just want to thank you for rescuing a Rottweiler. I have a friend in OH that heads the OH Rottweiler and Boston Terrier rescue. She has been through so much heartache with the dogs she cares for and without people like you that take a chance with these second hand dogs her life (and others in the mission) would be so much harder. Thank you thank you for loving your Chama.

In the next few days you will be able to smile along with the tears. Bless you.

This next comment is one of frustration/tears. Matty's memorial headstone arrived yesterday and after staring at the box for a few hours (seeing it would mean he was really gone) , I opened it to find it was incorrect. There was a caring customer service rep that did her best to stop my sobbing and I should hear back today about the fix. I was not prepared for my reaction. I thought after 3 weeks I could look at it and not fall apart. If my children would not have been home, I probably would have passed out. The final mile on of my road to goodbye will be seeing his grave for the first time and placing his memorial on it. My husband took him to his parents farm to bury him. I was emotionally unable to travel the 3 hours.

Everyone, please keep my Ansel in your prayers. He has been very tired the last few days and is looking a little wobbly in the rear. I am hoping to get an appointment tonight or Saturday. I loved Matty dearly but Ansel is my true forever dog. His loss will knock me out.

Take care all.

[Sam's Mom]

Chama'a Mom...you are in my heart and prayers at this most difficult time.
RIP Chama

[observer]

Originally Posted by shelneese

I am so sorry as well, Eileen. We are facing that situation today. The vet is coming to our house today at 5pm. to PTS our beautiful Chama. I don't even have the words to express how incredibly sad we are. The tumor is the size of a baseball and has grown larger very quickly and it is heavy. She has been in a very good mood, eating well etc since the diagnosis and on Monday things started to turn. She was diagnosed on Feb 25th - so she is in her third month.
She has clearly given us the sign that she is ready and we are going to honor her and let her pass with dignity. She is the best, most loving and happy dog that we have ever had - we rescued her six years ago and about a year after we got her, on Halloween - she and our other dog got out of the yard and she was dognapped by some teenagers thinking that she was a breeder. We did everything we could to find her and posted rewards etc. She was gone for 10 days and the phone rang and the teens that took her offered her back to us for a ransom(she was microchipped and had a collar and tags on - but that didn't help)
I gave them all the cash i had at the time and got her back. She was so happy to be home and it took her a while to get over it and now this.
We will miss her so much. I want another Rottie, eventually - but I read that 1-3 females get OS...could that be true???
Thanks again for the opportunity to post on this forum.
shelneese(Chama's mom)

Shelneese,

I'm so sorry to hear about Chama... we share an experience in that my Annie (who was my brother's dog first) was stolen from him too. We got her back weeks/months later, and she took a long time to get over it too. I lost her to cancer, but not OS. But, a beloved Rottie girl, Duchess, that I loved like my own was PTS in my arms due to OS. Makes all the pain in this thread from you and so many others very real to me too.

I don't know about the one in three females, statistically. One of the three females in my life (Duchess) did have OS. My Missy is now 12. Threads like this make me look at her every day and wonder what the next day or week or month or year will bring in terms of her health. I'm tearing up now just thinking about it.

My thoughts are with you and all the rest here who are facing this awful disease or have already lost their beloved ones.

[lucasmom]

Hello my rottie friends:
I want to take the time this evening to share a few thoughts with each of you. First of all, let me say that it is difficult to keep track of all of the dear rotties and their parents who are going through this extremely difficult time, so forgive me if I forget someone.

Below is a quote from Ninasmom and I want you to know that I could not have summed these mutual feelings any better than you did...thank you for this.

"None of us wants these dogs to die. None of us asked for osteo as the way to check out. If I could choose her death, it most certainly wouldn't be like this and most certainly wouldn't be soon. But I can't. So I sit and wait and watch. Because I don't want to be wrong; I don't want to wait too long. I don't want to be selfish. So I sit and wait and watch."

Eileen...I am so very sorry to hear about your Lexi. I cannot even fathom the pain you must be feeling right now, but know that Lexi will live on in your heart and she is running free in Heaven. God bless you at this difficult time. I will be praying for you.

Chamasmom...my thoughts and prayers are with you also as you found the love and courage to let your Chama cross over to Heaven. I will likely be facing this dreaded experience very soon with my Lucas. My heart goes out to you and I will keep you in my prayers as well.

Caseygina(Riley) and Anne (Sophie)....I hope that your beloved dogs continue to do well. It is such a blessing that you have had since the end of December to share with your wonderful dogs. I wish that Lucas could stay with me for a few more months, but I know that it is probably only a couple more weeks that I have with him. He did not have a very good night last evening and I am hoping tonight will be better. He just could not get comfortable and was getting up and changing positions most of the night. Right now, fortunately, he is sleeping beside me and resting peacefully.

My husband and I decided that if he continues to not be able to sleep or rest comfortably, likely due to pain, we will put him to sleep this coming week. He is taking his tramadol regularly, but there are times that it is evident that he is not comfortable. We do not want him to suffer on our behalf.

Today was a good day though. Lucas went for his cheeseburger :) and ice cream!! I know that this is not really good for his body, but it does wonders for his soul and spirit!!

Love and prayers to you all - Laurie

[Sam's Mom]

Laurie...what is it with Rotties and cheesebugers??...they just love them...hell throw in a malt if he wants one and an order of fries too. Spoiled totally rotten is good...he's earned it.

[Marley55]

Oh Yummy ....I bet Lucas was smiling that silly rottie smile while munching his cheeseburger

I guess I don't feel too bad about Jaxx and his Coney dogs then. I was feeling guilt thinking there is NO WAY he should be eating this junk but since he was diagnosed we have spent a bit of extra time at A&W getting Coney's then off to Strickland's we go for a vanilla cone with SPINKLES

I am keeping your family and Lucas in my thoughs.

[ECAV]

Laurie- Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Lexi was a pizza lover. If you gave her the OK she'd open the box and help herself to a slice...or 2

[Anne]

Originally Posted by Marley55

Oh Yummy ....I bet Lucas was smiling that silly rottie smile while munching his cheeseburger

I am keeping your family and Lucas in my thoughs.

I would like those of you who have dogs suffering this disease, as my Sophie is, to know that I have each and everyone of you in my prayers, every night. We need all the help, hope and encourgement we can get so we can support eachother through this very difficult time we are going through with our beloved dogs.

I send all our dogs healing thoughts and strong healing vibes from over here
and I say a little prayer for them.

[caseygina]

laurie,
how is lucas doing? riley's hanging in there. we had a party for my husband's birthday on saturday, and she got sooo spoiled by everyone there. it was very bittersweet, wonderful because you could tell she aboslutely loved all the attention-as always-but also at the same time wondering if this was the last time some of them would see her. she is just so awesome, such a loving girl, i can't even imagine what it will be like without her. i was getting pictures together and saw ones from her birthday and Christmas, and holidays, and got so sad thinking that things just won't be the same without her. but she's here now, so i have to just cherish every single moment of time we have with her.

[lucasmom]

Caseygina-
Thanks for asking about Lucas. Today was another good day. He has been acting like "nothing is wrong" and romping around the backyard looking for squirrels. Funny thing is, since he doesn't go out in the backyard as much these days, our yard is infested with squirrels and cats!! Almost like there is a convention under my deck! Lucas used to scare them away and now he mostly lays around the house on the sofas all day.

It was another nice day in Rochester...very sunny and warm, which is quite unusual. We had dinner outside on the deck and Lucas loved it. He ate two grilled chicken breasts along with candied carrrots..lol. These rotties are so funny. They love their veges and carbs. We are trying to go easy on the carbs though with occassional treats like ice cream.

How is Riley doing? I pray that each day holds some special treat and memory for you. I know exactly how you feel about lamenting over whether this will be the last time for special occassions. All of my neighbors keep coming over with leftover steak and goodies for Lucas. They all want to spend as much time as possible with him. Doesn't seem fair that these beautiful animals have to die prematurely and in such a painful fashion. I pray every night that our dogs will pass peacefully and that God will spare them pain.

We have to live in the "here and now" and enjoy each minute we share with our rotties. I kills me to go to work for 8 hours each day. I keep wondering if Lucas is okay and resting without problems. I have his picture on my computer screen saver (ha...took off my daughter's wedding picture and replaced it with LUCAS!!!) She'll understand...lol.

I am thinking of everyone and keeping you guys in my prayers. I have to keep a list now to remember everyone's name and their respective rotties. Laurie

[aprillovesherdogs]

Hello everyone.

I was able to get my Ansel in for a check. He was in bad shape today. His left rear leg just seemed to have a mind of it's own. They xrayed his rear legs and hips and besides a little arthritis things looked good. They decided to keep him overnight and do a spine xray tomorrow. They do not feel it is OS, but possibly something neuro. They are hoping it is just some inflammation and can be managed with some anti-inflam. and they are wanting him to do a neuro consult. It almost killed me to leave him. We had to walk over the same exact spot where Matty took his last breath. As I mentioned before, the mistakes that were made with Matty will not be repeated with Ansel.

I also had the strength to finally look at Matty's OS xrays. Wow. I could not believe what I saw. His front right leg bones looked beautiful but when I was showed the shoulder, the bone was just eaten away. It literally looked as though someone had shot multiple bullet holes in it and like small bites had been taken out of the edges. It had spread to his rear leg as well. I was told that within a week or so his shoulder would have just blown out. It did give me the closure that I needed. I made the right decision. I was so fearful that I would look and it wouldn't have been that bad. It still hurts tremendously though.

I will keep you posted on Ansel's dx. Most likely I will start a new thread if it is something unexpected.

take care all, you are in my thoughts.

[BeauandShan]

I am so glad that Lucas is doing ok. Every extra day with them is more precious than the last. And I truly believe now that they tell you when it is time. I know Beau did and as hard as it was it made me sure that I had done the right thing.

My thoughts are with you and Lucas