Gandy's Page

Weight: 78
Breed: Other
Age when diagnosed: 7

Tumors:

This is Gandy, my 7yr old Boxer, and my best friend. Gandy came to live with me in January 2001, after I visited my brother in Florida and his boxer had a litter of pups. I was adamantly against getting another dog, and my brother swore to me all his pups were spoken for. He was telling the truth, because the pup that looked just like her mama, was spoken for...by him...for me! Within 4 days, it was true love. Her plane ticket home cost more than mine, as I had to buy her a seat on the plane (I was not about to put her in the cargo hold).
So began our story. She has been my faithful friend and companion for nearly 8 years. She has gone back to Florida many times to see "Grandpa". And she has stolen everyone's hearts due to her silly boxer antics and sweet personality.

Sometime around late June of this year, she just wasn't acting like herself. She seemed depressed, but we had just helped our 14 year old Belgium Shephard to the bridge after a year of battling Degenerative Myelopathy. Gandy had her time to say goodbye when our vet came to our house to help him pass, and she seemed fine afterwards. The depression was followed by a limp in her hind leg in mid July. At the time, I thought she had a minor sprain, so wasn't too worried. By the first of August, when her limp didn't improve, I started to have a very bad feeling. Her vet wasn't too worried, put her on Rimadyl and said to return if it didn't improve.

Finally, on September 5th, x-rays were done, and I got the news I dreaded to hear, but knew in my heart, was coming. Our vet basically told me to take her home, love her, and let her tell me when it was time to let her go. I cried and sobbed and moped around until Gandy got so sick of it, she stopped having anything to do with me when I was crying. Gandy, was in pain, I was a mess and in denial. Even though she was in pain, she obviously wasn't ready to give up. Five days after the x-ray diagnosis, Gandy and I drove 3 hours to Kansas State University for a second opinion. While the diagnosis was confirmed, her lungs were clear, and a lymph node biopsy was negative. The oncologists were fantastic, and much more positive than my regular vet. I drove home with a more hope and options for treatment.

Gandy had her hind limb amputation done September 19. She is home with me now on September 20 and, other than drowsy from the pain meds and surgery, she's doing great. I couldn't believe it when the vet walked her out to greet me! Her mobility is incredible. For several reasons, cost included, I have chosen not to do chemo. Instead, we are treating her holistically with herbals, diet, immunomodulation therapy and acupuncture. Our new vet is great, and is certified in holistic medicine and acupuncture. My goal for Gandy is to give her the best life possible for as long as I am blessed to have her in my life. We will have chest x-rays done every three months so we can keep her from lingering in pain if it does metastasize. Until then, I am taking the advice offered by so many on this site. I will love her, enjoy her company and help her fight this as long as she can.

Pictures

Always smiling Always smiling Gandy's couch! Gandy's couch!