It Has Been 4 Months...

[krissn333]

It has been 4 months since Sutra's osteo diagnosis. Like most, he has good days and not so great days. Thankfully he has more good days than anything. His limp is a little bit more pronounced, but he does not seem to be in pain. He has a great appetite, takes his medications like a good boy, and orders me around the house.

 

Since I lost my job a couple of weeks ago, I have been home a lot, which means he can order me around more often than he could before He tells me when it's time for meals and when it's time for bedtime. He also informs me when it's time for Fig Newtons.

 

Over the last month or so, he's begun to roach. He can't hold it for very long, but, I was able to get a picture of his best one yet the other night:

 

We are truly blessed to have this time together

[grey14me]

Perfect roach

[Guest greymama002]

So glad that Sutra is still enjoying the good things in life! Wonderful picture; especially the teeny bit of tongue peeking out the side of the mouth.

Wishing you and Sutra many more good times!

[gazehund]

Glad to hear Sutra is doing well Kristin. I give his roach a perfect 10.

[MandysMom]

I'm glad he's doing well. I hope he'll be ordering you around for a long time.

[GreyPoopon]

I'm glad he's hanging in--or out as the case may be. I hope he remains comfortable for a good long while yet.

[Guest Wpgkeith]

for Sutra... for a long time together.

 

k

[Guest kelli123]

He is so cute bless his heart. I know how hard this can be .

I so hope you have many more great days together

[Houndtime]

Good for Sutra. Way to go; you fight this terrible disease.

[Batmom]

Sweeeeeeet boy! I'm glad he's doing well.

[teri_d]

WOW!!! so glad sutra is doing so very well!!!! ok, please share all your tips, tricks, treatments with us that are in the battle......since you mentioned limp i presume sutra's tumor was on the leg?? what treatment are you using? any help to those of us fighting osteo right now would be super! thank you --

Edited August 16, 2010 by teri_d

[krissn333]

Teri, Sutra has osteosarcoma in his right shoulder. I did not opt for amputation, as I wasn't sure how well he would do getting around without a front leg. As far as 12 year olds go, he has great muscle tone in his hind end, but, his balance hadn't been the greatest when it was time to make the decision. We also weren't sure how he would handle chemo since he has other health issues. I didn't figure there was much point in amputation if we couldn't do chemo

 

He eats a low carb, grain free kibble (Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream). He is on 200mg artemisinin in the morning, with one Omega 3 caplet. After about an hour, he gets fed and has 50mg of Deramaxx. I add tramadol or robaxin (muscle relaxer) as needed (sometimes he overdoes it in the yard and gets sore). He goes to the chiropractor regularly. In January he dislocated the shoulder and has some muscle/neck issues because of it. Getting regular chiropractic adjustments helps. Every 28 days he has a pamidronate infusion (encourages new bone growth). In the morning he gets two scoops of Springtime Inc's Longevity supplement in some canned Blue Buffalo Fish and Sweet Potato. He also takes Springtime's joint health tablets. If he's having a tough time, he has 50mg of Deramaxx before bed as well. That almost always ensures he will wake up feeling good

 

He is not allowed to run in the yard, but he's generally on the slower side anyway (he's 12.5 years old) so that's not usually a problem. I do not allow him to jump down from the bed or out of the car. He gets lifted for that I make sure he has nice cushy things to lay on (he's a bit of a lanky, bony guy) and he often just sleeps in bed with me. He has generally lazy days, but does enjoy trips to my parents' house to visit.

 

All of that, and lots of love, no secrets here He's my buddy boy and my heart dog, for sure

 

There are too many lost to this horrible disease...and many far too quickly after being diagnosed. It sounds weird to say that we are lucky, but, as far as osteo goes, we definitely are. I know that the time is coming that we will have to say goodbye to one another, but, we aren't planning to worry about that until we have to

[Guest FullMetalFrank]

Sutra.... It's the fig newtons, I tell ya! I am glad he is doing well; what a sweet, lovely boy he is. I hope that you get to enjoy lots more quality time together.

[Charlies_Dad]

That is greyt news that Sutra is doing well, love the roach! Give him a hug from me.

[teri_d]

Teri, Sutra has osteosarcoma in his right shoulder. I did not opt for amputation, as I wasn't sure how well he would do getting around without a front leg. As far as 12 year olds go, he has great muscle tone in his hind end, but, his balance hadn't been the greatest when it was time to make the decision. We also weren't sure how he would handle chemo since he has other health issues. I didn't figure there was much point in amputation if we couldn't do chemo

 

He eats a low carb, grain free kibble (Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream). He is on 200mg artemisinin in the morning, with one Omega 3 caplet. After about an hour, he gets fed and has 50mg of Deramaxx. I add tramadol or robaxin (muscle relaxer) as needed (sometimes he overdoes it in the yard and gets sore). He goes to the chiropractor regularly. In January he dislocated the shoulder and has some muscle/neck issues because of it. Getting regular chiropractic adjustments helps. Every 28 days he has a pamidronate infusion (encourages new bone growth). In the morning he gets two scoops of Springtime Inc's Longevity supplement in some canned Blue Buffalo Fish and Sweet Potato. He also takes Springtime's joint health tablets. If he's having a tough time, he has 50mg of Deramaxx before bed as well. That almost always ensures he will wake up feeling good

 

He is not allowed to run in the yard, but he's generally on the slower side anyway (he's 12.5 years old) so that's not usually a problem. I do not allow him to jump down from the bed or out of the car. He gets lifted for that I make sure he has nice cushy things to lay on (he's a bit of a lanky, bony guy) and he often just sleeps in bed with me. He has generally lazy days, but does enjoy trips to my parents' house to visit.

 

All of that, and lots of love, no secrets here He's my buddy boy and my heart dog, for sure

 

There are too many lost to this horrible disease...and many far too quickly after being diagnosed. It sounds weird to say that we are lucky, but, as far as osteo goes, we definitely are. I know that the time is coming that we will have to say goodbye to one another, but, we aren't planning to worry about that until we have to

thank you so much - i have gotten a few tips here - i appreciate the info so much!! yes, we feel so grateful to still have rivie with us and doing ok - we just love her and enjoy everyday!! congrats to sutra - i hope i am still asking you for tips/help/advice for a REAL long time!!!!!

[inugrey]

What a great update! four months!!

[mychip1]

How wonderful Sutra looks!

[NeylasMom]

Good job Sutra!!! You just keep it up for your momma' - there is much more spoiling to be had if you do.

 

Love the roach picture. Kristin, do you have any of the bolster beds? If not, I think Sutra is in need of one stat - they are very helpful in assisting with roach maintenance.

[RileysLegacy]

Kristin, it makes me so happy to see this post. Sutra was diagnosed the day that Riley died, and I am so thankful that you've had so much quality time with him. You are obviously doing something right Please give that boy a kiss for me, and I hope to see another update like this in a few more months

[Guest Mollysmom10]

What a sweet boy, I hope you have many more wonderful memory filled days w/ your precious boy.

[krissn333]

Good job Sutra!!! You just keep it up for your momma' - there is much more spoiling to be had if you do.

 

Love the roach picture. Kristin, do you have any of the bolster beds? If not, I think Sutra is in need of one stat - they are very helpful in assisting with roach maintenance.

 

We don't *technically* have a bolster bed here Jen, but, the corner of my bedroom is nothing but a sea of cushions and pillows. He really only does the roaching when he is on MY bed. Often throughout the night he does lots of sideways stretching too. The roach is very elusive

[Guest greytloves]

What a greyt thing to be able to have this time with him. We did with our Jo. We caught it at such a small spot that we did the same as you and kept her with us for over six months (just shy of seven) after diagnosis. Once the spot grew and became visible, her appetite dwindled and then we knew our time was ending and I was so very grateful that she gave us six months. I think I hugged and kissed her a million times a day. But then she always loved being as close to you as possible. I hate it when you hear of the diagnosis and instant end. By the time Jo was ready, we were ready. Enjoy and cherish every day.