Sheba goes in for tests on Monday

[LadyGecko]

Brandy and Jessica
Thanks so very much for your replies
I got the results from my vet-negative for the fungal infection-i knew that it would be-but I had to hope
So it is bone cancer that we are dealing with

Sheba is doing really well the past couple of days-using that leg to walk and stand on and I cut back on the Tramadol to see how the Duramaxx alone would handle her pain issues-something that my vet agreed on when i spoke with him today

She is napping but then so are my other two dogs-it's a good day for a nap and that is where I am headed
thanks everyone for your kind words and your wonderful support
it means a lot to me

Sandy

 

[Mel&Keith]

Have you gotten second opinions about treatment yet? When I found out our Boston terrier had pituitary Cushing's disease her vet told me that they usually only live for two years after the tumor started to develop so treating the symptoms would simply be a waste of time and that the more cost effective thing to do would be to put her down. Disgusted, I started calling around and found a vet who agreed to treat her. Over a year later, she's in far better health now (even with the tumor progression) than she was when the original vet said to put her down. I know I made the right decision even against the advice of several doctors. I'm sure however you decide to handle this will be the right way for you and her. My thoughts are with you.

 

[LadyGecko]

Mel-thank you so much for your reply
Due to the fact that I do not drive and my BF works 100 miles away and is has been at work for the past 4 days -I have not pursued a second opinion
To be honest-I am just not getting over the initial shock of the diagnosis and I was waiting for the results of the last test which i received yesterday
I will be calling other vets and The U of I Champaign/Urbana this coming week to see what info I can find out about possible treatment for her and where else to bring her for a second opinion
I am really glad to read that your dog is doing better and I pray that she has much more time to be with you
As I said previously-this has been one hell of a shock in a dog that has never had one health problem since the day that she was brought to me at 4 months of age

Thanks so very much again for your thoughtful and concerned reply
Sandy

 

[Jeanne]

Sandy,

I am sorry that the results turned out negative for the fungal infection, I was really hoping that it would turn out to be that.

I will keep both of you in my prayers. I can't imagine what the 2 of you are going through right now. Try to be strong, and know that all of us here on Geckoforums are thinking about both you and wishing Sheba the best.

 

[LadyGecko]

Jeanne -Thank you so very much for your support and concern
With Sheba's pain under control at the moment-it is almost possible to forget that she is ill
My new motto is "one day at a time"

Thanks again to everyone for your care and kindness and concern
It is not only greatly appreciated-it is also most definitely needed

Sandy

 

[marula]

...i'm so so sorry...i can0t say more than this...be strong...

 

[LadyGecko]

Thank you so very much Marula-I have to try and be strong for her and for the rest of my animals and I am doing better with everything

On a brighter note
Here's a pic of my little girl " giving the neighborhood hell" this afternoon

Ever notice that they always pick the most scenic part of the yard to be when you want to take a pic ?
LOL

Sandy

 

[Jeanne]

Ohhhhh! She's beautiful!

I have a section of backyard that looks a lot like that....LOL

 

[moosassah]

Yeah, but when she looks like that all you see is her Give 'em hell BABY!!! She so cute. Hang in there.

 

[LadyGecko]

Thanks so much Jeanne and Moosassah
I think that she is the most beautiful dog in the world-but i might just be a bit partial-lol
All of the people that walk by my house-which is quite a few since I do live on a corner-well they all think that Sheba would eat them alive
Truth is that she would probably lick them to death as long as mom let them in the yard-lol
She is having some issues with her leg today but then so are my other 2 older dogs(all 3 have pain issues now) and my pain level sucks and I won't even mention my age-lol
What the hell happened to Spring???



Sandy

 

[techgirl]

What the hell happened to Spring???

Winter wasn't ready to leave yet, so it kicked Spring in the yayas.

Good to hear that Sheba is feeling somewhat better on the pain meds. Sorry to hear you're feeling poorly. Hopefully it'll start feeling more like Spring before August.

 

[LadyGecko]

Winter wasn't ready to leave yet, so it kicked Spring in the yayas.

Good to hear that Sheba is feeling somewhat better on the pain meds. Sorry to hear you're feeling poorly. Hopefully it'll start feeling more like Spring before August.

lmao

I don't think that you are too far off the mark there
I know that we will go from 30 degrees to 90
furnace to a/c and back to furnace every year
Arizona is starting to sound more and more appealing to me
:main_thumbsup:
Thanks for the empathy-I know that as soon as it warms up and it's not damp as hell-I will feel bettter and so will the dogs
Don't let anyone kid ya-getting old is hell !!
:main_thumbsdown:
Sandy

Snoopy was relaxing in the sun-something rare for him
He hates the sun with the heavy black coat that he has

Then Sheba sounded the alarm and that got his attention

When he saw that the neighbor had his little dog out-he joined in the ruckus with Sheba
LadyJane couln't be bothered she was sleeping in the shade-lol-so i could get a good pic of her
Black lab pics in the shade don't come out well
:main_rolleyes:

 

[sacredcreatures]

Remember Sandy, I have land in New Mexico:main_yes: and I will soon be there and have one lot to sell. NM is idea for people like us. I'll PM you, My email acting up! Give Sheba a BIG Kiss and Hug from Me and theres one for you too! Hang in there! Deb

 

[LadyGecko]

Hi Deb-That sounds soooooooooooo good

Right now I could REALLY use some nice warm weather and to "make like a lizard" and go bask on a flat rock in the sun
lol
I figure it this way- I don't mind A/C to keep cool
so why not move somewhere that I don't have to use a furnace and I sure hope that I can do so eventually

I will be looking forward to hearing from you

Sheba says HI !!

Sandy

 

[LadyGecko]

4 months later

Four months have come and gone and Sheba is still using all 4 legs and her locomotion has improved to the point where she is walking and even running like her old self

She has my vet completely perplexed and he is a man of some 30 plus years of experience of working with dogs

We talked abut doing more x-rays on her but I am hesitant to put her under again just to take more pictures and possibly arrive at the same conclusion

I am in a quandary as what to do-if anything right now and I keep going back and forth on having more tests run or not

My main concern is to do the best thing for her in all ways and right now I see a very happy and vibrant animal

Her shoulder has a small amount of malformation that has not changed in outward appearance in the last 4 months and she exhibits no pain when it is touched even after the 3 days without the pain medicine

As per my vets instructions we cut back on the Deramaxx and found that she can go 3 days without it and then a trace of a limp started showing up
I immediately put her back on the medicine
I am now trying one pill every other day and so far she is doing fine on this dosage

I don't know exactly what is going on with her but I am extremely grateful for this quality time with her

I thank God on a daily basis that she is still with me with a high quality of life

If she does take a turn for the worse and the inevitable has to be done-I can look back on these precious months that I did not expect to have

I thought that i would pop in with an update on her for everyone that was so kind to read/respond to this thread


Sandy

 

[brandy101010]

I'm so glad she is doing so well. She is lucky to have you!

 

[techgirl]

I am so glad she is doing well for you. May she give you alot of good days. She is a truly special girl.

 

[nygeckoqn]

Sandy,
She is looking wonderful. I am so glad she is doing so well. I think she is just going to be your miracle girl.She is such a beautiful girl too. Give her lots of kisses for me.
Robin

 

[LadyGecko]

Thanks so very much guys

I think that I am the lucky one

She is definitely a very special girl and she gets loads of kisses and hugs on a daily basis as do my other 2 dogs
LOL

Sandy

 

[LadyGecko]

Sheba Update

My last post about my beautiful girl Sheba was in August 07

She was diagnosed with cancer in March-but she has most likely had it for a year now

Well-here it is January of a new year and my sweetheart is still with me
She does have more of a pronounced lump in her shoulder where the tumor is but the medication-Deramaxx- has and continues to do an excellent job of controlling any pain

She limps on that leg but can still bear weight on it
She eats very well-goes up and down stairs and jumps up onto the bed to sleep quite easily and is still a very vocal Husky mix-lol

I am amazed and overjoyed to still have her with me
and I thank God for every extra day that we have together

:main_yes:

her most recent pics-our snowstorm on Dec-16-17th-07

With Snoopy-my 12 yr male lab mix

In her element-she loves the snow but will go straight up on my bed to warm up when she comes back indoors

She is a spoiled brat and I love it!!
:main_laugh: