Sherman #369 He is gone.

[dragondawg]

It breaks my heart to post this.
We brought Sherman home to be with us. It is very likely he will be making his trip to the RB very soon. Seeing him, I would say it's more a matter of hours than days.

Aside from oxygen, there is nothing more they can do for him at the hospital. They are encouraging us to wait until the test results are back (mon. or tues) before "making a final decision", but I think they're just trying to be gentle with us. You can see it in their faces.

While the specialists will not make a 100% diagnosis until the tests are complete, it appears that our boy has a substancial mass of cancerous tumors in his lungs. They believe it's spread to his bones and appears to be growing rapidly. The difference in his x-rays & ultrasounds from just days ago is, in their words, "impressive". They are sure enough that they are not beginning any therapy. They said if it turns out that he does have a fungal infection, his prognosis is extremely poor for recovery at all, and can't predict how much permanent damage is likely. They keep saying his case is so unusual, they don't see things like this very often. I just wish it was not happening to our Sherman.

He is resting, I can't really say comfortably, but he is here with us. He does seem happy to be home in his own surroundings. Star is just watching him from a bit of a distance, she looks so sad. We all are.

So, in between crying hysterically and trying to be stoic, I felt I should let all Sherman's friends here on PT know what's going on. They've sent meds for inflamation & pain home with us, (my mother had cancer that spread to her bones, so I know it's painful) and we want to do right by him. He deserves no less. It's just so damn hard to let go.

Thank you for all your prayers,
Pat, JoJoe, & Star

Most cancer puppies have active or latent bacterial secondary infections at the point of diagnosis. Fungal would indeed be worst case. Ask the Vet what the probability is that they can pull him through the secondary bacterial(?) infection in his lungs. That will give you a good handle on decision making. With an impaired immune system it will be rough. Continued antibiotics along with the Predisone to help drain the fluid and decrease the inflammation in the lungs may help. The Prednisone may have some effect on the cancer, which with the infection is both good and bad.

If puppy can get through the infection, then Chemo might be an option afterwards depending on the type detected in the biopsy. Everything hinges on getting the infection under control and eliminated. Damn cancer.

[Catty1]

If what Dragondawg says works out - I want to add this. When my mom's Golden Sandy had lymphoma a few years ago, the vet said chemo did NOT affect dogs the way it does humans, in terms of side effects. It was also surprisingly affordable.

In Sandy's case, the lymphoma grew like a fire with gasoline poured on it...and she was 11, nearly 12. She was sent to the Bridge.

But Shermie is young, so this might be worth a shot. Maybe print out DD's post for reference?

It may be a long fight, but if it is a good chance of winnable,

You know PTrs will help, too! Don't be shy to ask!

HUGS!

[cyber-sibes]

Thanks, dragondawg & catty, we're still waiting to hear from the vet tomorrow, but in all honesty we aren't holding out much hope because of how quickly he's deteriorating, and how far spread the diseased cells are. I didn't read the hospital report thoroughly until this evening (I think was still in shock when I had to sign off on it). It was worse than I thought. They know that his lungs are full of tumors, the largest being 9 cm, about the size of a baseball. Numerous smaller nodules are scattered throughout his lungs. His left front leg & toes already show damage from the lesions. Both his regular vet and the specialists commented (about the xrays) about how rapidly it is spreading. In fact, this hospital is a teaching clinic, and they told us they took additional xrays of his legs to use for instructional purposes, because they so rarely see something like this.
If it was a case with an isolated tumor, we would consider treatment, but even the doctors didn't seem to think that he would survive that.

[Catty1]

Oh no....I am SO sorry...{{{{{hugs}}}}}

[kallisto4529]

I can not even begin to tell you and your family how very sorry I am for all of you!!!! My heart is just breaking for you all, it is so hard to go through this, it brings back memories I am sure for most of us who have lost a furkid in this way, but it is worse for you, because you are experiencing it right now. Please know that my family are sending lots of prayers to yours and lots of hugs, to try and help you through this. I am just so sorry.

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

Oh no! Pat, I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am that this is happening to you and Sherman. This brings back so many memories of what we went through with our Echo. I wish there was something I could say that could comfort you, but I'm at a loss for words. I'll continue to keep you guys in my thoughts. Once again, I am very sorry.

[gemini9961]

Pat - I'm so sorry this is happening to Sherman. Hugs and prayers for you, Sherman, Star and JoJoe.