Hi all
It's been a long time since we've on the board, I hope everyone is doing great!
I just want to share with you an extremely rough and intense 3 weeks that we had, especially for the Bratpak's little Tommie.
Three weeks ago, Tommie had a mild back episode and I took him to the vet to confirm. After the examination and X-rays, the vet confirmed that Tommie's cancer had returm with a vengeance! The first sarcoma was removed succesfully in October 2007. Now, only 8 months later, it was nearly twice the size, filling this little belly. The operated and removed the mass. The vet informed me that the cancer has spread to his liver and spleen, and by the tone of his voice he don't have one inche of hope, and he gave my litte man 6 months to live. He could not understand why I wanted the sarcoma to be removed - AGAIN (and spend a outhouse full of money on a lost case - AGAIN???).
SO I ignored him and left, and I also ignore every other negative voice in my ears.
Now it was the recovery from the operation and the back. For 3 days after the operation, my little boy could not walk. He was about 80% paralyzed. I could not count on my vet to walk this road with me, so it's only me and my God, Jesus Christ. With Rimadyl, Eco-Lame drops, prayer and confessing Word health over him. So me and the rest of the pack stayed in bed with Tomster for 3 days straight. Tommie was just lying there, breathing. Every few hours, I turned him around, gave medicine drops and liquidized veggies and meat via syringe and made sure he's warm and comfortable. Every two hours of so I made warm sweet tea and fed that to him via syringe to warm up and energize his body. Twice a day I would carry him outside, holding him up to pp. The evening of day 3 while preparing supper for us, I was ecsatic to see him came wobbling out of the bed, sitting in the door watching the food bowls, waiting for food. He was ravenous and gulped up all his food. Only after day 5 he managed to walk by himself to go pp and poo. He is a fighter!
Now that his back is much better, there is the cancer to take care of. I took him to my pastor and he prayed for him and I believe the the Lord has touched him. I'm now waiting for 'n anti-serum from Johannesburg that is being prepared by a vet-homeopath, that is being made from Tommie's blood, and a sample of the cancer tumor.
I started working again today and it's been a long day, but we're going to be just A-OK! It's a long and difficult road, but I do believe in miracles! I'll keep you posted!
Luv you all
Lauri, Simson, Tommie, Heino, Jessie
Lauri, Many Many healing prayers are on their way from us to Tommie. Yes, The Lord does work miracles. Tommie is a brave little man and he absolutely is a fighter.....May you receive the anti-serum very soon......We are all here for you and little Tommie....Please let us know if we can do anything for you and your brave little man :pray: :pray: :pray:
How I wish you were in the U.S. A friend of mine at church has just started working at a company here in Greenville. They either manufacture or distribute (I think distribute) a homeopathic medication that is being used to treat cancer with some incredible results. She was telling me last week that the results with humans are fantastic, but the results in animals are even better. She said that many pet owners are thrilled to know there is an alternative out there for them to use for their precious "children". I knew right away that I would keep this in mind just in case someone on the board ever needed to use their services. I will find out if they are able to ship overseas, and some more info, just in case you need another alternative for Tommie. He has certainly shown what the power of prayer and love can do! I'll certainly be remembering him, and you, in my prayers.
Oh Lauri - your Tommie is a warrior for sure..... I could just spit at your vet....... Bless you for being his caring angel during his back recovery and now facing the cancer head on....... Sending mega rays and lots of prayers that the meds do the trick. Please give him a gentle kiss from me. Hang in there mom - we are here for you !
Sending a ton of HHHHHHHHHHH's :comfort: and PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP's :pray: for Tommie's complete recovery.
Merion & the ZZ's
OMGosh Lauri, I had no idea...I am so sorry you have really been through so much with Tommie. Sweet boy....sure does not deserve this but I so admire your faith and attitude and it has paid off for Tommie made me teary to read how he is rallying. He has such a good mom of course he'd be a fighter! Many prayers coming to you and your boy please keep us posted.
Wow! Rays and prayers on the way for Tommie, the Warrior Dachsie!
Rays and prayers coming your way for Tommie, the Warrior!
Holhy C@@P Laurie. I had no ideah. I would like to add to the posive vibe and sending healing vibes to ya'll. Amazing sad powerful happy story.
I'm going to be the decenting voice here.
I don't know anything about you as a person. I don't know anything about how your baby is doing physically, in pain, not in pain etc etc.
but knowing that a dogs life is all about quality...
This question if for everyone.
How much does my pet have to suffer because I'm to selfish to put the pet down.
or as my Vet said once..."If I knew then what I knew now I would not make my pet suffer for my own selfish reasons.
I think it's a reasonable question that unfortunately we all have to ask our selves at one time or another.
It's a tough one, Ed.
My mom died three weeks post-op from hip surgery, the number 1 killer of women in her age group. Five minutes after returning to her room from physical therapy, she was dead. A fat embolism most likely broke loose from the surgery site during PT and killed her.
So the question is, was she better off going to physical therapy and risking death, or staying in bed while her hip stiffens until she's permanently limping. For me, it's an easy answer, "Hmm, stiff and alive, or limber and dead. Thanks, I'll take Door Number One."
Dogs can communicate better than we think. Tommie rallied and he's eating. My Cooper-Angel stopped eating five days before he was put down. His face was one look of utter misery. This happy-go-lucky crazy border collie/lab mix was clearly in pain and if he could talk, he would have said, "PUT ME DOWN, FOR MY SAKE!" Which is what I did. Roscoe-Angel actually "died" and was physically revived, but his soul was gone, his eyes had the hollow look of death I've seen before. Once his vitals began to decline, it was time to let go.
I think if you have the financial resources and a really good vet you trust, you have to listen to your pet AND your vet AND your own common sense. I don't think Laurie feels she can trust her vet, which is sad for her and for the vet as well. The vast majority of vets do their job because they truly love animals. They have hearts that can be broken, too.
That all having been said, I hope and pray that Laurie finds a good veterinary resource and will listen to Tommie and her own heart, and she will make the decision when the time comes. She's very lucky that she can afford to have a dog so ill. Money shouldn't enter into the equation, but it's tragic when it becomes the deciding factor.
Go Tommie and feel better soon.
Karen and the Herd :heart: + :grommit: :grommit: :alien: :icon_albino: + :bkiss: :book1: . :hyper: :bolt: AND :angel4: :angel4: :angel4: :angel4:
Karen + Daisy Winston Mazal Zelda Ima Dr. Leaky Guinness Merlin & Angels Roscoe, Cooper, Becky & Corky
P.S. Uncle Drew: Auntie Karen needs better bunny smileys. After all, it says right there, "anything related to our furbabies." We got the fur and we're Auntie Karen's babies! Thanks! D, W, M, & Z.
Brave brave Tommie! You go, Warrior Dachsie! Healing rays your way.
Dear Ed
I can assure you, Tommie is in vibrant health. He's not in pain. He's eating well, he's got energy and play with his siblings, and chews on his hooves, but mostly, his spirit and eyes are alive and vibrant. He WANTs to live. I will NEVER ever let one of my babies suffer.
I got the anti-serum yesterday so we're on it for a month's treatment.
I'll keep you posted.
Lots of positive thoughts and vibes going out to Tommy. :pray: I am so sorry you are going through this.
Keep us posted on his progress!
It's good that you understand that my only concern is what's best for the dog.
and that's always a tough question.
I wish you many blessings and hope things go your way. :angel4: