I'm Lost For Words Options

[Barronk]

About a year ago, I wrote on this forum when we lost our 18 year old Boston Terrier. I thank everyone that took the time to respond, send messages of hope and comfort. I can tell you with no doubt, that my wife and I were touched at the compassion
and the caring of everyone on this forum.

After Abby died we were left with our Dobie and my other Boston Terrier. Now, it appears that our Dobie, who is only 5 years old might have just met that dragon called cancer. She fractured her leg
2 months ago after she was chasing a rabbit. She screamed in pain so I scooped her up and took her directly to the vet. They took xrays, and it was fractured, but otherwise no big deal. They put
her in a splint and then we took her home. After 2 months we took her back to be x-rayed again to see if we could take the cast off. Everything looked good and then the cast was taken off, we took her
home, excited at the prospect of taking her out into the fields so we could throw those magical green tennis balls she loves so much.

Once the cast was taken off she was still really swollen. I was concerned but I was told this was normal and it could take 6 to 12 months for the swelling from the injury to disappear quickly. So we didn't worry
so much. And then, for some reason, my wife seemed to think the swelling was increasing. We figured it was a minor infection from all the rubbing that occurred while in the cast. They asked us to
come back in and for some reason they decided to x-ray again. The bone is growing in weird ways and we suddenly were told that she may have osteosarcoma. A deadly cancer that she won't survive.

I am at a loss for words at this moment. My Dobie is only 5 years old, and through multiple x-rays while every specialist we have seen suspects cancer none can make a diagnosis. Now we have to risk
a bone biopsy, which could result in further injury and possible amputation of her leg. She is so young and has so much life left to live. To think that I only have another 7 to 12 months with her at best
has destroyed me. I weep as I write this and since we have received the news I have condemned her to death already. I am so depressed and don't know what to do. I hope for good news but I know
that no good news is coming.

She is 5 and while it pains us to do it we have decided, if we get a cancer diagnosis, we are fighting the good fight. I feel I owe it to her to do everything in my power to give her the best life possible.
The only ray of sunshine that we keep trying to grab too, is that osteosarcoma is very painful, and she isn't in any pain, she won't use the foot but we were told that is not surprising since she
has not used it in 2 months and a lot of her muscle has atrophied. I take her up hills as part of her at home therapy and she uses the foot fine. She dosnt whine or show any indication of being in
pain.

I am praying for another explanation. If there isn't one then Sadie may not have long. And I don't know how to cope with this type of diagnosis.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and giving me an outlet for my depression.

[Barronk]

Moon_Beam, All,

Sorry for taking so long to check in. School is beating me down, the quarter is ending and things have been moving along here. But I finally have a moment to come up for air and to report on what has
been happening around here.

So the last time I wrote, I think I mentioned that we have a positive diagnosis of osteosarcoma. So there is no other choice but to go with standard care or to allow the cancer to make its progress. With
the possibility of only having a month, maybe two, left with Sadie was too painful. It's something that I could come to terms with. At only 5 years old, I made a commitment to her and I want to give
her the best that I can for as long as I can. So we decided to go with standard of care.

We did some research and found out that the University of Missouri is doing a clinical study in dogs that have osteosarcoma. We wanted to see if she was qualified for the study, to do so they were going
to do an array of tests that would determine if she was qualified for the study. The scary one was the chest x-ray. With the extended amount of time she sat in a cast and the cancer went undetected
the doctors were not confident that it would still be microscopic. So they did a chest x-ray, an abdominal ultrasound and a complete body xray to see if it had spread to other bones. If any of these
were positive, she would not qualify for the study and, most likely, be left with no treatment so the cancer could finish its course.

God is good, and all her tests came back clean. She was enrolled in the study and we have begun treatment. The benefits for us are numerous. First, money was never a issue, but all of her chemotherapy
and her amputation is on the study. We have to do numerous blood tests but other than that, the only thing we have to do is get her to the University of Missouri, its two hours away but well worth the
drive. The biggest, and honestly the only important benefit that I cared about, is she is getting gold star treatment. The chemotherapy she is receiving is the best on the market, and the top vets in the
state are looking after her.

Her leg was amputated two weeks ago and we have seen her through the recovery process. She went, today, to get her staples removed and to receive her first chemotherapy treatment. My wife took
her for this appointment as I had class and my son to watch over today. When they got home, my heart leaped with joy to see my dog running around the yard, chasing after the tennis ball I had
waiting for her, and back to her old spunky self. The doctor called me and was happy to report that her blood work was "unremarkable" and that she handled the chemotherapy like a champ. They
were pleased with the results and hope that this continues, they are also confident that any unpleasant side effects from the chemotherapy will be easily thwarted with standard medications.

It has been a long road to where we are. But I am happy that we are in the position to give her the best that we possibly can. Its been tough at times, but I would do anything for my Sadie. She is
my best friend, and I love her. I hope to report that she continues to do well, and ultimately when it comes time, to express my grief to you all on this forum. I thank you all for being so invested in
my story, for being there when it appears no one else is, and for allowing me the avenue to express my problems and my frustrations.

Thank you, and I hope to write back soon.

-Kevin