Saying goodbye

IMG_2332On Saturday, Dec 22nd we said our last goodbyes to our Lovely Lucy.  One week prior, she had two big seizures and we thought that was it.  Lucky that our kids were all home from college and high school to spend time with her prior to this. Our local vet thought the seizures were unrelated to her cancer or chemotherapy that she had completed.  I somehow do not believe this.  The decision was made to put her on anti seizure meds.  Over the week she seemed to get weaker and was not the Lucy with the intelligent lights in her eyes. This past Saturday morning, she did not want to get out of her crate and was having a difficult time breathing.  Late morning, she had another big seizure.  As she slowly rested, her breathing became more difficult and she seemed to be asking us to set her free.  Our family gathered and made that difficult but necessary decision to set her free from her body. We are fortunate to have a vet emergency center in our town as our local vet was closed for the day.  It was here we thanked her for showing us so much unconditional love and said our goodbyes.  Her canine companion Ginger came with us.  She too said goodbye by staying by her side all morning.  Lucy gave us more than we could have ever asked for.  We will always have a special place in our hearts and will miss her dearly.

Thank you to all of the Tripawds community for your support, information and help through these last five months.  This site has been a place where I had found hope and comfort for the awful diagnosis that our dear Lucy was given.  I am forever grateful.

Last round of Chemotherapy

Ginger taking watch with Lucy

Lucy has her last chemotherapy.  She seems tired from the day but from our last few doses, will be feeling better in no time.  Our Lucy has just looked at this cancer thing like it just goes along with being a dog.  It is I who worries about the how much she eats, if she is having diarrhea, or if she is just having a down day.  It just killed me when she tried to play with a ball with her missing limb.  Lucy however, just sort of decided her mouth would suffice as a tool to play.  Now we watch and wait for whatever symptoms will come.  So far so good.  She is happy and pain free….Really, that is all that matters…..

One week

Lucy seems better.  I was better about giving her Tramadol at the appropriate dose and her panting calmed to a rythmic deeper breathing.   She seems calmer today and has been caught wagging her tail (although maybe that was for balance).  Thank you for all of your thoughts and well wishes.  I cannot tell you how valuable this web site is for me in knowing that other pet owners and pets go through this.

The confirmed diagnosis of osteosarcoma came today.  We have our meeting with the oncologist next Tuesday to lay out the plan.  Hope we are doing the right thing…

Also found a commercial food of grain free Herring and Salmon formula EVO with low carbs and high protein…the bonus is Lucy LOVES it.

Day 6 post op panting

Lucy is not moving around much and panting continuously.  Difficult to get her out of her crate but is alert.  I gave her her non steroidal this morning and pain med this afternoon.  Maybe I am not giving her enough pain meds.  Her incision is clean and healing well so I do not feel she is infected.  Any thoughts on the panting?

Day four post op

Lucy finally ate some breakfast this morning.  I was so excited.  I gave her some  wet food which she devoured.  Fentanyl patch off this morning with increase alertness. Breathing rate still faster than I would like to see but probably effects of patch and pain.  Waiting for biopsy report.  Wound healing well.  I am so glad to see Lucy look like her  old self with here wise appearance.

Three days post op front amputation

My lovely girl Lucy is now three days post op from her front leg amputation.  She is a bit more alert with her Fentanyl patch to be removed tomorrow.  He appetite is poor. Although shaky in the legs, when she does get up, she is managing hoping around fine.  She tires very easily.  My main concern is her rate of breathing.  It seems as though her resting breath rate is 45-50 breaths per minute.  Her confirmed diagnosis is not yet in but is probably osetosarcoma as the bone on her xray was eaten away.  My worry is that it is already in her lungs making her breathing compromised.  How do dogs present when the cancer has invaded her lungs?  She really only presented a few weeks ago with a limp.Lucy with added toys