hemangiosarcoma possibility

[sweetboxer]

Hooray!!

I'm so glad to hear that Pepper's lump was just a fatty tumor! It's always nice to hear happy news!!!


I am just so thrilled for you that Freckles is doing so well. I can't believe her last round is here already. She really has done great! I hope her ultrasound and bloodwork check out fine. She is such a little trooper!

Please let us know how her ultrasound reads. I'll be saying lots of prayers for you and Freckles!

As always, Colby and Skye send lots of kisses and wiggles to Freckles!
Stay strong!!
Nicole, Colby, and Skye
with angel kisses from Cadence

 

[dorloff]

4th Chemo Session

Can't believe this but we just finished Freckles' 4th chemo session. She is doing fine. A little nauseous but was back to normal after 24 hours. We did a chem panel to check her liver, thyroids etc...

Her liver is doing fine as well as the rest of her. However, she has hypothyroid due to the illness and chemo. I'm so glad that her liver is doing fine since the cancer had spread to it. The doctor also did an ultrasound on her liver, heart, lungs etc.. and found NO MASS TUMOR. We are praying that it stays that way for a long time. Can't believe it!! I just thank God for every day we have with her. Sometimes, I just take my family for granted and this experience has really brought me back to reality. The oncologist is hoping that we can continue with this success.

Two more chemo sessions to go and she is going to start taking the tamoxifen, doxycycline and remadyl protocol. We are hoping that the combination will keep everything under control.

This web site has been such a blessing. I really appreciate all the prayers, support and encouragement that everyone has given to me and my family. We REALLY REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!!! Hope all is well with everyone. I will continue to post Freckles' updates!!

Take care!!

Freckles, Pepper and Denise

 

[Elyse]

What wonderful news!!! Freckles will continue to be in our thoughts and we promise to keep on sending those <<<<positive vibes>>>>. So proud of you Freckles. Keep it up girl!!!! Denise, you hang in there and keep on loving her the way you do!!!

 

[RonniRN]

HI. I am new to the forum and so glad I found it. My boxer, Sayge, who is a 7 year old white boxer had an episode last week of becoming ill - lethargy, inability to weight bear on the left leg, no appetite, etc. She had the same thing happen in December and then spontaneously returned to normal when I took her to the vet. She is back to normal now, but I took her to the vet when this happened and she felt from the blood work that Sayge seemed slightly anemic. They did abdominal xrays and then an abdominal ultrasound and found the splenic mass. I am devastated. They say is could be a hemangiosarcoma (70%) or better a hematoma. They told me the hemangiosarcoma has a very bad prognosis and fast rate of death even after removal. After reading through your letters I am feeling some relief (I have been crying for days- she is my baby and always by my side). I was afraid of the chemo and how sick it would make her.
I am also worried about the cost of surgery and treatment and if I will be able to afford it all. Can you give me an idea of the cost? I am willing to do anything for this dog. I have paid $600 so far this week in vet bills and tests. She goes in for another xray tomorrow of her chest to try and rule out heart metastasis or lung metastasis.
I would really appreciate any help and support you all could give me. I am having a real hard time with this. Please reply and keep Sayge in your prayers.
Thanks

Rhonda mom to Sayge
mom to Snaggle (fawn boxer - died 12-04 at 13 yrs old)

 

[dorloff]

Dear Rhonda

Dear Rhonda,

I am so sorry to hear about Sayge. Please try to do the surgery as soon as possible. If the cancer is only in the spleen (hopefully it is not cancer) - then you have caught it early. Freckles has spread to the liver that's why she must go thru chemo. Each treatment for the babies are at a different costs but it is in the thousands. We have spent approximately six to seven thousand in these past couple of months. The doctor will break it down for you the costs. Again, if it is not cancer and you caught it fast enough then you may not go thru what we are going thru. Furthermore, dogs handle chemo much differently than humans. (Trust me - it is a blessing!!!) Since, they do not understand the side effects and their body chemistries are different - they do not suffer the hair loss, etc.. Freckles, is usually back to normal in about 3 days. When my family and friends see here - they cannot believe that she is going thru chemo! Enjoy every moment with Sayge. I know we are blessed to have Freckles and Pepper in our lives.

Freckles, Pepper and I are sending all the healing vibes, slobbery kisses and prayers to you and Sayge.

Hang in there and if you have any other questions or need anything else please let us know.

Take care!!

Freckles, Pepper and Denise

 

[Elyse]

Rhonda, I am so sorry to hear about Sayga. Although we have no advice, we wanted to sent some <<<<<positive vibes>>>>> and great big HUGS. Keeping our paws crossed that you have caught this early enough. Hang in there and please keep us posted on Sayga. More ((((HUGS)))) for both of you.

 

[sweetboxer]

As a former cancer-patient Mommy, I agree with Denise. Do the surgery ASAP. In Cadence's instance, she had a different type of cancer which couldn't be operated on. Their best chance of survival is surgery and then chemo. Chemo isn't the same for dogs as for humans, like Denise said. Cadence was sick for the first day or so, but by day 3, she was her normal, happy self. They will give Sayge meds to keep her comfortable, i.e. anti-nausea, pain, etc...The costs are high, unfortunately, but I was willing to pay anything to keep my girl. Unfortunately, our battle ended early on, but we had already spent close to $3000. The doctors forget to mention all the little add-on costs, like the extra meds they give along with chemo, emergency visits, if needed, etc...There is something called CareCredit, which you can apply for. It is basically a credit card, which you can get at 0% financing sometimes, and you use it to pay the bulk of the bills and then pay it down as you would a credit card. That way, you're not putting out $1000/week, or whatever the costs are, and you can pay it down as you have the money. They have a website, I think it's www.carecredit.com.
Good luck with Sayge. Don't get discouraged right away. This is not necessarily a death sentence. Look at Freckles!!! She's doing awesome! She's my sunshine story, where I look when I'm sad about losing my girl. You and Sayge can beat this. Just don't give up!!
Keep us posted.
Colby and Skye send Sayge lots of wiggles and kisses!
Nicole, Colby, and Skye
with angel kisses from Cadence 9/25/03-5/24/05

 

[dorloff]

Thanks!!

Thanks Nicole and everyone for their support.

Rhonda - Nicole is right. It is not a death sentence. Stay positive and help your baby fight!!!

One thing I did realize - our babies feel our emotions. They know when we are sad and really stressed. They will feel that and act upon it. Freckles and Pepper always want to make us feel good and stresses when they cannot. I know that it is tough but stay positive so your baby can fight the illness. Our oncologist and vet are really thrilled with the results and said that our attitudes are really helping. Freckles is a low stressed out baby as well as Pepper.

Hang in there!!

Freckles, Pepper and Denise

 

[RonniRN]

thanks for support

Hi all,
Thank you all for your support and all your letters. Sayge is feeling well. We had to do some kidney function tests because when she became ill last week her BUN and Creatinine were out of whack. I got good news today that they are back to normal. Her heart Xrays looked normal also and they say there are no lymph nodes that they can see or palpate. So the surgery will go on. I got the referrals from my vet today...
I know what you say about dogs picking up our emotions so I am trying to be real upbeat around Sayge, but I do break down at times alone. The vet says she is the best dog and will let them do anything without growling or giving problems. She is very trustful - she never had any reason not to be.
Please keep us in prayers and I will let you know what is happening as we go.
How is Freckles doing????

Rhonda

 

[Elyse]

Rhonda, I am so happy to hear all of Sayge's tests came back normal. Both you and Sayge will remain in our thoughts. Continue to be strong and a fighter for mommy sweet girl!!

Thanks for the update. ((((hugs)))) to you both!!!