gcv-border Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 And I plan to scatter her cremains in my flower gardens when the time comes. After a lifetime of getting scolded for being in my flower beds she can have the last laugh! I also think that this is a wonderful idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Beer Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Prayers on the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted March 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Good news from the oncologist. Tyra was classified stage II. She is not a good candidate for radiation because of the repeated anesthesia and the location. She is a candidate for the Melanoma vaccine. However, it is controversial. But mostly it is crazy expensive. And at her age she was not certain it would give more than her normal life expectancy. There is some anecdotal evidence in horses that Tagamet shrinks melanoma. While there is no current study to see if it does the same for dogs it certainly won't hurt her. So she will be getting it twice a day. Now the really surprising news! While clearly no one can predict the future she thought even without further treatment Tyra has another six to 12 months! AND while certainly the tumor could grow back it is not a definite! Yes eventually it will spread to lymph nodes and lungs. So overall I feel buoyed that we have way more time than I thought (theoretically) and that I am comfortable I am making the right decision not pursuing further treatment. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maralynn Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 That is really good to hear! Here's to several more months of spoiling your special energizer bunny <3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Yay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Good news on the whole. I'm very happy to hear it. I haven't had a chance to read these yet so can't make any comments, but these articles about mushrooms for cancer showed up on my FB feed this morning so I'll pass them on FWIW. http://animalwellnessmagazine.com/mushrooms-for-immunity/ http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/medicinal-mushrooms-for-cancer-in-dogs/?utm_source=FB&utm_medium=Organic&utm_term=Recycled&utm_campaign=Blog I have a friend who's a veterinarian who practices Traditional Chinese Medicine and treats a lot of dogs with cancer. Dunno if that'd be something that might be worth looking into as well. Best wishes for you and Tyra. I'm sure you'll cherish the extra time you have with her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D'Elle Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 That is just great news! And, my apologies for even suggesting chemotherapy. I messed up and did not register how old Tyra is. I wouldn't go that route with my own 15 year old dog. I am so very glad to hear that her passing on is not likely to be as imminent as you thought. Best wishes to you both and I hope your times to come will be the best yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted April 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 No worries on the suggestion. Chemo has not been shown to be effective for melanoma anyway. I got the Tagamet this morning and started that routine. Thank heavens I have a pill cutter! They are not easy to halve. Ok, back to spoiling now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 ...back to spoiling now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippin's person Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 What a great set of posts to read. How we should all live (and die)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airbear Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 Now the really surprising news! While clearly no one can predict the future she thought even without further treatment Tyra has another six to 12 months! AND while certainly the tumor could grow back it is not a definite! Yes eventually it will spread to lymph nodes and lungs. So overall I feel buoyed that we have way more time than I thought (theoretically) and that I am comfortable I am making the right decision not pursuing further treatment. Such good news! Yay Tyra! My old girl (at the time about 15) had a persistent cough, to the point that I had a chest x-ray done. There were suspicious shady bits, and rather than run a bunch of tests, I bought her a humidifier which helped her breathing a bit. She had a good year after the scary x-ray, and I mean a GOOD year. Running, barking, flossing on her brother's tail, travelling the country, and she even ran in a few agility trials. She lived 2015 as the queen, and I have never regretted the decisions I made for her. May Tyra continue to surprise you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted April 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 Well, two weeks post surgery and the tumor is already back. It is about the size of a marble in the original spot and also a new spot just under her chin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted April 6, 2016 Report Share Posted April 6, 2016 I'm so sorry . . . . roxanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted April 6, 2016 Report Share Posted April 6, 2016 So very sorry and sad to read this. Mojo and wishes for peace for both you and Tyra over the next few days. Ruth and Gibbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted April 6, 2016 Report Share Posted April 6, 2016 I am so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligande Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 So sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted April 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Back on the roller coaster! It seems what we were seeing was most likely a suture reaction or just drainage from surgery. The site is back to looking normal. There is still a pea size hard spot under her chin along the jaw. But that could also be suture reaction. Wow! I knew this would be hard. I just had no idea what a wild ride it would be. And so the spoiling continues.....just dialed back a bit. She has gained 3 lbs in 2 weeks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippin's person Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 The inimitable Tyra! So glad for you and her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Yay! Tyra wants to continue the industrial-strength spoiling - it's her bucket list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Hope you're able to put the brakes on the roller coaster and have a smooth ride from here on in. Happy to hear it wasn't the cancer coming back already though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 What a relief! Back to How To Spoil Your Dog - doggy massages, playing whenever she wants to play, visits from favorite humans/other dogs, (if she has them) visits to favorite places, getting up on the furniture - there's tons of ways to spoil her without adding calories. So, yeah, okay, food is always a fave. And basically, it's all about Tyra all the time. Right? Glad you got some good news - give Tyra a nice long scratch from me. Ruth and Gibbs, who is spoiled in many ways Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted April 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 You'd have to meet Tyra to understand. For her it REALLY is all about the food. She only likes to be touched on her terms, and its not very often. Mostly at 4 am :-) So if she asks I comply what ever time it is. Her favorite people are people with FOOD. She has been giving me kisses, something she NEVER would do. So she is spoiling me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted April 10, 2016 Report Share Posted April 10, 2016 Love that you are spoiling each other! Enjoy the kisses and the affection, on whatever her terms are. Ruth and Gibbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted April 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 The tumor has returned with a vengeance. It was an uncomfortable weekend despite meds. She still wants to eat non stop. But that can no longer be the deciding factor. Tomorrow a vet with Lap of Love will come to the house and help her over the Bridge. Tonight will be pork chops and breadsticks and ham and cheese and yogurt and and and........! It should be a nice day tomorrow so we should be able to lie in the grass and say goodbye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 I'm so sorry to see this. Please do remember that you're offering her the greatest kindness, the most loving thing you can possibly do for her. I'm sure we'll all be thinking of you tomorrow and sending remote hugs. roxanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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