Mira, 7yr old Husky - Cushings ruled out; liver cancer (Mira has passed)

You may have guessed Mira has been quiet all thru that last post.

She said she could find no reason for miras limping. I don't see that as a good thing. Brain waves can get messed up. Miras awake now she growled at bud petting her.

I'm keeping you, Mira, and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Mira growling at Bud could be a sign of pain. Is Tramadol all they gave you for pain? When you hear from the vet today and find out what type she has, ask her about a stronger pain med for Mira. Surely there is something better than Tramadol for this level of pain.

Let us know what the vet has to say today and hang in there!

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always

When you have time please do read the information you have on tramadol. I have used it and had to reduce the dosage (mine was just for joint pain in a 16 yr old dog) but I wanted to point out a couple of things - my dog got diarrhea pretty bad and she also acted 'loopy' staring at a wall and not moving. It scared me and I ended up cutting the dosage in half. Your situation is different obviously - I just wanted to give you a heads up so if you see these types of signs you are aware that it could be from tramadol.

Continued prayers and warm thoughts, strength sent your way. My heart just breaks reading what you are going through and not being able to do anything to help. Keep the faith, stay strong and give Mira lots of hugs from all of us here. Kim

You are rightl Lestlie. And I am sure to fail. I have in most things with my dogs.

Oh, no....you aren't failing at all, honey. You are doing your very best and that is all any of us can do, ever!

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...Will you be able to do this? Of course not.

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This statement didn't mean that you would fail; it meant that what I am asking you to do is impossible under these circumstances and that I am aware of that fact even as I tell you those things. Which is why the sentence ended as it did, telling you that trying was the point. I'm sorry I wasn't clearer about that. :o

In order to fail Mira, you would have to ignore her or worse...and that is not at all what you are doing. You are seeking help for her from doctors, you are following their directions, you have reached out to the WORLD online trying to find help...that is not failure, that is love in action. I can see in your pictures that Mira and Kira have been well loved and well cared for by you so there is no reason to think things would change now. Ok?

You are certainly entitled to fall apart. I would come completely unraveled, there is no doubt. Especially at first learning of such a diagnosis. The burden you are being asked to carry is astronomical. But, I believe we are never asked to carry more than we can bear. So, this tells me that you are a very strong woman and you have reserves in your soul that you may not even be aware are there. Sometimes we have to dig very deep but what we need is always there, or we wouldn't have the need. You will get through this and you will do so with the same love, devotion, and care you have always shown Mira. I know this. So when you doubt yourself, remember that I have faith in you.

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always

Kim - you are right the doctor has advised me to decrease the tramidol and reminded me that Mira was not crying when she came in. I guess that means Mira was not showing pain from the cancer yesterday. They are trying to figure it all out quickly within their complex. Something about a round cancer. Not the best or the worst outlook. Chemo might work. She will call with more tonight soon maybe. I'm not ready to study cancer yet.

Mira is peaceful at the moment. Awaiting the rice and cottage cheese dinner her daddy has gone off to the store to get.

Leslie - your input has helped though, I have been able to compose myself some and be cheerful to Mira some. Course when scary things happen I lose it real easy. But thank you for reminding me that being strong if you can is a good thing. At lease raise the pitch of you voice. They love baby talk don't they. They are so precious.

Mira has what bud calls a bullet hole in her belly where they did the liver biopsy. Maybe stuck something in her about five inches. Right into her liver. Tramadol makes huskys cry I would think a bullet hole would too. God only knows what chemo might do. Huskies rarely ever bark but they do whine real easy. So I need to consider all this and try not to panic. It she keeps crying after three days I will look into other pain killers. I mean I won't let her suffer. If the cancer hurts that much and the doctor siad it would, we'll not fail her on that. I don't think Mira has slept much. Her potty problem upsets her.

Mira has a life expetensy of 6 months with chemo. Maybe a year.

The doctor called twice tonight. Their pilimninary finds show this is a round (?) cancer. It's not the best or the worse type cancer it's in the middle. Chemo is possible. She said she would do it.

We will do it. We are waiting for results from the main lab before we can start.

I'm trying to feel happy about this. It's sure better then no chance at all. But.... Well you can imagine what I'm thinking and feeling.

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Originally Posted by lulusmom

Janis,

I personally would consider chemo if it would extend my dog's life. Unlike people, dogs don't get sick from chemo. My brother's dog has had two sessions and he never appeared to be sick.

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Janis, I would opt for the chemo, too. I've heard exactly the same thing that Glynda has written. And we've had several members now who have received significant extensions of time with their pups after selecting chemo treatment.

So hang in there, girl!! We're all standing strong behind you and Mira.

Marianne