Hi everyone! My name is Lucky. I’m a 5 year old yellow lab (my brother Jeff tells me that no matter how old I get, I’ll always be his puppy). My family tells me that I am the best doggy in the world, but I think they’re the best humans ever!
I’ve had a rocky road leading up to today. Let me start from the beginning. Towards the end of last summer (August), I had an incident where my family came home and I was limping on my right front leg. Nobody knew why, but before too long I was back to normal. Then, a couple of weeks later, I woke up in the middle of the night and my right paw hurt really bad, so I held it out in front of me and howled for a little bit. Again, the pain got better before too long and I went back to sleep. My humans took me in to see the doctor, because Jeff had done some online reading and was worried about osteosarcoma. But the doctor told us that she thought I didn’t have osteosarcoma, since I was young and there was no swelling or tenderness in my leg. Instead, she said that maybe I had something neurological going on with my discs, so she sent me to a specialist. This doctor said he didn’t feel any tenderness in my leg but thought maybe there was some discomfort with my shoulder (Doctors are silly, my paw was all that ever hurt!). My humans asked him to do an x-ray, so they did, and said that there was no osteosarcoma. Whew! But they did send me over to ANOTHER specialist to get an MRI done to check for neurological signs. I got an MRI done on my shoulder and spinal column, and the doctor said he didn’t see anything and it wasn’t worth going into my leg with the MRI. So my family was back to square one.
Long story short, when my limping started to become a little more consistent about a month ago, my family took me back in to see the x-ray doctor and found out that he had just x-rayed my shoulder and not my entire leg! What kind of a doctor wouldn’t x-ray the entire leg for limping problems with no obvious cause!!! My mom and Jeff weren’t too happy (and I was sick of getting all these needles stuck in me and procedures done!). They asked for the doctor to x-ray my leg. He did, and the results came back as a bone cancer.
From there, it’s all been a whirlwind. I got an FNA of the bone tissue sent to the lab and the report came back reading something like “moderately atypical bone tumor”. My family hasn’t really been able to explain to me what that means, because I’m not sure if they’re positive of what it means themselves. Jeff is telling me that we’re trying to be very optimistic in hoping that it means the cancer cells aren’t that high grade yet. If anyone can help interpret this wording, that would be great.
In terms of optimism, they did my chest x-rays and nothing showed up abnormal, and my alkaline phosphatase levels are on the low end of the normal range, at 22, so supposedly those are very good things.
I’m getting my leg amputation surgery tomorrow. I’m not too worried about it, because I’ll be happy to be getting rid of my booboo that I’m just dragging along with me now. Besides, I’m already basically getting along pretty well on three legs! Jeffrey says he’s going to take me on all kinds of adventures on three legs, so I’m excited about that too! I’ve never seen the snow before, so I really hope we can go there!
Although I’m not so worried about the leg amputation, I am very worried about my family. They seem really worried. I think the idea of me losing a leg tomorrow is a lot harder for them than it is for me! They’ve been spending all kinds of time on tripawds watching videos and reading stories about all the other amazing tripawds out there, so I think that’s definitely been making them feel better. And I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve. I’m going to try really hard to amaze them with how much I’m going to be able to do with my three good legs! I pride myself in being the happiest dog around, so maybe I’ll be the one bringing some cheer into my recovery process for my family! Here are some more pictures of me and my family!
Well, that’s all for now. Tomorrow’s the big day! Please keep me and my family in your thoughts, and wish us luck!
Hi Lucky-
Seems you are very smart already about alot of things nobody really wants to know about. Sounds like you’ll do fine. Your pack will need to be strong for you when you get home- there’s a ton of people & dogs here that can help with that.
We’ll be thinking of you & your family and include you in our “puppy prayers.”
mandy & Kenmore
Hi there Lucky! Glad you found this site, it’s full of great information and helpful hints. Being a Tripawd isn’t so bad. They can do anything a four-legger can do! And once you’re a Tripawd, you can get away with a lot of things, like getting caught red-handed digging through trashcans (GREAT picture, by the way!). We wish you lots of luck with your surgery tomorrow. Be sure to tell your brother to keep all of us updated on your recovery. Some dogs recover really quickly, others take a little longer. As an example, our dog Max took a good 4.5 – 5 weeks until he was completely back to “normal” after the amputation. You’ll also have a lot of medicines sent home with you that can make you a little loopy. Just remind your humans to take things one day at a time, get plenty of rest, and try to be calm and happy around you. I can’t wait to read more about your adventures, you sound like a really cool guy!
It just means you’re no typical pup! But that’s obvious, besides, all dogs are different and there really is no typical tumor.
You diagnosis is much like that of many members. Jerry’s vet insisted he just had arthritis… until we insisted on a second opinion.
As a strong healthy pup, we’re certain you will cope with this recovery better that your people. You might consider suggesting they read Without Regret, it has helped many of us here deal with the silly human feelings they are coping with.
Best wishes for a complete speedy recovery! Please keep us posted.
Hi Lucky and Jeff,
Welcome to Tripawds- and lots of luck tomorrow.
If you haven’t already you should check out the forums and consider introducing yourselves there. Many more people frequent the forums- and you will get lots of support and your questions answered.
Karen and the pugapalooza
We’ll be thinking of you tomorrow, Lucky. One thing our human kid has said repeatedly about our dog’s surgery is this: Chicks dig scars. And you will probably be a celebrity when you get to go to all these new places. (I’d ditch the garbage can necklace, as fun as I’m sure it was.) I hope you get to see snow. My dog Dakota can tell you it’s interesting to try to hop around in it, so maybe bring some boots!
Shari and Dakota “Survivorman” Watson
I’m praying for you and your family Lucky! I know you are going to do great! Big hugs!
Best wishes, Lucky. Me and Rio will be thinking of you as you embark on this new chapter. I know your parents are worried, and it’s natural to be scared at a time like this. We’ve all been there, and will be sending you all the positive “juju” we can drum up. You’ll be so surprised at how quickly you’re back up and running — literally!
Micki and Rio
Hi Lucky my name is harley and i had surgery jan 28th, believe me your mom and dad will take good care of you and you will be up and around in no time!! Just enjoy all the attention while you can get it!!! The only thing i haven’t mastered is going out the doggie door, i can come in though go figure!!! but we r working on mastering it. My mom and Dad even put runners in the kitchen so I wouldnt slip! You take care ok?