When we started this journey a little over a month ago, our surgeon was already starting to prepare us for amputation. He had no idea what the cause of the lesion was, but he knew the bone was far too damaged. Given the initial pathology report of fungus or cancer, we all assumed cancer because fungal infections are fairly rare in our area. Turns out Sheba’s going to be one of those special cases. Always has to be different!
Reflecting on the past month, I’m not sure what sort of a commentary this is that we were far more comfortable treating cancer than we are with treating a fungal infection. My boss joked that I’ve spent my whole life in the cancer community (as a survivor of childhood leukemia, fundraiser, and later as an assistant in a radiation clinic), of course that would be too easy! Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m overjoyed that Sheba is cancer-free, but I also know that its very difficult to treat fungal infections, and just like cancer, we have to constantly be on the lookout for spread to the lungs or spine.
So here we are, Day 0. Waiting for the surgeon to call and give us a post-op summary. We probably won’t bring her home until tomorrow, unless she flips out in the dog run and they ask us to spend the night (I can’t believe this is even an option).
Oh my my! A fungus among us 🙂 And another GSD joins the Tripawd Nation! I can’t recall another dog that needed an amp for this reason but I expect there have been at least a couple. You have definitely come to the right place and we look forward to sharing Sheba’s journey!
We have 3 tripawd GSDs in our pack 🙂 All our tripawds became so due to injuries and all became tripawds before they were two. Codie Rae will be celebrating her 10th ampuversary in a few days. The other two are in the 7-8 yo range. So let us know if we can help with any questions, OK?
Sheba is young and strong and cancer-free plus she will be a rear amp (as are all of ours) so should do great on three. Have you been over to the forums yet? When you get down to specific questions that is the place to ask as more people will tend to see your post. And make sure you check out the “Start Here” page if you have not already, for a jumpstart into the tripawd life. Feel free to PM me anytime as well (you can do that from the forums).
Welcome! Nobody want to end up here but this is a fabulous community full of first-hand knowledge and lots of compassionate support.
xoxo,
Martha, Codie Rae, and the Oaktown Pack
Hey Oaktown Pack, we’re not too far from you down in San Jose. Your blog has been pretty encouraging for us to see other GSDs living well on 3 legs! Sheba’s a big girl and already has early signs of arthritis in the other knee. But I doubt that’ll slow her down!
Oh Sheba! You’re in CA? And northern CA? Then you must try and come to our next Northern CA tripawds pawty! We would love to meet you and Sheba! I usually drive up from LA with my new dog (a 4legged but she fits in well).
Looking forward to hopefully meeting you and will definitely follow your story! HUGS!
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart
Alison, we’d love to pawty! To be honest, Sheba doesn’t socialize much because its mostly small dogs in our neighborhood and she seems to have no sense of personal space. But we’re working on it!