Sigh – Lung Mets
Not a good oncology appointment. We met with Dr. Cronin and it wasn’t great news. Sam’s lung mets continue to multiply and the existing mets continue to increase in size. Mets that were pea sized 4 weeks ago are now the size of quarters. I don’t even know how to describe what his x-rays look like – seems like more mets than good tissue at this point. We just can’t seem to slow the cancer down – it’s just not responding to the treatments. Dr. Cronin said his cancer is just amazingly aggressive – sigh. We discussed several chemo options but decided against it – given Sam’s struggle with the carboplatin we just don’t want to put him through more. He hasn’t responded to either the carboplatin and metronomics so the likelihood of him responding to something else is not very high and we feel it will just diminish the quality of life he has left. We’ve decided to simply manage his time with us – we’ve pulled him off all meds and will just continue with his supplements (fish oil, k-9 immunity, arteminisin). We’ll hope for the best but prepare for the worst. We’ll live large and make every day special. We’ll lock up our emotions so that we don’t miss one second of our time – plenty of time to be sad later. We don’t want to miss him while he’s still here and we don’t want him to sense any of our sadness (and anxiety). Thank goodness he still feels pretty good. He has a minor cough that has started and it takes him a little longer to slow his breathing – both very minor at this point so we’ll hope it stays that way for a bit. When I feel down, I remind myself of how well we’ve done – Sam has a crazy aggressive cancer and we’re still fighting 7 months after his diagnosis. That’s a long time – maybe 4 years in dog time – that’s a good fight! He doesn’t seem ready to give up the fight so fingers crossed. We’ll just take all our cues from him at this point and do whatever he needs. Gotta run because I see some ears to be scratched!
AbbysMom said,
September 24, 2011 @ 5:12 pm
Damn. That sucks. Cancer sucks. Lung mets suck. But, the suckiness is what it is… and it sounds like you guys have the right attitude. It’s the hand we’ve been dealt and we have to make the best of it – and you guys are doing that.
Sam doesn’t know that he’s gotten the fuzzy end of the lollypop. Keep loving him up, I know you will. Give him some extra ear scratching from me and some kisses from Abby.
I hope you still have a lot of good time with him. 7 months is definitely a good fight against an aggressive cancer!
Hang in there Sam, you gorgeous boy you!
Jackie, Abby’s mom
samsamsmom said,
September 24, 2011 @ 5:30 pm
Thanks Jackie and Abby. Ya, it sucks…no way to say it other than that. We’re surprisingly good – it was 8 weeks ago that we were told he likely only has 8 weeks left so we’re already beating the odds. We had wrapped our heads around that diagnosis then so this is all gravy at this point. We’re actually feeling luck we have all this time. Still sucks though! Thanks for all the good thoughts!
chilidawg said,
September 24, 2011 @ 7:01 pm
Damn, that sucks. I hate cancer. Sorry to hear that the bad guys are winning, but it sounds like you guys have the right attitude. Enjoy this time, take lots of pictures and spend time swimming 🙂 Give that gorgeous boy of yours a head bump from Finchy and a belly rub from Spirit Chili Dawg.
Keep fighting the good fight, buddy!
Hang in there,
Jenna
charleysmom said,
September 24, 2011 @ 7:35 pm
Sue,
Jackie already said my thoughts exactly….that sucks, cancer sucks, lung mets suck. I agree with your decision to now focus on the quality of Sammy life which I hope included many many many many more good days. You have done everything that you could for Sammy and he knows that his mommy and daddy love him tons and that is what matters to him. Sammy didn’t fail chemo, the chemo failed him….
Enjoy every day that you have together…I think all of us on this journey have realized that every day after the OSA diagnosis is a bonus day. Your 7 months is over 200 bonus days…and counting…which is something to be proud of! Take lots of pictures (but make sure you are in them too) and make even more memories!!!! Make Sammy a “Bucket List” and you’ll have a greater sense of accomplishment and focus (especially on those days you just want to cry)…cancer can’t take that away from you!
Give Sammy and Macklin some extra pets and scratches!!!
Hugs and chocolate kisses,
Ellen & Charley
etgayle said,
September 24, 2011 @ 8:17 pm
keep enjoying every moment you have with that handsome boy – the ‘now’ is all we really have anyway. you guys get that, and it makes all the difference. hugs to all!
charon & gayle
maximutt said,
September 25, 2011 @ 3:38 am
I’m really sorry to hear this news. But, you have the right attitude: don’t waste time being sad now, there will be time for that later. When chemo and metronomics stopped working for our Max, we also decided to stop all treatments. We figured, we’re just going to let him be a dog for whatever time he had left. No more being a patient, no more being poked and prodded. Just hang out and get some good eatin’, some good lovin’, and some good scratchin’! Please give Sam a hug from us. I hope you have many more good months with your boy.
Indiana's mom said,
September 25, 2011 @ 12:59 pm
Sending a prayer to you that you have much more time with Super Sammy! We all knew it wouldn’t be an easy journey for us as parents…but it has been a much better one for our Tripawds, as they just live life so happy – day to day…. They live life to its fullest without a care in the world. We are the ones who worry…we are the ones who they trust…we are the ones who they love with all of their hearts… They are the ones we spoil & love and spoil some more…and love even more!
AT one year beating the odds, the cancer came back to Indy’s lungs and the said he only had another few weeks…we were blessed to have him 5 more months… We gave him cough medicine for about one and ½ months when the cough was persistent and he did very well… Enjoy EVERY moment of EVERY day with your sweet Super and handsome Sammy!! Celebrate with joy that he is by your side! Much love from the spirit of Indiana’s mom ~Carol~~
fightingforsammy said,
September 25, 2011 @ 2:13 pm
Give your precious Sammy hugs and smooches and ear scratches from us, we will be praying for you that there is lots of gravy time left!
Elizabeth and Sammy too
jerry said,
October 2, 2011 @ 10:52 pm
We’re so sorry guys, I wish the news was better.
You have a good attitude though, and you make Sam proud. Remember that there will be plenty of time for tears some day far, far away. Until now, follow your heart and you can’t go wrong.
{{{{hugs}}}