oscarsjourney1

It looks like my last post was almost 2 years ago; can’t believe it. Just want to update and although it isn’t a happy ending, it might be helpful for someone to see someone else’s journey.

Oscar had 6 rounds of chemo which ended in Dec of 2013 or Jan 2014. He did very well except for 1 time when he came home and laid on the kitchen floor and cried on and off for about 6 hours.

After the chemo, we volunteered to be in a clinical trial of a new medication and he was to go on oral chemo meds. We took Jan off and were going to start the oral meds in Feb; when we had a check up in Feb prior to beginning everything- his chest x-ray already revealed mets in both lungs. As a result, we didn’t do the meds or the trial. Pain control and spending time together was my only goal. He was on tramodol for pain which covered him but due to his size (English Mastiff) he needed to take a lot of them and needed to take tagamet for stomach upset. He was a trooper-he had so much dignity and tried so hard…

Sat March 15th, 2014, he became unable to walk. He went outside in the am, and then in the aft, i kept calling and encouraging him to get up (he didn’t always want to go so i usually did have to beg and cajole). After a few minutes; i realized he was not able to get up. (felt so bad that what i thought was refusal was inability). called the vet and explained what was going on and made the appt for tuesday march 18th. I was really torn-he was awake and alert-how could i do that to him. The vet talked with me (she also cried along with me) and what made me decide was when she talked about his dignity and going potty all over himself. On that Saturday, he held it and held it-it was around 17 hours, so i knew that he had tried not to go.

We spent the weekend in the kitchen with Oscar. He crawled around the house-used his front paws and pulled himself around the house. i put him on a sheet and pulled him into the living room so we could all be together but he wanted to be in the kitchen. I had to sit in the kitchen with him or he cried, so i sat on the floor next to him. (he had developed the habit of wanting to be in the kitchen, so for about 3 weeks, i would sit in the kitchen with him.)

am going to stop at this point-it’s long, and it still is very difficult to write-will continue very soon.

Lora, Gus and the spirit of Oscar (so glad to “see” you benny55-always so kind and encouraging!

Oscar had his 2nd round of chemo–no problems. HE ALSO CAN GET INTO THE BACK SEAT BY HIMSELF AND ISN’T SCARED TO JUMP OUT!! I was lifting his front up and then he would get his back feet up into the truck (suv); but getting out was a problem. I thought (don’t think he thought this) that it was easier to back him out of the back seat so I would open both back doors and run back and forth around the back of the truck until I could catch him before he turned around and was facing me. I’m stopping here to see if the site takes this:

It did work!!! it’s around 3:30 am and it’s the first time this site let me publish my entry at this time! Again, that’s why my participation has been sorely lacking. I will log on tomorrow (later today)but must offer my late condolences to LuAnne and spirit Shooter. I logged on last night and read your whole story–went back to the beginning and read all the way through. I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet baby; it’s just not fair; the longer we have them, the more we love them. I read somewhere that that is dog’s only fault-their short life span. Praying for your peace and comfort.

Lora, Gus and Oscar

Hello and my apologies for not keeping up. First of all I wrecked my computer; it did not survive 2 direct hits of soda in one night so I had to get a new one. second: my favorite time to blog is in the middle of the night and this site doesn’t (or hasn’t so far) accepted those late night writings.

Anyway, I stopped going to this site and I need to go on here much earlier. I have A LOT to catch up with will get started right now. First of all Oscar’s update. Don’t remember what I wrote last so I may repeat some things.

Unfortunately after Oscar’s surgery on July 24th, he developed a serious infection (MRSA) and had to go to surg on Friday Aug 2nd to have his wound cleaned out. He came home on Aug 6th–mostly because he wasn’t eating and seemed depressed. He came home with a sore on his left leg (which I think he licked due to the stress of being in the hospital). He was placed on an antibiotic chloraphen a something and I had to wear plastic gloves to give it because it can cause anemia both to the giver and the dog. He had his staples out and his first dose of chemo on Aug 20th; no side effects. He will have 6 doses of chemo, 3 weeks apart. The doctor said they used to give 4 doses but recent studies show that 6 doses may have better results. Had his 1st month post op on aug 21st–which was Gus’s 7th birthday. Chest x-ray was clear and labs are good. Gave him a lot of protein while he was on the antibiotic and will continue to give him (mostly meat). His brother is happy–gets all the good stuff and doesn’t have to go to the hospital etc.

Last thing: I have finally become a member of the “No Regrets” club. Initially and for about 2-3 weeks, I had many 2nd thoughts, well actually I was sorry I had the amputation done. Finally Oscar is back to his old self and when I look at what the alternative would have been I am very glad I decided to have the surgery done; AND i COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF ALL OF YOU ON TRIPAWDS!!

I will do better with staying in touch and have adjusted to our “new normal”. Have also been leaving Oscar and am comfortable doing it. Am even back to rescuing!!

Hugs and blessings to you all!!

Lora, Gus and Oscar

Sat pm we went back to the ER for a little visit because Oscar has a sore on his left front leg; it’s in the front where his leg joins to his chest and it’s rather large. There is a whiteish center and a red area that surrounds it and it’s about as wide as his leg. I noticed it for the first time late friday aft and called the soft tissue team basically to ask if they had noticed this before he went home but they hadn’t. He had been licking it which of course made it worse. They were unable to determine what had caused this “wound” or “puncture” but they cultured it. I had also asked for a demonstration of how to administer pills when I have to “shove them down his throat” but they were unable to succeed, so they said “well, good luck. You need to keep trying.”

He’s doing pretty well; still doesn’t seem like himself at times. I have to check the side effects of this antibiotic. He’s hopping well and his suture line looks good. Appetite is on and off–doesn’t trust a lot of stuff I give him. After an episode of shoving down his throat, he has started taking meds in peanut butter again. He gets his staples out next week and we will also need to see oncology at the same time. So for now we are holding steady.

It’s so sad how many new comer’s join this site. I try to read the new sites and keep up with the other ones, but it’s impossible for me. I just can’t keep up and do everything I need to. I don’t understand what causes cancer (besides the obvious-smoking etc). Almost every animal I’ve had in the last 20 years has died from cancer; 5 cats and 3 dogs. No one smokes in our house?? G-R-R-R-R

As for how Oscar got the infection: h-m-m-m; wish I knew. They say staph is everywhere and Oscar’s immune system was/is compromised. I know he’s lost some weight; when he was discharged his med student said something about weighing in the high 130’s, and I gasped and the student said he almost weighed 140 lbs. He used to weigh 177lbs and I think he weighed about 155 lbs as this was all starting. My truck is dirty, I’m a bad housekeeper, he was in the hospital 3 days??? What worries me is his antibiotic “Chloramphenicol” can cause anemia and I hope he’ll be able to have the chemo.

He’s eating most of what I’m giving him: loves cottage cheese-had never had it before (I don’t like it) and we’re having hamburger and steak this weekend. Did turn his nose up at can dog food last night, so he’s going on a strictly people food diet. Still taking those big antibiotics in peanut butter.

Today I noticed a sore on his left front leg right in the joint. Called the U and asked if he had that at the hosp and they hadn’t noticed it. It looks like an old IV site, it’s bruised and looks like there’s a needle hole. They suggested I clip the hair around it, put triple antibiotic cream on and put a t-shirt on him so he stops licking it.

Last eve I saw a “spark” of the old Oscar; he ran; “hopped” across the yard to bark at someone.

I think things are going about as well as they can; wish he’d eat better and that he didn’t have that sore but as I told Nevada’s family: every day is a gift with him–that’s how I look at our situation. One day at a time.

Lora, Gus and Oscar

To quickly recap: Oscar had his R front leg amputated on July 24th, wasn’t acting like himself etc and went back to the hospital on August 1st for a major infection. Had surgery and a drain placed on friday aug 2nd and came home on tuesday aug 6th. Basically they called me because he wasn’t eating and they were concerned because he was losing weight.

Oscar has an infection “like MRSA” but not. It’s a multi drug resistant form of staph and the only antibiotic he can take is Chloramphenicol which can cause aplastic anemia in both the patient and the person handling the med, so I have to wear gloves. So far he is still taking them in peanut butter, but this am he started to try and chew through it, looking for the pill. Luckily of course peanut butter has the consistency of glue, so we’re still good.

So far, he has not cried, doesn’t appear to be in pain, and he has eaten everything I’ve given him, other than can dog food though, it’s all people food. He tires easily and after peeing in the house x2 without warning tuesday pm, he’s gone outside every time. He’s becoming a little more himself (growls at his brother over dominance issues) but still seems anxious at times.

Will try to take pictures and post them, but……. The other day I was late picking Oscar up but couldn’t figure out how to call the vet, then they were calling me, but I didn’t know how to answer the phone so it’s a crap shoot whether or not I can do it. (Had to get a smart phone because normally I dog rescue on the weekends and the first time I did it, got lost and didn’t have a phone and they wondered if I stole the dogs. Also our coordinator emails us sometimes when we’re on the road). But I’m pretty much clueless. LOL

UW .Vet Hosp called this am and said he’s not eating and they think the best place for him is home with his mom. His drain is out and he’s off all IV stuff; he’s on oral antibiotics and they don’t think he’s in any pain but I’m requesting pain meds to take home just in case.

Thank you everyone for all of your encouragement this past (almost) week. He has a nice new bed (they both do) and his harness is ordered.

I’ll keep you posted. I try to keep up with everyone and sadly this club keeps growing and growing.

Blessings to all; Lora, Gus and Oscar

Oscar’s doing well after surgery yesterday to clean out his wound. They flushed it well and he has a drain in. He’s off IV fluids and antibiotics and is on oral antibiotics now.

I’m a nurse and I know these things happen; it’s just annoying when it happens to you. Well, at least we’ll be on the road to recovery soon.

Lora, Gus and Oscar

Oscar needs to go back to surgery to have his wound flushed and cleaned out. He’ll have a drain in for a few days. I’m wondering how that happened because I don’t think it was on my end. My poor boy.

Oscar’s mom (Lora), Gus and Oscar

Thank you so much for the lifeline Sally! You’re right! He was on fentynl patches in the hospital and to downgrade to tramodol is quite a jump. He’s drinking and peeing; pooped yest (yAY) but is only eating some deli meat and can dog food. I free feed them; always have and they both graze throughout the day but he hasn’t even looked at his food bowl. I gave them each a whole can of dog food the other night and Oscar ate about 3/4 of it so gave 1/2 can last night and he ate the whole thing. thanks again for all the encouragement; you are indeed an angel!

Oscar, Gus and Lora (Oscar’s mom)