Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 15:51:38 -0400 
From: "Helen J. Borek" <hb0q+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Sadie - Update (was: Re: GSD - Urgent Advice on Tumor Requested)



Thank you all for your mail and support.  Sorry this is a quick update,
I will email personally soon. 

    Vet Confirmation: 

    10/9  Ultrasound results (Results just in today)
    8 cm. mass located on the spleen, liver is clean.

    The tumor could rupture tomorrow, next week, next month...
    General prognosis, based on clinical information, 6 months.

    Originally thought the mass was 9-10 cm.  So, I'm glad it's smaller.

We have to lower her ascriptin (asprin) intake, because of the risk of
bleeding w/ regard to the splenic tumor.  Ultrasound shows light and
dark which could be translated into areas of blood in the mass.
 
We will not have surgery on her but will make her happy.  Her suffering
now is mainly arthritic (as per the vet).  We will have another
ultrasound (God willing) in two months to evaluate the growth rate of
the tumor/mass.    

I cannot put Sadie through the trauma of surgery...I could lose her in
surgery, or she could hemorrhage, and she would suffer during recovery,
especially with her arthritis and being mobile after surgery.  Although
I want her with me at all costs, I will not sacrifice her well being at
any cost.  I will not let her suffer for me.  I am agnoizing over my
decision, because she is considered a good surgical candidate (her
bloodwork came back fine and the vet said it could be done relatively
easily),the prognosis with this cancer is not. 

We have adapted to her need to relieve herself (she can't go for 8-10
hours anymore) so my parents go and visit midday to let her out and to
deliver "meals on wheels" to her.  Special treats via gram and pap.  

We do have a second pet, Pandi, our Shih Tzu, but she is mobile.  She
travels daily with my daughter.  I drop my daughter off at school and
her dog at my parents (school is a 1/2 block away) and pick them up in
the early evening after work.  

We are trying to keep the two dogs together more often so Sadie has some
companionship, but Pandi has been a mobile puppy since we got her.
Melissa doesn't want to be without her.  So I see the relationship she
will have with her that I do with Sadie.  Melissa still doesn't know
about Sadie.  She is having standardized tests this week at school, so
we thought it best to wait.  She cries for an hour when one of her fish
dies, so...you can understand this won't go well.  Melissa is 10.5 and
she's had Sadie all her life. 

Good news...my girlfriend (a photographer) will be down next Wednesday
for another portrait sitting.  Christmas pictures with my girls...Sadie
and Pandi and of course my daughter and husband! :-)

I was given an excellent (or at least the one page I could read) book,
For the Love of Princess about losing your pet and having to put them
down (paperback, with the author and Princess pictured on the
front--wouldn't you know...Princess is a GSD).  The poems seem very
inspirational and I will give everyone (netwise) an update when I can
get through the book.  I will post the complete reference to the book
author, ISBN number etc tomorrow.  I think this book will help others.

Thank you all for being there and listening and for your support and
suggestions!  You have helped more than you know.

Helen and Sadie.  Pandi, too!