Sarge is resting after his chemo today, so I will enter his report for him. He had a complete work up today including chest x-ray, aspiration of a growth on his chest and a complete blood count that ALL revealed he is doing fabulous!!!! His blood work indicated that his liver and renal function looks great, also his Alk phos levels look great (which if elevated can indicate cancer is active), the WBC (white blood cell count) and lymphocyte count all looked normal which is also good news as chemo can affect these as well. Dr. Heintz could not be more pleased with his progress and status.
Dr. Heintz has agreed to let me “shadow” during Sarges next carboplatin treatment, so that I can take a video to show the “behind the scenes” protocol of a canine chemo treatment. As a fur-parent, I think we often worry about what happens during these visits, when we drop them off and pick them up hours later. Seeing the actual steps during a chemotherapy treatment may help us to be more comfortable about the process.
As healthy as Sarge is, it is easy to forget that the cancer is still in his system. Every day that he is with us and feeling happy, hungry and pain-free, is a gift. We try not to let the thoughts of the cancer returning, overshadow our joyful time that we are being blessed with. We have always loved our Sarge to the moon and back, but since his osteosarcoma diagnosis and subsequent amputation, he has received more love and affection than any dog could wish for, and we will continue to shower him with all the affection that a cancer warrior like Sarge deserves!!
Author: c1nicolei
Sarge has been the the love of my life since we rescued him in 2007. He was thought to be a carcass on the side of the road in our community park. As I walked over to look at the pitiful dead dog, I soon realized he was still breathing, barely. We rushed him to the vet and although severely malnourished and in a terrible state, with TLC he miraculously pulled through. Snap shot ahead to 6/2014, we decide to go outside to play fetch, he was so excited and full of energy, doing his typical bouncy boxer pelvic shuffle. He took a nasty tumble and the sounds that followed was nothing short of heart piercing. My heart stopped, because I knew it was bad, very bad. I am a PA, not a veterinarian, but I knew instantly the leg was broken badly. I splinted him and rushed him to the vet. What initially was going to be an orthopedic surgery to repair a broken radius and ulna, quickly turned into, "Your dog sustained a pathological cancer, we think he has osteosarcoma". I could not even hear what I was being told. How could this seemingly happy, healthy, FULL of life dog have CANCER?? The BX confirmed my worst fears. This whole process took over a week. In that time I researched every aspect of canine osteosarcoma I could find and I had already made up my mind, we were going to fight this, not for me, but I knew he was not done living!!! Making the decision to amputate was not one taken lightly. We ensured there were no macro mets and that his blood work looked stable. I also decided if we amputated we would also do chemo. Sarge had his leg amputated 2 days ago and I am amazed at his hour by hour improvement. We start chemo in 2 weeks. I will keep everyone updated and love reading stories on here that give me hope that he will be able to be a happy, pain free normal Sarge!!! This is when we joined TRIPAWDS! What a wonderful, reassuring supportive community! I love you TRIPAWDS!
View all posts by c1nicolei
Could you ever even believe you could spoil and love Sarge even MORE than before?? Impossible, right?? HA! We were all amazed at how well our Tripawds could train is to do anything and everything they wanted anytime they wanted it!!
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR THE GREAT REPORT CARD SARGE!!! You ARE a WARRIOR SUPER STAR!!!
I love the idea of the “behind the scenes” video. I was never allowed to go back with my beloved Happy Hannah and always wanted to see what goes in. I eagerly await your video…as well as another opportunity to see pics of that HANDSOME SARGE!! 🙂
Extra treats and a scoop of ice cream for Sarge tonight!
LOVE!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
OK, I posted the videos, check him out! :o)
Gonna have to do that ice cream for Sarge soon, but his special treat right now is canned chicken and scrambled eggs :o)
Awesome News!!! Sarge – we are all so happy for you! You are indeed a warrior!!!! Keep kicking cancer’s booty!!! You make us so proud!
Much love,
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever in her heart (and little Jasper too)
Rock on Sarge, we are all cheering for you. What a great idea to video the chemo session so fur parents are not so frightened of the procedure. Like Sally I also was not allowed to watch any procedures in case I fainted. It was all a liability issue. Silly.
Good luck!
Penny
Hurray Sarge!! So happy all your tests came back great!! Keep kicking the “ugly c” to the gutter!! Time to celebrate with extra yummy stuff for all !!
<3
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Sarge, “Fabulous” is your middle name! This is GREAT!
And YES we would love to see a video. We made one a few years ago (see Daisee’s story: http://tripawds.com/2010/04/01/chemotherapy-session-for-daisee-dog/) and would love a newer one to show folks it’s not as scary as they imagine.
Good job to both of you!!!!
hello dog lovers! I’m new to the tripawd community. friends of mine have an 8 month old boxer who may have bone cancer on her ankle. the vet would like to remove the leg and my friends are so so so upset. I love sarge’s story! is there anywhere where someone has posted an open support letter for parents before the amputation surgery? what to expect and some reassurance that Rosie will be just fine? feel free to email me, grubbinongrits@hotmail.com anytime. so happy to have found such a wonderful site! thanks in advance 🙂
Lindsay
Lindsay, So sorry to hear about this DX, but please offer to your friends that amputation and chemo are worth it in many animals, especially if the cancer is found early. Please have them access this site as there are so many wonderful people and resources!! It truly has been a God send for me to have this site to come to for answers, to cry or even chat with others who have been here, done this! Sarges blog has been posted in part as a way to offer support to others in showing there can be happy, fulfilled days post amputation and even while battling cancer!! Best of luck and thoughts are with your friends during this time as it can be a roller coaster ride for sure.