Hi! My name is Karen and this is about my 9 year old boxer Cloe. Cloe has a tumor on her lower left leg, a soft tissue sarcoma. We are 2 days pre-surgery for having Cloe’s front left leg amputated. Cloe’s tumor appeared in 2013, and we have had it removed 3 times with the last being in February 2015. This type of tumor always returns, and this time it has returned with a vengeance. It is very large and about 3 weeks ago it broke open. She also has 2 other small spots higher up on her leg, so it is spreading. We went to see an oncologist and after checking her out, the recommendation was to amputate her leg. This type of cancer can spread to the lungs and lymph nodes, so they also checked those and they are clear. Amputation is the only option to hopefully totally rid her of the cancer. The other option was to remove the tumor again and then have 19 radiation treatments. We did not want to put her (or us) through this. This would only be a temporary fix, as the cancer would eventually return at some point. So we have opted for the amputation. Doctor says Cloe is healthy otherwise and should live a normal life for the rest of her years. I sure hope so.
I am very nervous about the surgery. I feel like I am doing something wrong. Even though I know this is the right thing to do and the only option to keep her with us for as long as possible, I’m still unsure. Part of the reason I think I am nervous (and emotional) about this is because we just lost Cloe’s brother, Brutus, on May 19th. Brutus was a boxer too, and he was 8 1/2. He had cardiomyopathy which we discovered he had in September 2014. He climbed up on the couch that night to his usual spot and closed his eyes and was gone. It was unexpected, but yet we did expect it at some point. We miss him dearly, and it is still so fresh. Cloe has been depressed since Brutus passed, and I’m hoping this surgery doesn’t make her even worse afterwards.
I’m sure tomorrow will be an emotional day, as it will be her last day with 4 legs. I’m hoping I can be positive and be strong for her.
Hey guys, you have a lot on your mind and hearts and who can blame you? We hope with all we’ve got that things go well tomorrow and Chloe sails through recovery without any issues. Please let us know how we can help OK? Hop over to the Forums where you’ll find lots of support from folks who totally understand the ups and downs of this journey. {{{{hugs}}}
P.S. I’m so sorry about Brutus, that had to have been so difficult. I have not doubt that in all his angel glory he will be watching over his sissy.