30 December 2014
Two weeks since Dylan has gone
It is already two weeks since my baby has passed away. I miss him so much. The initial numbness has now made way for the pain... It doesn't feel right here without him! Luckily Flash, Jesse and Skye are all doing ok and are getting on with things. I try to as well, but it is hard... :-(
20 December 2014
Dylan's gone... I can't believe that my baby is gone... June 2001 to December 2014.
My beautiful baby boy has gone... After all the improvements with the radiotherapy, I can't believe that Dylan is now gone, gone to sleep forever!
On Sunday, 14th December, Dylan was a bit quieter. He hardly left his bed. His breathing also seemed a bit faster. But when I fed the dogs, I noticed that his gums were pale, very pale. It really had me worried, so I called the emergency vet. She asked lots of questions, but in the end said that he would be ok until the morning and that the AHT would check him out as he had an appointment with them anyway.
At 10.30 we had the appointment with Davide. Dylan perked up when he walked through the doors of the AHT and was very pleased to see Davide as well as a couple of the staff that looked after him there. Davide checked and said that before doing the radiotherapy, they would do the bloods to check what was going on. That would tell them whether he was losing blood somewhere. If he was, then they would do an ultrasound and further checks as appropriate.
Davide called me back when the blood results were in, saying that he was definitely losing blood somewhere, so they went ahead with the ultrasound.
A couple of hours later, Davide called again with the bad news... the ultrasound showed nothing, so they did xrays of the chest... and the cancer had now spread to his lungs. And it was likely that the bleeding was happening in his lungs. What a blow.
When I went to pick Dylan up, he seemed a bit unwell and subdued. Davide showed me the xrays where the new tumours in his lungs were clearly visible. There were a couple of larger ones, and many, many small ones! I just couldn't believe that after all this, after all the progress he had made with his leg, we had now reached the end of the road so suddenly! Only 6 weeks ago, his chest looked completely clear, and now his lungs were riddled with cancer too!
Davide gave Dylan cuddles saying goodbye, knowing that it would probably be the last time he'd see him. He did dispense some further pain medication and said that I could contact him anytime if necessary.
I already had a feeling when I saw Dylan at the AHT that things weren't looking good, but of course I was hoping that he would improve a bit in time. He didn't - and it quickly became clear once I was at home for a while with him, that he was not comfortable. I made the heartbreaking decision that evening of the 15th, that I would have to let Dylan go. He wasn't going to get better now, there was nothing that could stop the bleeding, and there was nothing that would improve his breathing. Dylan was losing the fight! I didn't want him to drown in his own blood, as we were quite sure that the bleeding was happening in his lungs.
The next morning, I gave it time until after 10 o'clock, milling things over and over in my head, trying to ascertain that I was making the right decision and wasn't being hasty... But Dylan's appetite was virtually gone, he was only eating when I hand-fed him super nice stuff like bacon, cheese and cooked chicken... and even with that he was getting more reluctant by the minute. He now also resented taking his medication. His breathing had gotten a little worse over night and he was definitely feeling worse. So I called the vet to come to my house in the afternoon.
The vet was a little late due to an emergency they had to attend. However, during that time we were waiting, Dylan went outside to the toilet and he looked distinctly dizzy. He didn't want to go down the step into the garden and when he went to drink water, he kind of like went into a trance before he touched even the water, as if he was blacking out. When I lifted the bowl up for him, he was drinking. I think he felt very dizzy as the internal bleeding started to weaken his circulation and blood pressure... It was the final confirmation that I was doing the right thing!
Just after three o'clock, Ashley the vet and a nurse arrived, and a few minutes later, a few seconds after the needle went in, Dylan peacefully went to sleep and then slipped away. Just like Troy, he passed so quickly and peacefully, he was ready to go.
Dylan stayed at home over night. Flash, Jesse and Skye didn't really take any notice of him at all. They were there when it happened and they knew he had passed away and wasn't here anymore.
During the night, Dylan lost a lot of blood through his nose, which only confirms that he was definitely bleeding out in his lungs, and sending him to sleep when I did was the right thing to do.
I am absolutely devastated. I feel totally numb. I can't believe that my beautiful boy is gone now. He put up such a brave fight and he was in good spirits through pretty much all of this time (three months since initial diagnosis). I can't thank Davide and the AHT enough for all they have done for him, and for the care and dedication that they lavished on him. Dylan loved going there, and he loved Davide and all the staff there.
I miss you so much, Dylan! I am sure Troy was waiting there for you to welcome you and show you around. You were such a special dog, we had such a special time together, you will never be forgotten and will be with me in my heart forever.
On Wednesday I took Dylan on his last car journey, to the Peaceful Pets crematorium. Yesterday, I picked up his ashes. I feel a little better since his ashes are back home now, I have closure I guess. But my heart is breaking! Dylan was one in a million, he was my first dog, in the nearly 13 years we shared together, we went through so much together, and he was always there, always a comfort when times were tough, always up for fun, "a true gentleman" as a friend called him, "an old wise soul"... Now another star in the sky, another angel at the Rainbow Bridge. Sleep tight, my beautiful boy!
Here are the last two pictures I took of Dylan, that was on Monday, 15th December.
On Sunday, 14th December, Dylan was a bit quieter. He hardly left his bed. His breathing also seemed a bit faster. But when I fed the dogs, I noticed that his gums were pale, very pale. It really had me worried, so I called the emergency vet. She asked lots of questions, but in the end said that he would be ok until the morning and that the AHT would check him out as he had an appointment with them anyway.
At 10.30 we had the appointment with Davide. Dylan perked up when he walked through the doors of the AHT and was very pleased to see Davide as well as a couple of the staff that looked after him there. Davide checked and said that before doing the radiotherapy, they would do the bloods to check what was going on. That would tell them whether he was losing blood somewhere. If he was, then they would do an ultrasound and further checks as appropriate.
Davide called me back when the blood results were in, saying that he was definitely losing blood somewhere, so they went ahead with the ultrasound.
A couple of hours later, Davide called again with the bad news... the ultrasound showed nothing, so they did xrays of the chest... and the cancer had now spread to his lungs. And it was likely that the bleeding was happening in his lungs. What a blow.
When I went to pick Dylan up, he seemed a bit unwell and subdued. Davide showed me the xrays where the new tumours in his lungs were clearly visible. There were a couple of larger ones, and many, many small ones! I just couldn't believe that after all this, after all the progress he had made with his leg, we had now reached the end of the road so suddenly! Only 6 weeks ago, his chest looked completely clear, and now his lungs were riddled with cancer too!
Davide gave Dylan cuddles saying goodbye, knowing that it would probably be the last time he'd see him. He did dispense some further pain medication and said that I could contact him anytime if necessary.
I already had a feeling when I saw Dylan at the AHT that things weren't looking good, but of course I was hoping that he would improve a bit in time. He didn't - and it quickly became clear once I was at home for a while with him, that he was not comfortable. I made the heartbreaking decision that evening of the 15th, that I would have to let Dylan go. He wasn't going to get better now, there was nothing that could stop the bleeding, and there was nothing that would improve his breathing. Dylan was losing the fight! I didn't want him to drown in his own blood, as we were quite sure that the bleeding was happening in his lungs.
The next morning, I gave it time until after 10 o'clock, milling things over and over in my head, trying to ascertain that I was making the right decision and wasn't being hasty... But Dylan's appetite was virtually gone, he was only eating when I hand-fed him super nice stuff like bacon, cheese and cooked chicken... and even with that he was getting more reluctant by the minute. He now also resented taking his medication. His breathing had gotten a little worse over night and he was definitely feeling worse. So I called the vet to come to my house in the afternoon.
The vet was a little late due to an emergency they had to attend. However, during that time we were waiting, Dylan went outside to the toilet and he looked distinctly dizzy. He didn't want to go down the step into the garden and when he went to drink water, he kind of like went into a trance before he touched even the water, as if he was blacking out. When I lifted the bowl up for him, he was drinking. I think he felt very dizzy as the internal bleeding started to weaken his circulation and blood pressure... It was the final confirmation that I was doing the right thing!
Just after three o'clock, Ashley the vet and a nurse arrived, and a few minutes later, a few seconds after the needle went in, Dylan peacefully went to sleep and then slipped away. Just like Troy, he passed so quickly and peacefully, he was ready to go.
Dylan stayed at home over night. Flash, Jesse and Skye didn't really take any notice of him at all. They were there when it happened and they knew he had passed away and wasn't here anymore.
During the night, Dylan lost a lot of blood through his nose, which only confirms that he was definitely bleeding out in his lungs, and sending him to sleep when I did was the right thing to do.
I am absolutely devastated. I feel totally numb. I can't believe that my beautiful boy is gone now. He put up such a brave fight and he was in good spirits through pretty much all of this time (three months since initial diagnosis). I can't thank Davide and the AHT enough for all they have done for him, and for the care and dedication that they lavished on him. Dylan loved going there, and he loved Davide and all the staff there.
I miss you so much, Dylan! I am sure Troy was waiting there for you to welcome you and show you around. You were such a special dog, we had such a special time together, you will never be forgotten and will be with me in my heart forever.
On Wednesday I took Dylan on his last car journey, to the Peaceful Pets crematorium. Yesterday, I picked up his ashes. I feel a little better since his ashes are back home now, I have closure I guess. But my heart is breaking! Dylan was one in a million, he was my first dog, in the nearly 13 years we shared together, we went through so much together, and he was always there, always a comfort when times were tough, always up for fun, "a true gentleman" as a friend called him, "an old wise soul"... Now another star in the sky, another angel at the Rainbow Bridge. Sleep tight, my beautiful boy!
Here are the last two pictures I took of Dylan, that was on Monday, 15th December.
12 December 2014
Small improvements
Just now, Dylan was trotting for a few steps in the garden - without lifting his back leg up. How cool is this! Just wonderful.
I have also observed that he doesn't always lift his leg off the floor anymore when he stands, but gently rests on it. So his pain continues to decrease gradually!
This is so encouraging. He is due back at the AHT on Monday for another radiotherapy session.
Here is a picture of Dylan's artwork on his back leg, which is of course the markings for the radiation area.
I have also observed that he doesn't always lift his leg off the floor anymore when he stands, but gently rests on it. So his pain continues to decrease gradually!
This is so encouraging. He is due back at the AHT on Monday for another radiotherapy session.
Here is a picture of Dylan's artwork on his back leg, which is of course the markings for the radiation area.
10 December 2014
Dylan's home again
On Friday morning, before I travelled down to Croydon to Karen and ultimately to Gatwick airport, I popped into the AHT again to see Dylan. He was brought out to me to a consulting room as the ward was too busy at that time of the day. He was happy to see me wagging his tail and I spent some time with him. He was very settled and walking well on his bad leg. It was such a relief to see him doing well and I was able to travel to Switzerland with a slightly less heavy heart.
Whilst in Switzerland, I talked to Jody on the Saturday and an intern on Sunday, who updated me on Dylan's progress. As the Recuverya wore off, they put him on the normal pain medication again. He started limping again, but was brighter and settled.
On Monday, I talked to the intern again, as well as Davide. They did the radiotherapy and all went well. I was able to pick him up on Tuesday after they kept him an extra day for observation with regards to pain management.
On Tuesday, I drove up to Newmarket, though it took me almost 4 hours to get there from Fulham (where I went to see my parents-in-law Josie and Con after leaving from Karen's). Earlier that day there was a serious accident on the M25 at the junction for the M11. So we were stationary on the M25 for a while, and then got diverted via the A10. I finally got to the AHT at 4 pm.
I was absolutely stunned how well Dylan looked when he walked out towards me with Davide. He didn't notice me at first, but when he recognised me I got a big tail wag. He was walking really well and looking very happy. I was thrilled seeing him look this well. I was dreading what was going to expect me, and it was such a lovely surprise!
Davide talked me through the meds he was on now (one new pain medication - Symmetrel - in addition to Metacam, Pardale V and Tramadol, and an antibiotic, as there was a bit of bleeding from the wind pipe).
When I left with Dylan, he followed me straight out without trying to turn back towards the kennels (like he normally would). And he walked straight up to the car. It was as if to say "yep, mum, I am ready to go home. I am all better now." It was amazing! I was crying on my way home, but this time, it was tears of happiness!
At home he settled straight away, went to the garden for toileting and ate his dinner well. Here are a couple of pictures I took when we got home.
Today Dylan has been resting a lot. He didn't eat all his breakfast, and also left some of his dinner. I think though that this is due to the herbs that he doesn't like hugely. (That's the Heal! herbs that I give him to help with digestion as his motions are not very good). I will leave them out from now on and hopefully he will be back to eating well from tomorrow.
When I got home tonight from classes, he was up in the kitchen and wagging his tail furiously! He hasn't done that for a while and usually just stayed in his bed as it was too painful to get up. I am well chuffed at how well he is doing.
Yes, he is still limping, particularly when he tries to run, but he just gets on with it and is overall in a happy mood. Tonight I took this video... can you believe it. From what happened last week where it looked like there was no way out of this anymore, to this where he is playing again! I just can't quite believe it, but am so grateful to Davide and all the staff at the AHT for all they have done for my boy. Today Davide even called to ask how Dylan is doing. And when I told him that he was using his leg pretty well when walking, he said "It seems to be working then" [the radiotherapy]. How kind was that of him to call and check on Dylan. :-)
Here is the video that I filmed tonight whilst he was waiting for his dinner: http://youtu.be/0xZSoVtJeCs
And a picture from tonight.
Whilst in Switzerland, I talked to Jody on the Saturday and an intern on Sunday, who updated me on Dylan's progress. As the Recuverya wore off, they put him on the normal pain medication again. He started limping again, but was brighter and settled.
On Monday, I talked to the intern again, as well as Davide. They did the radiotherapy and all went well. I was able to pick him up on Tuesday after they kept him an extra day for observation with regards to pain management.
On Tuesday, I drove up to Newmarket, though it took me almost 4 hours to get there from Fulham (where I went to see my parents-in-law Josie and Con after leaving from Karen's). Earlier that day there was a serious accident on the M25 at the junction for the M11. So we were stationary on the M25 for a while, and then got diverted via the A10. I finally got to the AHT at 4 pm.
I was absolutely stunned how well Dylan looked when he walked out towards me with Davide. He didn't notice me at first, but when he recognised me I got a big tail wag. He was walking really well and looking very happy. I was thrilled seeing him look this well. I was dreading what was going to expect me, and it was such a lovely surprise!
Davide talked me through the meds he was on now (one new pain medication - Symmetrel - in addition to Metacam, Pardale V and Tramadol, and an antibiotic, as there was a bit of bleeding from the wind pipe).
When I left with Dylan, he followed me straight out without trying to turn back towards the kennels (like he normally would). And he walked straight up to the car. It was as if to say "yep, mum, I am ready to go home. I am all better now." It was amazing! I was crying on my way home, but this time, it was tears of happiness!
At home he settled straight away, went to the garden for toileting and ate his dinner well. Here are a couple of pictures I took when we got home.
When I got home tonight from classes, he was up in the kitchen and wagging his tail furiously! He hasn't done that for a while and usually just stayed in his bed as it was too painful to get up. I am well chuffed at how well he is doing.
Yes, he is still limping, particularly when he tries to run, but he just gets on with it and is overall in a happy mood. Tonight I took this video... can you believe it. From what happened last week where it looked like there was no way out of this anymore, to this where he is playing again! I just can't quite believe it, but am so grateful to Davide and all the staff at the AHT for all they have done for my boy. Today Davide even called to ask how Dylan is doing. And when I told him that he was using his leg pretty well when walking, he said "It seems to be working then" [the radiotherapy]. How kind was that of him to call and check on Dylan. :-)
Here is the video that I filmed tonight whilst he was waiting for his dinner: http://youtu.be/0xZSoVtJeCs
And a picture from tonight.
04 December 2014
I went to visit Dylan at the AHT
Yesterday and today I went to visit Dylan at the AHT. Yesterday he was very whiney and I could see that he was still in some pain with his leg. He was on intravenous methadone at this point. I stayed for about an hour and he didn't really settle. However, the staff said that he had been really quiet overall, so I think my presence just kind of stirred things up a bit. They also said that he was using his leg a little bit again, though seemed to struggle a little on the other leg, possibly with arthritis. That was just the confirmation I needed that I did the right thing by not going for the amputation.
They gave him a "spot on" pain relief, which is called Recuverya. It is very potent and I wasn't allowed to touch him without gloves on. Whilst I was there, this hadn't taken effect yet though.
Today I went again, and Dylan was so much better. Davide said that he was putting proper weight on his leg again. He is also still eating well which is great. Whilst I was there he was a little spaced out perhaps, but so much more settled, a little whiney, but nothing major and nothing compared to yesterday, and he went to sleep a few times whilst I was there. I feel much happier now leaving him over the weekend (though still far from happy with it). I shall contact Davide on a daily basis to find out how he is doing and I hope that he will be comfortable now until the radiation effects kick in, and by god, I hope they will kick in!
I will go and see him again tomorrow morning before I travel down south to Karen's.
They gave him a "spot on" pain relief, which is called Recuverya. It is very potent and I wasn't allowed to touch him without gloves on. Whilst I was there, this hadn't taken effect yet though.
Today I went again, and Dylan was so much better. Davide said that he was putting proper weight on his leg again. He is also still eating well which is great. Whilst I was there he was a little spaced out perhaps, but so much more settled, a little whiney, but nothing major and nothing compared to yesterday, and he went to sleep a few times whilst I was there. I feel much happier now leaving him over the weekend (though still far from happy with it). I shall contact Davide on a daily basis to find out how he is doing and I hope that he will be comfortable now until the radiation effects kick in, and by god, I hope they will kick in!
I will go and see him again tomorrow morning before I travel down south to Karen's.
02 December 2014
Radiotherapy done... finally better news.
Davide just called and I have got news regarding Dylan. The radiation treatment went well, and the methadone is keeping the pain under control. (When the methadone wears off he apparently starts lifting his leg up again, but with the methadone he puts the leg down). He is sleeping in his kennel most of the time which is a good thing. Now the thing is that we need to keep him comfortable until the radiotherapy effects are kicking in, which is about a week. To do that, he gets some additional super potent pain medication (which is like a spot on) which means that he has to stay in hospital for another few days (by law apparently!). So he is not coming home tonight, but I can go and visit him every day, which I will do of course.
Tomorrow however my car has to go into the garage (essential as otherwise my exhaust will come off eventually, the bracket holding the exhaust is split open), but I hope that I will get it back by lunch time so I can go and visit Dylan.
I hate leaving him at the AHT as I want to spend every minute he has left with him, but I know that it is the best place for him to be as they can control the pain much better than me at home, and he will be a lot less stressed about it than me. He really doesn't mind the vet and the staff are brilliant there.
Now of course I am off to Switzerland on Friday evening. Davide suggested to keep him at the AHT over the weekend then, and I think he might be right. If it was anything else but my mum's 70th birthday, I would have cancelled the trip, but this is very important to my parents and if I can keep Dylan safe and comfortable at the AHT, I think I will go with that. I wouldn't see him anyway for a couple of days, so it doesn't really matter whether he is at the AHT or at Karen's.
Although I miss Dylan terribly and I hate the thought of leaving him at such a difficult time whilst I go abroad, I do feel a lot happier now that I know that he is comfortable again and in the hope that the radiation will work and give him a bit more quality time.
Tomorrow however my car has to go into the garage (essential as otherwise my exhaust will come off eventually, the bracket holding the exhaust is split open), but I hope that I will get it back by lunch time so I can go and visit Dylan.
I hate leaving him at the AHT as I want to spend every minute he has left with him, but I know that it is the best place for him to be as they can control the pain much better than me at home, and he will be a lot less stressed about it than me. He really doesn't mind the vet and the staff are brilliant there.
Now of course I am off to Switzerland on Friday evening. Davide suggested to keep him at the AHT over the weekend then, and I think he might be right. If it was anything else but my mum's 70th birthday, I would have cancelled the trip, but this is very important to my parents and if I can keep Dylan safe and comfortable at the AHT, I think I will go with that. I wouldn't see him anyway for a couple of days, so it doesn't really matter whether he is at the AHT or at Karen's.
Although I miss Dylan terribly and I hate the thought of leaving him at such a difficult time whilst I go abroad, I do feel a lot happier now that I know that he is comfortable again and in the hope that the radiation will work and give him a bit more quality time.
01 December 2014
Emergency hospitalisation
This morning, Dylan wasn't too bad first thing this morning and I was actually quite pleased. However, once he had his meal he started really hurting much more, couldn't settle and was crying out loudly. He was in so much pain.
When it didn't pass, I went to my vets for pain relief. They injected him with vetergesic. It helped a little, he was able to lay down at least, but no more than that. I then called Davide and asked him whether I could bring Dylan in as he was in so much pain. He was crying most of the way to the AHT.
Dylan was hospitalised immediately, and was given methadone. Davide said that if that's not enough, they will give him morphine as well. Tomorrow he will have radiotherapy. If that doesn't give him enough pain relief either, then I will have to make that final decision. I am in bits and have been crying for most of the day (even to the vet's this morning). I just can't imagine life without Dylan, yet, I will not let him suffer any longer if there is nothing that can help.
Here's a tiny clip of Dylan yesterday.
When it didn't pass, I went to my vets for pain relief. They injected him with vetergesic. It helped a little, he was able to lay down at least, but no more than that. I then called Davide and asked him whether I could bring Dylan in as he was in so much pain. He was crying most of the way to the AHT.
Dylan was hospitalised immediately, and was given methadone. Davide said that if that's not enough, they will give him morphine as well. Tomorrow he will have radiotherapy. If that doesn't give him enough pain relief either, then I will have to make that final decision. I am in bits and have been crying for most of the day (even to the vet's this morning). I just can't imagine life without Dylan, yet, I will not let him suffer any longer if there is nothing that can help.
Here's a tiny clip of Dylan yesterday.
30 November 2014
Really worried...
Yesterday and today, Dylan was hurting so much. I feel so helpless not being able to do anything about it. Yesterday, he also left a small amount of food in his bowl, and that really got me worried. This morning he was eating ok, as well as this evening. I have stopped putting some of the tablets straight in the food as he doesn't like some and then leaves all the food around it.
This afternoon he was really uncomfortable but was then resting on the sofa all afternoon. He felt better by the evening, ate all of his dinner and looked a bit more comfortable.
My final decision is to go ahead with radio therapy. I will be talking to Davide tomorrow to get this organised. Dylan won't do well with an amputation and I can't do just nothing as the current pain relief management isn't working too brilliantly. So radiation therapy it is.
This afternoon he was really uncomfortable but was then resting on the sofa all afternoon. He felt better by the evening, ate all of his dinner and looked a bit more comfortable.
My final decision is to go ahead with radio therapy. I will be talking to Davide tomorrow to get this organised. Dylan won't do well with an amputation and I can't do just nothing as the current pain relief management isn't working too brilliantly. So radiation therapy it is.
28 November 2014
The big decision
I have started Dylan on the higher dose of the Pardale and Tramadol. I can't see a huge amount of difference at the moment. But then he would be in some additional pain due to the biopsy (and he certainly has quite a considerable bruise around the site), so perhaps that is the reason.
He is eating well though and goes to toilet normally, so hopefully he will pick up over the weekend.
I have started today leaving him separated in the kitchen when I go out. I am just worried that either one of the others will react out of character due to his illness and hurt him, or that he stumbles or something and they react... or indeed that they touch him accidently where it hurts and he reacts. So I think it is safest and best to just keep him separate when I am not there to supervise and interfere immediately if something happens. I know he doesn't like it too much, but luckily I am at home most of the time at the moment, so it isn't stressful for him really.
Just now I had a call from Davide. They couldn't get any useful result from the spleen biopsy. So we have no further help from there. Now it is down to making a decision: do we amputate (and leave him to carry extra weight on a leg that has got a metal plate in it), do we use radiation, or do we just use pain medication and when it doesn't work (anymore) take that final and last step.
I will take the weekend to think this over. I have a feeling that pain medication won't work, as it just isn't making enough difference now. My gut feeling about an amputation is that it will not be to Dylan's advantage, as he will struggle a little, and it will only give him a few extra months at most. So I suspect I will be going down the route of radiation until that stops helping enough to give my Dylan a reasonable quality of life.
He is eating well though and goes to toilet normally, so hopefully he will pick up over the weekend.
I have started today leaving him separated in the kitchen when I go out. I am just worried that either one of the others will react out of character due to his illness and hurt him, or that he stumbles or something and they react... or indeed that they touch him accidently where it hurts and he reacts. So I think it is safest and best to just keep him separate when I am not there to supervise and interfere immediately if something happens. I know he doesn't like it too much, but luckily I am at home most of the time at the moment, so it isn't stressful for him really.
Just now I had a call from Davide. They couldn't get any useful result from the spleen biopsy. So we have no further help from there. Now it is down to making a decision: do we amputate (and leave him to carry extra weight on a leg that has got a metal plate in it), do we use radiation, or do we just use pain medication and when it doesn't work (anymore) take that final and last step.
I will take the weekend to think this over. I have a feeling that pain medication won't work, as it just isn't making enough difference now. My gut feeling about an amputation is that it will not be to Dylan's advantage, as he will struggle a little, and it will only give him a few extra months at most. So I suspect I will be going down the route of radiation until that stops helping enough to give my Dylan a reasonable quality of life.
27 November 2014
Just when we thought it couldn't get any worse...
The bad news for Dylan just keep rolling in... Davide couldn't actually do a bone biopsy today as when he went into the bone, loads of blood spurted out. He said he'd never seen anything like it and being the head of the oncology department, he obviously knows his stuff and has done plenty of bone biopsies before. Whatever is in Dylan's bone is basically eating the bone away from the inside and all that's left is just blood everywhere, including the swelling that has appeared since yesterday. So we are still none the wiser as to what exactly is going on in his leg, Davide said he couldn't believe that one month down the line, we still don't know what we are dealing with. What we do know though is that whatever "it" is, is very aggressive and nasty... and things really aren't looking good for my precious boy. We have nearly doubled his pain medication now to see whether we can get Dylan comfortable that way. And that's the best we can do now really, just keeping Dylan comfortable. Tomorrow we will get the biopsy result for the spleen which will give us an indication whether cancer is present there too.
I feel absolutely drained. I had to get Flash to his first hydrotherapy session tonight as well, and as I didn't want to leave Dylan on his own, after the anaesthetic I asked Ann whether she would be able to sit with him, which she very kindly did. (Flash did great in the water treadmill!).
Dylan has eaten his dinner now, I have given him the increased dosages of Pardale and Tramadol and he is asleep now; not deeply, but at least resting.
I feel absolutely drained. I had to get Flash to his first hydrotherapy session tonight as well, and as I didn't want to leave Dylan on his own, after the anaesthetic I asked Ann whether she would be able to sit with him, which she very kindly did. (Flash did great in the water treadmill!).
Dylan has eaten his dinner now, I have given him the increased dosages of Pardale and Tramadol and he is asleep now; not deeply, but at least resting.
26 November 2014
Biopsies tomorrow
Dylan has his next appointment at the AHT tomorrow for 2.30 pm for the biopsies. That should hopefully give us the answers we need to make the right decisions for him.
I have added the Tramadol to the mix of meds since last night, but so far, I haven't seen any difference yet.
I took a couple of videos of him last night when he was waiting for his dinner. He is very well and bright in himself which is a good thing! Bless him!
I have added the Tramadol to the mix of meds since last night, but so far, I haven't seen any difference yet.
I took a couple of videos of him last night when he was waiting for his dinner. He is very well and bright in himself which is a good thing! Bless him!
25 November 2014
Yet again the worst possible news
Davide just called with the details for Dylan's tests on Friday. They show that he has not just got aggressive cancer in his bone, but also a mass growing in the hollow part of the bone. It is just getting worse and worse... :-(
He will call back tomorrow with regards to an appointment for a biopsy... though I will ask some questions about it to make sure it is the right thing to do as of course like any procedures, there are risks to it. They are not sure whether this is a primary or secondary cancer. It is the wrong place for primary cancer, but they cannot find any primary site for it either...
Dylan has been on Metacam and Pardale since Saturday and it is helping quite a lot. Dylan is definitely more comfortable and much brighter again, he walks on all four legs again, but it is still painful enough for him to take the weight off that leg completely when standing. So from tonight, I will also add the Tramadol to the mix. Hopefully that will improve things further.
I feel so helpless and desperate.
He will call back tomorrow with regards to an appointment for a biopsy... though I will ask some questions about it to make sure it is the right thing to do as of course like any procedures, there are risks to it. They are not sure whether this is a primary or secondary cancer. It is the wrong place for primary cancer, but they cannot find any primary site for it either...
Dylan has been on Metacam and Pardale since Saturday and it is helping quite a lot. Dylan is definitely more comfortable and much brighter again, he walks on all four legs again, but it is still painful enough for him to take the weight off that leg completely when standing. So from tonight, I will also add the Tramadol to the mix. Hopefully that will improve things further.
I feel so helpless and desperate.
22 November 2014
Update after AHT yesterday
Dylan was in so much pain, and the paracetamol didn't really touch it - at most it might have taken the edge off the pain. But on Wednesday and Thursday he could hardly settle, he couldn't put any weight on his leg anymore and he didn't sleep properly. I felt so very helpless, yet there was nothing at all that I could do to make him better.
On Friday, we had a 10 o'clock appointment with Davide at the Animal Health Trust. They greeted each other like old friends, and it was so lovely to see how Dylan was more than happy in the AHT environment and around the staff there. This makes decisions on treatment/diagnostics a bit easier, knowing that he doesn't get stressed by it at all. In fact, he went virtually to sleep in the consulting room whilst Davide and I were talking. LOL
I updated Davide on how Dylan was doing, and he noted how much worse he was. Just over two weeks ago, Dylan was shifting his weight away slightly from his hind leg, but was otherwise using it normally. Now he didn't put any weight on it at all, and he was clearly in a lot of pain.
I then left Dylan to have x-rays and ultrasound and possibly a CT scan. As always Dylan just walked off with the vet nurse without a backwards glance... LOL
I went back to the AHT for 5.30 pm, and Davide updated me on how things were going. Dylan also had the CT scan as the x-rays didn't give a clear enough picture on the lesion. He didn't have the detailed results yet, but he said that Dylan's lesion in his bone was definitely aggressive and it had grown since the last x-ray - in other words, it is cancer as well. The only question now is whether it is primary or secondary bone cancer. That will be determined by a bone biopsy that will be done next week.
I came home with three types of painkillers for Dylan: metacam, pardale and tramadol. I am giving him metacam and pardale (the latter is paracetamol and codein) for now, and if needed I can add tramadol.
Dylan was already more comfortable on his leg when he came home, and he was pretty bright and feeling fairly comfortable. He sure was keen to eat his dinner too, bless him. (I took this picture last night shortly after we got home).
On Friday, we had a 10 o'clock appointment with Davide at the Animal Health Trust. They greeted each other like old friends, and it was so lovely to see how Dylan was more than happy in the AHT environment and around the staff there. This makes decisions on treatment/diagnostics a bit easier, knowing that he doesn't get stressed by it at all. In fact, he went virtually to sleep in the consulting room whilst Davide and I were talking. LOL
I updated Davide on how Dylan was doing, and he noted how much worse he was. Just over two weeks ago, Dylan was shifting his weight away slightly from his hind leg, but was otherwise using it normally. Now he didn't put any weight on it at all, and he was clearly in a lot of pain.
I then left Dylan to have x-rays and ultrasound and possibly a CT scan. As always Dylan just walked off with the vet nurse without a backwards glance... LOL
I went back to the AHT for 5.30 pm, and Davide updated me on how things were going. Dylan also had the CT scan as the x-rays didn't give a clear enough picture on the lesion. He didn't have the detailed results yet, but he said that Dylan's lesion in his bone was definitely aggressive and it had grown since the last x-ray - in other words, it is cancer as well. The only question now is whether it is primary or secondary bone cancer. That will be determined by a bone biopsy that will be done next week.
I came home with three types of painkillers for Dylan: metacam, pardale and tramadol. I am giving him metacam and pardale (the latter is paracetamol and codein) for now, and if needed I can add tramadol.
Dylan was already more comfortable on his leg when he came home, and he was pretty bright and feeling fairly comfortable. He sure was keen to eat his dinner too, bless him. (I took this picture last night shortly after we got home).
This morning, I gave him the metacam and the pardale in his food. And he is definitely much more comfortable on his leg now. He is still in some pain, but he is putting weight on it again, walking on it more or less normally again and he even jumped on the sofa this afternoon. I am so glad that he is so much better and I hope he will continue to improve.
He has got a terminal illness, and I have to come to terms with that, however hard it is (because after all, Dylan was meant to live forever, wasn't he... :-( ). But for now, we are all a little happier and enjoying every moment I can spend with him.
On Monday, Davide will call me to give me more details on the findings from yesterday's imaging, and I will also update him on Dylan's progress with the pain medication. And I'll book another appointment for Dylan's spleen and bone biopsies.
I have also sent an email to a local acupuncture vet as Birgit recommended it. But Roberta Baxter says that it isn't worth doing as bone cancer pain doesn't really respond to acupuncture... which is something that I suspected. So I think I will hold off with that - for now at least.
And here's a picture I have taken this afternoon. :-) (And just looking at Dylan now, he is asleep and dreaming... he hasn't been dreaming for a few days because he didn't go into a deep sleep. So good to see him getting proper rest again).
19 November 2014
More xrays and scans
I sent an email to Davide to find out what I can give Dylan now after stopping the Previcox. He said to put him on paracetamol until Friday when we can discuss his pain medication more. So Dylan is going back to the Animal Health Trust again this Friday. The pain in his back leg has definitely got worse compared to even before he was on Previcox as he now limps on it. I hope the paracetamol will give Dylan some relief as he is in considerable pain and it isn't nice to see him so uncomfortable. Birgit wants me to try acupuncture, so will need to sort that out for him as well.
16 November 2014
Previcox is causing problems
I have stopped the Previcox for Dylan. I will need to talk to the vets tomorrow regarding that. But a) it didn't seem to make any difference and b) his poos started being affected and last night he had virtually diarrhea, so it isn't doing any good for his digestive system. Since being on Zeel (a homeopathic remedy mix that is injected) he is much better and bouncier, but still not 100% so there is still pain. Having said that he still has got three more injections to go with that, and it does seem to improve a little more after each injection. As I said, I will be having a chat with my vets tomorrow as to how best to proceed.
11 November 2014
Injection of Zeel
I love my vets - all of them. Rachel, my vet in Diss, has agreed to inject Dylan with a homeopathic remedy (Zeel) that Birgit, my holistic vet, sent. Hopefully this will give Dylan more pain relief for his leg as what he has so far (including Previcox) doesn't seem to make much of a difference.
09 November 2014
3 days on Previcox
Dylan has now been on Previcox for three days, and I can't see any difference yet - if anything, it has got worse and I seem to detect a very slight limp now when he trots. I will give it a couple more days, and will also get in touch with my primary vet tomorrow to see whether they are prepared to inject the Zeel. I haven't had a chance yet to do that.
07 November 2014
A few pics
So that's 24 hours since Dylan has had his first Previcox tablet and I can't see a difference yet, but I guess it will take longer than that.
We went for a lovely walk into the fen and past the pigs this morning and Dylan kept up really well, in fact, I had to stop him from running (on the lead) a couple of times, and he trotted most of the way round with ease. He was very happy to be out and about. I think he really missed his walks over the last week.
Here are some pictures I took this morning, just because... :-)
We went for a lovely walk into the fen and past the pigs this morning and Dylan kept up really well, in fact, I had to stop him from running (on the lead) a couple of times, and he trotted most of the way round with ease. He was very happy to be out and about. I think he really missed his walks over the last week.
Here are some pictures I took this morning, just because... :-)
06 November 2014
Previcox
I picked up some Previcox from Uplands Way today for the pain coming from his leg. I love the way all my vets just work together! The oncologist said he needed pain relief, but to check with my holistic vet re compatibility with supplements (he was referring to CV247 which includes aspirin). So I checked with Birgit, she said to use Previcox (and not give the aspirin part of CV247 at the same time), and my primary vet (Rachel) prescribed it without any fuss at all. How great is that, no one is being awkward and everyone is just having Dylan's best interest at heart.
So Dylan is now on Previcox (and I also give him Slippery Elm to hopefully prevent any digestive problems), and Birgit has also given me additional homeopathic tablets for pain relief. Further she has also given me some vials to inject. It is called Zeel. I will take these to Rachel and see whether she will inject them for me. Although I used to inject rabbits (and birds) regularly, I have never injected my dogs and don't feel hugely comfortable doing that. So I do hope that Rachel will be ok doing it for me. I shall give her a call tomorrow.
Hopefully from tomorrow, Dylan will feel better on his hind leg and I can start taking him for walks again. I think he does miss them. (He hasn't been walked since last Thursday when I noticed that he was lame).
And I also realised that half of Europe is working for Dylan: Swiss owner, British primary vet, Italian oncologist and German holistic vet. LOL
So Dylan is now on Previcox (and I also give him Slippery Elm to hopefully prevent any digestive problems), and Birgit has also given me additional homeopathic tablets for pain relief. Further she has also given me some vials to inject. It is called Zeel. I will take these to Rachel and see whether she will inject them for me. Although I used to inject rabbits (and birds) regularly, I have never injected my dogs and don't feel hugely comfortable doing that. So I do hope that Rachel will be ok doing it for me. I shall give her a call tomorrow.
Hopefully from tomorrow, Dylan will feel better on his hind leg and I can start taking him for walks again. I think he does miss them. (He hasn't been walked since last Thursday when I noticed that he was lame).
And I also realised that half of Europe is working for Dylan: Swiss owner, British primary vet, Italian oncologist and German holistic vet. LOL
05 November 2014
Spleen... it is getting even more complicated!
The plot thickens... poor old Dylan. They had the results back from the sample of the spleen they took yesterday as it was slightly enlarged. Davide said to me yesterday that although it was a little enlarged, he didn't expect any problems with it... but it came back with an accumulation of mast cells... this - much like the lesions in his leg - may or may not be cancer spread. Davide is stumped and they can't work out where it all comes from and what the connections are as again, this is not a location where a soft tissue sarcoma would spread to. It's just a matter of wait and see at the moment. As planned Dylan will go back to the AHT in about three weeks for more x-rays and scans to assess any changes and perhaps give us some answers. In the meantime, I will continue with the holistic supplements plus Previcox for his leg pain.
04 November 2014
Things are not looking good...
This morning, Davide called me first thing to say that he is doing well and that he will have surgery around lunch time. Before that they will take the x-rays of his chest, spine and hind leg.
And that's when the bad news started... Davide called again just before lunch, saying that they took x-rays of the backend and they have found lesions in Dylan's tibia. He said that they weren't sure what it was, that it looks like cancer spread, but that soft tissue sarcoma doesn't spread to bones... I had to make a decision as to how to proceed, and agreed to do a scan of the abdomen next to see what is going on in there. Davide then called back and said that there wasn't anything to see there really as it all looked normal with the exception of the spleen which is slightly enlarged. They had taken as sample of it and sent it off to the lab.
The question then was what to do regarding the tumour in view of the new findings. This was one of the hardest decisions and some of the most stressful moments in my life as Dylan was on the operating table and I needed to decide whether to do a CAT scan (which I decided against) and wehther to go ahead with the surgery, knowing there might be more cancer in his body, or whether to cancel the surgery until we had further information. In the end after discussing it extensively with Davide (in of course a very short space of time), I decided to abandon the surgery for now and wake Dylan up. And that's what they did.
I was then able to go and pick him up at 3.30 pm. I was so tearful on my way there and really had to pull myself together making sure I didn't burst into tears when I arrived. After having a chat with Davide, and looking at the x-rays (we didn't have the results of the spleen sample yet), we decided to re-do the tests in three weeks time and see how it developed.
Davide said to get pain relief for him, but to check with Birgit as to compatibility with his supplements.
I have to say I am really impressed about the communication from Davide, I am kept in the loop all the time and feel really supported.
The silver lining in all this is that Dylan is in excellent general health and no spread of the cancer has been found in the places where it would be expected to spread to like bladder, prostate and lungs. The problem is where does that lesion come from... is it just a bone issue as such, or is there another primary source of cancer somewhere that has metastasized into the bone.
Dylan was a bit dozy when he got home as is to be expected. I gave him about half his normal food and he ate well and brightened up by the end of the evening.
And that's when the bad news started... Davide called again just before lunch, saying that they took x-rays of the backend and they have found lesions in Dylan's tibia. He said that they weren't sure what it was, that it looks like cancer spread, but that soft tissue sarcoma doesn't spread to bones... I had to make a decision as to how to proceed, and agreed to do a scan of the abdomen next to see what is going on in there. Davide then called back and said that there wasn't anything to see there really as it all looked normal with the exception of the spleen which is slightly enlarged. They had taken as sample of it and sent it off to the lab.
The question then was what to do regarding the tumour in view of the new findings. This was one of the hardest decisions and some of the most stressful moments in my life as Dylan was on the operating table and I needed to decide whether to do a CAT scan (which I decided against) and wehther to go ahead with the surgery, knowing there might be more cancer in his body, or whether to cancel the surgery until we had further information. In the end after discussing it extensively with Davide (in of course a very short space of time), I decided to abandon the surgery for now and wake Dylan up. And that's what they did.
I was then able to go and pick him up at 3.30 pm. I was so tearful on my way there and really had to pull myself together making sure I didn't burst into tears when I arrived. After having a chat with Davide, and looking at the x-rays (we didn't have the results of the spleen sample yet), we decided to re-do the tests in three weeks time and see how it developed.
Davide said to get pain relief for him, but to check with Birgit as to compatibility with his supplements.
I have to say I am really impressed about the communication from Davide, I am kept in the loop all the time and feel really supported.
The silver lining in all this is that Dylan is in excellent general health and no spread of the cancer has been found in the places where it would be expected to spread to like bladder, prostate and lungs. The problem is where does that lesion come from... is it just a bone issue as such, or is there another primary source of cancer somewhere that has metastasized into the bone.
Dylan was a bit dozy when he got home as is to be expected. I gave him about half his normal food and he ate well and brightened up by the end of the evening.
03 November 2014
Appointment at the Animal Health Trust for diagnostics and surgery
Today was our appointment with Dylan's oncologist at the Animal Health Trust.
After a short chat with Davide to update on the latest, I also mentioned that Dylan was shifting weight off his left hind leg since the Wednesday evening last week; no limping, just taking his weight off that leg when standing. I asked whether they could x-ray it whilst Dylan was under anaesthetics anyway. Davide said that he would get someone to look at it and then do the x-rays. Dylan was admitted (as always he just walked off without a backwards glance... he is so used to it all) and I went home. He was supposed to have his bloods done and provided all was well, the excision of the tumour was then scheduled for Tuesday.
Later in the afternoon Davide called and confirmed that Dylan's bloods came all back fine and that he has settled in well (and apparently he isn't singing either but sleeping quite deeply), which is comforting.
Apart from chest x-rays and excision of the tumour, they will also x-ray his hips and lumbar region as their surgeon thinks that this is where the problem is rather than the leg itself.
After a short chat with Davide to update on the latest, I also mentioned that Dylan was shifting weight off his left hind leg since the Wednesday evening last week; no limping, just taking his weight off that leg when standing. I asked whether they could x-ray it whilst Dylan was under anaesthetics anyway. Davide said that he would get someone to look at it and then do the x-rays. Dylan was admitted (as always he just walked off without a backwards glance... he is so used to it all) and I went home. He was supposed to have his bloods done and provided all was well, the excision of the tumour was then scheduled for Tuesday.
Later in the afternoon Davide called and confirmed that Dylan's bloods came all back fine and that he has settled in well (and apparently he isn't singing either but sleeping quite deeply), which is comforting.
Apart from chest x-rays and excision of the tumour, they will also x-ray his hips and lumbar region as their surgeon thinks that this is where the problem is rather than the leg itself.
31 October 2014
Booked in for surgery
I sent Davide Berlato, Dylan's oncologist, an update regarding the supplements that Birgit has prescribed. He replied very quickly and pointed out that if we wanted Dylan's radiotherapy to be completed before Christmas, the surgery would need to happen very soon. So I booked Dylan in for his surgery (and chest x-ray) appointment on Monday (to be operated on Tuesday). This seems to make it all the more real now...
I am really impressed how quickly Davide replied. He also said he would look into the supplements that Dylan is taking. This is his profile: Davide Berlato's Profile.
With it being Halloween, here is Dylan's Halloween picture. :-)
I am really impressed how quickly Davide replied. He also said he would look into the supplements that Dylan is taking. This is his profile: Davide Berlato's Profile.
With it being Halloween, here is Dylan's Halloween picture. :-)
24 October 2014
The remedies from Birgit have arrived
Today, I got the parcel from Birgit, Dylan's holistic vet. There are quite a few remedies that Dylan is getting:
Iscador (mistletoe extract): to stimulate the immune system and may have some effect on the cancer cells.
Corpet (mushrooms): to support the immune system
CV247: to improve the quality of life and may prevent or delay tumour growth
Transfer Factor Plus: to support the immune system
Nutramed: supporting the natural systems that control inflammation
And two homeopathic remedies, one of which his Cacinosin.
So I started giving Dylan the remedies/food supplements today and we'll see how it goes. And then within 2 - 4 weeks, I shall contact the oncologist to start the process for radiotherapy.
Iscador (mistletoe extract): to stimulate the immune system and may have some effect on the cancer cells.
Corpet (mushrooms): to support the immune system
CV247: to improve the quality of life and may prevent or delay tumour growth
Transfer Factor Plus: to support the immune system
Nutramed: supporting the natural systems that control inflammation
And two homeopathic remedies, one of which his Cacinosin.
So I started giving Dylan the remedies/food supplements today and we'll see how it goes. And then within 2 - 4 weeks, I shall contact the oncologist to start the process for radiotherapy.
22 October 2014
Phone consultation with Birgit Ahlemeyer
On Tuesday, Birgit and I had a 1-hour conversation about Dylan. She has also requested Dylan's medical history from my primary vet and I will forward her the oncologist's report as soon as I have it. We went through everything in great detail and she will send me the remedies that I need for Dylan. I will give this a couple of weeks to work and then will go ahead with the radiotherapy for Dylan. I think that will be the best way forward for him.
And today I knitted Dylan a stocking to stop him from licking the lump. It needs a bit of tweaking, but it works lovely!
And today I knitted Dylan a stocking to stop him from licking the lump. It needs a bit of tweaking, but it works lovely!
20 October 2014
Oncologist at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket
Dylan and I went off to Newmarket today to see our oncologist at the Animal Health Trust. His name is Davide Berlato.
He explained to me that Dylan's soft tissue sarcoma is of intermediate grade and therefore has a 20% risk of spreading. I can't remember all the details (he is sending me a report with all that we have discussed), but the main option of treatment that he suggested was palliative radiotherapy (4 weekly treatments), and another option would be metronomic chemo therapy (daily chemo tablets).
I will have a phone conversation tomorrow with Birgit Ahlemeyer, a holistic vet, to discuss all our options and how to best help Dylan in a holistic way. My absolute main concern is Dylan's quality of life and I am not sacrificing that for the sake of extra time. At the moment Dylan is feeling well, though the tumour is bothering him a little as he does lick it at times.
I am looking forward to discussing things with Birgit tomorrow and then decide on the best way forward for my beautiful boy!
He explained to me that Dylan's soft tissue sarcoma is of intermediate grade and therefore has a 20% risk of spreading. I can't remember all the details (he is sending me a report with all that we have discussed), but the main option of treatment that he suggested was palliative radiotherapy (4 weekly treatments), and another option would be metronomic chemo therapy (daily chemo tablets).
I will have a phone conversation tomorrow with Birgit Ahlemeyer, a holistic vet, to discuss all our options and how to best help Dylan in a holistic way. My absolute main concern is Dylan's quality of life and I am not sacrificing that for the sake of extra time. At the moment Dylan is feeling well, though the tumour is bothering him a little as he does lick it at times.
I am looking forward to discussing things with Birgit tomorrow and then decide on the best way forward for my beautiful boy!
15 October 2014
Final confirmation: Spindel Cell (soft tissue) Sarcoma
Well, the bad news is confirmed now. We have finally got the lab result for Dylan's tumour and it is a soft tissue spindle cell sarcoma. It has already grown back to almost the size it was before... Rachel said that the oncologist will call me tomorrow to arrange an appointment. And I will chase up the holistic vet too. The good thing is that Dylan is still very well in himself and "luckily" this is a type of cancer that metastases slowly, so hopefully there are things that can be done.
Tomorrow I am picking up my new car: a berlingo! Dylan will be over the moon with being able to travel in a crate that doesn't wobble around. He hated travelling in my Fiat Punto...
Tomorrow I am picking up my new car: a berlingo! Dylan will be over the moon with being able to travel in a crate that doesn't wobble around. He hated travelling in my Fiat Punto...
09 October 2014
Dylan's first "old dog walk"...
Today, I took Dylan out separately for the first time so we could go at his pace. Dylan loved it and I adjusted my pace completely to his speed... but he trotted fast for about half the walk - just to prove me wrong I suspect! LOL It was great to see him enjoy himself and not having to try to keep up with the others and me having to try to slow the others down.
When I got back from the walk with the other three (which I did straight after), Dylan was fast asleep on the sofa, so I don't think he was stressing much when I was out with the others, which is a great relief.
Here is Dylan this afternoon:
When I got back from the walk with the other three (which I did straight after), Dylan was fast asleep on the sofa, so I don't think he was stressing much when I was out with the others, which is a great relief.
Here is Dylan this afternoon:
I haven't heard from the vet or oncologist yet, so will chase them up tomorrow!
08 October 2014
Updates - and not very good ones.
Well, it's three months since my last post and Dylan's birthday in June.
11th July was my last day at work with Sunrider, so since then I have been working from home with obviously visiting clients during the day. So although the dogs are on their own at times, they have my company much more now, which is lovely. I work in the animal room, so they are not around me all the time, but I am there, I spend lunch with them and I have no commute. Bliss!
We also went to the beach once when Karen and David and Chucky came to visit us for a couple of days. The dogs enjoyed the beach, though none of them really went into the sea... none of them like the moving water. LOL
We are doing lots of lovely walks of course. Here are some pictures.
In Thelnetham Fen and across the field in Blo' Norton
In Hinderclay Fen
I am so glad that I am at home with the dogs now... I have been visiting the vets quite a bit over the last few weeks and here is what's happened with Dylan.
Dylan hadn't been doing bad and still joined into all the walks with the other three. As time went on, he did sometimes get a bit tired on the way back from our long walk into Hinderclay Fen, so I arranged it that we only did this one two or three times a week whilst the rest of the days we went across the field on the one-hour walk.
Dylan (and Flash) had another chiro treatment with Louise at the end of July.
I have to add here that Dylan's hearing has notably got worse over the last few months and unless I talk very loudly to him now (a bit like you would with a hard-of hearing elderly person) he can't understand or even hear me. Bless him!
At the weekend of 21st September I noticed a lump appearing on Dylan's right front leg. It felt strange and not like a fatty lump. I took him (and Flash, who had a lipoma) to the vets and got it checked out. The vet (Rachel) took a needle aspiration and although Flash's lump was pure fat, Dylan's wasn't... so it was sent off to the lab.
On Friday, 26th September, Rachel called with the lab result - they found spindle cells and there was a chance that the tumour was malignant. So we went ahead with removing the tumour, but as it had infiltrated the leg tissue so much and there was no way a margin could be removed, a debulking biopsy was done; in other words as much as possible of the tumour was removed knowing that it wasn't a complete removal. That happened on Thursday, 2nd October (last week).
Dylan got through the surgery well and from Friday was fine again (though very whingy and clingy on the Thursday evening). Rachel called me after the surgery with pretty bad news. The tumour definitely looked malignant and she wanted to contact an oncologist straight away, to which I of course agreed. The tumour was of course sent off to the lab too for further confirmation.
So here we are now, a week later waiting for the lab results to confirm what exactly we are dealing with; what we do know though is that it is cancer.
On Monday, the bandage came off and Dylan has been wearing a buster collar since. He doesn't like it, but as soon as I take it off he goes straight to the wound... I think it is painful or itchy, or both! I feel so helpless and stressed, whilst trying to be happy and upbeat with the dogs, especially Dylan. He doesn't know anything of course, bless him!
(He also had a warty type growth removed from his head, hence why he is looking a bit like Frankenstein's monster LOL).
So here I am, worried sick... and there is a swelling where the wound is. Only I don't think it is a swelling, I think the tumour is already growing back again! What am I going to do? Amputation isn't an option. Dylan already visibly struggled more on his hind legs when his leg was bandaged and he moved his weight away from that leg. So his hind legs wouldn't take the extra weight for long...
Over the last few walks, Dylan really struggled when I took him with the other ones. Even already on the way out to the field he slows down. I am quite sure also that his leg hurts him when walking. So I have decided with a very heavy heart that from tomorrow I will take him out separately! He won't like being left behind on his own, but I haven't really got a choice. I will give him a stuffed kong to keep him occupied, though I am not sure that will help. And depending on how he is doing, perhaps a couple of times a week he can come with the other ones. But I just don't think he can cope with normal daily walks anymore now. Whether that's just his age in general, or whether the cancer is starting to actually affect him... I don't know! :-(
11th July was my last day at work with Sunrider, so since then I have been working from home with obviously visiting clients during the day. So although the dogs are on their own at times, they have my company much more now, which is lovely. I work in the animal room, so they are not around me all the time, but I am there, I spend lunch with them and I have no commute. Bliss!
We also went to the beach once when Karen and David and Chucky came to visit us for a couple of days. The dogs enjoyed the beach, though none of them really went into the sea... none of them like the moving water. LOL
We are doing lots of lovely walks of course. Here are some pictures.
In Thelnetham Fen and across the field in Blo' Norton
In Hinderclay Fen
I am so glad that I am at home with the dogs now... I have been visiting the vets quite a bit over the last few weeks and here is what's happened with Dylan.
Dylan hadn't been doing bad and still joined into all the walks with the other three. As time went on, he did sometimes get a bit tired on the way back from our long walk into Hinderclay Fen, so I arranged it that we only did this one two or three times a week whilst the rest of the days we went across the field on the one-hour walk.
Dylan (and Flash) had another chiro treatment with Louise at the end of July.
I have to add here that Dylan's hearing has notably got worse over the last few months and unless I talk very loudly to him now (a bit like you would with a hard-of hearing elderly person) he can't understand or even hear me. Bless him!
At the weekend of 21st September I noticed a lump appearing on Dylan's right front leg. It felt strange and not like a fatty lump. I took him (and Flash, who had a lipoma) to the vets and got it checked out. The vet (Rachel) took a needle aspiration and although Flash's lump was pure fat, Dylan's wasn't... so it was sent off to the lab.
On Friday, 26th September, Rachel called with the lab result - they found spindle cells and there was a chance that the tumour was malignant. So we went ahead with removing the tumour, but as it had infiltrated the leg tissue so much and there was no way a margin could be removed, a debulking biopsy was done; in other words as much as possible of the tumour was removed knowing that it wasn't a complete removal. That happened on Thursday, 2nd October (last week).
Dylan got through the surgery well and from Friday was fine again (though very whingy and clingy on the Thursday evening). Rachel called me after the surgery with pretty bad news. The tumour definitely looked malignant and she wanted to contact an oncologist straight away, to which I of course agreed. The tumour was of course sent off to the lab too for further confirmation.
So here we are now, a week later waiting for the lab results to confirm what exactly we are dealing with; what we do know though is that it is cancer.
On Monday, the bandage came off and Dylan has been wearing a buster collar since. He doesn't like it, but as soon as I take it off he goes straight to the wound... I think it is painful or itchy, or both! I feel so helpless and stressed, whilst trying to be happy and upbeat with the dogs, especially Dylan. He doesn't know anything of course, bless him!
(He also had a warty type growth removed from his head, hence why he is looking a bit like Frankenstein's monster LOL).
So here I am, worried sick... and there is a swelling where the wound is. Only I don't think it is a swelling, I think the tumour is already growing back again! What am I going to do? Amputation isn't an option. Dylan already visibly struggled more on his hind legs when his leg was bandaged and he moved his weight away from that leg. So his hind legs wouldn't take the extra weight for long...
Over the last few walks, Dylan really struggled when I took him with the other ones. Even already on the way out to the field he slows down. I am quite sure also that his leg hurts him when walking. So I have decided with a very heavy heart that from tomorrow I will take him out separately! He won't like being left behind on his own, but I haven't really got a choice. I will give him a stuffed kong to keep him occupied, though I am not sure that will help. And depending on how he is doing, perhaps a couple of times a week he can come with the other ones. But I just don't think he can cope with normal daily walks anymore now. Whether that's just his age in general, or whether the cancer is starting to actually affect him... I don't know! :-(
23 June 2014
Happy 13th birthay!
I can't believe that my beautiful boy is already 13 years old now. Happy birthday, Dylan!
Dylan has settled in incredibly well now, the vet gave him a clear bill of health and he is fully enjoying the walks with all the others. He is sometimes a little tired after a 2-hour walk, but that's to be expected at his age. Other than that, he shows no signs of slowing down, he runs on walks, he keeps up beautifully, no signs of stiffness even after long walks!
On Saturday, I took Dylan and Flash to our new chiropractor for the first time, Louise Cooper (who I met at the obedience show). She does massage types too and the dogs enjoyed it. I am really happy to have found another excellent chiropractor.
Dylan has settled in incredibly well now, the vet gave him a clear bill of health and he is fully enjoying the walks with all the others. He is sometimes a little tired after a 2-hour walk, but that's to be expected at his age. Other than that, he shows no signs of slowing down, he runs on walks, he keeps up beautifully, no signs of stiffness even after long walks!
On Saturday, I took Dylan and Flash to our new chiropractor for the first time, Louise Cooper (who I met at the obedience show). She does massage types too and the dogs enjoyed it. I am really happy to have found another excellent chiropractor.
10 March 2014
Stitches out and healed well
On Friday evening, I took Dylan's stitches out. It has healed very well, so all is fine there. All the dogs have also been fine since the incident, so I am none the wiser as to what happened then.
27 February 2014
Incident at home - and more stitches!
Last night I came home from work to find Dylan had some bite wounds in his neck. One was superficial, one a puncture from a canine and one about the size of a penny and quite deep. I cleaned everything up and took him to get it stitched this morning. I was so worried about the anaesthetics, but I have just heard that all went well, in the receptionist's words "He is singing at the top of his voice" when I asked how he was. LOL
I have no idea what happened and which dog caused the bite wounds. Dylan seemed wary of all of them a little, but not actually scared of any particular dog. So I am none the wiser who the perpetrator was. I did find a small scratch on Jesse's ears, so it could have been him. I will have his thyroid tested on Saturday just in case that is out of whack and he went for Dylan because of that. :-(
This is the first time ever any such incident happened and I am now worried a bit leaving them all together when I go out. I might leave Dylan in the kitchen tomorrow so I can observe and monitor them over the weekend.
22:30
Dylan is doing great and is back to normal. A bit of bruising around the 4 stitches and the puncture wound, but it'll heal. He also seems still a little wary of the others at times, but overall fine.
I have no idea what happened and which dog caused the bite wounds. Dylan seemed wary of all of them a little, but not actually scared of any particular dog. So I am none the wiser who the perpetrator was. I did find a small scratch on Jesse's ears, so it could have been him. I will have his thyroid tested on Saturday just in case that is out of whack and he went for Dylan because of that. :-(
This is the first time ever any such incident happened and I am now worried a bit leaving them all together when I go out. I might leave Dylan in the kitchen tomorrow so I can observe and monitor them over the weekend.
22:30
Dylan is doing great and is back to normal. A bit of bruising around the 4 stitches and the puncture wound, but it'll heal. He also seems still a little wary of the others at times, but overall fine.
09 January 2014
Strange wound
I have just found a wound on the inside of Dylan's thigh. I can't work out what it is. It's a very strange place for a bite and it looks more like something has either burst or entered the skin. It bothers him, it is bleeding and the area of the size of a 50 p coin around is very inflamed. I am stumped. I have cleaned it up and will see what happens with it over night and if necessary take him to the vet tomorrow.