silentchild Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 (edited) Hi all, Just wanted to create this thread to document my beautiful girl's current battle with cancer that unfortunately plagues so many of us. Throughout her life Emma has had many many different health problems, ranging from a broken leg, a torn cruciate, ear infections, UTI, benign tumours and more recently the removal of one eye after a melanoma was detected in it. Her current ordeal is by far the most challenging one we've had to overcome. About a month ago my 8 year old girl Emma started limping on and off on her left front leg. With the onset of winter and her arthritic condition we assumed it was simply arthritis acting up. We had her myotherapist out a few times to have a look but couldn't find anything wrong with her joints or muscles. A few weeks ago her limp got pretty bad so I decided to take her out to the vets to get an x-ray done. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma with possible spreading to the lungs and the chest, but we were urged to get a second opinion. We then took her to a holistic vet who said the tumour within the bone did not look like osteosarcoma, but was confident the cancer had spread. We were then urged to get a third opinion. We also had a test done and with the results in, she was started on a treatment of naturopathic herbs and blends, which were supposed to give her a prognosis of about 6 months. We've also switched her over to a raw diet with lots of veggies as recommended and she is doing well on it. Today we took her to a specialist who also reckons it is osteosarcoma but again, is unsure if it has spread. We were given options of a CT scan, radiation and a course of chemotherapy treatments. Amputation was another option but we had already decided early on that is a no-go, simply because she has two bad back legs and would be a bad candidate for it. The prognosis is that she has about 3 months left to live, however the specialist has said that if we proceed with the radiation and chemo, we could extend that to about a year. We are still currently undecided about what to do, unsure if we should put our beautiful girl through all of the chemo and scans simply to buy a few more months, or to just keep her on the holistic route and hope for the best. I simply do not know what to do. Throughout this ordeal I have received tremendous support from the Rottweiler community here on DOL, for which I am truly grateful, but because I am still devastated and have a very hard time getting into the right frame of mind to reply all the wonderful emails and PMs I have received, I decided to start this thread so people can follow Emma's journey through the most difficult battle of her life. Here is my one of my favourite photos of my beautiful girl, my best friend and most loyal guardian whom I have been so fortunate to have in my life: Edited July 17, 2012 by silentchild Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerRottweiler Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I'm so sorry to hear this. If you are able, I would definetly try chemo, radiation etc. Please keep us updates as to how she is going. Diet will also make a huge difference. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr R & NR Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 SC, you know my thoughts are with you, you will decide what is best for both of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flaves Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 (edited) Good luck what ever you decide, make the decision bssed on what is best for Emma Most of all enjoy her time left. Edited July 17, 2012 by Flaves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazyWal Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Emma sure is a beautiful girl and a real fighter through the health challenges she has faced. I have no advice but just wanted to send all the positive vibes I can to you and your girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starkehre Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 (edited) SC, I am glad you have been to see Charles, even though it has not really provided you with any better news... he is amazing, the very best. SC, although I know what I would do in your situation, I will not offer you my advice either way, because I believe it is wrong to do so. The reason being is that we are all different. What might be right for one person is not necessarily right for another. And yes, you need to decide what is best for Emma, absolutely, but above all and IMO most importantly you need to decide what is best for you..... You are the one that has to live with your decisions. Making emotive decisions based on what others would do according to their emotive thoughts and opinions is not going to help you in the long run. Yes, take all the relevant facts, statistics, data available to you and other medical information into account, but the final decision (which is not a right or wrong decision) comes down to how you feel about everything. It is less about fact and more about your feelings. In situations like this, this is what I do... take some time for myself when I am ready, clear my mind for a few moments... and when the time is right, the decision will just come to me. And until I am 100% certain that I am comfortable with that decision, I won't make any, I will just roll with it for a while... that is what I would do anyway. SC, I am often thinking about you and how this is such a difficult time for you. There really is little anyone can do to help how you are feeling right now, but please know that we all care about you, support you and of course the beautiful Emma is deeply loved by many. Also, thank you for allowing us the privilege to follow yours and Emma's difficult journey. Edited July 17, 2012 by dyzney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W Sibs Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 That photo made me laugh.. very cute :) I'm sorry to hear about Emma, and hugs to you and your family. All I can say is clear the head and listen to what your gut say. Like dyzney said, "thank you for allowing us the privilege to follow yours and Emma's difficult journey" (I'm not brave enough to that yet) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harley Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Oh no, I wish you and Emma all the best. She sure has been through a lot already in her life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrinaJ Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 SC, have been thinking about Emma, have no advice but to spoil her rotten (even more than usual :wink:) and live every day with her to the fullest. She's lucky to have had you in her life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentchild Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 Thanks so much everyone. :) I am very grateful to be able to share these posts about Emma, none of my friends or family in real life really understand my love for animals, they all mean well but at the end of the day "it's just a dog" so having this space to be able to talk about her with like-minded people who understand what we're going through is a real blessing. Although sometimes it gets difficult because reading what everyone says always makes me tear up (dyzney has the amazing ability to render me a bawling banshee with her posts, always) :laugh: I stopped by the vets after work today and had a long in-depth talk to one of our vets about pain relief, I've switched her over from Rimadyl to Meloxicam, with some Tramadol as back up for those extra bad days which will inevitably be on the horizon. The subject of Rimadyl still confuses me as every vet I have ever spoken to about it is always adamant that it has exactly the same side effects as metacam, previcox, carprofen, meloxicam etc and none is any worse than the other. And yet Google says otherwise, lol, but anyway what matters to me most is that Emma is comfortable and pain-free for the rest of her days. We will just be using the pain relief on days when she is particularly sore, she is still quite good now, I think the holistic medicine is helping quite a bit. I hope the day never comes when even the combination of Tramadol and Meloxicam will not alleviate her pain, although I know that will be inevitable later down the track - I can only hope that it will be much much much later down the track. I know she will tell me when she is ready to leave me, now is not the time yet, she still has her spirits about her. We still haven't made a decision yet as to which path we should go regarding treatment, she has another appointment with the holistic vet next Monday for another assessment and we will see if the medicines have helped. I know whatever decision I make I will regret, if I treat her with chemo I will regret putting her through all that, if I don't treat her I will regret not fighting harder to save her life, it is a bleak hole whichever path I go. God knows when I'll make a decision but I know it will have to be soon. I do have to commend the folks at our vet - we go to Monash Vets which has always been our usual vet - the vet who spoke to me today although he wasn't the person we normally see - was incredibly helpful and supportive, he listened carefully to all my concerns and explained everything very well. Not judgmental or critical and completely understanding - he must've stood there listening to me babble on about all the different options and medications and did not once show anything but deep concern and understanding. In fact all the vets and vet nurses that have helped deal with Emma throughout this entire thing and dealing with a very headstrong and opinionated owner like me who demands to know exactly what everything is and why :laugh: - has been nothing short of caring and supportive, from the folks at Monash to Southpaws to the holistic vet - they have all been exceptional. Emma has the uncanny ability to squirm her way into the hearts of those she meets, maybe it's her one-eyed appearance or her over-exuberant greetings, who knows but she is one very very lucky girl to have so many people care for her and want the best for her. :) Keeping her quiet to minimize the risk of the bone fracturing is my main priority right now, but I do want her to be ridiculously happy during her time left, so I may take her on some quiet walks if I can.... she would love to be outdoors sniffing absolutely everything again... we'll see. Maybe in the dead of the night when there's nobody around to stop her getting too excited and risk hurting herself. :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronsonb Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Dear sc, I am so sad to hear about poor darling Emma, and the dreadful choices you are having to make. Rest assured, we are all here for you, know what you are going through and will be doing the same for our own beloved pets when the time comes, makes you wonder why we get so involved with them doesn't it, but they are worth every tear we shed over them. Always rememeber that you are doing the best for her, whatever you do, and just enjoy your time with her now, and always know that down the track you will have wonderful happy memories of her and will think back on her with a smile. Just look after you as much as her, much love and cuddles to you both xxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentchild Posted July 24, 2012 Author Share Posted July 24, 2012 Thank you so much for your kind words bronsonb :) Emma Update : We took her back to the holistic vet on Friday - you can feel a lump growing on the front of her shoulder now. My poor girl. I had to give her her first Tramadol last week. She has been rather quiet the past few days, preferring to sleep most of the time and was a little sore. Today she is much much better, limping less and also much more alert and energetic. We are also starting her on a new herb blend, hopefully it will help as well, but the vets did say it will take some time to get into her system, so if she is going to improve we will see it over the next few weeks. All my fingers crossed! We figure she probably won't be able to make it to her next birthday which is in December, so to make up for it, last Saturday we celebrated her 7th year, 7th month, 7th day old birthday! We made her some delicious doggy cupcakes which she LOVED and made a huge fuss out of her. We've decided not to go down the chemo / radiation route and just focus mainly on keeping her happy and comfortable for the rest of the days. Hopefully the herbs and good food will help extend her life for a few more months extra as well, but I will be trying my best to focus on taking it one day at a time and making sure my girl knows she is loved. With chemo and radiation she would have to go under GA for every treatment which would mean she would have to go under every week - and as they say, every time you go under it is like you are visiting a small piece of death, so it's something I'd rather not put her through, even though the vets tell me she will be fine with it - I just don't want her to have to deal with the stress of that, not to mention I'd be way too worried and anxious about it every time which will also rub off on her. I hope I won't regret this decision, or that it looks like the 'easy way out', I just really want what's the best for her, my gut instinct tells me like chemo and radiation is not the way to go.... Here is a photo of her enjoying her 7th year 7th month 7th day old birthday! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harley Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Oh beautiful Emma! Love the photo! It certainly is not the easy way out neither way is easy and I really feel for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Avanti* Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I have quietly followed your story and am so sorry. I think I would probably choose the same path if I was in your shoes. Thanks for sharing that photo, it is indeed a special birthday day. I can understand how you must feel, and wish to send you and Emma hugs and blessings for each precious day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisys Mum Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 What a beautiful girl Emma is :) all I can do is give you a as one dog owner to another Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerRottweiler Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Thanks for the update SC. Any decision you make will be the right one, they both have their pros/cons. :) What a nice pic of Emma too, she's very cute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stolzseinrotts Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Thank you for sharing your story about Emma and her battle. Loved the pic of her and her cupcake! She looked like she was so waiting for ot and i loved the fact you celebrated her life in the way you did. Hugs to you and Emma and we wish you all the very best in the time you have left together. It hurts a lot to come in here as I too have lost a beloved Black and Tan to Osteo, but I am so very glad I did. :) Thinking of you both each day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9angel Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I am so sorry you and your beautiful girl have to go through this SC. She is absoutely gorgeous. The pic of her sitting there with her Birthday cupcake bought tears to my eye's. Life is so unfair sometimes... Keeping you & Emma in my thoughts and wishing you's all the best with the new herbal remedy. Oh and if she is allowed to have some, I would love to send her some home made dog bikkies. Please PM your address if it's ok to send her some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentchild Posted July 27, 2012 Author Share Posted July 27, 2012 (edited) Thanks everyone for all your words, and thank you for following her updates, Stolz, I know it must be very hard for you to have to read all this knowing that you have been through it before with your black & tan. I really appreciate your kind thoughts. :) k9Angel, she is certainly allowed to have some treats, I will PM you. :) She will definitely appreciate it very much, thank you. Edit : k9Angel, your inbox is full. Emma update: She is doing much much better, I don't know if it's the Meloxicam or the herbs or the food, but she is back to her old self. She has a very teeny tiny limp but overall she is great, active and energetic and playful. I am super careful with her though because of the risk of the bone fracturing, damn dog still makes it a point to jump around and play with the cat whilst I am losing my head terrified that she will fracture the bone, EMMA JUST SETTLE DOWN PLEASE OMG. I'm not sure if I should take her off the Meloxicam a little to see if that is what is helping, or is it the herbs, not really sure... Also having a bit of trouble getting her to take the meds without food, they smell and taste awful, such a good girl for tolerating me shoving pills down her throat every day. I try to put them in a spoon of yogurt or mince or cheese or just about anything, but she is so damn smart she just eats around it, or takes it into her mouth then sneakily hides it away behind the bowl or something when I am not looking. Cheeky girl! The lump on her shoulder seems to be staying the same size for now, hopefully it will either shrink or just not grow any bigger! All my prayers for my lovely girl. She sends lots of licks and wags to everyone who has been so kind to send good thoughts our way. :) Edited July 27, 2012 by silentchild Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W Sibs Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 What a lovely photo! and thanks for the updates :) Happy to hear that she is happy and active :) even though, she is giving you minor heart attacks.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now