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Jenjeanne, considering Lucky's condition, I believe you did all you could for him.
Hemangiosarcoma of the liver/spleen is a terrible cancer. Like I mentioned in a previous post, once it is diagnosed, it is often in too late of a stage to cure it. Even a splenectomy and after-care therapies (such as chemo) only prolong life for another couple months at best. Removal of the spleen/mass is only curative if there has been no other cancer spread within the body. If a dog does not die quickly from a sudden rupture, then it will eventually succumb to the cancer. It really is a grave prognosis. I'm not sure about there being a genetic component to the disease. I do know that an early diagnosis is extremely important in order to treat it properly. But the sad fact is, it is often a cancer that is only diagnosed once it has progressed so far.
You may hear inspiring stories of complete recovery/remission, but those are rare in a hemangiosarcoma case.
Please do not beat yourself up over your loss. You did what you could with the knowledge you had, and spent your days making your Lucky's life as comfortable as possible.
We had Waldo on a special cancer diet to fight malabsorption; we gave him fluid therapy twice a week to counter dehydration; we only exercised him as he wanted, and took him in the baby jogger during runs and long hikes so he wouldn't be excluded; and so much more.
Waldo could not have surgery (for various reasons) to remove the mass. The cancer had spread too much for surgery to be effective, anyhow. Basically, we just had to make his life as comfortable and happy as we could until his inevitable death. We did our best to focus on making each day happy for him as we struggled with the knowledge that he was dying inside.
I, myself, have struggled with guilty feelings of "Maybe I could have done more." That's only a natural part of the grieving process. But I know in my heart I did everything I could for him. We had a short time together, but he is forever with me.
Waldo was the second beloved Springer I lost within this year. Any loss is difficult. I'm sure, like me, you might never truly be over losing such loved ones. But as time goes by, it is easier to remember happy times and smile at the memories you have.
My heart goes out to you. Take comfort that Lucky has made a friend in Waldo over the Rainbow Bridge.
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