My Cooper has a brain tumor....

[BXR RYD]

Arley's check up went well and all his blood work is normal.
I went ahead and did the 24 hr holter as well and I am still waiting for the results of that, he may just need his meds changed or it was just a one time fluke kind of thing, but it still worries me to death.
I start a new job on Monday (been off work since October while Cooper was ill) and it is time for me to move forward, it has been a month since my Cooper crossed and Arley needs a new routine, but I am now so scared that he will have a seizure or fainting spell while I am not there and I have no way to know if he has one so I am uneasy about leaving him home all alone now, Monday will be the first day ALL by himself.
Since Coopers passing I have got more involved with a breeder who tries to do boxer rescue and we are joining forces to do it on a full time basis and I will be able to foster most of them which will allow Arley to have a new friend as I am not ready for another boxer of my own, but if I end up falling in love with one I will have the option to adopt on my terms. Part of me feels like I cant yet love another one as it is too soon after the passing of Cooper. I know that Cooper would want me to have another so that another boxer could have a great life like he did but I am not ready and I am hoping through fostering that will help me with the situation. I know time heals all wounds and I am in no hurry.
Thanks for thinking and keeping Arley and I in your thoughts and prayers.
There is not one person in my life that really understands what I have been through or what I am going through more than my BW family and I am so lucky to have all of you who does understand the pain and heart ache and it is much easier to be able to talk to you all.

 

[Britbox]

Congratulations on your new job!!!, and I am so pleased that Arley's check went well. I know what you mean about being scared that Arley will have a siezure while you have to leave him, It's also a big fear of mine with Millie too, but as I can't be here 24/7 (gotta pay the bills somehow!)..I just have to hope everything will be O.K...She has had the odd faint when she has got overexcited when I come in from work, and of course, that makes me paranoid that it might be happening during the day and I'm not here to help her, but just like kids, you can't be with them all day, and wrap them in cotton wool,... you just have to trust the big man in the sky sometimes!
Well done on The Boxer rescue Idea, what a fitting tribute to Cooper, that you can share the love you have for him with other less fortunate Babies that have maybe never known what it is to have an angel like you to care for them. (I am sure that It won't be too long before a new little smushy face takes up a permanant place in your heart!)....I am so glad that things seem to be getting a little better for you, keep us posted!!! Me and Millie send love and slobby kisses.

 

[BXR RYD]

Marion,
Thanks, I am excited about the new job...I was due for the change.

I have decided to pay my next door neighbor lady to come over a few times a day and "check in" on Arley to make sure he is adjusting, plus he needs noon pills and my new job is too far away for me to come home at lunch and give them to him like I use to. This way it will also give me piece of mind and I wont be worrying or wondering so much while at the new job. I will still wonder about the fainting or seizure factor though.....but hopefully not as bad as long as I know someone will be checking on him from time to time.

While time is healing my broken heart I still miss my Cooper an awful lot and cry myself to sleep at nite. I have been able to put his bed in a tote, his blanket I sealed in a food saver bag to preserve his smell, his teddy bear is next to his urn along with his collar and leash. I have been buying frames like a maniac and putting up a lot of pics of him (if that is possible) and I have bought a few memorial candles for him
http://paws2heaven.com/proddetail.asp?prod=707&cat=25
http://www.paws2heaven.com/memorycandles.htm
and I will enjoy my new found love of BOXER RESCUE and fostering, I will keep you posted on the progress of that.
I hope you are doing well too and I thank you sooo much for all of your support and wisdom in my time of need.

 

[Paws1996]

I am so sorry to hear this. in all the misdiagnoses the good thing that you have to focus on is the prescribing of the prednizone. THAT has given your boy much comfort and more time. Problem is that the tumor probably now has become resistant to the med or the shrinking has gone as far as it could go.

In March of 2004 my own father was diagnosed with a Grade IV malignancy brain tumor. He passed away in November of that same year after several bouts of prednizone, chemo and radiation and finally surgery.

My advice to you:

love him, play with him, give him the best time of his life whilst he is still there to take care of you. believe me! your boys biggest concern is that he is not doing as great a job being there for you as he would like to.

You could opt for surgery, despite what the vets have said. It would be astronomically expensive and very very risky.

My personal choice would be to love him until he no longer could hold on in a dignified and humane fashion.

all the best to you!!

Paws, Biggles, Jane & david

 

[Britbox]

Hiya Kodie, What a great Idea, to get your neighbour in to keep an eye on Arley, I'm sure he will be so glad of the company, as he is bound to be missing his mummy at first, and you will be able to concentrate on your new job, knowing that all is well at home..I will be thinking of you on Monday....first day at work is always the worst isn't it..I hate being 'the new girl'!!
That link you gave was great, I loved all that Boxer stuff they have especially the angel, It's all so nice....but my husband has banned me from buying anything else to put around Poppy's little box, as she now has a whole bookcase dedicated to her, full of candles, angels, photo's poems etc. (He says we are now in Angel overload, but I love them ).It makes me feel better, and I still even now 'talk' to her, and I feel like she is still here somehow, and watches over all the daily goings on!!!...also, what a great idea to seal up Cooper's blanket, to keep his smell, I swear that in those first few weeks I cryed and sniffed so much Poppy's pillow, that all trace of her smell went in days, I wish I had thought of doing what you did at the time, then I would have been able to preserve that little last bit of her too....Anyway, hope you all have a great weekend,... keep on taking one step at a time, and stay strong coz you are doing just great, and Cooper will be so proud of his mummy.
lots of love and slobby kisses from me and Millie

 

[Britbox]

Hey Kodie, I know you are busy now, just wanted to say good luck for tomorrow, and the new job, hope all goes well....have a real good day and go kick ass!!!

 

[BXR RYD]

Hi Marion,
All is well....the job is going good.
Arley was sick all last week...throwing up, no appetite, eating a lot of grass etc, so back to the vet for some blood work and he has an inflamed pancreas so we are giving pepcid and changing to a low fat diet. I was so scared that it was going to be something so serious after all I have been through but he seems to be doing better now.
Thanks for thinking of me...how are you doing??

 

[boxermomof4]

Cooper and Arlie

I am so sorry to hear about your loss of Cooper. It is so hard for us boxer parents to give them up as they are so very special. Nothing like a boxer as far as I am concerned. We lost our son's 9 yr old baby girl a week ago. I am like you, I cannot shut off the tears. I still have 4 boxers, but nothing can take her place and it doesn't stop the pain. It does make me more aware of patting my 13 yr old male boxer a lot more. I know his time is limited.

I also have a white boxer. We hope that Arlie will get new meds that will help him feel better.

We are sending up prayer for you and Arlie. Will check back to see how it is going.

 

[boxermomof4]

Sorry about Cooper

I am so sorry to hear about your loss of Cooper. It is so hard for us boxer parents to give them up as they are so very special. Nothing like a boxer as far as I am concerned. We lost our son's 9 yr old baby girl a week ago. I am like you, I cannot shut off the tears. I still have 4 boxers, but nothing can take her place and it doesn't stop the pain. It does make me more aware of patting my 13 yr old male boxer a lot more. I know his time is limited.

I also have a white boxer. We hope that Arlie will get new meds that will help him feel better.

We are sending up prayer for you and Arlie. Will check back to see how it is going.

 

[Britbox]

Hi, kodie,
Good to hear from you again, I was wondering how you were all doing.........
Sorry to hear that Arley has been feeling poorly, and hope that the diet, and meds are doing the trick, and that he is feeling a lot better. I think It's only natural after all you have been through, that you are going to panic over everything...I know sometimes the least cough or sneeze can set me off with Millie, and I always tend to think the worst. It's only because we love our babies so much...sometimes I think I am more paranoid with her than I was with my kids, at least they could TELL me how they felt, but with our babies in fur coats, you have to trust your instincts (try as I might I can't teach Millie to talk )
So glad that your job is going good, I knew you would be fine!....My life on the other hand is pretty lousy at the moment. (If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all )...but these things are sent to try us I suppose!!
Give Arley a big kiss from me and Millie, and tell him to get well real soon