Cole was doing great a few weeks ago and having fun running and playing in the back yard. We celebrated his 6 month ampuversary on the 11th and were enjoying summer. He was loving eating snap peas while helping me in the garden and playing a new game we invented where I steal his stick and he chases me to steal it back. The next week, he seemed tired and we thought he was overdoing it a bit with the playing and spent a little more time being couch potatoes together. The next week, he had a lump on his side and was breathing funny and starting to cough. We took him in for a checkup and x-rays right away and Friday the results confirmed our worst fears. The cancer has metastasized to his lungs and skin and it is fast.
We have been in contact with our oncologist over the weekend and went in today. We have been on Lomustine since he finished his Carboplatin last month. Our doctor started him on Vinorelbine today to try and target the lungs. If he responds, she hopes we can have another 4 to 6 months of good time left. If not, well……we will face that when we have to. He will not suffer but we can’t give up on him if he has a chance at more good time. Our doctor thinks he still has time.
I hate this. His doctor assures me he is not uncomfortable and is getting plenty of air but I hate seeing him breathe like this. I haven’t slept much because when it is quiet and still, I can’t help but listen to his breath and check on him over and over. I have panic attacks thinking he is struggling for air but my doctor assures me this is not the case. I really hope he responds and can be comfortable.
I’m too tired to put up a photo but for those of you who use Instagram, look for the #coleporterthemastiff tag or see it here in your browser. You can see him running and playing and cuddling Ella. Sorry for the disjointed post, it is hard to concentrate right now. I’m going back to holding him while we watch really scary movies now.
Nope, not the news anyone wants to hear, and I’m sorry you had to hear it. It is soop important to remind yourself that Cole didn’t “hear” it! Nope, he didn’t hear it and he sure didn’t give a look at any thought whatsoever to any xrays or days on a calendar! None of this has changed anything in Cole’s world…NOTHING!!
Well, .aybe a couple of thinbs. Maybe he’s wondering why he gets to eat more ice cream and steaks and pizza than usual!
Because my Happy Hannah eventually developed met…..the vet said the size of a baseball (I refused to even look at the xray)…..I thought I’d share some “for whatever it’s worth” stuff. Although I didn’t really oursue any further treatment at that point, I did introduce prednisone and tramadol as her symptoms seemed to make her a bit more uncomfortable on ocassion. Actually, I did do metronomics for a couple of weeks but she developed a blsdder or urinary issue so I stopped.
Happy Hannah never developed a cough, but I know Jerry did and often cough medicine helps with that (as directed by your vet of course). Jerry, along with Sassy both EXCEEDED the “time” they were given! And Cole certainly does NOT have a timeframe stamped anywhere in his butt!
My Happy Hannah never appeared to be in pain. My vet assured me, as did yours, that it wasn’t necessarily a “painful” time. Thankfully, I found that to be true for her.
Also, while I noticed changes in her breathing pattern, sometimes more rapid and shallow than others, it wasn’t 24/7. It seemed to effect her far less than kt did me!! I finally learned to become more “relaxed” and more “accepting” of it being the new norm (ugh). In fact I think I made some of those initial “breathing episodes” when they first started a little worse for her because my energy was anxious and scared. As I gained more confident and less “stressed”, it benefited both of us.
Yes, Happy Hannah became more and more tired, but even that wasn’t “painful”. She was perfectly happy lounging around getting tummy rubs and treats, lazing in the sun, cooling off under a shade tree.
From tne looks of so e of Cole’s instagram pictures, he has noooo problem bei g a couch potato with his his buddies! The close up of him sleeping on his pillow…best picture EVER!!! Actually, all of these pictures are THE BEST PICTURES EVER!!!! 🙂 🙂 They are all spectacular treasures!
And we have a SIX MONTH AMPUVERSARY to celebrate!!!! And we are all cheering for many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, ma h, etc. MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Sending lots and lots of love
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
I am sorry to hear that stupid disease spread. Sassy survived 7 3/4 months almost 8 with lung mets. She coughed once and I just knew. That is how we found out and she didn’t even get to finish her last chemo treatment. Like Sally said she out lived the time “average” we were given. She probably would have been around lot longer if she had not built up fluid on her chest cavity.
Cole doesn’t know and its harder when we know. Just love & spoil him. I gave Sassy whatever she wanted.
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
So sorry to hear this news, what a kick in the you-know-what. Sally and Michelle are right; as hard as it is, try not to start obsessing with “numbers”. Sadly, we don’t know what the future holds, but enjoy every second with Cole….don’t let “numbers” rob you of one once of joy.
Paula and NItro
My heart sank when I saw this and I’m so sorry. I remember that news and it just sucks to no end. But as you can see, Cole isn’t any different. He’s the same dog and continues to live each moment to the max. He’s the best role model, now, and always.
Keep us posted on the therapy. We haven’t heard of that one so it’s new to us and we’ll be interested in finding out how it works. Did the onco give you anything to help with his breathing?