Well…….this is not the most gruesome photo we have, but it’s not that bland either and gives a good idea of what happened today. It is strangely odd: it’s not our own leg that got amputated so it’s easy for us to say that this is a positive result.
In any case, the cancer has not spread to her lungs and is not in her lymphnodes (yet) and so that is good news!! The only ‘small’ detail is that the left front leg is now gone and we are starting to ask ourselves how a 130 lbs “front heavy” dog (minus one leg now) can even walk on three legs. In my own mind I get chills and can’t help but compare this in some way to all those sharks that get “de-finned” to make shark fin soup, but we know in our hearts that today this was one big step forward.
I have to go now because as I am writing this my wife is in the kitchen trying to “walk” on three paws and I think she may be stuck so I have to go check on her and make sure she can get up……
Okay, so Cookie had a successful surgery! That is great! That is the first step. Please don’t concentrate on Christmas 2013. For now, just take it day by day. Cookie will have a recovery period ahead of her, and so will you. All dogs are different; you may have an uneventful recovery, or you may have the crazy rollercoaster that so many of us have been on. Either way, stay positive and strong in front of your girl. And as for larger dogs learning to walk on three legs, I think you’ll be surprised. Stop by the forums and do some searches; you’ll find plenty of dogs just as big as your girl who did great! Cemil, Nova and Tazzie are just a few. Tazzie is no longer with us, but Cemil and Nova are almost 4 years post-op and just ove 4 years post-op respectively!! Be sure to stop by the forums if you have questions, there’s a lot of people with a lot of experience over there!
Hey Cookie, how are those pink elephants treating you? I hope you’re feeling reaaaaallllll good on those painkillers!
Maximutt is right; day to day is the best way to live life to the fullest. Cancer is weird that way, it really teaches us how to live, if we just follow the lead of dogs.
Cookie, I know you’re going to do great. We have tons of giant breed members, many larger than you (in size, not spirit of course!;) who didn’t let the Tripawd life slow them down.
Hope you get to go home soon. Keep us posted oK?
You made it through the first day cookie. You’ll have ups and downs, and then with luck it will all be a thing of the past before you know it. I had the pleasure of meeting a tripawd st. bernard just the other day and he was happy and healthy and getting around just fine.
Take each challenge as they come as there’s no sense in worrying about problems you may never have.
Hope you’re on your feet soon.
Hi cookie and pawrents!
Check out Jules story at julesv.tripawds.com she’s a French Mastiff 3 weeks out of amputation and started chemo. We had her front right leg amputated and it was the hardest decision and it was a lil hard seeing her the first week or so but now she is 100% her self now that the pain killers are over and she’s strengthing her self and adapting to her new tripawd life! Trust me everyday day and week it gets better! Best of luck to you all! Can’t wait to hear how things go!
Our Maggie’s story was somewhat similar. She was 80 lbs, arthritic hips, and 11 years old. Her right front leg was removed after we found she had osteosarcoma (broke her leg running). We were concerned about her quality of life given her arthritis but had not choice other than letting her go. She also did not have any spread to her lungs or lympth glands.
Now 3 years later she is still happy to go on a walk, running to her dish for dinner, and a healthy happy girl. We made the right choice and I am sure you did too!! Maggie gets a lot of salmon oil in her diet and she also has a beautiful coat :-). Good luck and please keep posting. This group is so wonderful supportive.
So sorry to hear about cookie today is Cocos last day on 4 legs she to has the same”bone cancer” in her left front leg! I’m worried to but find comfort knowing you aren’t the only one dealing with doubts and concerns and tears shed for our fur babies its tough I’m just glad I have found support here on tripawds as I hope you do and I pray cookie has a happy 6th bday my coco just turned 5 we are traveling 2hrs to Richmond va for her surgery. Did you do anything special the day before? I feel like I should make her last day the best then again I don’t want her to over do it. Again just as I find comfort in knowing their are others experiencing the same struggles some like ours all to similar i hope and pray for the best for cookie and my Coco!! Wendy
Thank you all for the support, it means a lot!!
MAXIMUTT: we tried looking for Cemil and Nova but we must not be that proficient at using the web-site. Could you perhaps post links?
Tnx.
Hi Wendy, Cookie’s last day on 4 legs (well….3.5 technically….) was Tuesday AM and that morning she wanted to go for the longest walk ever……it’s almost like she knew and wanted to take everything in…….
Hope all went well with Coco!!!