Cancer is too often a losing battle

December 29, 2014


     There are two days left to this year.  While time continues to fly faster all of the time, this year had challenges which made many days seem very long to get through.  In retrospect, it wasn't much time at all.  Last year at this time we were scheduling George's amputation as a way to save his life from osteosarcoma.  I had intended to blog with regularity about George's progress but life gets in the way sometimes. 
     George did well after surgery.  Bounced back like we expected him too.  Adjusted to life as a tri-paw. I did all of his cooking, fixing him wonderful meals of oatmeal, chicken livers, kale, other fresh veggies and protein.  He loved it!  George loved to eat.  I bought him every supplement and holistic med I could find and he took them all like a trooper.  I researched, bought books and followed online holistic vets protocol for Osteosarcoma.  We did not do chemo, George was a bully and not one to hang around quietly in a Vet office waiting for treatment.  I made the best decisions I could for him and for us.  Will all of the fresh veggies and herbs George took out most of my hostas in the Spring, probably thinking they tasted like fresh asparagus which was one of his favorite vegetables.
     George and his bestie, Nala continued to run after and attempt to catch all the squirrels which frequent our yard.  He hopped about and warned everyone who walked by the yard of how big and bad he still was.  He had a good year, was very spoiled and very loved.
     Very unexpectedly, Nala got sick around Labor Day.  She had a very bad UTI and was wheezing.  The Vet gave her some antibiotics and said to call if the wheezing didn't improve.  She continued to get worse and we were very concerned.  At the same time George seemed to be in a little pain but Nala was the main concern and we brought her back to the Vet.  The wheezing was very bad and I asked him to do a chest x-ray.  In my heart of hearts I expected the worst and my suspicions were confirmed.  Nala's chest was full of cancer.  There was nothing to be done.  We have no idea where the primary tumor was as the lung cancer was most likely metastasis from somewhere.  She went home with some prednisone to increase her appetite and we tried our best to make her comfortable.  By the end of the following week a heart-breaking family meeting had us making the decision to relieve her from her suffering.  The next morning, Sat., we were to take her to the Vet.  I woke up after a very difficult night listening to her labored breathing and began to get ready when something happened and she passed away right before me.  I held onto her and cried and told her it was ok.  George whined from on top of my bed and didn't know what was wrong.  Nala left us on September 13, 2014 - it was only 10 days from when we discovered she had cancer and she was just 7 years old.


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It was hard to tell how George was affected.  He didn't seem to recognize the place in the yard as Nala's resting place.  It continued to seem as if he had pain, mostly in the middle of the night when he tried to roll over on my bed.  I wasn't sure if it was his joints because he was a tripaw or something else.  He also had coughed a couple of times.  I gave him some pain killers and that seemed to help.  I lost track of when things happened.  Within a couple of weeks I think of Nala's passing I brought George in to address the pain.  The Vet said he thought he had a strained knee and we put George on an anti-inflammatory for a few days.  George was better but when the meds were gone he was very much worse, was very depressed and even his food didn't make him happy.  I brought George back to the Vet saying I wanted chest x-rays for his now more frequent cough, blood work, everything.  I left him at the Vet not wanting the news I was expecting.  The Vet called me at work not wanting me to wait any longer.  Yes, the cancer that we tried to eliminate with the amputation had metastasized to his lungs.  He had cancerous lumps in his lungs and a very concerning large mass which was pressing against his trachea causing the cough. 
     I brought George home and managed his pain very well with the anti-inflammatory and pain meds.  He was actually happy.  Happily eating again, I took him for rides in the car and he enjoyed the autumn colors.  I prayed over him for healing every day which I had been for the last 11 months.  Time went by and aside for the occasional cough, I wondered when he would get sicker. 

I came home on Wednesday, November 5th and George was gone.  I found him laying peacefully on the floor.  I was devastated but in reality it didn't appear as though he had suffered.  My son said he had just left him 90 minutes prior and that George had a good day.  I'm sure his heart or something gave out, I know mine did.  George left us Nov 5, 2014, 10 weeks after his beloved Nala, he was just 4 years old. 

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We placed him in the yard next to Nala and I'm sure they are keeping each other company and chasing squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits somewhere fun. 

My sister had a star named after them and registered for us for Christmas this year.  I think it is the most awesome gift.  I miss them terribly and while I have awesome memories, the tears still flow freely.  I think it was Anne Lamott who said let the tears flow, then they can fall to the ground and the earth and allow something new to grow. 

George is a crazy man

Saturday 25-Jan-14

So the Tums seemed to help.  I figured he would eat around it if I put it in his food and we're both getting really tired of shoving pills down his throat.  We being myself and George!  Instead, I put the Tums in my mouth, bit it a couple of times and then put the crunched pieces in his dinner.  Ewww....believe me, George is not offended!  George continues to want to do things on his own. He no longer needs my 'help' getting down the step into our sunporch or the one step to go out the back door or the two little steps off of the patio for that matter. He can of course choose to go straight off the patio on the other side with no steps but why let your Mom breathe easy?

In his mopey way George came and leaned against me getting as much love and attention as I always give him.  I continue to sleep on the floor in my living room with him so he is not alone while Nala goes up the full set of stairs to my bedroom and enjoys my bed all to herself!  This arrangement is causing serious wear and tear on my back and my sleep.  Anyway, as he leaned against the couch I could see George eyeing his usual resting spot with intention.  I told him that I would give in, to which he quickly took me up on my offer and easily hopped up onto the couch before I changed my mind.  At last, it seems his depression is not surgery induced but rather a sadness because his sister Nala had the couch all to herself when he was relegated to laying on the floor on a dog bed - this of course is beneath his standard.

Sunday 26-Jan-14
 
 The polar vortex/artic blast has continued to push our limits but it didn't stop George from 'dashing' out the back door one day onto the ice which had formed from the melting rooftop snow. Slipping on 3 legs is a little comical to watch if you're not fearing injury or ripped out staples. After he's ventured far into the yard up the hill to take care of business he can be a little tired and his feet are hurting with the cold. This requires his Mom to get out there in the snow and give him a helping hand in quickly whether he wants it or not. Now the two of us approach the sheet of ice in front of the door, him with three legs and me with a very arthritic ankle that is equally not fond of the polar weather. Together we are 4 1/2 legs and I'm sure if one of us goes down he's taking the other with him.

Diane came to visit George today.  He of course ran to the door hearing that an intruder was here and gave her his biggest bully bark.  Some guys are just all show.  We had a nice vist.  Later that afternoon I decided I needed to give attention to my sleep deprivation.  I locked the dogs in the living room and closed my door so Nala wouldn't join me and took a much needed nap.  Later when I came downstairs I caught Nala creeping off of my brand new chaise and I found George on my living room couch!  I guess their comfy beds in front of the fireplace were not good enough.

Monday 27-Jan-14

Today is day 11 since surgery.

Last night I put down the twin mattress with the comforters for the dogs right there in front of the fireplace.  I locked the gates to the kitchen and dining room.  I gated my bedroom door so Nala would stay downstairs with George.  I told Brian of the dogs sleeping arrangements for the night.  Right before my alarm went off I heard Nala sneak up the stairs and go into Brian's room which he failed to lock.  My alarm went off and I hit snooze.  A few minutes later I heard a little whine.  Getting up I found George on the landing outside of my door -  he had climbed all 8 steps himself!!  His tiny tail nub wagged at seeing me and I let him in my room.  I attempted to help him into the bed but at 85 plus pounds and my barely awake status it didn't seem possible.  George, the crazy man, had no problem jumping way up onto my bed!

These meds make my belly feel bad

George didn't seem as perky last night and this morning as he had over the last couple of days.
When you have a dog in recovery after major surgery this is concerning.

He slept like a rock, hogging the little twin mattress I put on the living room floor in front of the pellet stove for us to share.  He was definitely NOT sharing.  I literally had to drag him out of bed.  He went outside and ventured slowly into the yard to do his business and seemed to want to keep going in the freshly fallen snow.  I was already late for work and called him back but I had to go and convince him that in the 5 degree weather, back in the house was where he belonged.

Today is my first day back to work and I was a little uneasy.  Brian promised to check on him during lunch if he could.  I called the vet to tell them he didn't seem to be feeling very well.  He's still eating and drinking (George never misses a meal) but something seems off.  There has been a lot of noise coming from his belly etc., and I was concerned that the antibiotics and anti-inflammatories were messing with his tummy. Poor guy, hadn't he been through enough? The vet office called back telling me to give him Tums twice a day but to continue with meds.

That is my plan for when I get home.  Tums for George.  In the meantime, I guess Brian did stop by during lunch because I see this awesome picture posted on Instagram.

Hey George...are you feeling better?

Surgery, biopsy results and more

Thursday January 16, 2014

George's local veterinarian successfully removed George's right front leg including the shoulder blade.  We were told he did well, a biopsy was sent out as requested and he would spend the night in the hospital.  Nala his sister, who is very narcissistic, was happy to have Mommy and all the toys to herself. 

Friday, Brian and I went to pick up George at 3:00 pm.  We were told he had been taken outside with some help a couple of times but he hadn't gone poo or pee so we should keep that in mind.  We brought the custom modified harness that Meagan made for George and eventually the technicians brought him out the side door and ramp to meet us outside.  His little nub tail was wagging and he was very happy to see us.  The harness was kind of too much pressure on the shoulder area causing some leakage from the wound area so we switched to a modified canvas grocery bag as a sling.  He was loaded into SUV, gave us many kisses and we headed home.

 George was happy to be home, led to the bed in front of the pellet stove, and begin his at home recovery phase.  He ate a little, drank a little and tried to rest. Meagan came to visit and help.  Brian brought dinner for us all and George got a lot of attention.  Friday night was a little tough.  George was uncomfortable and whined some throughout the night with his Mommy sleeping next to him.  He was taken outside because he hadn't voided but still no luck in that area.

Saturday January 17, 2014
Morning came and George seemed alert and in good spirits.  Mom left him in his bed to visit the ladies room and he was up and hopping before she returned.  By mid-morning a check with the vet clinic communicated that George had not voided yet even though he was drinking.  After another hour or so we decided to bring George back to the vet to have his bladder checked.  The vet came and examined George in the back of our vehicle, his bladder was medium size and there did not appear to be any blockage.  George the bully had no problem barking at the technician and letting us all know he was ok.

Back at home the day progressed with George happily eating and drinking and hopping when necessary.  He wore his modified harness so he could get help up and down the one step to his sunporch and the other step to the outside. He continued to rest.  Finally, after dinner Mom decided to let George off leash and he was happy to go off on his own, slow but steady, to finally pee.  Sunday morning showed more improvement with him hopping up the small hill outside so he could releve his bowels at last.

Monday January 20, 2014

George was brought back to the vet clinic to have his bandages replaced today.  Meagan came to help put him in the car and go to the vet with us.  I called in to the office and they opened the side door to the ramp.  George was removed from the vehicle and proceeded to try and drag me up the ramp.  I guess his surgery did not give him an aversion to the place.  George patiently stood the entire time the vet removed all his dressing and then carefully wrap him back up to protect the incision and those staples.  Surprizingly the vet let us know that the biopsy results were in and it was good and bad.  Apparently, the tumor is not an Osteosarcoma but a Fibrosarcoma.  Fibrosarcoma generally does not metastesize like Osteosarcoma.  According to the biopsy report the it is a high grade (not good) fibrosarcoma with guarded prognosis.  What this exactly means - I don't know.  So...back to researching the new situation  and continuing forward with immune boosting and herbal treatments whatever they may be....also considering acupuncture.

So far George has tried running through the yard and climbing on the couch - all to which he was abruptly stopped (another reason he wears his harness which has an easy grab handle).  His poodle neice Mystic stopped by for dinner.  Today was her 3rd birthday!  Can you see that she got special waterproof socks for her birthday?  She is a high-class faluting kind of a poodle.  Very chic I must say!
 
It is time to order a ramp for that SUV and figure out how we will get George upstairs to the bedrooms once staples are out.  Afterall, he does sleep in a bed.  He's a good boy and I believe he will continue to fight this thing and be an overcomer!

Boosting the Immune System

I continue George on his new immune boosting diet.  I've been giving him chopped fresh greens or 'above ground' veggies, chopped root veggies, brown rice, cottage cheese, raw  lean protein, turmeric, some fresh fruit and maybe a raw egg.  He eats like a king and is convinced he is one.  I supplement his meals with K9 Immunity.

We see the oncologist for a consult on Monday and I continue to send out emails to holistic vets, search the internet and inquire about Tumexal.  I've also reached out to Jess, the girl who was George's rescue foster.  She continues to work for veterinarians and will be inquiring for treatment info as well.

Making changes in George's diet makes me at least feel like I'm doing something. 

Moving forward

So, I spoke to the local veterinarian, did lots of research, read, sent emails, texts, made an appointment with an oncologist for a consult.

What I know.  Amputation is a given.  It is the quickest was to remove the bone cancer and the current pain.  Pain meds and anti-inflammatories are helping 100%.  I don't want George in pain.  He is young, in shape, lean and should fair well as a tripawd.  I didn't make that word up - there is even a blog that is very helpful.  http://tripawds.com/.

Chemotherapy is strongly suggested because there is a 95% + chance that George already has microscopic metastases in his lungs.  That sucks.  Why can't we just cut out the cancer and be done with it?  I read up on chemotherapy even though I already know what it will say.  Chemo is poison.  Poison that will kill cancer and just about everything else, GI lining making your dogs sick and vomiting, blood cells that will reduce your dogs blood count and force halting of chemo for a time, liver damage, heart damage, kidney damage etc.  Have you ever heard of a human that did well on chemo?  Well, dogs are not different - except that they don't know why.  My George deserves better.

What I want:  advice from a holistic veterinarian that will work with my local vet.  A sense of peace that I am making the right decisions for George.  For our Creator to help me help George's body to be brought back to the state it was designed for.  A nutritionally healthy body that will fight cancer like the alien invader that it is. 

So my early research points me to a few things.  1) A new natural product treatment called Tumexal promising miraculous results with canine osteosarcoma.  A capsule treatment that can be administered at home.  This is controversial and not FDA approved - decisions are hard. 2) Holistic diets that will reduce the ideal environment for cancer growth and boost the bodies ability to fight the cancer. 3) A research article that suggests doxycycline will reduce angiogenesis of lung cancer.

31Dec13. I reduce George's intake of grains (reduced kibble). I increase his fish oil (Omega 3) and fresh vegetables. I find some doxycycline in the cabinet and start him on a small dose.
01Dec14: George drinks green tea. His dinner consists of lean protein - salmon, chicken or sardines, carrots, chopped kale, organic brown rice and/or quinoa and turmeric. He of course loves this and eats everything. It's a start.

George's dinner.

 

 

 George's approval of the main course.

Every patient needs snuggle time with their Mommy.

 

 

The beginning

I rescued George, a ~ 1 year old male Rottweiler in July of 2011.  He was a big boy, kind of quiet and reserved, skinny with some ribs showing.  He took to me right away and become my protector and also thought he could take ownership of me.  We introduced him to our crazy, wild 5 year old girl, Nala.  Nala decided George could not play with any toys and proceeded to bully George.

Eventually, Nala decided George could play with toys if she said so.  Eventually, he go pretty smart and grabbed toys when she got distracted and walked away - not very often.