possible osteosarcoma... please help

[Gin&Dex]

Good News!!!

Hi all!

We finally got to see the vet today and he said that YES, Ginger's mass has shrunk considerably (even visably) since we've started the steroid treatment! I pointed out the areas that I was concerned about near her hip (where I thought the mass may have spread), he said it was the curve of her pelvis that I was feeling, due to muscle atrophy. He reassured me, it was nothing for me to worry about. I had noticed the muscle decreasing in her leg, but hadn't thought about it possibly being as high as her pelvis.

He feels pretty good about how she is doing. He thinks that even if the mass doesn't go away completely (which is kinda what I expect), at least we seem to have stopped it's progression. He even commented that she is bearing more weight on her leg than the last time he saw her!

I feel like I'm on cloud nine! I know we'll still have some bad days, and the problem certainly isn't gone, but the treatments are doing what they are supposed to do. My little "grey-faced fighter" is FIGHTING!!!! I'll help her fight as long as she wants to!!

Thank you all, again, for your hugs and kisses and kind words of support through this all. We couldn't have made it this far without you! You all are helping Ginger fight this too! I tell her she has lots of new friends while I deliver the hugs and kisses you send her! She loves it! And Dexter loves all the extra attention too! He is so great with her!

Please give your babies an extra hug and kiss from us, and hug yourselves too! We hope everything is happy and HEALTHY with you all!

 

[Slobber Baby]

WooHoo! That is great news! So happy she's doing better..still sending slobbery kisses and keep us posted!

Laura

 

[Elyse]

WooHoos over here too!! What wonderful news. I am so happy for you guys. Sending some of the messiest sloppy kisses from Nestle and Porter and some great big (((hugs))) to You, Ginger, and Dexter. Your babies are beautiful!!!!

Keep fighting little lady!!

 

[spud's mum]

Oh that is FANTASTIC news!! WOOHOO! I'm so happy for you! Way to go Ginger! appicon
Oh you must be so relieved to be getting somewhere at last! I peeked at your gallery and your babies are sooo gorgeous! Give them both lots more kisses and (((hugs))) from me and Spud. Keep on fighting Ginger! Will keep everything crossed that this is just the start of a wonderful recovery.

 

[iloveboxerz]

Hi Melanie,

That is terrific news! I am so glad that you are finally seeing some positive results. I hope that things continue to get better and better. I know that you and Ginger have been through alot and have fought hard to get to where you are today, good work! Mookie, Chance and I are sending lots and lots of get well hugs and kisses. Your babies are beautiful!!!! Keep us posted.

 

[sweetboxer]

Hooray!!!!

Melanie,
OMG, I've been on vacation and I come home to wonderful news!!!!!!

I am SOOOOOO happy for you! I am so glad that Ginger's report is so good! These dogs are so amazing, aren't they?! They're such fighters...no wonder we love them! I just can't even tell you how happy I am for you...I've been keeping my fingers crossed and saying my prayers.
Please give Ginger and Dexter HUGE hugs from me and tell them that Colby and Skye send lots of happy wiggles their way!!!
Please keep us posted!!!
Nicole, Colby, and Skye

 

[brooxy18]

Hello Melanie!!! I just read about your experience with your baby!!! I am sorry to hear you are going through this, but it sounds like Ginger is doing so much better. I am so happy for you to hear the good news. On the other hand I am also from Shreveport, Louisiana. So if you ever need anything hopefully i could help you out. I currently live in Fort Worth, but I was born and raised in Shreveport. I come home about every other weekend to visit my parents. Maybe our babies could meet one day. I am just glad to hear Ginger is doing so much better. It breaks my heart to reads stories like yours. Hang in there and Brooxy (my pup) are sending prayers your way. Keep us posted.

Bridget & Brooxy

 

[Gin&Dex]

a Ginger update

Hi Friends!

It's been a few days since my last post, but I wanted you all to know that Ginger is still doing just fine! There hasn't been any more shrinkage of the mass (I don't think), but it definitely has not grown any.

We've cut her steroid dosage down to only once per day, and that has really helped reduce the water intake and peeing (though I still come home at lunch and let her out). She doesn't play very much anymore, because I think the steroids are a little draining to her. (I give them with her evening meal so I can watch her, and she has always played in the evening.) They cause her to pant quite a bit, which is a normal side effect of the steroid. So I think she's just too tired to play. But she is happy and herself... she jumps off the couch to greet me when I come home everyday!

Overall, I am happy with how she is doing. We're going to go visit the vet again Friday for a check up, and to see what he thinks. If everything looks ok, we'll cut her dosage again to every other day. I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks to you all for your thoughts, prayers, kisses and hugs! We still need them and greatly appreciate them!

To Bridget and Brooxy, nice to meet you and thanks for the well wishes!! Glad to hear that someone else on this board is from Shreveport... I thought I was the only one! Maybe we can get together one of these days!

We send HUGS to you all!

 

[Elyse]

So great to hear Ginger is doing so much better.

Good luck at the vet on Friday and please keep us posted. Your little girl will be herself in no time!!! (((hugs)))

 

[iloveboxerz]

Hi Melanie,
I am glad to hear that Ginger is doing so well. I really hope that she makes a full recovery soon. I am so happy for you, I hope you and Ginger have many more years together. Good luck at the vet's and keep us posted. We are send lots of hugs and kisses.