Crushing Cancer with Chemotherapy
Hello fellow #tripawds! It has been quite a long time since we’ve provided you with an update on Toby’s progress so we have A LOT of catching up to do. First, let me say, I hope you’re all surviving the holiday madness with plenty of joy!
It’s been about a month and a half since Toby’s amputation. The first few weeks were extremely tough. He seemed very depressed and had little to no energy. He also didn’t have much of an appetite and refused to eat from a bowl so we were constantly begging him to eat by feeding him one small kibble of food at a time. Has anyone else experienced this with their new tripawd friend? I seriously began to worry that he may never eat from a bowl again! Don’t get me wrong, I would gladly feed him by hand every single day for the rest of his life if it meant he would be here to spend more time with us, but something just seemed… off. Also, the wound was continuously draining so we were constantly cleaning, changing the dressing, and rewrapping. It was exhausting to say the least… But I can’t even imagine how he must have been feeling. This was Toby about 4 days after the amputation.
Man, those first few weeks were really difficult… However, he has come a long way since this picture was taken. I’m not sure how many of you allow your fur-babies to sleep in the bed, but our’s are very spoiled. Many nights, we are left to balance on the edge of the bed to sleep because we don’t have the heart to put the dogs down. About a week after the amputation, Toby surprised me by climbing onto the bed while I went to brush my teeth. It really stressed me out because I knew he probably had done too much for it to only be a week after surgery, but I must say I was sooooo happy to see this when I came back to the bedroom. It was the first sign of “normalcy” that we had seen from him in a while. Needless to say, we gladly allowed him to sleep right where he was at that night.
Just when it seemed that Toby was starting to feel better, it was time to start the chemotherapy treatments. Dr. Borden and Dr. Williams at GAC agreed that we should use a very aggressive approach to give him the best chance at survival. Therefore, they advised we proceed with 2 different forms of chemotherapy by alternating drugs every week and a half. The first treatment of carboplatin was scheduled for November 21st. The infusion went well, and Toby even received a surprise care package from one of his Instagram followers!
They say that the chemotherapy doesn’t have the same effect on dogs as humans, but this was Toby right after treatment. He then slept almost all day for the next 2 to 3 days. Since then, he has had a treatment of doxorubicin and another of carboplatin. Each time, it takes him a few days to recover from the infusion. Thankfully, after he’s had a little time to recover he’s back to his typical self (minus the right front leg, of course). It still feels so strange to see him with only 3 legs, and I’ve even caught myself reaching to wash that leg while bathing him. Still, he never ceases to amaze me. Through all of this, Toby has taught me so much about resilience and making the most out of life. Is that weird?
Every extra day we have with our big baby reminds us of how blessed we are. His 4th round of chemotherapy is scheduled for next week so we’re going to take advantage of the fact that he’s feeling good for Christmas. Maybe he’ll even get some gifts from Santa! I’m sure he’s on the nice list and he deserves it!
Please continue to keep our sweet boy in your thoughts and prayers. We gladly welcome any suggestions, advice, or comments! We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
You can follow Toby’s story and help to spread the word on Instagram: toby.the.dobe
#cancersucks #osteosarcoma #cancercrusher #bonecancer #fightcancer #suckitsarcoma #dobermansofinstagram #doberman #dobermanpinscher #dogsofinstagram #dogsofbham #doglover #tripawd
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: bonecancer, cancercrusher, cancersucks, doberman, dobermanpinscher, dobermansofinstagram, doglover, dogsofbham, dogsofinstagram, fightcancer, Osteosarcoma, suckitsarcoma, tripawd
We know too well the stress of a Dobe not eating…Nitro wouldn’t eat for the first 7 days after surgery – unless you count us spooning yogurt down his throat. Slowly but surely he started to eat again, but even today, 2 1/2 yrs after surgery, his appetite is not what it once was. Of course, he is now 11 years old, so maybe that has something to do with it. Our dogs also sleep with us, and we put our mattress on the floor to lessen the stress of him jumping on and off…and it’s still there today! Your boy is beautiful, wishing you nothing but blue skies ahead.
Paula and Nitro
Yes! He has finally started eating from the bowl, but he doesn’t eat much. He was already very lean. He looks overly skinny now! So glad to hear that Nitro is still doing well even 2 1/2 years after surgery. Hearing success stories such as his really gives us a lot of hope. Thank you for your support!
I was on a mattress too, for a very long time. And even when we all moved back upstairs, I removed the frame – that extra 6 inches just seemed to much, and Otis, my tripawd, and his sister Tess had always slept with me. Doing normal things like that is important, both for us and our tripawds.
Glad to hear Toby is doing well. I hope he gets some really special holiday treats!
Toby and his brother, Charlie, both like to try to take over the bed! We wouldn’t have it any other way though. They’re our BIG babies! Thank you for your support! Hope Otis and Tess get some goodies for Christmas too!
What a beautiful boy! I am sending you all the very, very best in this fight!
Thank you!
Your story sounds like ours. We had the same rounds of chemo, although we sailed through it with only a little tiredness. We are now 12 months post-amp and I hope you get to have at least the same amount of time! I still have the occasional moment of “oops, there’s a leg missing” 🙂
We had a horrible time the first few weeks, with not eating, not drinking, not going outside. Manni nowadays sleeps in our bed, too. He never used to do that because he would just get too warm. Now he seems to enjoy the company. As do I.
12 months later, we’ve come to a point of normalcy. However, I am sad to say, it never leaves your mind completely. whether it’s worrying about the dog slipping and tearing something or the cancer. But I rejoice in the fact that we get to spend another Christmas AND get to see him to his upcoming 10th birthday in January.
Wishing you quiet and calm and HEALTHY Christmas
Tina and Manni
So sorry it has taken me this long to respond! Things have been so busy with the holidays, and now we have guests in town so it’s been pretty chaotic. Toby had a wonderful Christmas, and we were so happy to be able to spend it with him. It’s wonderful to hear of how well Manni has done and gives us hope that Toby will do as well. His 5th round of chemo was delayed due to a low WBC count, but after plenty of rest he was able to complete that round. His 6th treatment is scheduled for tomorrow. Fingers crossed that his WBC is still good so that he can receive his treatment on time!
On October 25, 2016, our 8 year old female Rottweiler Roxy had her right front leg removed because of cancer.
When we brought her home from the U of Fl Small Animal Hospital, it was one of the saddest days ever,
She slept the entire 1 1/2 hr drive home, my husband and I didn’t talk, we just listened to her breath.
Our first night was terrible. We didn’t plan on sleeping on the floor. We are seniors, 82 and 75 respectively. Needless to say, that’s where we ended up, with our girl, petting her, speaking to her, rubbing her head.
She had no appetite for several days, but dank lots of water.
On her third day home, she went out on our Lanai where we have a small beachy area…we are in Fl. Roxy went to that area, with huge cone around her neck, and on 3 beautiful legs, began digging herself a “place” to lay down!! We were amazed!!
It’s been 3 months now.. and she will receive her 4th Chemo treatment on Valentines Day.
In between Chemo, she has her Labs done etc. She was 127 lbs in October and is now at 100 lbs. A better weight for a furbaby with only 3 legs.
She is doing well so far with her Chemo, some days it takes her 3 days to eat. No dog food. Strictly chicken, beef, veggies, brown rice and liver. Her daddy also makes her bone broth to entice her to eat..
It’s been a real challenge, very costly…stress to the max, but we believe we are doing all that we can, until we SEE ‘that” look in her big brown eyes, that she has had enough…till then, she can sleep on my side of the bed if she gets there before me, I sort of hang on until she moves over… no problem. I will post pic soon of her beautiful self.
God bless you both and sweet Roxy too. You sound like wonderful parents, and I’m glad to hear that she’s doing well so far. We completely understand the struggle. It’s a very emotional ride, but we want to do what is best for our baby too. Toby will have his 6th round of chemo tomorrow if all goes as planned. We’ll have you and Roxy in our thoughts and prayers. Please continue to share updates!