Hi everyone-this is my first time here and I guess I need some reassurance I am doing the right thing. My baby, Sam, is a 10 year old lab mix, the best dog you could ever have. I got him for myself when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. He has gotten me through some terrible times. My cancer is trying to come back, but this time, Sam has it too. A few weeks ago, he started doing a lot of coughing, like he was gagging on something. I took him to the vet, who took an x-ray to make sure he didn't have pneumonia. Well, what it showed was that one of his lungs has cancer (That horrible word again). He had me go to a dog oncologist, who said she could do surgery on him for about
$3000-$5000. Being a single parent with 2 kids, that was impossible. Also, I could not see putting him through all that pain with no guarantee that he would be cured. The second option was Chemo (I hated that) and that was a weekly treatment at $400 a treatment. I feel so guilty because I dont have the money to help him. Like I said, he has gotten me through some very bad times, and now I can't help him. I went back to my regular vet, and he told me that were he in my shoes, he would do what I am doing. I just want to keep Sam happy as long as I can. The vet gave me pain medicine to give him-he said that Sam probably has some pain even though he doesn't show it, some antibiotics to help with his cough if possible, and a bronchodilator to help the good lung. I have always had dogs, but Sam is special-I also have Lupus, and he seems to know when I'm not feeling well and is there just to love me. I am really having a hard time with this-I know all of you probably have had a similar experience like this, but I sure feel alone, you know what I mean? Any way, Im sorry this is so long, but I'm glad there is a place like this where people know what I am going through. God bless all of you and you pets. Kathy
$3000-$5000. Being a single parent with 2 kids, that was impossible. Also, I could not see putting him through all that pain with no guarantee that he would be cured. The second option was Chemo (I hated that) and that was a weekly treatment at $400 a treatment. I feel so guilty because I dont have the money to help him. Like I said, he has gotten me through some very bad times, and now I can't help him. I went back to my regular vet, and he told me that were he in my shoes, he would do what I am doing. I just want to keep Sam happy as long as I can. The vet gave me pain medicine to give him-he said that Sam probably has some pain even though he doesn't show it, some antibiotics to help with his cough if possible, and a bronchodilator to help the good lung. I have always had dogs, but Sam is special-I also have Lupus, and he seems to know when I'm not feeling well and is there just to love me. I am really having a hard time with this-I know all of you probably have had a similar experience like this, but I sure feel alone, you know what I mean? Any way, Im sorry this is so long, but I'm glad there is a place like this where people know what I am going through. God bless all of you and you pets. Kathy
