Dodge-osteo-post Amputation

[Guest SoulsMom]

Crap. I'm so sorry to hear this . . .

[Maddiesmom]

Diane

 

I am so sorry. Please give Dodge a big hug from Maddie and I.

Here is a hug from me to you.

We are thinking of you both.

 

Amy and Maddie

[Guest VirginiaGreys]

The meds are making him be pretty picky with his food. He won't eat his morning kibble...and I think it's because the pill is still so much in his system at that point. I'm giving him previcox (1/2 pill) after his dinner. Although he won't eat the kibble in the morning...he won't turn down treats or his favorite still...over easy eggs (but with the yolk cooked through). He ate 3 eggs this AM.

 

Thanks for all the hugs and well wishes. I don't know how long it will be before I let him go...he still running in the yard and interested in stuff for now. He tires more easily and definitely doesn't run around like he used to. I'm just taking it still...one day at a time.

[queenwinniesmom]

NO, NO, NO! Diane, we got back from Grapehounds last night, and I'm just seeing this now. My heart is breaking for you and Dodge. I can't tell you how sorry I am that the cancer has spread. I pray that for him and for you, he will have many more quality days. I just want to scream (but tears are coming instead), because you have been through so much lately. But you have always had his well-being foremost in your heart, and have done everything you can for him. It's just not fair. Damn, I HATE cancer! And I hate that it is bringing more sadness and stress to your life. Please give your boy a hug from me. I am sending lots of hugs to you too, as well as prayers and white light.

[Guest Energy11]

Yes, Diane, the BEST things you can do, is control the pain, feed him what he wants, and give him lots and lots and lots of love! You HAVE to take it day by day. That is how I got through it was Max! Love you guys! Dee and The Five

[grey14me]

:hope

[maryz]

Just getting caught up on Dodge. I am so very sorry to read this heartbreaking news. I hope you have a lot more

quality time with your boy.

[crazygang]

What a terrible situation......so very sorry it has come back. I HATE cancer so much.

 

Dogs live in the now. Enjoy everyday as it comes.

[Guest GreenGreys]

It is so incredibly sad to see this piece of news about Dodge. This thread was, I think, the first one I found and read when I turned to GT after my Ranger's diagnosis of OS in June. Following the trials and triumphs of you and your Dodge have comforted me through our journey, which has also had its bumps.

 

There is just so much love here. Bad things shouldn't happen to good people and good dogs. They certainly shouldn't gang up on them, either.

 

Cyber hugs of huge proportions to you and Dodge. All of you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

Pat and the kids, Ranger, Sara, Cooper and Bella the whippet

[Guest VirginiaGreys]

NO, NO, NO! Diane, we got back from Grapehounds last night, and I'm just seeing this now. My heart is breaking for you and Dodge. I can't tell you how sorry I am that the cancer has spread. I pray that for him and for you, he will have many more quality days. I just want to scream (but tears are coming instead), because you have been through so much lately. But you have always had his well-being foremost in your heart, and have done everything you can for him. It's just not fair. Damn, I HATE cancer! And I hate that it is bringing more sadness and stress to your life. Please give your boy a hug from me. I am sending lots of hugs to you too, as well as prayers and white light.

 

I have been crying off and on since reading your post. I was so hoping that Dodge would walk in Queen Winnie's footsteps and beat this cancer for a few more years. I just don't think it was in the cards though. I am mad at myself for thinking that it was just a muscle pull like all the other times Dodge had them...and I'm mad at my previous vet for not seeing it and then making me feel like a dreeb for asking for the films...so that they could be sent off to OSU. I finally found a vet that I trust and the good thing is that he's right down the road from me..much closer than the one that was recommended to me (and that I have recommended to other greyhound people for years). Yes...I shouldn't let those past things get to me still..and I shouldn't blame myself..but I do. There's a LOT of what ifs and should have done this or that.

 

I don't regret not doing the chemo. Some people have contacted me and said that I should have done it (not recently). Well...in my heart I felt that it was too late to do the chemo on Dodge. I was not fast enough to catch the cancer early enough...and with him having such a difficult time after the surgery... the surgeon didn't think that he was a good candidate either. Neither did the vet that I'm seeing now. It was all about keeping Dodge comfortable...and praying that somehow we could somehow magically keep the cancer at bay with good feeding of food and herbal remedies,etc..

 

I think he's done pretty good these last few months...and we've gotten to see him roaching every night pretty much after those first hard two weeks. Dodge still comes over and tucks his head asking for more scritches and love...and he loves to see the puppy that lives next door through the fence. He no longer tries to come upstairs...his back muscles just won't do what his heart wants to do.

 

I was hoping to have been on the road by now...away from all the heartache that I feel in this house ....but that is not to be yet. I am also having to watch CJ's red bump that was finally dx on Saturday as well. The vet feels that it's probably benign...but I'm watching that to make sure it does go away...or else I'll be dealing with another cancer dog/amputation (tail) again.

 

Sometimes...I just want to crawl into a hole (with the dogs) and hide.

[Guest Energy11]

"Sometimes...I just want to crawl into a hole (with the dogs) and hide".

 

I have that feeling A LOT!

[Guest VirginiaGreys]

CJ's bump/benign? cancer is seeping some and getting smaller (I think)...so hopefully it is going away.

 

Dodge? His appetite is waning... in the morning mostly. I emailed the vet yesterday about whether the previcox was making him lose his appetite and he said it's possible that it is upsetting his stomach...so he recommended I give him pepcid AC twice a day...so I am. This morning he didn't want to eat with the others, but I made some 3 eggs over medium and added some of the kibble that he didn't come in to eat..and he ate it all. (not all the reg. kibble that he should have eaten...but some...so I can live with that.)

 

I thought that the meds were causing him to not be hungry...but the last previcox was given on Monday evening after dinner. I didn't give it Tuesday evening...just to see if it was the meds or just that Dodge wasn't hungry. I figure that the previcox should have been out of his system by now. I also gave him a zantac (for upset stomach) yesterday afternoon...hoping to help his stomach if at all possible. Stool was not firm last night, but formed. Today's stool was firm.

 

The cancer on his thigh seems to be a little bit larger...but maybe it's because of all the poking that the vet did on Saturday? He poked and prodded several times with different needles..trying to get a sample without blood. Because it had blood ...that meant it had a blood supply...which isn't good.

 

Last night ...he ate all his kibble (2 cups to make up for some of what he didn't eat yesterday morning) as with every night...he is still roaching. He is still excited about going outside ...just in case he can catch a glimpse of a cat in the field or sniff the puppy next door.

 

I never got around to painting outside. I went out and the humidity was too high and I didn't have enough primer to get started. At least for me. I've been trying to keep busy, making greyhound ornaments for a couple of special requests that came in as well as preparing for Dewey. On top of that I am shredding old paperwork from years gone by...at least the stuff I don't need to keep. I do have a bathroom to paint ...hopefully this week. I finally picked the color that the walls will be in.

 

That's all for today.

[dante2zoe]

I have followed your threads of late (or lurked, whichever applies!) and feel so bad about everything for you. We have never met, but I just wanted to let you know that you and yours are tucked in my thoughts. Hopefully the bump is benign and Dodge has some good quality time left with you. Second guessing your decisions does nobody no good, as they say! You did what you (and your vets) thought was best for Dodge, which as we all know, is not necessarily best for ourselves! I hope you find peace with your actions since they were done with his best interests in mind. I know the feeling, having gone through it myself and it stinks. Cindy

[carronstar]

Keeping Dodge in my thoughts and prayers.

[Guest VirginiaGreys]

I have followed your threads of late (or lurked, whichever applies!) and feel so bad about everything for you. We have never met, but I just wanted to let you know that you and yours are tucked in my thoughts. Hopefully the bump is benign and Dodge has some good quality time left with you. Second guessing your decisions does nobody no good, as they say! You did what you (and your vets) thought was best for Dodge, which as we all know, is not necessarily best for ourselves! I hope you find peace with your actions since they were done with his best interests in mind. I know the feeling, having gone through it myself and it stinks. Cindy

 

It's one of those things that I think everyone does...(all the what ifs.) I don't regret not doing the chemo, because that was one of the things that I said that I wouldn't do to prolong their lives. It's not to say that I didn't "think" about doing it at one point or another since this cancer journey began...but the decision was sorta made for me by his reaction to the meds that he's been on after the amputation.

 

Thank you (and others) for dropping in and saying hi. I wanted to have a place that I could write most of what I'm feeling...not necessarily for the responses (although the hugs are welcomed), but so that I can get out what I'm going through inside my heart and head.

 

It's so hard to come here (health and medical) though..because if I start reading all the other threads ...sometimes it's too overwhelming for me...and I can't go around all the time with swollen eyes. So many people and their greys are going through such a difficult time....

[TheFullHouse]

I'm keeping you all in my prayers.

[Guest Energy11]

When Our MAX stopped eating, we got Science Diet PRESCRIPTION AD, which is for sick dogs and cats. It is a lot like baby meat, and they love it! You MIGHT WANT to try this, as this was all Max would eat toward his later days.

 

We sure do love you, and are sorry you are going through this!

 

Love, Dee and The Five

[CaliforniaGreys]

I haven't posted much, but you and Dodge have been in my prayers from the start, and will continue to be there

[Guest vahoundlover]

I think about you and Dodge all the time, keeping you guys in my prayers

[Guest RICHandJUDE]

I feel so bad for you. One person shouldn't have to go through as much sorrow as you recently have.

Enjoy each and every day with Dodge. Spoil him rotten. I lost my 7 year old 4 weeks ago.

3 vets, including a specialist who trained under Dr.Couto did not think he had cancer. On a Tuesday

morning he had more extensive tests and he was full of the dreaded disease. I had to out him down that day.

I did not get the extended chance to spoil him. So go for it and enjoy him for as long as you can.

May God be with you.

[lflaherty45]

I will continue to keep Dodge and you in my prayers. Having lost our 2 to osteo I know how much you are going thru, but you are never alone. Come and rant here if you need, we will always be near by.

[Guest paulamariez]

Sending prayers, love and light for your precious Dodge.

[Guest Spencers_Greyt]

[queenwinniesmom]

Hey, Diane, one thing (of many) I've always admired about you is that you do what you have to do. You find out what is needed, make the best decision you can, and follow through. I know this is not always easy---heck, it's probably hardly EVER easy---but you're pretty strong. I know it's not always easy to be strong either, so if you want to vent or cry or just figuratively kick the crap out of something, go for it! I think every one of us understands. And our hearts are breaking with yours.

You know you're in my prayers---every day, for everything.

And since you're accepting hugs, here ya go---

[Batmom]

Diane, when B was sick, he gave up on kibble early on. I tried to get a fair lot of meat/eggs into him for the calories, but otherwise, good feeding practices went out the window. Graham crackers, cinnamon bread, spaghettios, ice cream ... if he'd eat it, he got it. If he liked the look of my lunch and could safely have it, have it he did.

 

Thinking of you and your puppers today.