I’m new to the whole idea of blogging. I’m thankful I found this site via tripawds on Facebook. As soon as I can I would like to dive in and and start reading on this as much as I can. Just from support that I’ve had so far I know you can all relate to what I’m going through. It’s so true what people have said about second guessing yourself..I literally just finished typing my thoughts on rustys Facebook page “tripawd rusty” about questions I have rattling around in my head. It seems like you all are reading my mind. I really have no idea how to post images on here, but I just started posting regularly on rustys Facebook page. I post images of rusty and try to keep up with my updates so I can follow his journey and watch his amazing progress through it all. The surgery is scheduled for December 13th 2013. The surgeon thinks its reasonable to wait considering fibrosarcomas don’t tend to metastasize. That is the start of my two week vacation off of work. That way I can be there for him while he adjusts. Im not sure if I mentioned that Rusty is only 6. He’s a golden retriever and my oldest child:) just curious if anyone else has other dogs and if that caused any issues during the healing process???
Hey, you’re farm more “computer savvy” than I am! I’ve been here over eight mo ths and still do’t kow how to blog…much less how to do facebook!
I responded to your other blog and it said awaiting moderation, so I hope yo got it!
Just a quick resnse before my tablet feezes up…..When my Hapoy Hannah came home, the other dogs seemed to lw to kind of give her space. Theh sniffed but basically left her alone. Also, she would give a ver fant growl in the very, very befinningif any dog got too close to her i cision site…..jist a little, “d’t touch” message! Bjt that did’t last long. Dependng on tne recovery speed…and so etimes larger dogs take a little longer, you’ll find that your dogs will be interacting as normal in a very short period of time.
Glad you’re feeling a little more settled…for the moment anyway! Heck, I even cancelled one surgery appointment because got cold feet!!
Hapoy Hannah is enjoyi g her life to the fullest and we are so grateful for every sacred second of vliss we are given!!
You take care…and d’t forget the chocolate!!
Hugs!
Sally and Happy Hannah
It does seem like one minute I’ve settled into the idea of amputation but later my mind starts racing. I want to look into all those resources everyone has to me about. My computer quit so I’m living on my cell phone ( if you can imagine how long it takes to type on that). Its been a wild , confusing, stressful ride so far and I’m sure its just the tip of the iceberg. I’m so thankful for everyone’s support. It really does ease some of the emotional pain. Btw I did get your post earlier but I’m still getting the hang of this. I’ll get better at it. Thanks again.. Laney and Rusty Russell
Murphy had spent three weeks in the hospital prior to his amp. They were trying to save his damages left leg. When we brought him home two days after his surgery, Gus looked at him and walked off. He had a look on his face that said, “Oh crap…he’s back. I thought I was going to be an only dog again.”
I’m hoping my other dog Teemu (tay-moo) will leave him alone. Tay is alpha dog. My golden is so oassive and good natured and Tay is my bully dog. When my son was small he would plow him down if he thought he was going “outside” or “for a ride.” on the other hand they never eat each others food and always seem to share if that makes any sense. I just hope that Tay can sense his fragile state when this all takes place.
I will have to head on over to Rusty’s Facebook page and take a look. The waiting time is always stressful because your mind thinks up all sorts of things. I know there have been others on here with fibrosarcomas. I suggest doing a search for the wordin the blogs and the forums.
I have multiple dogs and when Shooter came home I let them do some sniffing around with me as a buffer so they didn’t bump into him and once that was over they seemed to give him his space. Of course, he let them know if they were annoying him and he was already the alpha dog.
At 6 years old Rusty will adapt well. Goldens just don’t letthings bother them and know how to get on with life and enjoy it to its fullest.
Take care-
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
In cautiously optimistic about my other dog. Teemu is my bully dog….alpha. Tay is a bully but I’m hoping he gives him space. I really think dogs can sense stress, fear, worry, and when others are hurting. Life’s a dance, you learn as you go.. I’m thankful however that others are here for support, advise, and guidance. The surgeon said the dressing would be more like a shirt. I’m hoping it’s not a big bulky bandage… Any idea on those harnesses if there’s a waiting period before using them? Just wondering of that would rub up against the incision when it’s a fresh scar..
Just a suggestion…go to the “Discussin Forums” and post maybe under “treatment, recovery, oncology, etc’…..orpost under “Presentation and Diagnosis”.
If you start a “thread” there, you will get some more replies specific to Rusty’s diagnosis.
Okay, anyone who sees this will laugh because I’m about to give you directio s on now to do this!! They all know I have “zero” computer skills (and my typing is even worse)! They give me a little break though because they say a tavlet is hard touse and to type on!! Very kind people here!!!
Anyway, go to one of those I mentioned. It will first ask you to put in a title. You could do something like: “Rusty facing amputatin due to fibrosarcoma…..advice please!”
Then, once you enter tht you go down to the next section and fill in his specifics….—then you can ask for treatment optins, etc.
LOL! I just realize I meant to post this on your second vlog…..oh well!! Just more proof of beng “computer challenged”!
And yeah, we’ve all finished a nice long post, saying everything we wanted, and BAM..it disappears into la la land!!
Okay, hope this will help! Yeah, firbrosarcoma is one of the “better” ones to have!!
Hugs to you!! I kow it’s an anxious time. Just take Rusty’s lead and you’ll both be fi e! Golden’s are just love vug puppies forever and this won’t stop him a bit!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Laney! Rusty Russell and Teemu too!
Sounds like Teemu ks the “typical bulky” who is completelu u aware of his size or strength! The “instant graticiationn” kind of dog! “Car ride?? Oh boy! Here I come! Move everybody! I call the front seat!”
But the fact there’s no agressio, no fod agression, etc. I think he’ll be just fine. He’ll sense Rusty’s “get away from me” energy and respect that. May take him by surprise though!
I have not used a harness on Happy Hannah, others have. Youmay want to try a sling from a towel first and see how he reacts to that.
Prior toher surgery, I would try and towel sling a few times just to see her reaction…..disn’t like it. The first day or two after she was home I tried it a few times…didn’t like it. I thinkit did provide sme “assistance” for a tme or two, but mostly she would just freeze til I took it off.
They do make special front leg hharnesses and I think they’re pretty well adapted to post surgery. Again, that would be another good forum question as I know manyhave tried them.
Again, there are a lot of links n the site for them with lots of good feedback. Pretty sure they’re shipped in a matter of days too.
His site will be nicely wrapped for protection. My rear legger had no bandaging at all..guess it’s just not practical for “butt configuration”!
There are also pics on the site of incisions…..yet another fun thing for you to fillyour day!!
I KNOW this is so scarey and so overwhelming!! Try and chunk it down to one morsel at a time!
For now, I wouldn’t put any energy into the amputation as far as the “what ifs”…that’s down the road. For now I would just chunk it into doing research ito Rusty’s particular situation. I think you’ll find that will lower your stress level a lot. Okay, that’s your motto for the day…”chunk it down”…one step at a time.
You are a delight and I’m really glad you found this site!
Hugs to all your pack!!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Welcome, and thank you for starting a blog so we can follow Rusty’s progress! Best wishes for his speedy recovery, please keep us posted.
Be sure to check out the many tutorial videos we have for setting up your blog, posting photos, publishing posts and pages, and much more. If you still have questions, post in the tech support forum or send a private message and we can meet in the chat room to walk you through specific tasks.
I’ve looked through the threads under oncology and treatments.. Seems like they’re all pretty old (months and months). I wouldn’t mind writing but I’m so slow typing on a phone vs a computer. Ya think people will still answer if the last post was months ago? Any experience with that??
Oh, I didn’t make mself clear at all! Sorry!
So, got to …fr stance…Presentation and Diagnosis…..type in yor “title subject”…..smething like….”looking fr advce for dogs with fibrosarcma”…….then go to the body and yo can spellout a little bit of Rusty’s story….just diagnosed…..trying to decide ifamtationis way to go…..can other please chime in and share their eexperiences, etc.
Your post will pop up fresh on our screens and it will appear as a new post under. It doesn’t matter when the last ne was…yours will pop up as new and everyne will read it.
And since you have to type on your phone…ugh….just make it short…..”Lookimg for advice when dog is diagosed with firosarcoma…treatment…was amputation necessary, etc.
Hopefuly, with the lnks admin posted alng with this “clear as mud” response of mine, this will all make sense!!
GOOD LUCK!! I’ll be watching for your posts! I’ll find you…you just post somewhere!! Isn’t this computer stuff…..er……fun…..and we’ll leave it at that!!
Hugs to yo and Rusty!
Sally and Happy Hannah