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Michelle,
One reason I opted to go with the chemo (other than loving Bear as one
would a child,) is the oncologist DID share success stories, but as I stated
before, with small breed dogs - I learned cockers are most resilient to chemo
and have the highest "success"rate. But, he also gave me the statistics on large
& giant breed dogs.....
But, at that point I would have done anything to save him.
Shortly after Bear passed, my darling Jesse, (rescued 2 mos. earlier), was
diagnosed w/ pancreatic cancer. She had the surgery, but when dealing w/ the
pancreas, it's impossible to remove entire tumor due to possible trauma to
pancreas. At first, he was optimistic, he thought by the "look" of the tumor, it
might be benign. He actually cried when he called me w/ the biopsy
results... It was a shocker, worst type of pancreatic cancer imaginable.
We DID discuss chemo, radiation etc., and when I declined he actually told
me that as an oncologist, dealing w/ cancers every day, he felt I made the right
choice.
So, I brought her home w/ steroids, pain meds, etc.and not even one month
folllowing her surgery, the tumor had grown back, even larger! I was devastated,
but at least she had that final month at home. I am very thankful for that time
we had.
It's so hard...I don't like the feeling of "playing God". If they all could
just pas peacefully at home like my Angel,and Big Al..my 21 year old
"baby".
I had a hard decision w/ my Felix, 19. He was in end stage of CRF, plus his
IBD was totally out of control. I did all I could at home & w/ my vet. They
wanted me to euthanize him. But my little old man had SO much zest for life!!!
He loved to eat, he loved to curl up on my lap, never realizing he had no bowel
control...so I just kept training pads next to the chair. He still played &
still enjoyed our daily walks (harnessed), thru the woods.... He was physically
failing, but he had a strong spirit & LOVE for life. When it got to the
point he needed IV fluids & other things I could not provide for him myself,
I made the decision to send him to a hospice. Since he was so senile, he didn't
even notice the new environment, just made himself right at home, by laying on
the owner's white bedspread, and loosing control of his bowels! And their
reply was, "Well, that's why we have washing machines!"
It was bittersweet, but I knew I made the right decision for Felix. I took
him to the hospice in March, and he just passed, peacefully in his sleep, July
2.
It's just NEVER easy. It seems no matter what you decide, you always second
guess your decision.
Right now I have 5 cats, along w/ 4 fosters and 4 dogs.
I am dreading the day when someone gets ill.
My Lucy (my shadow & soulmate) already had both hips replaced a year
ago. But she has terrible arthritis, and her hips are bothering her again. She's
a little "chubby" and I can't get her to lose weight. I even take her hiking 3X
a week......(She is 14)
One of my other dogs, Midnight, also 14, has a tumor, but she can not have
surgery. She almost died from a pre-anesthetic sedative and the vet says
considering her age, her history, it would be too big a risk....We are keeping
close tabs on her, and thankfully the tumor is not getting any bigger.
No matter what path you choose, it's never easy...........
Patti
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