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Fight K9 cancer

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dog cancer support

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After losing our sweet Mouta (pictured here) on August 11, 2008 to cancer, my husband and I are still missing her terribly. She was diagnosed in February 2008 with a sarcoma in her spine. She was a trooper through the pre-diagnosis stage, when we initially thought she had a herniated disc in her spine, to the end. When aggressive steroid treatment only brought her from a stage 4 (almost no hind leg movement to a low stage 2...walking with assistance) we knew it was time for further testing. We drove 90 minutes away for her to have more test...a myelogram, which in turn led to surgery and the diagnosis of cancer. It was no doubt that we would pursue further treatment for her because out of the 4 pup-a-lups (my husband's term) she was our special baby...the calm in the eye of the storm, I always said. With the 4 dogs and cat, Mouta was always laid back and just really loved life. She was the ONLY one who could be off leash in the front yard and not run off 100% of the time! She LOVED being with us too much to venture off.

I did tons of research, talked to anyone who would listen, read everything I could find about cancer in dogs. And there's really not a lot of data out there. One of the deal makers for me when the subject of radiation treatments was discussed was that every question I asked about the success, the risk, the prognosis for Mouta was answered pretty much the same.."We don't know. There's not much data out there because most people opt for euthansia with the cancer diagnosis due to the cost of treatment." I felt that if by treating Mouta there was the slightest chance that we could have her in our lives a little longer and get her healthy again, it would be worth it. We had just bought a new house...I wanted new furniture, but you know, 'things' can wait...life can't. I still don't have the furniture, but we did have Mouta for 6 more months. We celebrated her 10th birthday with a cookout and I even baked a birthday cake for the dogs (you know there are lots of recipes online for homemade dog treats..even cakes!) When she finished her radiation treatments she was acting like a puppy again, not like the 10 year old that she was by then.

So, I started this group as a memorial to our Sharmouta. Anyone who has been through this, or who is facing this is welcome!

Discussion Forum

Do Dogs Know? 12 Replies

Started by Lynn. Last reply by Kathi Feb 28.

Mouta's Story 1 Reply

Started by Lynn. Last reply by Kelly Meyer Feb 27.

Some helpful links 1 Reply

Started by Lynn. Last reply by Coralie Nellhard Feb 9.

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Comment by Caryn Wilson 12 hours ago: Yes Kelly I too am so sorry to hear about Phoebe's diagnosis. But I will keep this situation with Phoebe in continuouss prayer. It is so hard to see our dear pets suffer from this aweful disease. I lost my little girl - pup Tillie a year ago from the nasty stuff. I know firsthand what you're going through. It is such a helpless feeling as we want so much to make everything right for our dear pets. Give your sweet Phoebe a smooch for me too! I will pray for you to have strength during this ordeal.

Comment by Jill Stout 13 hours ago: Oh Kelly, I am so sorry. I was just thinking about you today and hoping all was going well. Once again, we will all pray for Phoebe and of course you and your husband. Give Phoebe smooches form all of us that are thinking good thoughts.

Comment by Kelly Meyer 13 hours ago: Well, we did not get very good news from Phoebe's oncologist today. She feels that Phoebe did not respond well to the first course of Chemo, and she put her on another--stronger--type of chemo that is given once every three weeks.

She did not like the fact that Phoebe still developed new tumors while on the other chemo, and especially did not like that Phoebe's tongue had regressed the last couple of days. Phoebe had previously had a tumor removed from her tongue and now, there is another that has come back in the same spot, and a couple of new tiny spots on the tip of her tongue. Her whole mouth looks kind of darkish red/purple(ish)--certainly not the healthy pink it was a few days ago.

The surgeon would like to remove it now--along with all the other ones we can see; but the Oncologist would like to try her on the new chemo first to see if that works helps reduce the tumors. The way our Oncologist explains it is that surgeons ALWAYS wants to cut it out, while medical Oncologists want to try to treat it first. The key is to find a happy medium between the two. Only problem is that if her tongue develops (worsens) quickly and immediate surgery is needed, Phoebe being on the chemo does not allow her body to heal itself after surgery. So, we are rolling the dice, and started her on the new chemo today, and will hopefully have her tongue operated on in about 10-14 days if it does not get any better.

While we are worried about Phoebe's whole outcome of course, this tongue issue is especially worrisome as her tongue is the method by which she eats and drinks, and it does not grow back; so the more of it that is taken away either from surgery or tumor growth does not bode well for Phoebe's long term outlook.

So, we have been pretty much preparing ourselves for this, and the news is not as bad as some of the things we had been fearing; but still not the news we were hoping for.

So, we are now back to the watching and waiting to see if this new chemo does what it's supposed to do; all the while closely monitoring her tongue--as well as her body for change in tumor size (smaller hopefully)--and keeping an eye out for any signs of nausea, diarrhea, or fever!

We are going to try and get away for a short road trip to my sisters so Phoebe can see her doggy daddy (hopefully not for the last time), and we can get some much needed time to just all spend together.

Hopefully my next post with bring better news.

Kelly :0(

Comment by Lynn on March 3, 2010 at 10:36am: Jordan,
p.s. after sharing Mouta's story with you, I decided I should go public with it. I posted it here on the second anniversary of her diagnosis. She is, after all why I am here on this site and the inspiration behind this group!

Comment by Lynn on March 3, 2010 at 10:33am: Kelly, A bit of good news for Phoebe! Thank God for small blessings! I am so glad her new lumps are nothing to worry about. You all remain in my prayers too!
Keep us posted on Phoebe's progress.

Lynn

Comment by Lynn on March 3, 2010 at 10:31am: Jordan, I am so very sorry to hear that Taiko lost his battle yesterday. I have tears rolling down my face! I felt like I knew Taiko! I am sorry I wasn't on line last night to read your post...I had a death in my family (a great aunt) and was at the funeral home :-( How ironic is that?

I am glad I was able to help you in some small way, if only to be an ear to listen and a virtual shoulder to cry on. I know your heart is broken, but please try to remember that Taiko isn't in pain any more. You did every thing you could to make his life the best and to take care of him. He loves you for that! He is whole and healthy in God's care. I truly believe we will all meet up with our pups again one day and oh what a joyous reunion it will be! My prayers go up that Taiko had a wonderful journey ans is now running and playing across the bridge.

You are in my prayers and I'm still here if you need someone to talk to. The pain does lessen with time and the memories are what you will cherish for the rest of your life! God Bless!

Lynn

Comment by Susan on March 2, 2010 at 5:58pm: Jordan,
I am so sorry to hear about Taiko.
I would love to hear his story when you feel up to it.
I know Willow met him at the Rainbow bridge. And I also know how hollow all words are now.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Comment by Angela on March 2, 2010 at 4:18pm: Hey Jordan, My prayers for you and Taiko... We all know how it feels to lose our furry kids to Cancer. Think of all the happy times, and remember she is playing with my Ti'ana and everyone else's pups! Stay strong.... and grieve... we all have to.

Comment by Jill Stout on March 2, 2010 at 2:27pm: Good news Kelly! We are all so happy to hear that news. One victory, no matter how small helps us all. Bless you and hugs and squeezes to Phoebe.

Comment by Kelly Meyer on March 2, 2010 at 2:01pm: The power of prayer is working...

Just wanted to let you all know that Phoebe's two masses that we found last Thursday turned out to be fatty--non cancer--lumps on her breast chest muscle that the oncologist is not concerned about at all!

A little good news was just what we needed--and we will take it when we can get it! As the vet said, "better to be safe and have it checked vs. thinking it's nothing and having it be SOMETHING!"
Kelly