Damn
Uncategorized August 9th, 2013Got the confirmation this morning that Nevada does have osteosarcoma. I’m heartbroken and crying. I haven’t called my husband yet as I know he had a really packed day and I don’t want to ruin it for him. I’m trying to think optimistically, but am having a hard time doing that right now. I’ve read so many of your stories and how well the chemo and everything goes, but yet I still can’t stop thinking this is the end. We knew whatever it was grew incredibly fast over the last couple months, so it leads me to believe we won’t be on the lucky end of a timeline. I need to stop crying too before a migraine sets in! I don’t need to end up in bed puking besides dealing with this. Not a good day. 🙁
August 9th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
WHOOOOOAA, hold up, gotta get some breaths going on here!
I guess to most of us on this site, as disappointng and heartbreaking this is, it’s really not all that unexpected, unfortunately. AND, tis is NOT a death sentence! So let’s get YOU taken care of first!
And I really do need you to do this…and so does Nevada..—take a deep slow breath in….b.r.e.a.t.h.e…….now exhale slowly.. s-l-o-w-l-y…now inhale deeply ..b.r.e.a.t.h.e…..and exhale slowly…s.l.o.w.l.y…..repeat.
Everything you are feeling is sooo nlrmal…the fear..the sadness…the disappoi tment…the nauseated feeling….all normal.
However, you must step i to a state of beng empowered and solution oriented so you can develp a plan! And oh my goodness, there are lots of plans available!!
For right this moment though, let’s focus on gettng Nevada tnrough the recovery so the slarkle can start comng back! Omce you see the recovery taking hold, you will feel empowered, just like she does!!
NO ONE kows time frames! Nevada could care less! What’s important is you have quality time and love and spoil her every second of every day! Time is no longer important—her quality and immense joy and happiness and living in the moment is all she kows!
Lots of dogs have had great extended time after diagnosis…Jerry beng one of them…and that was with lung mets!! Check out the site, do your research, then come up with a plan. Whatever that plan is, we support you!
We understand. We are here for you. We are by your side.
Nevada’s fine! Could care less about any stupid diagnosis! Doesnt know he’s “sick”–doesn’t care! Just wants to get on with living!
Now, what can you do that makes Nevada’s tail wag? Yeah, right now! What is it? Do it! Good! Now go give him a big hug for all of us!
Now—we’re sending you a boat load of hugs right now that EMPOWER!
Yes they do!! Sending……..sending……sending…BAM!! DOUBLE BAM!!!
They’re installed!:-) 🙂
Surroundng you with calm and the k owng that ll is well with Nevada:-)
Sally and Happy Hannah
August 9th, 2013 at 5:29 pm
I know it’s hard to think positively…truthfully, it’s a very grave situation, so totally understandable. But remember, Nevada doesn’t understand that–she only gets that you are upset about something.
OSA doesn’t mean today is the end. Doesn’t mean tomorrow is, either. Hell, there are dogs here for whom OSA was NEVER the end. Nevada doesn’t care about what MIGHT happen–she only cares about what is. And when you removed her leg, you removed her main source of pain. And so, for the time being, her “what is” is good.
So even though it’s hard, take a moment, breathe deeply, and just focus on that. <3
August 9th, 2013 at 10:18 pm
Hi, I haven’t “talked” to you yet; been consumed with my dog but have been reading Nevada’s story. I don’t know if it will make you feel better but when we all get the diagnosis, according to the vets at Univ of WI, it’s already spread. There are already microscopic cells brewing in their bodies and unfortunately Nevada has already had another tumor develop.
But as everyone has said, dogs live in the moment. When I first got Oscar’s diagnosis and was in my initial emotion’s, someone told me to “put your human emotion’s away” and try to “think like a dog”. They told me Oscar wasn’t going to have all the baggage of the decision; he wasn’t going to wake up and think “Oh my God, my leg’s gone! I can never trust her again, now what am I gonna do?” or “Great, now I have cancer, what are my odds?” etc. Nevada is just going to deal with what is and learn to walk in a new way.
I guess some questions to ask the vet are: what kind of cells were in that other tumor and have them give you a clear picture of what your options are. When I had the initial oncology consult at UW, they wrote up a nice report of options and odds and I’ve decided to go with chemo to give Oscar the best odds. They give “carboplatin” which “interacts directly with the DNA to interfere with DNA repair thereby halting the replication of neoplastic cells.” Typically this gives 10-14 months BUT you never know.
Don’t know if this will help you but I try to think every day with Oscar is a gift. Because his appetite is so lousy, he’s getting a lot of people food—it’s all he’s eating-turned his nose up at can dog food last night so he’s in his glory: chicken, steak, ice cream. It’s time to spoil him. Have fun with your girl and do the things she likes to do best and yes, we are here for you and we do understand. Lean on us, vent, yell, whatever so you can give your girl the best of you. You all are in my prayers!
Sending hugs and inner peace thoughts.
Lora, Gus and Oscar
August 9th, 2013 at 11:15 pm
Hi, it’s Lora, I really apologize: I got Nevada’s and Toto’s stories mixed up. I didn’t want to go back and look because I didn’t want to lose my posting. So I was writing with the assumption that she also had the 2nd tumor under her shoulder. So again, please forgive me!!
August 10th, 2013 at 1:26 am
I don’t have any better ideas for you than the ones already here but just wanted to send you more hugs and pawsitive thoughts. I’ve done a fair amount of blubbering behind the bathroom door, but it’s hard to focus on my own sadness/frustration when a kitty’s paw slides under the door and its nosy owner starts yowling because the door is closed. Find the small things that bring joy to you and your family and they’ll help push out the bad stuff that can be so exhausting. One minute, one day at a time.
with warm thoughts, Liz and Roxie
August 10th, 2013 at 1:28 pm
Osteo sucks, there’s no way to get around that. I’m really very sorry.
But like Megan said, it’s not the end. Any one of us could get hit by a bus tomorrow, nobody really knows how much time we have on this earth. I think the hardest part about getting a diagnosis is that it puts an invisible “expiration date” on our loved one. What you have to remember is, that expiration date doesn’t exist. It’s a compilation of stats and studies that never once took into consideration Nevada’s life story. Nevada is a unique dog and has a unique story. No amount of statistics or studies can change that. Every dog is different, and like life itself, you just never know. All any of us can do is to face it with all the gusto and chutzpah that dogs are naturally born with. Do that, and you can get through this loving life (and with as few migraines as possible!).
Many hugs coming your way.