Austin's Mom
Boxer Insane
Sounds to me that Baxter's quality of life is quite good! I'm sure that you'll make all the right decisions for him.
Need Help/Information on Brain Tumors and Strokes
- Thread starter Aimee
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Aimee
Boxer Insane
Thank you all again for your support.
We have an appointment with our regular vet this evening for Baxter. We consulted with the oncologist yesterday (we will do this every two weeks) about Baxter's condition. We agreed on a "happy medium" for Baxter right now which is all his supplements and 15mg of prednisone a day. I gave him 15mg this morning and she said in 48 hours we will see a difference, if we are going to. She again gently reminded me that she is 110% sure that we have made the right choices for Baxter given his multiple problems which I really needed to hear. However, she does not feel that we should be weaning Baxter off the prednisone. She is convinced that Bax simply doesn't have enough time left to be severely harmed by the pred therefore she believes the time he has left he should be comfortable and cognitive. I feel very torn. In my heart I know that he declining, my house is wrapped in pipe foam for crying out loud. If he weren't declining, we wouldn't have had to wrap our walls. I also know this decline has taken place since the decreasing of the prednisone. Could they be related, absolutely! Could this be the decline we were told about from the very beginning that will only continue to get worse and that no amount of prednisone with help, absolutely! The only way for me to know this is by upping his prednisone to see if it works or holding out a little longer to see if the supplements will make a large enough difference. Right now I agreed to the happy medium but I am still questioning my choice. I was hopeful that if I could wean him off the prednisone, we could buy him more quality time. In an odd way, I feel as if I'm sentencing him to this death by keeping him on the pred. I know the evil side effects of the prednisone and he's been much calmer and happier since being weaned down until he gets up to move around. I think it's only fair to him to try the prednisone again and see if it helps him and hope that the supplements help to cut down on it's toxicity and negative effects.
Bax's gums aren't quite the healthy pink that they should be so we have an appointment tonight to have his hematocrit measured. The oncologist wants us to check for anemia either related to internal bleeding or the malabsorption problem.
Thanks for listening, we appreciate all your thoughts and prayers.
Aimee
We have an appointment with our regular vet this evening for Baxter. We consulted with the oncologist yesterday (we will do this every two weeks) about Baxter's condition. We agreed on a "happy medium" for Baxter right now which is all his supplements and 15mg of prednisone a day. I gave him 15mg this morning and she said in 48 hours we will see a difference, if we are going to. She again gently reminded me that she is 110% sure that we have made the right choices for Baxter given his multiple problems which I really needed to hear. However, she does not feel that we should be weaning Baxter off the prednisone. She is convinced that Bax simply doesn't have enough time left to be severely harmed by the pred therefore she believes the time he has left he should be comfortable and cognitive. I feel very torn. In my heart I know that he declining, my house is wrapped in pipe foam for crying out loud. If he weren't declining, we wouldn't have had to wrap our walls. I also know this decline has taken place since the decreasing of the prednisone. Could they be related, absolutely! Could this be the decline we were told about from the very beginning that will only continue to get worse and that no amount of prednisone with help, absolutely! The only way for me to know this is by upping his prednisone to see if it works or holding out a little longer to see if the supplements will make a large enough difference. Right now I agreed to the happy medium but I am still questioning my choice. I was hopeful that if I could wean him off the prednisone, we could buy him more quality time. In an odd way, I feel as if I'm sentencing him to this death by keeping him on the pred. I know the evil side effects of the prednisone and he's been much calmer and happier since being weaned down until he gets up to move around. I think it's only fair to him to try the prednisone again and see if it helps him and hope that the supplements help to cut down on it's toxicity and negative effects.
Bax's gums aren't quite the healthy pink that they should be so we have an appointment tonight to have his hematocrit measured. The oncologist wants us to check for anemia either related to internal bleeding or the malabsorption problem.
Thanks for listening, we appreciate all your thoughts and prayers.
Aimee
MizBev
Boxer Insane
Oh, Aimee. I wish there was something I could say to help you all get through this. I lost my Rocko but I knew he was sick when he came to live with us. I knew that my home was where he would die and I made my peace with that. I cannot imagine what you are all going through. I am sending you all the hugs I can muster and I hope that you can make Baxter as comfortable as this horrible illness allows. Baxter truly has an angel in you, Aimee.
Take Care,
Bev
Take Care,
Bev
Holden's Mom
Boxer Insane
Aimee, from your post of yesterday, it sounds as though Baxter's quality of life is quite good given his diagnosis. A year ago last spring, I was where you are now with 16 year old cat Lewis. He had so many problems, but was in end stage renal failure. I had a litter box and water bowl in most every room, a counter full of meds and hydration therapy set up in the utility room. You do what you have to do to keep them comfortable and in good spirits. When you can no longer achieve a comfort level for Bax, you will know, as will he.
I will keep all of you in thoughts and prayers.
Pam and Pete
I will keep all of you in thoughts and prayers.
Pam and Pete
oz4lines
Completely Boxer Crazy
Aimee,
There are no words to add that haven't allready been expressed.
One day at a time and enjoy, cherish and hold onto each of them.
I'm not a huge fan of meds either, but at this point if it keeps him comfortable, by all means, keep him comfortable. You've done everything physically possible to help. You've gone above and beyond being a great Mom to him.
We are all here as a support team during these difficult days ahead.
Nobody will question your decisions, they are yours, YOU know what's best for him. Don't second guess yourself, follow your heart.
There are no words to add that haven't allready been expressed.
One day at a time and enjoy, cherish and hold onto each of them.
I'm not a huge fan of meds either, but at this point if it keeps him comfortable, by all means, keep him comfortable. You've done everything physically possible to help. You've gone above and beyond being a great Mom to him.
We are all here as a support team during these difficult days ahead.
Nobody will question your decisions, they are yours, YOU know what's best for him. Don't second guess yourself, follow your heart.
Austin's Mom
Boxer Insane
Aimee I totally agree with Jill. We are all here to support you in whatever decisions you make, not to judge you. I only pray that you are at peace with whichever one you make. ((hugs))
Aimee, I know you are doing everything that you can for Baxter. I'm not a fan or Pred. in most cases, but it sound like Baxter needs it to feel good. So you have to do whatever it takes.
I'm sending positive healing vibes to Baxter. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayer!
I'm sending positive healing vibes to Baxter. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayer!
Mama_Zookeeper
Boxer Insane
Aimee,
I know you are torn with your decision, but I am sure that deep down not only is Baxter feeling better with the meds, but he is happy and grateful for the "extra" time you. When my 2nd boxer was on the decline after round 2 with meds I held on until he told me he was ready. As corny as that sounds it is true, he will let you know in his own good time when he is ready. Be strong and simply love him as much as you can and enjoy these moments to the fullest. Please don't stop to count them, just cherish them. You have my support and prayers...please let me know if there is anything i can do for you at all. Love & kisses to you & Baxter! lovicon
Dora
I know you are torn with your decision, but I am sure that deep down not only is Baxter feeling better with the meds, but he is happy and grateful for the "extra" time you. When my 2nd boxer was on the decline after round 2 with meds I held on until he told me he was ready. As corny as that sounds it is true, he will let you know in his own good time when he is ready. Be strong and simply love him as much as you can and enjoy these moments to the fullest. Please don't stop to count them, just cherish them. You have my support and prayers...please let me know if there is anything i can do for you at all. Love & kisses to you & Baxter! lovicon
Dora
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