and I am leaping out of my skin with anxiety. I imagine that they will aspirate her tumor and check out what it is. The big C or not...

I could use some support today!

Margi

Dear Margi

I will be sending prayers for Ladywolf and you for tomorrow.

Thinking of you.

Hugs Jan and my Angels xx

Hi Margi
I'm new here and lost my dog Sammy on 12/7/09 -- but one thing I'm good at is praying. So I'll be praying alot for you and Ladywolf. It's time we had some good news for a change.
Blessings
Sharon

Hi, Margi, please know you and Ladywolf are in my thoughts and prayers. She may need a biopsy to make a definite diagnosis. Aspirations don't necessarily tell the "whole picture" as I have found out with my beautiful kitty baby girl, Abbygayle. Please let us know how things turn out, and please know we are here for you every step of the way in this journey.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi Margi,

I have been thinking about you and Ladywolf all weekend because I remembered that you were going to the vet on Monday. I pray that everything turns out OK. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Rhapsedy

Thanks to all of you wonderful ladies--your support really means a lot to me. A friend and I and the wolf just took a long, long walk together and she kept up just fine, so...here's hoping...

I can't afford a biopsy--an aspiration is all I can pay for right now--I am seriously economically challenged, having probably lost my part-time teaching job this semester due to school budget cutbacks. Pooh!!!

Margi and LWolf

Sending prayers Margi...I've got a good feeling though...hoping for just a fatty tumor or the like.

Hugs,
Sonya

Good Luck Margi...I'll be wishing for the best for you and ladywolf

Thanks again, ladies. I wouldn't be so worried if her whole leg wasn't swollen up below this tumor that is in her groin. Otherwise, I'd think "fatty tumor" and not worry so much...

Margi

P.S. I'm not much on praying because I'm not religious, so we need all the help we can get!

I'll pray for you and Lady Wolf Margi, I'm not all that sure it works either but everything is worth a shot when you're desperate. Hugs xx

madi xx

Thanks, Madi, and everyone...I feel like our life is on hold tonight, waiting to see the vet tomorrow...

Margi (who just had a big, long cuddle with ladywolf)

Sending you much hope, many hugs, and lots of prayers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


HUgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Margi,

You both have my support and prayers tonight. I know only too well the worry that goes along when a loved furbaby isn't well. A year ago this last Spring Gidget had a mass removed from the left side of her face that had grown into her ear. Turned out it was benign.

Though you may not be one who prays, that's okay. But I can tell you my faith and trust in God will see me through anything that comes my way. So, I will definately have you both on my prayer list tonight. Seems I have quite a list tonight, so I best get myself to bed.

Hgs of comfort and love from my heart to yours,
Beth

Sending you and ladywolf prayers, I agree its time for some happy news here.

Anna

Thinking of you and Ladywolf today, Margi.

Hugs
Jan and my Angels Tasha and Noushka xx

Thanks, everyone. Yikes, what great supportl

I too have the feeling that Ladywolf is going to be all right, especially since I switched her from dog food to people food about three weeks aso. An effort to make her lose weight and get better nutrition as the same time. Tuna fish R US!

Truly,thanks for everyone's good wishes and prayers--they really do make a differene!

Hugs from Margi and the Wolf

Hi, Margi, just wondering how things went with Ladywolf today. Not sure what time line you're on, so you may post it later on. I will look forward to hearing from you, and please know we are here for you - - to celebrate good news and to help you and Ladywolf when things are not "so good."

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi Margi, I'm with moon beam....any news yet? I am still having a good feeling...staying postiive.

Hugs,
Sonya

Well, Ladywolf does have cancer, and there's nothing to be done for it. It has spread from her groin into her leg--the leg is not just "swollen," but is also a mass of tumor now.

The good thing for me is that the vet said that even if I'd caught it really early on, it could not have been surgically removed because of its location, so I don't have to feel guilty for having waited too long to go in...

I'm doing sorta okay--I pretty much knew that it was cancer. It is likely NOT lymphoma, but Sarcoma, which she's had before. (That one was removed surgically and never returned in that spot.) I feel sad, but determined to fight for as much time as we can possibly have together by really getting on the nutrition bandwagon to build up her immune system. She's in fine health in all other ways, has a great appetite, no fever or vomiting or the runs or ANY symptoms of being ill, all of which is great. Right now, I can't think much beyond making tonight's special dinner for her.

Thanks, all, for your prayers and your support. Oh, BTW, I probably have cancer too, so said the dermatologist today. But it's just a small one on my face that will be easy to remove if the biopsy shows malignancy. Great day. Not. But I'm glad the visit to the vet is over for now--I was leaping out of my skin with worry and anxiety!

Margi and the Wolf

Hi Margi

I am sorry for your news today, I will pray that you have many more months and hopefully even years with her. She has a good mommy looking after her. Please also take care of yourself. We will all here say prayers for you both. Enjoy each and everyday with your precious wolf.

Thanks for letting us know how you both are doing

Cyber Hugs to you and wolf
Anna

Oh I had wished for better news for you both. You now know to cherish ever moment you have.

Also know everyone is here anytime you need anything!!!!!!

Hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh Margi...I'm so sorry. I really thought it would be nothing...well hoped I guess. Now at least you know, and can prepare for it...not like preparing ever helps though. Enjoy your time with your dear Ladywolf. I hate when people say this...but she has lived a long, happy life with you and I'm glad of all the times you two have shared.

I too had a cancerous spot on my face about 5 years back...nothing serious, but they did remove it and also they did the freezing thing (don't remember the technical name of the procedure)...I will be sending good thoughts that it can be taken care of easily like mine was...you can barely see the scar (it was between the corner of my eye and my temple).

Sending loads of prayers for you and Ladywolf,
Hugs,
Sonya

Margi,

I am so sorry to hear that Ladywolf has cancer. I have been thinking about you all day today and I was hoping for better news.

The good thing is that you are going to feed her foods to build up her immune system, which will help greatly with the cancer.

I am not a religious person but ever since I lost Callaway I've been praying every night. I will also be praying for you and Ladywolf every night.

Love to you and Ladywolf,
Rhapsedy

Oh Margi, I am so very sorry to hear that, I know what Lady Wolf means to you. We are all here to help you and Lady Wolf cope with this. Sending my love and hugs to you both xx

madi xx

Dear Margi,

I know I haven't posted on your forum to date but I have been following it and I am so sorry about Ladywolf. I know even suspecting the worst you are never really prepared to hear the words. Since I lost my baby boy Austin - my 7 year old Doberman who was the love of my life (but don't tell my husband) I have really been having - as my sister would put it - a crisis of faith. I lost him on April 17th, 2009 and though I was/am heartbroken I know I was blessed in that he apparently had cardiomyopathy (prevalent in Dobies) and he had a heart attack while playing ball (his favorite thing in the world) with my husband. We didn't have to make that horrible choice we had to for our 2 previous fur-babies. Yet the suddeness of the loss is devasting in an entirely different way. No matter how we lose them, it's the being without them that is the worst pain. I barely rfemember the first 2 weeks. All I remember is that I was in so much pain it physically hurt to breathe! The odd - yet comforting - thing is that shorftly after he passed I started dreaming of our first dog - a gorgeous little red Irish Terrier who had the sweetest personality ever. She was the first pet I ever had to decide to let go and I thoought I would never recover from her death. It actually was 4 years before I could even consider another furbaby to love. I know I'll never understand any of this because it was Austin who had died yet it was Stacie I was dreaming of. I would dream that I was somewhere I go frequently and she would just be there - and I remeber being sooooooooo happy to see her. It was like in the dreams she had never died, she had just been lost and I was so happy to have found her again (even thoough even in the dreams I knew it didn't make sense). My mother believes - FIRMLY - this is Stacie letting me know that she is okay and that she is there with Austin. Sorry - the tears got me again because neither of them are here! Anyway, I don't klnow if this rambling diatribe is helpful in any way, but tonight when I say my prayers (and now I include a prayer that Austin will visit me soon) I will keep yoou and Ladywolf in them as well. If we can't hope or pray for a cure for Ladywolf then we can at least ask for peace and no pain.

As for your cancer, I have good feeling about that as well. I am a 15 year survivor of melanoma and any of the skin cancers caught early are completely cureable. Just take care of yourself and keep a vigilant eye on your skin.

Best Wishes for Peace and Comforty for you both.
Carol - Austin's Mom

Dear Margi and Ladywolf

I am so sorry, that must have been some day you had.
As you say Ladywolf is doing really well and thats the main thing. She's happy and enjoying life so make the most of every blessed minute with her.With the diet and love and care you give her she could be with you for a good amount of time yet.
You must take care of yourself too. A close friend of ours had a cancerous growth on his face removed successfully, quite a large one, I might add, a few years back, and he is fine. You wouldn't know he'd had anything done now as the scar has faded to nothing.
I am thinking of you and Ladywolf and Angel Poppers will be looking out for you both I'm sure.

Love and hugs

Jan and my Angels xx

Thanks, all you wonderful ladies. All this support really does help. I'm up at two this morning with a massive toothache, a small sore spot where they gouged out my face today, and a massive sore spot in my heart over Lady. While I do believe in miracles and think that anything is possible--even the reversal of cancer--I'm also pondering what our fate may be over the next few months, and what the ending will be like, i.e., gentle or incredibly painful.

I know that all I can do now is enjoy our remaining time together and dedicate my life to keeping Lady comfortable and happy, but now when I look at her, I now see "dying wolf" instead of happy-go-lucky girl. Some of the prognoses for possible developments with this cancer were pretty grim--and my vet is one of the sweetest, kindest, gentlest people on the face of the earth, so she wasn't trying to scare me, just inform me.

I find I can't write very much--I almost don't want to talk about it because I don't want to think about it. I'd rather think "light" thoughts, especially with a massive toothache that will have to be attended to tomorrow (my teeth are in appalling condition, my Arizona healthcare won't pay for any help for them, and so I am in dental pain pretty much all of the time. ARG!)

As for the spot on my face, I'm not worried about it at all. It's a small one that may require further surgery, but it's no big deal. Not compared to the big deal that Ladywolf's condition is!

Man, I am going to need all the help I can get to get through this one. Thanks heaven this Forum exists!!!

Margi and LWolf

Margi,

I'm sorry about the bad news. I wish I knew what to say. Just know that my heart is hurting for you and I'll be thinking about you.

Kateress

Hi Margi
I am so sorry about your bad news about Ladywolf. I hope that with the love and care and good diet you're feeding her that you will have her around for a long time to come.
I was so shocked when my vet told me that 1 out of 4 dogs dies of cancer -- that's a horrible statistic. I never got a confirmed diagnosis about Sammy, but we believe in our hearts that she, too, had cancer.
Enjoy every single moment you have with her -- my prayers will continue for both of you.
Sharon

Hi, Margi, I'm just getting a chance to get caught up on your news, and I am so sorry that Ladywolf has cancer. Oh, I can so relate to how you're feeling about not wanting to talk about it. My beautiful 6 year old kitty daughter, Abbygayle, was diagnosed with Stage 3 Fibrosarcoma on her left hip last July. I didn't start telling anyone about her diagnosis until October. On December 10, she had her third surgery to remove ongoing tumor growth. The good news is that she isn't in any pain, except for the temporary post-surgical pain that is controlled through pain management meds. She has an excellent appetite as well. I refused chemo and radiation therapies. First of all, my vet doesn't do these therapies. I would have to take her to North Carolina - - the closest veterinary facility equipped to do these types of therapies - - and I'm not leaving her. The Federal Family Leave Medical Act does not include "family leave" from employment for companion animals, and I'm not leaving her to the care of strangers. Also, I learned a lot from Eli when he underwent palliative chemo treatments for his end stage Lymphoma, and do not want to repeat those hard lessons learned with Abbygayle. I found a website called PetWellbeing.com that has an holistic vitamin regimen designed specifically for cats with cancer. I have been giving that to her for about 6 months now. She loves the mixes, and her vet agreed that it would not do her any harm. You might want to check out the website for something for dogs - - it doesn't hurt to look, and I do believe in holistic medicine, and believe it can be blended very appropriately with "conventional" medical care. There are two very important things you must remember now, Margi: The first most important thing, as you know, is that you and Ladywolf treasure each day that you have together. The second and equally important thing is that you and Ladywolf are not alone in this journey. We are here for you, Margi, every step of the way of this journey. There is a stage called "Anticipatory Grief" that is experienced when we know someone we love - - whatever the life form - - is not going to be physically with us as long as we want them to be. I went through this with my number one kitty son, Eli, 3 years ago, with my precious Black Lab, Oslo, who joined the angels on November 29, 2009, and am going through it now with my Abbygayle. Her prognosis is guarded because of the "terminal" Stage III diagnosis. Please know you and Ladywolf are in my thoughts and prayers, Margi, and please let us know how things are going.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Kateress, Sharon, Moon Beam--

Thank you again for the wonderful support and information.

Tonight Lady had for dinner: a big hunk of raw beef and a little dry food with the following added to it:

Fish Oil
Spirulina
Multi-vitamins
Echinacea
Nutritional yeast
Olive oil
An anti-inflammatory from the vet

She is one happy camper!

I don't know how I'll go on being able to afford to do this, but I am determined to try to undo some of the damage that years of commercial dog food have done. (I've become a quasi-expert in the past couple of days!) I will probably end up using all of my food stamps this month on things for Ladywolf, but that's okay, I have plenty of food in the house for me.

I'd think that I was in denial, except that I am wholly, totally committed to this effort now.

Thanks again for the companionship and love!

Margi
and the Wolf

This is not good news for sure............... I am so, so sorry to hear this.

I once had a German Sheperd that many people though was part wolf. The sweetest dog in the world and a big, big guy. Really belonged to my ex and I hated to see what eventually happened to the poor dog when we split up. Well, the dog showed up at my house at 3am from the person the ex had given him to. I called the police to see his condition and marched into the sherriff's office & told him I had the dog and WOULD NOT give him back to the guy. Since the ex was an ex police officer the police dept knew the condition of the dog beforehand & would back me up. I gave him to someone who would take care of him. Broke my heart but I was not in a position to feed & care for 4 dogs, 4 kids & take care of my 90+ year old grandmother. I had carried that load long enough already as well as have the ex in the mix to worry with!

So in reading your story about Ladywolf often reminds me of that dog that I thought was such a beautiful dog with such a good soul.

I'm very sad to hear this latest blow in your life.

Ginger

Margi
That sounds like a wonderful meal that ladywolf had tonight! I hope she keeps up the good appetite - that's half the battle. Like you, I learned so much about commercial dog food the last 7 months of Sammy's life and I tried to cook for her, but she just wouldn't eat the food. That's why I resorted to hand feeding her Wellness canned dog food. If I ever get another furbaby again -- I will cook for it from day one. I know there are some better human grade dog foods on the market now, but I'd never feed another dog commercial food again -- that's just my opinion - but I, too, was horrified when I learned of the junk that goes into some of that stuff.
Keep up the good work with Ladywolf -- I'm praying she'll have a long wonderful life with you.

I'll never forget - this summer when I was so afraid that Sammy had cancer and I was repeatedly being told it was gastritis or IBD. I had decided to take her to a holistic vet that was about 200 miles away from home. When I left the local vet's office with Sammy that day -- one of the vet tech's wished me luck with my trip to the holistic vet -- but this is how she said it --well -- good luck tomorrow -- but remember - she has alot of things going against her! Well that made me really angry and when I drove home I thought to myself -- well she has ME going for her! And I'm convinced now that my care of Sammy kept her with us for a few extra quality months. So just remember -- Ladywolf has YOU going for her -- and that's the best thing there is!

Blessings
Sharon

I only have a moment to respond to everyone's well wishes and poignant stories (I have a Dr.s appt.), but you're right, Sharon--she has ME going for her, and that is a FORCE to be contended with! Look out, universe, beause I have OTHER plans for Lady!

Thanks to everyone else, I'll write more later...

XXOO--

Margi

Margi,
Hope everything will be fine.


Allicia ( Montgomery )