Moses' osteosarcoma treatment begins

[Lisa D Allen]

Today we completed stage one in the treatment of Moses' bone cancer; the leg in which the tumor resided was amputated, the left rear, where the tumor was discovered on his femur. As many of you recall, my Yoda, too, lost a leg but NOT to bone cancer, in fact, no cancer was found in Yoda's bones, a tissue biopsy revealed synovial cell sarcoma, we consulted with Dr. Withrow at Colorado State University, world's top canine cancer specialist, and he advised amputation of Yoda's front leg. The amputation allowed Yoda (1992-2002) to enjoy an extra sixteen months (they told me maybe two years) of life, excellent quality. My soulmate passed away in my arms in February.
I have more or less "taken" a crash course in canine osteosarcoma since learning of Moses' diagnosis, including joining a VERY active yahoogroups list dealing solely with such. What I learned made me feel like Augusto Odone played by Nick Nolte in the movie "Lorenzo's Oil" when he pours through the literature and learns of the course of his son's adrenoleukodystrophy. Basically, I have been feeling like there is a tractor sitting on my chest. Osteosarcoma is "famous" for liberally tossing microscopic cells about the body so it is possible Moses will also face some chemotherapy; we await the pathology results on the leg.
Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston houses some of the world's most special people and deserves the very highest praise. Dr. Trout, who did Yoda's surgery, also did Moses' surgery (and biopsies for both) and is extraordinarily gifted and compassionate. Dr. Brum, Moses' internal medicine specialist, ascertained that I received regular updates and, when he broke the news to me of Moses' cancer a short while ago, seemed every bit as sad as I was. And then there is Dr. Marks, my dogs' veterinarian for twenty years, an outstanding and compassionate clinician, a superb diagnostician, and a brilliant surgeon, who goes to the "ends of the Earth" for his patients to ascertain the best of care and treatment.
Moses will remain in the hospital for a few days, will be monitored around the clock by his doctors and the technicians, the incision looks fine and Moses stood up to greet one of the technicians, just hours after surgery, even though he was not encouraged to do so and, I was told he handled the anesthesia beautifully!
That's my boy!
Lisa Allen, bone-weary and oh, so proud of such a special Berner!





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