Happy to see the updates on Cyg and Sasha. Glad both are doing well and enjoying the cooler weather. Thoughts and prayers continue!!

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I am thinking of Cyg and Sasha, you guys did not post for very long time. I hope everything is well and pray for you.

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9 & half short years in my life but forever in my heart http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...-my-buddy.html
"He took my heart and ran with it, and I hope he's running still, fast and strong, a piece of my heart bound up with his forever" - Patricia McConnell

Charlie could watch birds for hours and I could watch Charlie for hours too http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...n-morning.html

Hoping and praying Cyg and Sasha are doing well-we haven't heard from both of you in awhile.

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[IMG]http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii215

Tonka & Tucker

SNOBEAR at the Bridge
Dec. 23, 1999-March 27, 2010


SMOOCH at the Bridge.
Feb. 14, 1999-Dec. 7, 2010

Cygnus turned 11 years old on Tuesday, November 6th, an event we didn't think we'd see when he was diagnosed with cancer in March. We showered him with praise, I made frosty paws, we went for an extended walk as election results rolled in and capped off the night with a frosty paw up in bed! We were told to expect 4-6 months without treatment and we’ve been fortunate to have eight months while treating him with Palladia. We consider any additional time to be ‘bonus months, weeks, days’.
He continues to do relatively well on Palladia; has occasional stomach upset but is happy, playful and enjoys his food! His mass is ‘stable’ at 2.5 x 2.5cm and the cooler temperatures in Seattle have made him especially spunky.
When we first got Cygnus at 7 weeks old, my husband and I agreed to certain rules: no table scraps, no Cyg on furniture and no expensive surgeries. We broke every rule and he stole our hearts. He’s grown to be a handsome, sweet, loving companion and our relationship with him and each other has evolved because of him. I’m a happier, sillier, more tolerant person because of Cygnus. I don’t take myself or others too seriously - I’ve growled at consultants that haven’t delivered, and I am so appreciative to have this additional time. My husband works from home and they both love the constant companionship. When I come home at the end of the day, Cyg greets me with a whimper muffled by a stuffed animal in his mouth and tail hysterically wagging. He knows our moods, he rejoices when we’re happy, he’s snuggles when we’re tired and he gets especially agitated and wiggly when we’re frustrated. I think he tries to divert our attention from the computer that just crashed or the hot water heater that’s leaking. He’s our amazing golden and we're making this time count.

So happy to read you're all doing so welland that Cygnus is living with cancer. Dogs are so amazing. They live in the now, and little things make them so happy. Ya, we can sure learn a lot from them, can't we?

Please give Cygnus a happy belly rub from us

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That is such great news! I wish you continued success with your beautiful boy.

Hello All!
Sorry I haven't written in a while, life's been insanely busy with work, travel, and everything in between. So glad to hear that Cygnus is doing SO well! That's absolutely amazing and has to be the best feeling in the world that he's beaten the time frame your vet/oncologist gave you!!
Sasha is doing amazing as well! The Texas summer has finally subsided and we're getting the occasional cold front (so basically weather in the 70-80s...lol). The weather has really perked Sasha up and you'd never know she has any tumors.
I was waiting to write an update after her next vet apt in a few weeks, but I got an email reminding me I've been neglecting the community
As of Sasha's last apt all tumors have either shrunk very slightly or stayed the same. Its been 6 months now since she was diagnosed and they originally gave her 1-3 months to live, so I feel exceptionally lucky that I've gotten to spend this extra time with her while shes still healthy and loving her morning walks and weekend romps around the disc golf course.
Shes still taking 75mg of Palladia every other day and shes not phased by it at all. Its really one of the more surprising things about this drug. I thought for sure it would make her fell awful or she'd have bad days, but its been nothing of the sort. You'd never know she was taking anything at all. She has an extremely health appetite and still tussles with our 3 year old golden, Ryker. She never misses our morning walks or an opportunity to give a squirrel or cat a run for their money. I'm pretty lucky that we live right next to a bayou with no nearby roads or people so I'm am able to walk the dogs without a lease so they can run around as they please.
I just keep hoping this wondrous drug keeps working its magic and Sasha keep going strong. I remember shortly after she first went on Palladia I was hoping she'd make it till Christmas, now I'm hoping that she'll make it to her B-Day on 3/31!
I'll write another post after her next visit to the oncologist to let you know what the doc says and how the tumors are looking.
Thanks again for all the positive thoughts and well wishes, they are very, very appreciated!! I hope everyone is doing well and I'll talk to yall soon!

Take care!
Rob

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Life is always better with a Golden by your side

Bygcyg and rhansen56 thank you both for great reports, that's all what we wanted to hear that Cygnus and Sasha are doing well. Sending positive vibes and belly rubs to doggies.

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9 & half short years in my life but forever in my heart http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...-my-buddy.html
"He took my heart and ran with it, and I hope he's running still, fast and strong, a piece of my heart bound up with his forever" - Patricia McConnell

Charlie could watch birds for hours and I could watch Charlie for hours too http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...n-morning.html

When all is said and done and Sasha has crossed the golden bridge to the land of infinite new smells, fresh grass to roll in, clear blue lakes and streams to swim in, and not so bright squirrels to chase; I plan on writing up a detailed post/report starting with Sashas diagnoses, vet apt, choice options, treatments decided on, and health observations along the way. I plan on making it as complete as possible by getting vet records from both our primary vet as well as our oncologist and including data such as blood work, ultrasounds, xrays, etc.

One of the worst parts about this type of cancer is I couldn't find hardly any first hand information about it when it came to goldens. This thread was the first one I found (after lots and lots of search) that had a golden with the same type of cancer. Not only has the community helped me mentally and emotionally, its really helped me understand the process.

One of Sasha's legacies I would like to leave is a fresh post with all of the info I spoke of above. That way hopefully someone who gets the dreaded "C word" from their vet about their golden will find this and have an idea of what to expect and what options there are out there.

If it can help just one person not feel as completely lost as I did for the first few weeks, then I think that would make Sasha (and me by proxy) feel like some good has come out of all of this.

Thanks again to everyone out here on the board with their positive thoughts, encouraging posts, and information. Without this board, I believe this experience would be so much worse.

So again, thank you so very much, you all are amazing people and you have my deepest gratitude!

Regards,
Rob

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Life is always better with a Golden by your side

Rob: This is just beautiful and I pray that you have many more quality times with Sasha. When you write this, you will help SOMEONE else faced with the same type of cancer in their dog, so much!! God Bless you for that!!

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[IMG]http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii215

Tonka & Tucker

SNOBEAR at the Bridge
Dec. 23, 1999-March 27, 2010


SMOOCH at the Bridge.
Feb. 14, 1999-Dec. 7, 2010