We went for a blood test today… His white count is pretty low but not quite low enough to put him on antibiotics. Because we live out in the country with no exposure to other dogs or possible infections, they feel that he will get better each day. We’ll go for another test next Friday. He seems to be feeling great. My sissy Robin came by for a visit – he loves her!
Hopefully Toby’s WBC’s will bounce back soon! Glad to hear he’s getting a visit from his Auntie Robin… You’d better post some pictures of his visit with her!
Jake’s Mom
How was Toby’s visit with his auntie? Is he feeling OK? We’re keeping our fingers crossed for his bloodwork on Friday! Keep us posted!!
Jake’s Mom
I found your blog today, I am dealing with the same cancer in my flat coat retriever. He was diagnosis on 10/12 officially, he had his leg amputated on 10/22. He begins Chemo on 11/3. I am having a tough time, my dog Hudson is getting around well on three legs when he is up, but he is extremely depressed. He just lays in his crate all day, has no interest in anything. I am very concerned that I may have broken his spirit. Please keep posting your experiences as it looks like you are about 2 weeks further along than me.
Katherine
Katherine,
So sorry to hear that you’re going through this with Hudson. Although it takes time to heal from this traumatic surgery, he will get use to life with three legs. Just keep reassuring him. Toby’s great love is tennis balls and although he wasn’t ready to fetch, I kept balls close by so he had one available to hold in his mouth. Also, chewing a raw hide bone was distracting and another pleasure he enjoyed. Depending on how far along the cancer has progressed, that may have something to do with his attitude.
I’m not sure if you’re going to set up a blog for him but if you do, I’d be interested in getting to know Hudson better. How old is he? Have you gotten the cancer staged? What did you learn?
There is no doubt that we have a tough fight ahead of us but amputating the leg was the only way to eradicate the pain. Please hang in there and keep me posted. You’re always welcome to call me if you want to talk on the phone.
Tina
512-413-0574 – Austin, TX
Tina, thank you for responding. I did staging prior to the amputation. The abdomen ultrasounds and chest xrays were all clear. The bone marrow and lymph nodes initially we were good as well. Upon amputation they did discovered a lymph node that turned out to have the cancer (it was removed with the leg tissue)- so all indications from the oncologist is that it is localized histiocytic sarcoma.
He turned 6 on 10/26- nice birthday huh? I got him when he was 9 weeks, he is my world, we do everything together. He gets around okay once you get him up, but he has not interest than just lying around.
What type of chemo did they start you on?
Katherine
Atlanta, GA
Katherine,
Like Hudson, Toby started with clear chest films, ultrasound, bone marrow, and lymp nodes. My oncologist feels that with that “clean” of a start, he should survive on the longer range of life expectancy for dogs with this cancer. I was told that the median survival time is 9 months, naturally, that freaked me out but what she further explained was – out of 100 dogs, 50 of them didn’t live past 9 months and 50 of them lived beyond 9 months. Because Toby and Hudson are starting with (what we hope is) a cancer free body, they should probably be on the beyond 9 month statistic. Let’s keep positive thoughts that we have a long time left.
The chemo drug is called Lomustine aka CCNU. He seems to be tolerating it well… no nausea or loss of appetite. If I hadn’t given it to him myself, I wouldn’t even know he’s on chemo drugs. We are required to have his blood checked a week after the dose and two days prior to the next one. He’ll have a total of 5 rounds – 3 weeks apart. He just did round 2 a week ago.
What a coincidence, Toby’s birthday was 10/27 – he turned 7 yrs old. I can completely relate to the statement “he is my world, we do everything together”… He is never more than a few feet away from me whenever I’m at home. I can’t imagine my life without him but I realize it’s going to happen, whether he has cancer or not – so I’m just trying to make the best out of this time together. When I get into that dark place in my mind and heart, I can’t stop crying and become a blubbering baby so I am trying to be strong… You need to do the same. I lost my female Golden Retriver (Sophie) last year to liver cancer. It happened SO fast. She was diagnosed on a Friday and died the following Wednesday. I didn’t even have time to wrap my brain around it. I was a mess.
Don’t worry about Hudson – he’ll adjust to three legs. Although it’s a change, I have been told that dogs really don’t view it the way we do. Hopefully he’s not in pain – he shouldn’t be. Give him a big belly rub from me and Toby and let me know how his next appt. goes with the vet. I’ll be curious to know what drug is prescribed and what they say about his depression.
Hugs,
Tina