What a busy week Tank has had this week!! We started off Monday taking him to have his stitches removed. He did great 🙂 All the patients/parents and the office staff were amazed that he was only 2 weeks post-op. He really is getting around with ease. They said his incision looked great and he was good to go. We still like him in the t-shirt look, but it fits our family! Happy and healed!!!
Next we went next door to have a consult with the oncologist about chemo. We talked with the doctor who asked if we needed time to think about our choices. He had explained that lifespan without chemo would probably be 4-5 months and with chemo probably closer to a year. well, with tears streaming down our faces we knew that chemo was a must. A year seems so unfair after all Tank has been through,….. and I am just going to cross my fingers that he is wonder dog and is the exception to the rule! We are both teachers and we talked about how this summer has been 100% focused on Tank and is diagnosis/surgery. I can’t stand the thought of him not being around next summer 🙁 If you have a good story of success share it please! I could use it 🙂 Anyway, they went ahead and administered the first round of chemo on Monday. He did great! No side effects that we can tell. They did the IV Carboplatin ( spelling?) and the doctor said they would do 5 rounds total.. one every three weeks. Hopefully they are all this easy!!!
I just keep thinking that I have a super stud dog! He has gone through this entire experience like a champ, and never even hinted that he couldn’t or wouldn’t keep up with his routine. Maybe, just maybe his determination will beat this damn cancer and I will get to enjoy many more years with my Tank.
Oh, and he is getting the hang of the stairs!! Actually.. he goes upstairs ( our bedroom) every time somebody turns their back on him! He has always slept up there and once we let him go up once it was all over. Luckily he is scared to go down so I know once he is up there he is staying put. He comes down with my help but you can tell he is nervous about it… and I am ok with that 🙂
Just wanted to give an update! I know I like to read about other dogs and how great they are doing so I am sharing Tanks story as well.!
Lisa and Tank
Tank is a rock star! Love to hear his updates as they are so great.
Remember, Tank didn’t come with an expiration date stamped on his paw so he has as good a chance as any to make it past the vet’s expectations. I know there are some great against the odds stories out there. Keep your chin up and no matter what, make lots of great memories as they will keep him with you always.
Take care.
Luanne and Shooter
yeaaaaaaaaaa Tank.!! Everyone here has a success story in one way or another. Even though I lost my Franklin almost 6 months after his amputation, I had almost 6 more months with my sweet boy which is forevery held in my heart!! We may not have had that with him if we did not do the amputation, so… in a nutshell.. that was a success!!
Just take each day, week, month and love him to bits!!! And give him an extra belly rub fom me.. I loved giving Franklin belly rubs when he was a tripawd.. it was soooo much easier without that leg in the way!!!
Reading about Tank was great for me to read about. our 7-1/2 year old american mastiff was diagnosed on may 19th with bone cancer in back left leg. My husband is a chiropractor who treats humans and animals. Our vet after diagnosing her, handed me two bottles of pain pills and sent me home-devastated of course! we immediately contacted a homeopathic vet in L.A. and we treated her with great holistic supplements. We did amputate her leg two and a half weeks ago and she also is doing fabulous. I did research tripod dogs before surgery and after. Sad how little the vets tell you and the how and whats to expect!! We’re doing no chemo but a lot of holistic supplements and adjustments on her. I may be rushing her but I am sad as she isnt going up stairs yet and we all sleep up there. We slept downstairs for a week and just cant anymore. Not sure how to help her; she is a big baby thanks to mom- and I know she is afraid. Any suggestions? Looking forward to hearing about Tank and will share mollie’s story also. Thanks marcia
Tank, you’re alreasy making your own rules of how you’re handling this journey…..full steam ahead snd determned to do it your way! That kind of attitude is a huge plus!
Sojnds like you’re handling chemo like a champ too!
My Happy Hannah sailed through her carboplatin also. I may have given her one nauseu pill one time after a treatment but that was it.
I know this is hard to believe, but this journey almost becomes less about “how much time” and more about just stayi g in the present and focusing on every blissful second you have together. Every day is a true gift and everyday Tank will show you he’s just happy being loved and spoiled. And that will make you happy! “No worries about a thing” sounds like Tank’s motto!
Keep these wonderful updates coming! You’re doing a great job!
Sally and Happy Hannah
There are so many stories on here about dogs who have outlived the “life expectancy”. I cling to those! One thing’s for sure, you sure learn a lot about what’s important in life. Our dogs are the lucky ones who get the chance to live out the rest of their days (no matter how long it is) pain free and with those who love them. They are very lucky to have us….but boy, are we the true lucky ones who get to have them in our lives to teach us more than they’ll ever know. 🙂