Lucygoo updates/Lucygoo has passed

How very exciting!!!! :D:D:D The link worked perfectly!

Our Lucy a superstar!!! You both are superstars! Congrats to you Gina. Please keep us updated!

Big hugs to you both.

Love and more hugs,
Lori

The link worked great for me, too, Gina...and I second every word Lori wrote!

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls :D - always

Worked for me too. You go girl!!!!!

Addy

Thanks guys:)

Glad the link worked. I think the most exciting news is how they're developing drugs to shrink the tumors by studying the tissue...perhaps there's a cure for this dreadful disease down the pike after all!

Lucy continues to do great...is still on 20 mg and 10 mg of prednisone every other day since she had the mast cell removed. Noticing a little increased hind end weakness, but she'll be 13 (we think) in December, so not too worried about it yet.

Gina and The Goo

Managed to upload some of the pictures to my album that I sent to Cedars today so you all can see what the Goo looks like these days...missing hair and all!

Very cool Gina - it is heartening to know that there is more research and treatment for this disease. Lovely to see Lucy too!

I've been keeping my eye out for any media coverage on our famous Lucy and my neighbor, bless her heart, left an article from The San Bernardino Sun on my windshield. I was able to find the article on line. WOOT, WOOT, go Lucy go!!

http://www.sbsun.com/health/ci_16451311

That's great Glynda -- what a good neighbor you have. Please tell her thanks for me.

Carol

Oh, Gina -- this is WAAAAAAAAAAY cool!!!!!!!!!!! :) :D :) :D :)

Lucy has always been a heroine to all of us, and how wonderful to know that now her story is being shared with the whole world :o ;)!

All best wishes to you both, always ~
Marianne

Hi guys:)

Glynda, thank you so much for posting that. I thought he told me it was coming out in a Pasadena newspaper but haven't had time to check yet.

Isn't that awesome though about the drug they developed to shrink the tumors? And I don't remember saying that guy was a magician, but I'll take it...lol.

Hope all is well with you guys. Had a bit of a setback with the Goo lately; her appetite has been gradually declining so I started giving her a Pepcid every day again....also tried a product called Dogsure and it seemed to perk her up again. Her appetite's a little better so now I feel like a jerk for discontinuing the Pepcid in the first place....

Anyway, take care all, and thanks again for everything:)

Gina and Goo

Wahooo Lucy is famous. I think it is absolutely fantastic that they have developed a drug that can shrink the pituitary tumour. Bring on the trials!!!

All the best to you and Lucy ... I hope she gets her apetite back soon.

Angela and Flynn

Gina, there was an article in the Star News last Wednesday.

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_16451311

The same article was in all of the daily papers owned and published by The Los Angeles Newspaper Group: San Bernardino Sun, Star News, Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Long Beach Press Telegram, Redlands Daily Facts, Torrance Daily Breeze and Los Angeles Daily News. Looks like Lucy got some major coverage.

There is only one drug that I have heard of that was proven to shrink pituitary tumors in dogs and that is retinoic acid. According to Dr. Bruyette, it is outrageously expensive, making it cost prohibitive....unless you have a whole lot of money. At 2mg/kg to treat, the cost to treat a dog weighing 20lbs is about $2400 a day. Oh my goodness!

http://endo.endojournals.org/cgi/con...act/147/9/4438

Hi Glynda...

Thanks....Wow. Well, hopefully this new drug will be a lot more affordable and effective. I'm just so glad they're making other break-throughs from studying Goo's tumor tissue besides just the surgery itself, although that was really something in itself.

Still a little worried about Lucy's appetite, but it seems she's just getting more picky in her old age. She'll eat a hot dog and the treats she likes, but turns her nose up at her food, so I've been switching it up trying to find what Her Highness likes these days. Seems to be Wellness brand stew as of late. I swear I spend more money on food for her that I end up throwing out than I do on myself.

Take care all...

Gina and Lucy

Dear Gina and Lucy
I am so excited for you. Lucy is not only a star, but a hero.
I have been reading the articles. Looked at the pictures of you brave Lucy. I will be praying for her recovery.
I am so glad to hear there is hope.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo.

Hi guys....

Update on Lucy; I'm afraid she's not doing so well. For the past month or so she's getting progressively weaker and shakier in her hind legs and having frequent diarrhea bouts, which seem to take everything out of her. A few times she's just laid down outside and I've had to pick her up and bring her back in. I eventually can get her to take water with Pedialyte in it, and have also used a product called Dogsure, and have been able to get her to eat something after a while. Her eyes seem to also have changed in the past few weeks. They don't seem as bright as they always were, and there's more mucous draining.

I know she doesn't have a lot of time left, and I hope I know when it's the right time to let her go. I'm hoping to bring her in to see Dr. Bruyette on Monday but now I'm wondering how I'm even going to get her in the car.

I guess I just needed to vent....hope all is well with everyone.

Gina and Lucy

Dear Gina,
I am so sorry that the Goo girl is not doing so well. I hope and pray it will pass. Keeping everything crossed for our goo girl.

You will know in your heart.

Dear Gina,

I, too, am sorry that Lucy is not feeling well. Keeping everything crossed that Dr. B will make our Goo girl feel better. Sending healing thoughts and positive energy your way.

Love and big hugs,
Lori

Dear Gina,

Sweet Lucygoo is such a tough girl and has fought through so much already...I hope this is just minor setback for her. Is there an ER she can get to before Mon.? Please let us know how she is doing over the weekend....and how you are doing. I know you will do as you always have done and do all in your power to help our precious Goo. You are such an amazing mom and Lucy is so lucky to have you.

Hugs and belly rubs,
Leslie and the girls - always

Oh Gina, I'm so sorry! I'll be anxiously awaiting your updates.

Marianne

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the well wishes. Dr. Bruyette wants me to bring her in Monday morning and leave her there, so we'll see. I've kind of already made a decision that if they find anything I'm not going to subject her to any more surgery. She's so weak now I don't want to put her through that trauma. She had a better day today, actually ate this morning and now I'm giving her a probiotic twice a day so we'll see how that works. I felt what I'm pretty sure is another small mast cell tumor on her neck below her mouth, but I seriously don't think I should do anything to treat it. I don't want to deprive her of treatment but I just don't think it's fair anymore. Ugh, this is so hard. Will post updates Monday when I find out.

Gina and Lucy

Hi everyone....

I'm afraid I have bad news to report. They did an ultrasound today because Dr. Bruyette found a mass in Lucy's abdomen and she's got an aggressive cancer in her spleen and involving the blood vessels. I think he also said it was in the pancreas but I'm so upset now I can't remember.

Long story short, she probably has another month, unless she has more bad days than good; then we'll have to make a decision sooner. It's nothing they can operate on and/or do chemo...not that she's strong enough to withstand that anyway. He said she's not in pain but it's just making her feel weak. I thought I was prepared for this but I'm so not. Just wanted to let you all know and to thank you all for your support over these last couple years.

Gina and Goo

Oh Gina,
I am so sorry to read this. Every day is a gift and I know you will give her all the love and comfort you possibly can.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and our precious Goo Girl.

I am so very sorry Gina... sending a very gentle hug to both of you.

Natalie

Dearest Gina,
Sending our love and prayers your way. Lucy is so lucky to have had a wonderful life with an amazing mom. It is so hard for us human parents to realize that we always think of dog years as being human years and they are just not the same. It is the price we pay for the unconditional love we get. Give Lucy a big hug from us and a very looong tummy rub. Please take care of yourself and keep us updated. We are standing beside you.
Love and tight hugs,
Carrol & Chloe

Ohh Gina ... I am so sorry to read the latest on Lucy. Hugs to both you and Lucy.

Angela and Flynn

Gina, I'm so very sorry to hear this. I know you will make the time that is left absolutely wonderful for the Goo girl. Both of you will be in my thought & prayers.

Debbie

Hi Gina,

I am just seeing this latest news this morning.

I am glad you were able to have a prompt understanding of what you are facing. You two have been through a lot and have given many others hope in difficult situations.

Please continue to let us know how Lucy is doing we all care very much.

Prayers for good days to come.

Scott

Gina,

I too am so very sorry to hear this sad news. I know you will enjoy every day you have with the Goo Girl. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

Glynda

I am so sorry to hear this Gina - I know you will cherish the Goo girl every minute. She is an amazing girl and her story inspires us all.

Love and hugs,

Hi all....

Thank you so much for your thoughts. It really means a lot to me and definitely helps. Spent most of the night crying last night, but Lucy surprised me and started eating like a pig around midnight. She actually ate all her food and some treats that she turned her nose up earlier.

Been doing some reading on Lucy's cancer, hemangiosarcoma, and indeed it is very fast growing and aggressive. What's happening is it bleeds internally, and that makes them very weak. I read eventually a bleed will not stop and they will bleed to death, but one site suggested an ace bandage wrapped tight around the belly area works surprisingly well at stopping the bleeding. So I guess I'll get one of those because I don't want her bleeding to death internally....or do I sound like a nutcase, putting off the inevitable? Also, when she has her "episodes", as I call them, which I've now learned are probably small bleeds, it always happens after she poops. I'm wondering if the act of trying to poop causes it to bleed?

Anyway, if anyone has any knowledge about this type of cancer I'd appreciate any tips on food, etc. Suprisingly she's liking some ID prescription food I have left over if I water it down and nuke it in the microwave. The only other thing different we're doing is increasing prednisone to 20mg every day and keeping with the 1 pepcid a day. I just wish there was something else I could give her to make her a little more comfortable.

Take care, and thanks again,

Gina and Goo

Oh Gina,

I'm so sorry for what you and the Goo are now facing. Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.

With love, Jane, Franklin and Angel Bailey xxx

Dear Gina, I'm afraid I can't help with any suggestions about Lucy's condition. But you both have my thoughts and my prayers in full force. Words cannot tell you how sorry I am. Please give our Goo some gentle hugs for me, OK?? She is such a sweet, brave girl.

And here's some huge hugs for you, too.
Marianne

Prayers, healing white light, hugs and belly rubs all around.

Leslie and the girls - always

Dearest Gina,
You are always in our thoughts and prayers. Such a great mom and such a sweet baby. God bless.
Love and tight hugs,
Carrol

Lucygoo and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Carol

Hi sweetie,

Some links to aid in your research:

Information on Canine Hemangiosarcoma and other Cancers

http://www.modianolab.org/cancer/cancer_index.shtml

http://www.modianolab.org/studyInfo/...hemangio.shtml

http://caninecancerawareness.org/can...emangiosarcoma

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1449

Gina, I'm so sorry to hear what you and Goo are going through. I'm sending positive thoughts and healing prayers.

Hugs,

Terri

Eh, Gina it's so hard to read this....I hope you are able to make the very best of the time you have with her...


Jeff & Angel Mandy

Hi guys....

Lucy had a really good day today. She's alert, eating like a pig, and not shaking in her hind legs at all. I look at her and it's incredulous to me that we have so little time left. For 13 years she's been by my side through everything. I honestly don't know how I'm going to let her go. I'm thinking all kinds of things, like....does she know? Has she been hanging on just for me? Should I have put her through that pituitary surgery in the first place, or was that just selfish of me? Ugh....I know I'm going through some sort of anticipatory grief right now and I'm sorry I'm blabbering, but it helps to have a place to vent. Thanks for listening...

Gina and The Goo