Tuesday, February 04, 2014

Dogs get cancer too... again...

 

I'm sitting here in part shock, part numbness... a lot of heart ache...



We took Sydney to the vet last night... got her in for the late appointment - 9:00

We were all so tired & ready for bed, but we knew Sydney was still limping pretty good & didn't want to put it off.  Had to see what we could do to help our old girl... Got up & just throw on some warm sweats for this cold weather, got her in the car & headed to the vet.

They took X-rays & then we waited... & waited..

& then they called us to come back to the X-ray room.  You know its never good when they call you back to another room.

They wanted to show us the x-ray of her leg... & point out the tumor that is on it...

& we were given the diagnosis of why Sydney is limping.

She has cancer.  Osteosarcoma.  Which is an aggressive cancer.

You could have punched both Ricky & I in the gut & knocked all the air out of us & that would have been better then how we felt.

We were presented with options...

1. amputation... but they would have to check to make sure it hasn't already spread to the chest area.  But we were reminded her age & that she has such bad hips, as Aussie's are prone to do, & the arthiritis in her joints already...

2. radiation... but they don't offer it around here.  It would have to be a trip to Ohio, which is the closest, & it would be a week long treatment.  But again was reminded of her age & that it doesn't always help & chemo would be needed afterwards, causing her to be sick for awhile... not something great for a 13 yr old dog.

3. Surgery to remove the tumor.... but the only place that offers that is in some place like Colorado... seriously?!?!?!?  Why even tell us about that option?

So we went with our last option

4. Medicine... they gave us a prescription I have to go get today that is supposed to help her with any pain she is having & there is a possibility that it can slow down the cancer growth.

THIS is what we're praying for... what we ask for you to pray with us for... to just slow it down.




We're not living in an unrealistic bubble.  We know Sydney is getting old.  We know we're thankful that we've had her for 13 years so far... but we just want her to be comfortable... to give us a little bit of time.  Not just a hurt leg that we thought was a sprain & a few days or months later, she's gone...

The doctor said if its very aggressive, she could possibly be gone by 3 months...

I want to vomit.

BUT!!!!  She said she has seen dogs react well to this medicine & they last anywhere from 12 months to 18 months, which is the highest length of time she's seen.  We'd be happy if she made it to November - her 14th birthday....

but we also want her happy.. & not in pain...

The vet also said that 10% of the tumors like that are not cancer.  I know 10% is low when you look at the other side of 90% of it being cancer... but 10% is better then zero - right?  So Ricky keeps praying that maybe she's on the 10% side of it & its just a tumor that's aggravating her - this medicine will help with the pain & she's going to muddle through...

Gotta have hope - right?

The vet also told us that just as cancer is different in people, its different in dogs.  Like, someone could have pancreatic cancer & they pass away quickly... like my grandma passed away literally in 2 weeks from it.  But you see someone like the Kennedy Grandmother - & she's had it for YEARS!!!! ... The vet explained different genes can affect how fast it grows... so we're praying all of Sydney's good pedigrees steps up & lets this not take over....

We woke up at 2:30 to carry her outside to go potty & when Ricky nudged me to ask me to open the door for them, I for a second thought, "oh wow, that was just a dream"... & then watched Ricky pick her up to carry her outside & then realized it was reality...

I asked the doctor why we've had 2 dogs with cancer in just the past 6 months... she said that just means we've taken such good care of our dogs that they've made it to old age & then their bodies just tend to fail at fighting things... a compliment in there, but it doesn't ease my heart.

WHY?  I hate stupid cancer...

always have... always will...

We have to be very careful with Sydney now.  She explained that her bones are very frail.  A small jump could cause her arm to break & crumble.  Her bones are being eaten from the inside out with cancer...

No more trips down the steps... no more jumping off couches... & the hard one, keeping the puppy we have from jumping on her & trying to get her to play... Harvey won't understand that one...

Whew...

You just never know when you're going to get news that turns your world upside down on its ears...




23 comments:

  1. Oh, sweet friend...my heart just aches for you and Ricky. I am beyond sorry that this is happening to your precious dog. You KNOW I'll be praying for Sydney and for both you and Ricky. I understand all too well how it makes your heart hurt so much. Prayers for peace and comfort for all.

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  2. OH goodness...I am so sorry to hear this. My heart is breaking for you.

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  3. I am so sorry to hear this, sweet friend. I have said a prayer for you & Ricky and a second prayer for Sidney. Let's hope the medicine can do what it is supposed to do!

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  4. oh Rebecca...I am SO sorry to hear this and my heart breaks for y'all. My Lily will be 14 this June! I can't imagine facing that news. Praying for you!!

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  5. Oh sweet friend, this is breaking my heart. Precious Sydney. These pictures are absolutely amazing Rebecca. I will be praying that she is in that 10% too. Hope is a good thing my friend. A good thing. A God thing.

    I love you so ~~ please let me know if I can do anything. Even if you want to yell at someone. Call me!!! HUGS {{{{}}}}

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  6. There are no words to tell you how sorry I am. My heart literally aches for you. My stomach is in knots for you. I've been in this exact place before, and it's horrible. Pets are more than animals... they become our family members. I know I would rather be sick myself than see a pet in pain. I hope this medicine can bring her some comfort at least. I'm here for you.

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  7. So sorry to hear this! We had a boxer who had lymphoma a few years back, and it is definitely a blow to the entire family. My prayers are with you and I hope that at least your Sydney can have a few good months with you and be comfortable and happy.

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  8. Oh, I'm so sorry! I want to cry with you! Our fur babies are so important to us and part of our families. I know! I will join you in prayer that the meds help!!

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  9. I am so sorry to hear your news. I was just wondering about her this morning.

    Know that I will be praying for you guys and for Sydney. She is so beautiful!

    Remember, if God is watching & taking care of the sparrows, He is definitely watching and taking care of Sydney.

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  10. Oh sweet girl :( I am so sorry. I am praying that she is in the 10% and that she has no pain. Cancer sucks...

    Love to you...

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  11. Cancer sucks. Cancer in beloved pets sucks worse, because they don't understand the pain they're feeling and the looks on their faces will melt anyone's heart. I have never met you but I am praying for Sydney and you and Ricky and even Harvey -- because I remember how our younger greyhound acted when we found out his older sister-greyhound had Osteo. It's just heart-wrenching and I'm so sorry. Cherish the time you have with her - every single minute. Make her favorite treats, take her on car rides (if that's her thing), simply love her.

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  12. Oh no, I am so, so sorry :( I teared up just reading this. Stay strong! Praying for your family and for your sweet dog!

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  13. This made me cry. I am so sorry! It's great that these dogs have been offered so much love in their lifetime. You are a good dog mommy! Your family is in our prayers!
    I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer so I hate cancer just as much as you do! I HATE IT!!!!
    I pray for no pain for them.

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  14. ((HUGS)) I cannot believe this is happening. I am so sorry and I will pray hard and long that the medication will work and that her life will be extended for a very long time. My heart aches with you.

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  15. Oh Rebecca I am so sorry. We lost one of cats, Chewie, to stomach cancer in the Fall. He too was older, 13, and was given a year to live. We chose chemotherapy and steroids and he was with us for two more wonderful years. My heart is breaking for you. Pets truly are family members. I will be praying for you guys. I know how hard this is. xo ♥

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  16. My heart is breaking for you all over again! Lots of prayers for comfort for both Ricky and you, and of course, for Sydney. I hope the meds help with the pain and decreasing the cancer. (((Hugs)))

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  17. Oh I am so heartbroken for you both! I'm praying, dear one.

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  18. Oh I am nearly in tears reading this! My heart and my prayers are with you!

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  19. Oh, I hate hearing this. It just sucks, sucks, sucks when this stuff happens to our pets and they look at us with those trusting eyes and trust us to take care of them. I will be praying for....well, whatever is needed for all of you to get through this.

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  20. I am sooo sad for you & Ricky. I just don't know what to say. {{hugs}}

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  21. I'm just now reading this - so so sorry!

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  22. She's a beautiful dog. I am sorry you have to go through this. Again.

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