Boy, this place is DEAD.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

They said that there's possibly one more drug that might slow the progression in his lungs. Since most of the vets at U of IL are "residents", they want to confer with the Oncology Dept head tomorrow, then contact my vet.

I mean, it's certainly not a cure, but might buy him some more time. I know this sounds a little selfish, and I would agree, if he didn't still feel good, playing and the like(we just came in from playing ball).
I hope my vet's not upset that I kinda "went over her head" with a second opinion(if she is, she'll just have to get over it).
Thanks again for all the support.

So, U of IL called a couple of hours ago, and said they do think it's worth trying this one last drug, which hopefully will slow the cancer progression in his lungs. Does anyone think that it's selfish of me to try this?
FWIW, he still feels fine. He played ball several times this afternoon(he MAKES you play ball, you don't have to ask him). I know it can only prolong the inevitable, but if it bought him a couple more good months, wouldn't it be worth it? Also, this drug is just an injection. The one he was previously on was a 6-7 hour IV infusion, which of course, he hated. Any thoughts?

[DrummerDeanna]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

So, U of IL called a couple of hours ago, and said they do think it's worth trying this one last drug, which hopefully will slow the cancer progression in his lungs. Does anyone think that it's selfish of me to try this?
FWIW, he still feels fine. He played ball several times this afternoon(he MAKES you play ball, you don't have to ask him). I know it can only prolong the inevitable, but if it bought him a couple more good months, wouldn't it be worth it? Also, this drug is just an injection. The one he was previously on was a 6-7 hour IV infusion, which of course, he hated. Any thoughts?

Well if he's still able to get around and is happy and playing and you can afford it - I say go for it!! It would be different if he were completely imobile and depressed - but as long as he's still happy-go-lucky Cash I say you do what you can if it brings you peace of mind.

I don't think you considering or doing this is selfish. Again, if the dog couldn't do for himself anymore - then perhaps - but it sounds like he's still up and around and ready to play!

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

So, U of IL called a couple of hours ago, and said they do think it's worth trying this one last drug, which hopefully will slow the cancer progression in his lungs. Does anyone think that it's selfish of me to try this?
FWIW, he still feels fine. He played ball several times this afternoon(he MAKES you play ball, you don't have to ask him). I know it can only prolong the inevitable, but if it bought him a couple more good months, wouldn't it be worth it? Also, this drug is just an injection. The one he was previously on was a 6-7 hour IV infusion, which of course, he hated. Any thoughts?

Homer, I don't know what to say. If he isn't in pain and you need the extra time to prepare yourself for the inevitable, then maybe this is what you need to do. I guess if the cost is reasonable, then go for it. There will come a time when you have to make this horrible decision, and I wish you all the love and strength for it.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

Well if he's still able to get around and is happy and playing and you can afford it - I say go for it!! It would be different if he were completely imobile and depressed - but as long as he's still happy-go-lucky Cash I say you do what you can if it brings you peace of mind.

I don't think you considering or doing this is selfish. Again, if the dog couldn't do for himself anymore - then perhaps - but it sounds like he's still up and around and ready to play!

Right. And he's his same old self. Through this year and a half of radiation, chemo, tumor(s) removal, and mandibilectomy(and this was bigtime-5 days in the hospital-he was so frail when he came home from this), he's remained UNCHANGED. He plays as much today, as he did two years ago. I've never seen a dog who likes to play as much as Cash. Playing is his life.
I mean, being melanoma, I knew, 19 months ago, that only 10% survive for normal life span. So really, all along, you're just trying to buy as much quality time as you can. So, I guess, in my attempt to become homeless, we'll try this drug too.

[michelle2677]

Homie-I'll have to go with everyone else and say if he seems to be feeling fine, then you have to try. He will let you know when enough is enough. (((Hugs))) to cash.

[jannieC]

Homer- just checking in to see if anything is new with Cash. Have you tried the new treatments and how does he seem to be feeling?

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Homer- just checking in to see if anything is new with Cash. Have you tried the new treatments and how does he seem to be feeling?

Well, my local vet STILL didn't want to do anything, so I kept calling U of IL. My vet felt that his liver #'s weren't up to taking this drug(because THIS drug is metabolized???? solely by the liver, and his liver #'s are down-minimally!- from the other chemo drugs), BUT, she's not an Oncologist! And, the Oncologist at U of IL, is agreeing with me! So, today I connected both of them, FINALLY, and got the answer that I'm looking for. The drug was ordered today. I call tomorrow morning, to find out when the drug arrives, and he'll get his first dosage tomorrow. Dosages, and blood tests, will be weekly, unless the lung x-rays are looking like he's getting worse, then, we'll go back to doing nothing(meaning the drug isn't working).


I know I'm only hoping to buy some more time. But that's worth alot to me.

The things we do for love......

[sammigold]

Hi, I am new to the ledge and was reading about your dog and my heart goes out to you sooooo much!

About 4 years ago my canine best friend of 12 years was diagnosed with cancer of the spleen... I was told that their was nothing to do for her but palliative care, my vet then told me that I would probably still have her with me for the next few months as she wasnt in any pain at this time. I went home devastated but relieved to finally know what was wrong (she had been ill with a stomach infection for nearly two weeks,,, I took her to 3 different vets plus a dog physiotherapist, spent all my savings (about $1500) trying to find out what was wrong.... finally the third vet diagnosed correctly the stomach infection and we treated that... once the infection was gone then I found the lump and I knew it wasnt a good lump (she'd had fatty ones before)
I went home with enough cortisone tablets for the next 2 months and the instructions to come back if she seemed to get worse.
That night I went to work (I worked at a theatre restaurant at the time as a performer) crying my eyes out every time I thought about it. I stayed back a bit longer than normal and had a couple of drinks (drowning my sorrows, but not enough to get drunk)
When I got home, I asked my partner where Zoe was and he said that she was outside.. she hadnt wanted to come in.... I went to the toilet... and then outside to bring her in... I called her name and couldnt see her... then I looked down at my feet and my beautiful baby had died coming to the door to meet me...(I swear that her spirit was still there) I have never felt so much grief in my life (I am crying now remembering the moment) but now I can also remember her with a smile.

I just want to say that I can fully understand your wanting to prolong Cash's life as long as you can.... and I fully support your decision to do that! I am a firm believer that your loved one will tell you when they are no longer able to stay for you....

I truly believe that Zoe waited until the vet diagnosed her... it is like she could sense my helplessness when I didnt know what was wrong and sense my relief when I did... and when she sensed that relief she was able to say goodbye... I spent hours laying with her telling her that if she wanted to go at anytime not to feel bad, not to feel that she had to hold on for me.... when she did go it was devastating but I knew that she had waited as long as she could.

Good Luck for Cash and I know you are treasuring every moment.... I really feel for you and I hope I havent been totally inappropriate in telling you my story.... Its just that Unconditional love deserves to be remembered

[HomerMcvie]

Thanks for sharing your story. Zoe sounds like a a great dog. It's just so hard to let them go. As long as Cash still feels good, we'll keep trying everything that might buy him some more time(bankruptcy or not!).
Take care, fellow dog lover.

[David]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

As long as Cash still feels good, we'll keep trying everything that might buy him some more time(bankruptcy or not!).

that would be my advice, too.

to me, euthanasia is for when the animal is in bad discomfort or pain & there's little or no hope for getting back a better quality of life.

[estranged4life]

Originally Posted by David

to me, euthanasia is for when the animal is in bad discomfort or pain & there's little or no hope for getting back a better quality of life.

we had to put down a few cats because of illnesses that they would not recover from, and why it hard to say goodbye it was indeed for the best.

We currently have 1 cat, Gilligan, who had suffered a back injury that has caused him to lose use of his back legs, but he is very healthy. Soon he will be getting a cart to pull himself around the house in (He does very well now dragging himself-He is very mobile & a cart will make him more mobile, which equals more household items destroyed because before his injury he was one hyper-active cat...He plays around like a typical 2 year old cat, the orange long-haired tabby **** chewed up one of my purple cancer bracelets).

The vet says the choice is there for us to put him down, but since he is not showing any type of pain & he is functioning almost normally (He eats/urinates/etc. normally) that he said we should hold off on that option.

[skcin]

Glad things are looking up a bit Homer.

And Brian, you must share pics of your cat-in-a-cart when he gets it.

[BlackWidow]

Originally Posted by sammigold

Hi, I am new to the ledge and was reading about your dog and my heart goes out to you sooooo much!

About 4 years ago my canine best friend of 12 years was diagnosed with cancer of the spleen... I was told that their was nothing to do for her but palliative care, my vet then told me that I would probably still have her with me for the next few months as she wasnt in any pain at this time. I went home devastated but relieved to finally know what was wrong (she had been ill with a stomach infection for nearly two weeks,,, I took her to 3 different vets plus a dog physiotherapist, spent all my savings (about $1500) trying to find out what was wrong.... finally the third vet diagnosed correctly the stomach infection and we treated that... once the infection was gone then I found the lump and I knew it wasnt a good lump (she'd had fatty ones before)
I went home with enough cortisone tablets for the next 2 months and the instructions to come back if she seemed to get worse.
That night I went to work (I worked at a theatre restaurant at the time as a performer) crying my eyes out every time I thought about it. I stayed back a bit longer than normal and had a couple of drinks (drowning my sorrows, but not enough to get drunk)
When I got home, I asked my partner where Zoe was and he said that she was outside.. she hadnt wanted to come in.... I went to the toilet... and then outside to bring her in... I called her name and couldnt see her... then I looked down at my feet and my beautiful baby had died coming to the door to meet me...(I swear that her spirit was still there) I have never felt so much grief in my life (I am crying now remembering the moment) but now I can also remember her with a smile.

I just want to say that I can fully understand your wanting to prolong Cash's life as long as you can.... and I fully support your decision to do that! I am a firm believer that your loved one will tell you when they are no longer able to stay for you....

I truly believe that Zoe waited until the vet diagnosed her... it is like she could sense my helplessness when I didnt know what was wrong and sense my relief when I did... and when she sensed that relief she was able to say goodbye... I spent hours laying with her telling her that if she wanted to go at anytime not to feel bad, not to feel that she had to hold on for me.... when she did go it was devastating but I knew that she had waited as long as she could.

Good Luck for Cash and I know you are treasuring every moment.... I really feel for you and I hope I havent been totally inappropriate in telling you my story.... Its just that Unconditional love deserves to be remembered

Welcome to The Ledge....

[sammigold]

thanks Black Widow!

Homermcvie, I Hope Cash is doing OK!!!!!

[sara1998]

Where in the hell is everyone today??