April 1991 —- April 2001
Dog
Baxter so much hope and life…here is our success story.
Each time I look at Baxter I see so much life and hope.
Baxter is a 10-year old mixed breed who was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma.
When ever I hear the word “cancer” my stomach turns but with Baxter’s story
however I feel there is light at the end of the tunnel.
My story started in October 2000 when I noticed Baxter’s right-front leg
had swollen immensely. My vet diagnosed an infection and
prescribed several medications.
She also took an aspiration to see if there were any signs of cancer
but nothing was found. In November while Baxter was still on the
medication I decided to have him x-rayed. The x-ray showed nothing.
The weeks went by and Baxter just wasn’t his happy go lucky self.
You have to understand Baxter’s personality – he is vibrant social
and just an all around happy dog. Because of his leg he was sleeping a lot
and not even barking. In my heart I knew I had to do more for him.
In December I contacted an animal communicator and she gave me some
light to this long dark tunnel. But on Christmas Day night Baxter stepped
on one of his rawhide bones and his leg swelled even more – I took him
to our local Animal Emergency clinic and I received then the
worst news possible he had cancer.
The vet on duty just didn’t know what type and suggested a bone biopsy.
So my vet performed the biopsy and the test results showed Osteosarcoma.
I felt like my whole world was coming to an end.
I just couldn’t believe it.
After lots of research on the Internet and help from my stepsister
I found out about Osteosarcoma. This cancer is commonly found in
large-breed dogs but Baxter is a medium-size dog.
I also read many stories on the Internet which are helping me through
this hardship. By reading about and researching this cancer it prepared
me for the decisions that I had to make.
In January 2001 I made an appointment with an out-of-town veterinary surgeon.
The specialist and his team were extremely helpful and knowledgeable
about this deadly disease.
There are several ways to treat this type of cancer:
– Treat aggressively which consists of amputation and chemotherapy
– Treat less aggressively which consist of just amputation
– Do nothing at all
Baxter means the world to me — I would do anything to help him.
So my decision was made even before I was given the options.
I was treating this cancer Aggressively. So that Friday he went in for surgery.
It was the hardest decision I had to make in my entire life.
But I knew in the long run he is going to live a quality life.
And that was what mattered. I picked him up and he looked great.
It was a rough few days but we got through it.
He was back to himself in a week – it was remarkable.
Just two weeks after the surgery we went to get his stitches out and
the specialist was thrilled about how well Baxter was doing.
Baxter was so happy and back to his old self. In the afternoon
Baxter went for his first of five chemotherapy sessions of Carboplatin.
It was just a few hours and then Baxter was back home and still doing great.
Thank god he had no side effects from the chemotherapy.
I do want to stress however chemotherapy is not at all comparable to
chemotherapy for humans.
The side effects differ and so does the type of cancer.
It is now February six weeks after his surgery and first chemotherapy
session and Baxter is getting stronger then ever.
The cancer is still there and did move to his lungs but I am hoping the
chemotherapy will prevent it from metastasizing.
I just know that I will enjoy ever minute that I have with him.
He is one special dog.
For the past weeks Baxter’s condition was getting worse.
Other tumors were now appearing and growing and he
was having trouble breathing and walking.
It was a very difficult decision but I knew I had to do the best for him.
This morning Baxter passed on to a more safer place.
He is not suffering anymore and we will reunite again – some day.
Baxter is my success story because I know we couldn’t have gotten
through all of this with out his courage and his wonderful personality.
If I had to do it over I wouldn’t change my mind for a second.
God Bless
Kim and Baxter Talerico
kimtal@epix.net
| Baxter |