Osteo Thread Part Vi

[JJNg]

While pretty much anything can affect blood sugar in a sensitive diabetic, and these are potential side effects, none of these drugs would be expected to affect blood sugar. I'm actually wondering if the issue with the Deramaxx is ingredients in the flavor tab, and not the NSAID itself. From what I can find, NSAIDs sometimes decrease blood sugar by increasing insulin release, but I wouldn't expect a significant effect in a diabetic since they aren't producing much insulin themselves anyway. You've got a lot to balance, and I'm glad you're able to check her BG at home to help you stay on top of things.

[BauersMom]

We're starting to come up on the one year mark since Berkeley's passing, and it's causing me great anxiety. To say I have not dealt well with his death would be an understatement.

 

Sigh

[krissn333]

 

I can't believe it has been that long already.

 

Having been through a lot of tough losses via being involved with my group, I completely understand having locked away some feelings. I've done the same with the losses of Sutra and Pinky too. I've cried my eyes out, but, important dates bring it all back.

 

Recently my friend Vickie (GreytGrandma) lost Hot Rod to osteo, and it was like my world shattered all over again. Those losses cut deep.

 

I'd love to say it'll get better in time. The one year mark is definitely very hard, but, the two year mark wasn't so easy on me either

 

For our sakes, I do hope it gets better. Hugs.

[Guest 2dogs4cats]

We're starting to come up on the one year mark since Berkeley's passing, and it's causing me great anxiety. To say I have not dealt well with his death would be an understatement.

 

Sigh

 

I'm so sorry .

[MP_the4pack]

We're starting to come up on the one year mark since Berkeley's passing, and it's causing me great anxiety. To say I have not dealt well with his death would be an understatement.

 

Sigh

[TwiggysMom]

We're starting to come up on the one year mark since Berkeley's passing, and it's causing me great anxiety. To say I have not dealt well with his death would be an understatement.

 

Sigh

 

It's hard to realize it's been a year already...

 

[BauersMom]

I have been trying to figure out why I have not progressed much in terms of coping over the last year, and... it's guilt. I do regret going the amputation route.

 

I had an option where I could have prevented the pain Berkeley ultimately suffered during his last moments, and instead I picked the route that put him right into that suffering. Of course, I didn't know it would happen that way, but it is really hard to look back and not think that I put my heart dog through such a horrible last day. It has been extremely difficult to have that day replay in my mind.

 

I do feel strongly that it is a personal decision and each case is different, and obviously a lot of dogs have done really well with the amp route. But, for us, it did not work out as I had thought.

[JJNg]

I have been trying to figure out why I have not progressed much in terms of coping over the last year, and... it's guilt. I do regret going the amputation route.

 

I had an option where I could have prevented the pain Berkeley ultimately suffered during his last moments, and instead I picked the route that put him right into that suffering.

I'm so sorry that you're having a hard time with this, and I'm not sure if anything anyone else says can help you come to terms with it. But have you considered that the same thing might have happened even if you hadn't gone the amp route? As you said yourself, there is no way you could have predicted the outcome, and what happened to Berkeley was extremely rare. I remember being horrified that you (and he) had to go through that. But the only sure way we have of preventing any further pain is to euthanize at the time of diagnosis. And very few people are ready to make the decision at that point, not to mention missing out on all the wonderful, quality time you can still have together, regardless of which treatment route you choose.

[Guest 2dogs4cats]

I have been trying to figure out why I have not progressed much in terms of coping over the last year, and... it's guilt. I do regret going the amputation route.

 

I had an option where I could have prevented the pain Berkeley ultimately suffered during his last moments, and instead I picked the route that put him right into that suffering. Of course, I didn't know it would happen that way, but it is really hard to look back and not think that I put my heart dog through such a horrible last day. It has been extremely difficult to have that day replay in my mind.

 

I do feel strongly that it is a personal decision and each case is different, and obviously a lot of dogs have done really well with the amp route. But, for us, it did not work out as I had thought.

 

Please don't be hard on yourself. It's such a difficult decision and no one has a crystal ball. I have tears in my eyes as I write this because I know what a hard decision it is no matter what the disease. We all do the best we can with what we know and what we feel. No one knows what the outcome will be, we can only hope.

[KF_in_Georgia]

One night seven years ago, my first dog, Oreo, broke her leg without warning. About 24 hours later, when she was in surgery to have a pin implanted in her leg, she threw a blood clot and died.

 

If I'd known how the surgery was going to come out, I could have had her put to sleep and not put her through the pain and fear of those last 24 hours. Or if I'd had her leg amputated (it probably was osteo, although it didn't show on x-rays), we might have dodged the embolism and she might have lived for months more.

 

But I did the same thing for Oreo that you did for Berkeley: I did the best thing I knew to do at the time.

 

Osteo sucks.

[Charlies_Dad]

I have been trying to figure out why I have not progressed much in terms of coping over the last year, and... it's guilt. I do regret going the amputation route.

 

I had an option where I could have prevented the pain Berkeley ultimately suffered during his last moments, and instead I picked the route that put him right into that suffering. Of course, I didn't know it would happen that way, but it is really hard to look back and not think that I put my heart dog through such a horrible last day. It has been extremely difficult to have that day replay in my mind.

 

I do feel strongly that it is a personal decision and each case is different, and obviously a lot of dogs have done really well with the amp route. But, for us, it did not work out as I had thought.

I am truly sorry you are still feeling this way about Berk's passing. At the time you chose amputation, you thought it was the best thing for him and you. The cold facts are we do not know how and when our pups will pass and Osteo being such a cruel disease is not one to make an easy decision on. When the diagnosis is first given, it's like someone else has described it here on GT, "it's like a punch in the gut", it's shocking and devastating news. Now not only is one faced with the fact their pup will die sooner than expected, they also will have a lot of pain unless one chooses amputation. Even if you chose palliative care, you don't know Berk would not have been in pain regardless of pain meds as those only mask the pain and these pups tend not to show it until the pain is quite strong. So right after the dx, your mind is spinning with possible options, none of which are great so you choose the one that you hope makes the most sense for you and your pup. It's a hideous, evil disease and our choices are limited. I know you did what you thought was right for Berk and he knew that too. These pups do not blame us for our choices, they love us for our companionship and that is all they ask for whatever time they can be with us.

[BauersMom]

I know you are all correct, in my head, I know this. The whole thing was (obviously) very traumatic, and I'm having trouble seeing past the emotional part of it.

 

I appreciate all the responses, and they do help.

[Batmom]

{{{{{{{{{{BauersMom}}}}}}}}}}

 

There but for the grace of God go I.

 

I am one who tends to euthanize sooner rather than later, when there is the opportunity. There isn't, always.

[Guest grey_dreams]

We're starting to come up on the one year mark since Berkeley's passing, and it's causing me great anxiety. To say I have not dealt well with his death would be an understatement.

 

Sigh

 

I am so sorry for your pain and guilt. I lost my heart dog last October. I have noticed that every month around that day I spend a few days in anxiety and grief. I didn't even notice it was happening until December. Believe that Berkeley does not blame you (they really don't blame us; animals understand death better than humans ever will). He would rather see you happy with the memories of the life you shared together.

[krissn333]

Reading what you wrote about your regret, I immediately thought of the video of Berk playing with a toy at his bed, spinning around and around, and pausing to bark at your pup who was outside. He was joyful and happy, and YOU gave him the chance to have that moment.

 

It's all a crapshoot, but the danger of breakage is there unless you let them go at diagnosis. Heck, my friend didn't even KNOW her boy had it until his leg snapped while he was standing there being loved on.

 

While Berk's final day was not great, and the scene replays in your mind, remember that you gave him SO MANY other GOOD days, and hold on to that (easier said than done I know).

 

[45MPHK9]

Emma

[NeylasMom]

I have been trying to figure out why I have not progressed much in terms of coping over the last year, and... it's guilt. I do regret going the amputation route.

 

I had an option where I could have prevented the pain Berkeley ultimately suffered during his last moments, and instead I picked the route that put him right into that suffering. Of course, I didn't know it would happen that way, but it is really hard to look back and not think that I put my heart dog through such a horrible last day. It has been extremely difficult to have that day replay in my mind.

 

I do feel strongly that it is a personal decision and each case is different, and obviously a lot of dogs have done really well with the amp route. But, for us, it did not work out as I had thought.

[Guest 2dogs4cats]

My sweet Daisy crossed the bridge yesterday. She is now running pain free, but we will miss her terribly.

 

[RaineysMom]

My sweet Daisy crossed the bridge yesterday. She is now running pain free, but we will miss her terribly.

 

I am so very sorry! :cry1

[Batmom]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

Run with the wind, Daisy.

[45MPHK9]

I'm so sorry, Mary.

[krissn333]

[TwiggysMom]

Mary, I am so saddened to hear that you weren't able to have more time with your beautiful, wonderful Daisy. She was dealt a cruel blow first living with diabetes and then having to battle osteo also. My heart goes out to you in your loss.

 

 

Emma, I'm so sorry Berk's loss is still taking such a toll on you.

 

Guilt is the curse of those who love, care and feel empathy, so of course you feel guilt. I hope that in time your memories of how well he did for nearly all of the time after his amputation will win out in your mind and heart. Remember how he played and was "naughty", I even remember you telling us about some [ahem] "frisky" moments!

 

Please go easy on yourself.

[Charlies_Dad]

Mary, I am very sorry for your loss of Daisy.

[dmswartzfager]

Today is Symbra's one year ampiversary.