HELP - My best friend has osteosarcoma

[lucasmom]

Mike-
I just read your post. We must have been writing at the same time. Thank you for providing me with the urn website. I am not sure if I am going to cremate or bury Lucas. If I bury him, I will purchase headstone. Enough talk about this...........I get too sad thinking of the inevitable.

I do want to tell you how touched I was reading your last post. Every word you said is EXACTLY what I have been thinking. It is so surreal going through this terrible experience. I keep thinking the same thoughts as you...." Maybe this isn't cancer"; "Maybe when/if the tumor breaks through the skin it will just drain and disappear"; "How do I know it IS CANCER since he never had a biopsy"....just silly, wishful thinking. But how I WISH THAT THIS COULD ALL BE A MISTAKE, A VERY BAD MISTAKE.

Sadly, I know that Lucas IS dying. The demon tumor is alive and well. Slowly eating away at my beloved dog's leg and invading the rest of his body. Tonight I just laid next to him and held him, smelling his scent and trying to memorize the smell of his fur. He smells so good. Rotties don't smell bad like other dogs. I don't ever remember Lucas smelling bad or funky. He is always so fresh and clean. I want to "drink in" as much of him as I can before he becomes just a memory. I almost resent the day that is approaching where my house will be free of dog fur and slobber. How many times have I slipped by Lucas' water bowl from the drool on the floor and almost broke my neck. Actually, I did break my little toe on his water bowl a couple of years ago as I turned the corner too quickly and slipped.

Mike...I think of you evey day and pray for strength for you. You are truly a remarkable man with the sensitivity and love for your dog that undeniably sets you apart. Good night my friend. Laurie

[Anne]

Lucasmon, the gastric problems caused by Piroxicam can be avoided. Piroxicam is an excellent drug for osteosarcoma as it tends to inhibit the rapid progression of the disease. It is also a very good pain reliever.

My dog takes Slippery Elm capsules to prevent gastric problems and also Maxolon for nausea. She's been on Piroxicam since the beginning of January without issue. She did suffer nausea for a couple of days but it is a side effect of every medication she has been prescribed. The Maxolon has taken care of the nausea and she has no further problems with nausea.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by Xena's Daddy

.....But eventually, the hair will be completely gone, the smudge marks will dissapear, and the smells will vanish........but the memory of this wonderful dog, my best friend, will live in my heart forever!!!

Shortly after I lost my beloved Luna, someone started a post complaining about dog hair. I read it and wondered how on earth anyone could complain about something so special as dog hair, because I had none. Or so I thought. It took me 3 months before I could make myself take a walk in the neighborhood, because only half of me would be there. The day I decided I must, I put my hiking boots on and set out the door, hoping I wouldn't see anyone who would ask where Luna was. About 1/2 a block into it, something was hurting my foot with every step. I stopped and took off my shoe and felt my sock to see if I had a pebble or something stuck in it. Didn't feel anything, so I put my shoe back on and started to walk again. And my foot hurt. I didn't need much encouragement to head back home, so I did. When I got there, I sat down, took off my shoe and sock and got a flashlight to check my heel where it had been hurting. Lo and behold, there was a Luna hair...three-quarters of its length was firmly implanted under my skin. Never once in my life have I ever had a hair get stuck like that. I still have that single hair.

And then there's the beloved dog slobber....Luna would "spit" on one particular window pane when barking at something out on the street. It took me a year before I could wash that window....that was Luna's window, Luna's slobber, and Luna's sacred space.

My "now" girl, Chili, has many of Luna's toys and whenever she picks one up and brings it to me I tell her "That's a very cool toy, Chili....Luna left it here for you".

Once a dog captures your heart, they will live in it forever.

[Marley55]

Marley, I really would have a conversation with your vet about starting Jaxx on some prednisone. Lucas takes 4 mg twice per day and his appetite is fantastic. Prednisone increases the appetite, decreases inflammation in the tumor, and improves the mood in both dogs and humans with cancer. It is worth a try. I continue to pray for Jaxx.

Hi Laurie, We think alike I had on my Monday list to call the vet to discuss our options in regard to pain and appetite. Jaxx has always "self dieted" when the weather warms up so I was not to concerned at first, but last week was more and more of a struggle to maintain acceptable intake levels.

Thanks for your kind thoughts and prayers.

Take care...Marley

[caseygina]

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to check in. Riley is really limiting the use of her back leg. It is just so depressing to me-I just feel so helpless that we can't do anything for her. But she did her usual barking at the UPS truck - what is it with the Fedex/UPS trucks? - and at the squirrels in the yard-as if to say, how dare are you in my yard-it was staring right at her, on the back steps, they get her so riled up!! We spent most of yesterday just laying around, me reading a book and petting her. she is so funny, she rolled over onto her back and there I was, with two paws in my face-and you know what, i don't care. because unfortunately there is going to be a day soon where i won't have that, and i am going to miss it and want it back. i try to be strong and brave for her, it's just sometimes when I am laying with her I get so emotional and the tears just won't stop. I went to the vet Saturday morning to pick up her rimadyl and tramadol (last time filled was march 18-so that's good!!) and was praying that the next time I went there was to pick up more medicine and not for the other reason.

Sorry for the babbling, it's just a crappy day. Here is to hoping everyone else has a great day, and your "kids" as well.

Gina

[Bear's mommy]

Originally Posted by moondog

Shortly after I lost my beloved Luna, someone started a post complaining about dog hair. I read it and wondered how on earth anyone could complain about something so special as dog hair, because I had none.

Now that I have dried my eyes, I have to admit that I used to complain about this quite a bit but not anymore. We have always had 4 dogs and you would think that over the years that I would have gotten used to it. We even had our carpet taken up and hardwood floors put in because Bear would always come flying in and leave perfect little mud footprints on the carpet and we'd have to drag out the carpet cleaner. Now, I would give anything to see those muddy footprints again.

I did not lose Bear to OS, but I still come here everyday and read to see how your "kids" are doing. I love all your stories about cheeseburgers and ice cream. Had I known that we were going to let Bear go the day we did, I would have given him anything he wanted too!! I want you all to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and continue spoiling your "babies".

Leslie

[lucasmom]

Hi my rottie friends-
Well...today is Lucas' 8th birthday. Thank God he made it to this special day. After I finish writing this we are headed to the ice cream store to buy an ice cream cake for him!! I figured that this would be somewhat better for him than a regular cake...our other thought was a cheesecake, but you all know how MUCH Lucas LOVES ice cream...so it is logical that we celebrate with ice cream cake. This year, I won't humiliate him and have him wear a silly party hat!!

Anne...thanks for the tip on the Slippery Elm and the Maxolon. I have never heard of either of these agents. Could you tell me where you buy them? I have an entire bottle of piroxicam and I would like Lucas to take it if he can tolerate it. Many thanks again.

Gina...I am so sorry to hear about Riley's leg. I can totally relate to your feelings of helplessness. We would do ANYTHING for our baby rotties, but know deep down that there is little that we can do to prolong their time with us. I pray and ask God for "another day" with Lucas every night. That is when I pray for all of you and your dogs as well. Keep loving and spoiling Riley as much as possible.

Moondog...you got me all choked up with your lovely post. What a touching story about the hair in your foot. Lucas' fur is everywhere despite my vacuuming almost every day. It is so funny when I vacuum the stairs........by the time I get to the top of the staircase, there is new fur already settling in the first stairs. I used to get so upset over the futililty in vacuuming my house...now I don't even care and I cherish every hair.

Leslie...your story about Bear also touched my heart. Bear must have been a very special dog and he will live on in your heart. Those dirty doggy footprints are hard to keep up with. I had to purchase a Bissell Carpet Cleaning Machine to keep up with the dirty paw prints on my carpet. What exactly was I thinking when I installed beige carpet through my house???

In closing, I have a heavy heart as I leave to purchase Lucas' last birthday cake. Although I am happy that he made it to his 8th birthday, I am also very sad to celebrae his "day" for the last time. A friend said to me today that I have to look at evey day as a "Bonus" and he is indeed correct. We need to thank God for every additional day we have with our rotties. They are the most special dogs and we are all blessed to have shared a part of our lives with them.

My love, prayers, and thoughts are with each of you. Laurie

[Ninasmom]

Happy Birthday Lucas!!! Way to go Laurie! I'm thrilled for the both of you. Nina's 10th birthday is one month from tomorrow. Fingers crossed that we see it.

Patti - I've had the very sharp rottie hair in the foot TWICE. Both times, it was awful but I can see how it would be viewed as priceless after Nina passes...

Laurie - we give our Chow piroxicam for his knees. He gets it with a Pepsid AC. I tell you - this dog vommitted almost daily for most of his life because of his acid reflux. Since we started the pepsid, he has not puked once! My rugs are delighted.

[Xena's Daddy]

Happy Birthday to Lucas!! Congratulations to you both!!! I know you've been hoping & praying for him to see his 8'th Birthday!! That's such great news............

MK

P.S. I hope Lucas shares his cake with the rest of you!! LOL........

[Anne]

Originally Posted by lucasmom

Hi my rottie friends-
Well...today is Lucas' 8th birthday.

Anne...thanks for the tip on the Slippery Elm and the Maxolon. I have never heard of either of these agents. Could you tell me where you buy them? I have an entire bottle of piroxicam and I would like Lucas to take it if he can tolerate it. Many thanks again.

In closing, I have a heavy heart as I leave to purchase Lucas' last birthday cake. Although I am happy that he made it to his 8th birthday, I am also very sad to celebrae his "day" for the last time. A friend said to me today that I have to look at evey day as a "Bonus" and he is indeed correct. We need to thank God for every additional day we have with our rotties. They are the most special dogs and we are all blessed to have shared a part of our lives with them.

My love, prayers, and thoughts are with each of you. Laurie

Firstly a very happy birthday to Lucas

I know how you feel about doings things that are for 'the last time' it's truly heartbreaking. Every day we have with our dogs is a bonus.

Sophie had her 7th birthday in January. Her prognosis was so poor that the vet and oncologist thought she probably wouldn't be here for her day but she's still doing quite well though the tumour in her mouth is growing so quickly. I can see a general decline in her as time passes.

I try not to let Sophie see my grief, she becomes anxious if she knows I am upset and tries to comfort me. Seeing my beloved dog go through this is probably the hardest thing I have ever ever had to do. We want so much to make them well but there is nothing we can do except try to keep them pain free and show them how loved they are. We consult with a wonderful oncologist who shares my priority of keeping Sophie pain free and feeling well in herself for the time she has left.

Laurie, Maxolon is metoclopramide, it's a human anti nausea drug. Over here it's a prescription medication. Sophie takes 5 tablets a day and it has her nausea under control. Sophie's appetite is still excellent and she never vomits. Slippery Elm is a health store product. It puts a coating on the stomach and we don't need a prescription for it.

I keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

[caseygina]

Laurie,
Hope Lucas had a Happy Birthday!! Riley will be eating ice cream cake on Friday for my husband's birthday...hope she enjoys it as much as Lucas does. Now here's to hoping she makes it to mine on the 20th...

[aprillovesherdogs]

I just saw on t.v. last week (can't remember what show) a new way to preserve your pet's ashes. It was a glass blowing company that would make a glass creation with the ashes blown into it. It was amazing. The ashes looked like glittery stars through the glass.

Ansel is hanging in there. One minute he is walking fine, and the next his leg is floppy. Anne, you are right. It is a long sad road we all are traveling. My mind just CANNOT relax for a moment. Whenever he is up walking around, I'm nervous that he will fall. If I hear him get up at night I want to rush downstairs and make sure he doesn't hurt himself. After all the discussion of legs breaking, I'm on the edge. I think I really need to get a second opinion on his iffy diagnosis. Nerve problem, OS and OA were the three problems that were considered. I'm thinking of taking him to Ohio State for a check. I'm from Columbus and have family near there so it would be alot less stressful for me to take him there than somewhere in PA/MD/VA that I'm unfamiliar with. I just worry about his comfort on the 5+ hour drive.

My daughter still talks about Matty daily. When he passed, I had told her that his bones were sick and that is why he left us. Well, now with Ansel having his "sick leg", she is so worried about him. She wants me to buy him some magic legs. If only I could.

Take care.

[lucasmom]

Friends-
Thank you so much for all of your birthday wishes for Lucas. He loved his birthday cake and dinner. I stir-fried chicken with vegetables over brown rice....we ate it too!! It was a healthy choice for the entire family. Lucas just ate his left-over ice cream cake. Gosh, these rotties love ice cream, cheeseburgers, pizza, and vegetables! I don't think any other breed eats "human food" as much as they do. I am glad that Lucas loves his veges. They are so healthy for him and us! Funny thing though.......he would NEVER eat a hot dog!!! He won't touch bologna or other processed meats. Isn't that funny that he probably knows "what byproducts" go into those meats....lol. The dog is smarter than most people!

Anne...I hope that Sophie continues to hang in there. She sounds like she is a fighter and will not let the cancer win. I think that a dog's spirit has as much to do about fighting cancer as it does with humans. I have seen patients fight their cancer in the face of a terrible prognosis and they are still alive today.

Riley...enjoy your ice cream cake this week!!!

My very best regards and warm wishes to you all. Laurie

[Marley55]

Oh How did I miss Lucas’ Birthday !?

It sounds like he had a GREAT day! Stir fry and ice cream cake …I have to say I am jealous

I am so glad you were able to celebrate his birthday with him. Happy Birthday Lucas

I have found myself setting milestones for Jaxx as well. When we found out in April, the first one I set was our camping trip May 9th. It seems we will be just fine for that. Then we have the HUGE 4th of July camping family event at the lake, then his birthday 9/11. I am sure I am wishful thinking, but each one we pass gives me something else to look forward too. We have a beach vacation planned for August and this was the first year I convinced Mark that we should take the “boys” We found a beautiful beach front condo that would accept dogs and I was SO HAPPY that they could go. When the DR gave me the DX one of the first things I managed to sob out was “ NOOOOOO, he is going to the beach with me”

I am thankful that he had the chance to go before but I just had my heart set on him going this year since it is the first time he would be going with both Mark & I. I just wanted Mark to see what a TOTAL blast he has at the ocean and playing in the sand. So I am hoping and praying we make it to this milestone as well.

I am keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers…take care.

Marley

[Ninasmom]

Nina had a rough night.

I got home from work late yesterday, so DH had fed them dinner. Nina apparently promptly vomitted in the family room. I found out when I stepped in the wet (but clean by now) spot. So she was subdued in the evening, but no more vomitting.

Around midnight, I woke up to the sound of her heaving. Dry heaving and coughing. Got her through that episode, calmed her down and we all went back to sleep.

At 3am, we had the same scenario. But this time when I got out of bed to check on her, she immediately jumped up, moving like I haven't seen her move in months, and ran to the door to be let out. I let her out and my worst fears occurred - diarrhea. For Nina, this could be the fatal blow, as it appears her PLE is acting up. DH fed her some breakfast just to get her pills in her, but she was moving v e r y slow this morning.

Mommy is not happy.