Lumps on Neck???

[admin]

Hi Tara.  Right now, your  post is the only one I have marked to ‘notify me of follow-up replies via e-mail’ and I when I read Diablo’s diagnosis, it was like a punch to the gut – crushed for you both.    Hence, I am just now responding.  So, please know – I did not respond until now because I didn’t and still don’t know what to say.

You are such a wonderful fur mom and you are giving Diablo your love and total allegiance.  You have done everything spot-on right, as well as your vet(s).  It sounds as though the lymphoma has been found early enough to make Diablo comfortable, which it sounds is exactly what you and your vet(s) are doing.  You say he’s acting the best ever, then go with that.

The worry and angst has to be set aside.  So much easier said than done, I know.  But this is what can eat you up.  You need strength for you both – it’s going to be very hard – but you CAN do it.  You can.

With my husband and I’s seven children, I always have said that God gave me these seven awesome children because he knows I am a total idiot and could not handle anything else.  They are incredible in spite of me.  I do way to much to screw them up on a daily basis and they just keep hanging in and excelling.  And I know, at any time, any day, it can change.  Being continually positive is not my best trait, but over the years, they have taught me love and perseverance.  It is how I have gotten through all this with Sadie – my children taught me.

What I’m trying to say is – to me, it is the love and the unconditional giving that matters.  I try to do this with my children and with Sadie too.  And you’re doing this and more with Diablo.  He knows your love and he knows you want only the best for him.  He knows you will be there for him, unconditionally, always.  Try to dwell on the life he is living now and continue as you have done all along.

We all say here that every day with our precious dog/cat is a blessing.  Hold on to that and know, you make Diablo shine every splendid day of his beautiful life.  YOU do that for him.  Hang in there wonderful lady.  Diablo is the luckiest because he has you.  Outshine.

Much love and huge hugs, Linda

[admin]

Hi Tara.  Just checking in.  I hope you’re doing okay and hanging in there with all this.  We all are behind you and thinking of you.  Keep us posted okay?

Much love and huge hugs, Linda & Sadie

[Vally]

Hi Tara, just sending you some more hugs.

Love Vally & Bingo

[admin]

Just thinking about you, Tara – sending all our love

Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxx

[Tara]

Thanks everyone. I so appreciate your well wishes and ‘hugs’. I think I am really in denial because really Diablo is still acting normal. The part that is hardest is increasing the pred after getting down to such a low dose and knowing that I will see the awful side effects and that we will not be lowering the dose ever again. They say he has as little as a month left and up to 3 months if the pred works. I just can’t imagine. I have looked into the chemo info. (Thanks Patrice) but I don’t think we can afford it. We have spent so much on IMHA treatment and we have three young children too. If Diablo was younger and prognosis was better I would find a way but the vet is not recommending it. I am in Canada too and found out that the 5000-7000 would be much more here :( So sad.

[Patrice]

Tara,

I am so sorry. It is a lot of money. It’s not accessible to everyone. I wish it was.

Please stay close by to us so we can support you.

my best, patrice

[Tamara]

Tara, I’m so incredibly sorry to hear about Diablo’s diagnosis.  I went through a similar experience with my last dog, beautiful Sierra.  She was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, I never expected it.  I was fortunate to have an additional 5 months with her, and I spent that time spoiling her rotten, feeding her cheeseburgers and taking her to the mountains to play in the creek, which she loved.  I am so thankful now that I had  that time with her to say goodbye and to love her even more.  Cherish every moment with your beloved Diablo, live in the moment with him.  I am holding you in my heart and sending you hugs and love.

tamara and ashki

[admin]

Dear Tara,

I am so sorry and can’t even imagine how hard it must be to know that every day could be Diablo’s last. I am glad that he is acting pretty normal. As I said before, remember he is not worried about death or dieing. He is happy to be with you and he will be until his last breath when ever that comes. Please don’t feel bad about not spending more money. I am pretty sure I would do the same. As you said if he would be younger and prognosis would be better… it is a harsh reality. The fact that Diablo has a wonderful age does not make it one bit easier, you will still loose your buddy. On the bright side, he has had a wonderful life with you! Better than any dog could wish for. He made a part of your life wonderful while YOU made his whole life the best it could ever be.

Take care, we will be thinking of you and sending Love and best wishes to you, Diablo and your family,

 

Brigitte