Long time no doodlekisses... Sad update

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Hi everyone,

I haven't been on DK for years... but I find myself drawn back to this awesome community at a hard time, likely just to say goodbye.  I had been thinking about re-joining things here for a bit, and I see some familiar names so I thought I'd check in.

Our little Luna is 7.5 years old and is best buds with our now 4.5 year old daughter.  We came to this site when Luna was just a little 8 week old pup and got great advice on all sorts of things. She is an awesome dog, so loving and gentle and playful.

And now for the hard part... it seems likely she has lymphoscarcoma.  Her blood calcium is high, she has  polydypsia/polyuria (drinking/peeing all the time) and today the vet found lumps in the area of her lymph nodes in a few different places.

We have not done any conclusive tests yet (needle biopsy, ultrasound etc.) but we are unsure if we want to, since the prognosis for that type of cancer is very poor and she likely only has a month or two left even with treatment.  The only purpose of the testing would be to confirm diagnosis and get her some more targeted palliative care, one of the options being steroids.  We've been down the steroid route before with her allergies and the side effects are not too pleasant, though they may make her feel better as things progress.

Other than the drinking/peeing all the time she remains playful, her energy levels are high and she is eating.  It's extra hard because she's barely a senior dog and her behavior is mostly normal.

 

Send Luna some of your warm thoughts and let's hope she stays happy for whatever little time she has left. :)

Thank you for all your amazing advice, keep being awesome.

J & Luna

[Debbie and Toby]

I am so sorry. Prayers for you and Luna for lots of love and happy days ahead.

[Carol and Truffle]

thoughts & prayers. I lost one of our goldens to lymphosarcoma & it too came on very quickly. enjoy what time you ahve left with her.

[Sharon & Monty]

So sorry for this news, :(

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so sorry for you and your sweet Luna. I have missed your wise advice to others.  I am more in the camp of making her comfortable and loving on her with the time you have left. Does a sure diagnosis really matter? I came across this today:

We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own,
live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached.
Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way.
We cherish memory as the only certain immortality,
never fully understanding the necessary plan.

Irving Townsend

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Thank you. :)  What a lovely poem.

We did opt to get the confirmation for our peace of mind.  So far the prednisone is doing great things for Luna's appetite and shrinking the tumors which seems to be making her more comfortable.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Thinking good and kind thoughts for Luna and the rest of her family. It is very hard and she is so young.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

It is nice to see you back, but I am so sorry for the reason. I remember Luna and always loved her unique look and beautiful eyes! I am so sorry that Luna is sick and hope you have a lot more time with her. Hugs to all of you!

[Nancy]

Sending prayers and strength for you, your family and precious Luna

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

So very sad to read this news about Luna. It seems most of us just drop in occasionally anymore. But this is where I always come for real advice and opinions. We went through a similar situation with our Sophie 5 years ago. It was Lymphoma in our case. We opted to do the chemo route, and have said to each other many times since that in hind site, we would not do that again. It seemed like a good idea in the beginning, but then when we look back we can see how tired she was and how it seemed like we were doing it more for us than her. In the end, we felt like we asked too much of her. Since that time my thoughts have been, the most loving thing that you can do for them as a dog parent is to love them enough to let them go when the time is right. Please know I'll be holding you in my thoughts and prayers and hope that what remaining time you have is very special. Hugs to you all.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

That's exactly the reason we've decided against chemo.  It really wouldn't give her much more time and she'd be spending a lot of it at the vet (Which she hates and makes her nervous).  We're just enjoying her and spoiling her rotten instead. :)

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Oh, I remember that sweet face. I always enjoyed reading your posts and seeing pictures of your beautiful Luna. I'm so sorry to be learning such sad news. I am sending both you and your precious Luna my warmest thoughts.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Oh, I remember that sweet face. I always enjoyed reading your posts and seeing pictures of your beautiful Luna. I'm so sorry to be learning such sad news. I am sending both you and your precious Luna my warmest thoughts.