highly malignant retroperitoneal sarcoma

[Mary, Scrappy, Sully and Olive]

We're devastated to find, by accident, that our Grover has a malignant mass. He underwent emergency surgery on Christmas Eve for what they thought could be an intestinal blockage....he also suffers from IBD.  There was no blockage, just grass and leaves but they had an unexpected find of a mass up by his adrenals.  Biopsy shows that it's a highly malignant retroperitoneal sarcoma, which is an aggressive tumor with a high rate of metastasis.  

So many meds, so much shock.....I just was wondering if anyone else has been dealt this with their beloved babies? Any advice would be appreciated.  

I'm taking one day at a time, but don't know what to think.  Are treatments worth the suffering he'd go through? Are there other natural things we can try?

Right now, I just need to get him to eat.  He doesn't want food.  He's recovering from pneumonia, as well. I feel unprepared and not sure what the best course of action, if any is the best.  

We have a follow-up for suture removal with his internal med doctor on Jan 9.  What can I be doing in the meantime besides supporting and loving him?  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Mary, I am very sorry to hear this.

I know it feels overwhelming, but I really think that with serious illness, it's best to follow the advice of Grover's vets regarding the best course of action. I'm glad he has an IMS, they are usually best at advising you on treatment options. Nobody in an online forum is qualified to advise you on this. There are NO "natural things" that will have any effect on cancer. 
While we have many members here whose dogs have had cancer, I don't think anyone here has dealt with this particular cancer. 
I think that supporting him and loving him are the very best things you can do for him right now. 

Hugs to you and grover. 

[Mary, Scrappy, Sully and Olive]

Thank you Karen, that's my gut feeling anyway. I just didn't want to blindly accept without asking here. A few sites sound like "miracle" sales pitches. How despicable to take advantage of these situations. I truly trust his doctors. They loved him and were heartbroken to tell us. I look at it as being fortunate they found it so that we can be grateful for every moment. Thank you for your valued advice.

[Mary, Scrappy, Sully and Olive]

Thank you. I'll take a look.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Mary, I have a good friend who lost her doodle this past year to an aggressive form of cancer, ssimilar to Grover's. 

The ketogenic diet did nothing for him. 

Please read this article before considering it:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/kristina-johansen/could-a-ketogenic...

[Mary, Scrappy, Sully and Olive]

Thank you for your sharing that article!

[F, Calla & Luca]

This sounds like a very serious malignancy and I agree with Karen that no "natural thing" will help. If it were my dog I would not pursue any treatment that is aggressive and likely to fail. I would do everything the Vets suggest to make Grover more comfortable and alleviate any pain. supporting and loving him are of course wonderful things.

[Mary, Scrappy, Sully and Olive]

Thank you.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

One of my beloved dogs was found to have cancer— not the same kind. It was a shock and deveststing. There were no real treatments to save him at that time. I empathize with both your shock and grief. Discuss possible viable options with your vet, trust your gut. I’m so sorry. I would not do aggressive treatment unless your vet feels the outcome odds are on your side. 

[Mary, Scrappy, Sully and Olive]

thank you, at this point, he's been through hell with complications and I know I couldn't put him through anything more to make him uncomfortable.  He's home where he belongs and that's what matters most to us.  Sorry you've been through the same.  It's always inevitable but worse when it comes out of nowhere.  

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

The diagnos for our beloved Simon was a surprise, even to our vet. We all had arthritis in our minds when he took an x-Ray. I can’t stand for our pets to hurt without understanding. I am just so sorry. Please give extra hugs from me. 

[Mary, Scrappy, Sully and Olive]

I sure will, thank you❤

[Stacy]

I am so sorry to hear about Grover. I don’t know anything about this type of cancer, but I know about questioning the course of treatment and wondering how far to go. I talked to several specialists, and I had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that there is just nothing they can do to fix it. Some treatment might buy us a little time, but it isn’t without consequences either. It’s such a hard thing to hear and a hard decision to make.

My girls have been teaching me about how to live instead of how to die. How to really try to be present in the moment and love them instead of drowning in the thoughts of how much it will hurt when they’re not here. The struggle is real. I spent most of Christmas trying not to think about how this could be our last Christmas. I am trying to be generous with time, love, treats. And I’m trying to live like they do - like every moment is the greatest moment ever. I wish you and Grover tons of time and so many great moments.