HELP - My best friend has osteosarcoma

[ECAV]

Gina, A special prayer for Riley, you and your family. This is the hardest thing to do, but she will always be in your heart as Lexi is in mine. RIP Riley girl.

[AngelBunny]

Oh, the heartbreak of these posts, the terrible terrible heartbreak....

[aprillovesherdogs]

I haven't checked posts for awhile and I am so heartbroken to hear about Riley. Hold that last look of love and gratitude in your heart forever. There is a song that has these lines in it (not sure if I can post the artist/title) "strong as you are, tender you go"..."I hear your heartbeating for the last time"...."I'll carry you home". I feel so much sympathy for you and your family. It is just so sad.

After my Matty passed (5 weeks already), I searched my patio and other concrete areas for a muddy footprint. I took a picture of it to remind me of how much he loved to play outdoors. Sadly, they have all since washed away.

I'm praying for Lucas today. Poor fellow.

Ansel goes in this afternoon to see an orthopedic specialist in Harrisburg. He didn't eat his breakfast today. He had a really good day yesterday and was outside with the kids for quite awhile. He looked so beautiful and peaceful as he lay in the grass. My heart is so full of hope that the doctor will give me a positive prognosis. It just tears me up anytime my mind wanders to the fact that he won't be around too much longer. Only a month and a half until his 11th birthday. Sometimes I feel selfish when I think of some of you that have lost your babies at such a young age. When Ansel was 8 like Lucas, he was so full of zest. I am so blessed to have this many years with him.

Take care all.

[lanka1]

You did the right thing having Lucas' Xray sent to specialist for interpretation. I know I had an experience last year that threw me for a loop. My rottie was limping on one of her rear legs. I took her to the vets, he did the Xrays and brought the xrays in and pointed to what he thought was cancer in the bone. He told me she could have 3 weeks to 3 months to live if I chose to do nothing. Something just didnt feel right to me with this diagnosis, so I took Nik and the Xrays to a specialist who looked at the Xrays and said "is this what he's talking about, its a shadow". Needless to say, she didn't have cancer.

However, I don't want to give you false hope, but just know that vets are not always right either and checking further is one of the best things you could do. My first rottie had osteosarcoma in a rear leg, so I understand the fear that you have right now.

Vets generally can tell by looking at an xray along with bloodwork to check blood cell counts if there is bone cancer. I think this is one of the only cancers that they can see the cancer on Xray since its in the bone, without having to send away to pathology.

I'm so sorry for your news and I hope your vet is wrong like mine was. I'll keep both you and Lucas in my prayers.

[Ninasmom]

Oh my god Laurie, I'm just seeing your posts about Lucas. Hang in there; our thoughts are with you.

[caseygina]

Laurie,
How is Lucas?

[aprillovesherdogs]

Wow. I am in shock after taking Ansel to the ortho specialist. He carefully examined all the xrays and 1. said the masses that were originally thought to be close to his heart are not internal at all. He has 3 lumps under his skin and they were showing up on the xrays 2. by some miracle he knew the ortho surgeon that did both Ansel's ACL repairs in 2001 and explained the mystery metal that showed up on the xrays 3. He said Ansel is neurologically sound (saving us a very long trip and lots of money) 4. No sign of OS!!!!!

I broke down in tears and just thanked God for answered prayers. Bad news is that he has very degenerated hips and knees. He is not a good candidate for surgery because of his age. He did suggest a procedure called regenerative cell therapy. He said I could probably get 3 more years out of Ansel if I have it done. My head is spinning. Has anyone heard of this? I am most certainly going to investigate it more. It is pricey and new but what have I got to lose? He will not get better on his own.

Please answer me this....do heart murmurs just suddenly appear? His regular vet examined him 2 weeks ago and said nothing about it. This vet asked what meds he was on for his heart murmur. My jaw hit the ground because I knew nothing about it. Wouldn't that be something that she would have heard right away? I am so happy that I went to this vet. He is a Rottie daddy and just made a huge fuss over Ansel.

Laurie, PLEASE give us an update on Lucas as soon as possible. If I can get this good news for Ansel, I am praying hard for your boy.

[Anne]

Laurie I too have you and Lucas in my thoughts and am wondering how he is today.

[observer]

Laurie,

I'm sorry to hear about Lucas. If it is in his sinuses, it will spread to his brain very easily... do not wait too long, as that course will be doubly painful.

So many of our loved ones leaving us these days....it's painful even for those of us who know our turn is coming, though we don't know when.

[Marley55]

Laurie, I am wondering how Lucas is doing and hoping all is well. I have thought of him often in the last day or two.

Jaxx has had an awful day today, just crying in pain and as grumpy as can be. I can really see the tumor growing now and I am just so stressed out over it but yet there is not one thing I can do about it...I just HATE this !! We are off to the vet tomorrow for a recheck and a drug re-evaluation. Saturday we are leaving for our camping trip to Mohican and I am just hoping he feels up to the ride and 4 days in the woods. Not like he has to rough it, after all the camper has a queen size sleeper sofa that has been designated the Jaxx home away from home bed.

I am keeping everyone in my thoughts...take care.

Marley

[jlaack]

I'm sorry to hear about Lucas. If it is in his sinuses, it will spread to his brain very easily... do not wait too long, as that course will be doubly painful.

Laurie, I agree with Observer on this... You definitely do not want it to progress to the brain. You are still in my thoughts.

[aprillovesherdogs]

Marley,

So sorry to hear about Jaxx. I hope he can take the trip. I used to go to Mohican as a child. I think it will be a wonderful treat for him.

[Anne]

Marley will you have access to a vet when you are on your camping trip? It sounds as though Jaxx's pain medication needs to be increased if he's crying in pain and grumpy. He's indicating he's in severe pain. I trust the vet you are seeing tomorrow will give you stronger pain medication and advise you whether or not Jaxx is up to the trip.

Sophie is doing well and her pain meds are keeping her comfortable. She is not showing any sign of pain and is happy, energetic and still full of mischief. We see the oncologist in 4 days for her 3 week review.

Because Sophie's osteosarcoma is in her mandible we are watching carefully for any sign of the cancer progressing to her brain but to date she is doing very well. When pain is evident in Sophie I will, with great sorrow, put her gently to rest. I would not have her suffer pain because parting with her is so painful for me.

I think the oncology treatment has been successful in slowing the progression of Sophie's cancer and we'll see what her tests indicate at her next visit. The medications she has are allowing her quality of life. She had a lovely run yesterday in the park and had a great time rolling around in the grass. It was so good to see her enjoying herself.

Laurie we are thinking of you and Lucas.

[BonnieBlue]

Hi All,

Just wanted to let you know I am thinking and praying for all that are dealing with this awful disease. We have been very fortunate that Rocky has had nothing but good days since his diagnosis and the tumor has not increased. I do know how quickly things can turn . . .

Again, I'm thinking of you all.

[Xena's Daddy]

Aprillovesherdogs,

Congratulations on the absence of OS!!! That is SUCH great news!! Sorry to hear that he still has some other stuff going on, but anything with a prognosis of three years sounds terrific to me!

Hopefully your research on the cell therapy comes up postive & that it works out for him.

Hope all is well,
MK