Eric7100 Posted May 18, 2016 Author Share Posted May 18, 2016 I've been there. More than once. Good luck with everything, it can be heartbreaking. Thanks, Slab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted May 19, 2016 Author Share Posted May 19, 2016 Salt has been dealing with oral cancer since December. Two surgeries, one in January and one in April, were unsuccessful in removing the cancer. I was referred to a specialist on Tuesday, who strongly recommended that we do both chemo and radiation therapy. Chemo has started immediately (it's chemo in a "pill" -- capsules that are inserted into her mouth). We're doing 4 monthly cycles of this (with something happening each week, either the capsules or an ELSPAR injection plus steroids). Radiation therapy will begin in July (4 sessions of a targeted light beam). Side effects will be extremely minimal, and the prognosis is that Salt's lip/gumline can return to normal, and her life expectancy (due to time in remission) can be extended, on average, by 1,129 days! Doing nothing would allow Salt's oral cancer to multiply (and ulcerate) exponentially all over her face, until she is no longer able to eat. I can't let that happen. So despite the extremely high cost (radiation therapy alone is $3,200), I have to do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-crew Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Salt has been dealing with oral cancer since December. Two surgeries, one in January and one in April, were unsuccessful in removing the cancer. I was referred to a specialist on Tuesday, who strongly recommended that we do both chemo and radiation therapy. Chemo has started immediately (it's chemo in a "pill" -- capsules that are inserted into her mouth). We're doing 4 monthly cycles of this (with something happening each week, either the capsules or an ELSPAR injection plus steroids). Radiation therapy will begin in July (4 sessions of a targeted light beam). Side effects will be extremely minimal, and the prognosis is that Salt's lip/gumline can return to normal, and her life expectancy (due to time in remission) can be extended, on average, by 1,129 days! Doing nothing would allow Salt's oral cancer to multiply (and ulcerate) exponentially all over her face, until she is no longer able to eat. I can't let that happen. So despite the extremely high cost (radiation therapy alone is $3,200), I have to do this. Sure if you have the means its a must, They do become part of your family that's for sure. And theres no limit what people would do for someone they love. All the best Eric, I hope this goes by quick for and Salt back as healthy as they can be.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted May 19, 2016 Author Share Posted May 19, 2016 Sure if you have the means its a must, They do become part of your family that's for sure. And theres no limit what people would do for someone they love. All the best Eric, I hope this goes by quick for and Salt back as healthy as they can be.. Thanks, Crew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freewheel Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 If you can extend a dog's life by over 3 years, that's amazing. A lot of human cancer treatments don't give those kinds of results, and we live a lot longer than dogs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted May 20, 2016 Author Share Posted May 20, 2016 If you can extend a dog's life by over 3 years, that's amazing. A lot of human cancer treatments don't give those kinds of results, and we live a lot longer than dogs. Actually, in dog years, dogs live a lot longer than us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freewheel Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 Actually, in dog years, dogs live a lot longer than us. Well by definition, "dog years" are calculated based on the average lifespan of a dog compared to a lifespan of a human, so not quite. Regardless, 3 years to a dog is far more of their life than a human's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted October 15, 2016 Author Share Posted October 15, 2016 Happy 1st Birthday, Lassie! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted October 15, 2016 Author Share Posted October 15, 2016 Here's a picture of Lassie's birthday present. It plays "Happy Birthday" when squeezed or stepped on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted October 17, 2016 Author Share Posted October 17, 2016 I know that I made this thread about Lassie, but prayers to Salt (my 15-year-old dog), who is undergoing surgery today to remove several cysts on her body and eyelids. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric7100 Posted October 17, 2016 Author Share Posted October 17, 2016 (edited) Salt's surgery was a success. 14 lumps, cysts, and skin tags were removed. Edited October 17, 2016 by Eric7100 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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