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View Full Version : My Dog Ike - Sick and Surgery (Long, Sad, but hopefully a happy ending)


SteverinoNY
05-13-2007, 04:15 PM
On Wednesday of this week (5/9), my yellow lab Ike went in to have surgery to remove two tumors from his stomach and to remove some of his intestine. We are still waiting to hear on the pathology report from the vet to see if it is cancer or if it is benign. The doctors told us that it could be 2 weeks or 2 months depending on the report regarding the tumors. He had been really sick before, not able to hold down any food or not able to process anything. It had really been troubling my parents that he was sick. My dog is just like a brother to me and it pains me so much that he is sick. I found out about it Friday and today is the first day I feel comfortable enough to tell the story to all of you without breaking down and crying. It's just not fair that he is sick.

He's such a great dog and really does love all of us without conditions. Just seeing him or hearing his bark when I come home makes my day. There's nothing better than seeing him walk him in the room with one of his stuffed animals and having him drop it on your lap because he wants to play with you. He's the perfect pillow and the ultimate cure for a bad day. He's about as threatening as a small child. In fact, I think he is a three year old at heart. Whenever one of us gives someone else in the family a hug, he barks almost as if he is saying "looooooooook at meeeeeeeeee...i want attention!" I just felt the need to share this story with you as I have some incredible support from my family, but you guys also provide support as well. He's a fantastic dog and we are just going to go day by day and love every single minute of as long as we have left.

The doctors have been incredible and are doing everything they can to keep him happy and comfortable. He's made incredible progress since the surgery. He is back to his lovely cheerful self. We just are hoping that he's as happy as he can possibly be during whatever time he has left and that we really show that we love him. As I said to my mom the other day when I was going home, we are so much better for having adopted him into our lives because he just is always there to love and cheer us up.

I just want to thank all of you for reading through this and thanks for your support in this extremely trying time.

P.S: I put a photo of Ike in my avatar if you want to see what he looks like

Rubyred
05-14-2007, 12:10 AM
I'm so sorry your poor puppy is going through that.

I wish you and your family the best and I hope it turns out to be benign.

PS. Labs are the best aren't they? I have a chocolate and a yellow.:)

Pedersen
05-14-2007, 03:11 AM
I am very definitely a dog person (not so big on cats, I admit). I love dogs of pretty much all stripes. And it always pains me to hear of one in pain. I can't take care of all of them, though I wish I could.

Ike is lucky to have someone who loves him back as much as he loves. He sounds like a wonderful dog, one of those all dog lovers hope to have spend time in their home.

Here's to hoping that Ike gets well soon, if for no other reason than to demand attention when other hugs are going on.

Good health to Ike, and peace to you and your family.

justZu
05-14-2007, 03:52 AM
Hoping for a swift complete recovery for your furry friend. :)

AirHostess
05-14-2007, 09:15 AM
I hope Ike gets better soon, he looks like a sweetie pie :)

Dreamstalker
05-14-2007, 01:31 PM
Good thoughts on the way for Ike, I adore labs.

strawbabies
05-14-2007, 02:04 PM
I'm keeping Ike and the rest of your family in my thoughts.

Love the avatar--Ike is a gorgeous lab.

iradney
05-14-2007, 02:53 PM
My collie/lab cross, Hopper, is sending wuffs and wags Ike's way.
I am sending all the happy thoughts I have in the same direction.
Ike looks gorgeous and very strong!

Ackee
05-14-2007, 04:54 PM
Hope your doggie Ike gets better and is healthy and strong.

Der Cute
05-14-2007, 05:13 PM
Doggie hugs and big rawhide bones!!! Get well, Waggybutt!

Cutenoob

SteverinoNY
05-21-2007, 09:27 PM
Thanks for the support everyone. I haven't updated on his condition because my computer was broken and I was busy with all of my senior week stuff before I graduated from college.

Ike is going in tomorrow to have an MRI to see if anything has grown back, but he's doing much better. He has his staples removed tomorrow and then goes to the oncologist to determine the status of the tumor. So if you all could send good vibes his way (and tell his animal friends to do the same), lets hope the stuff they removed is clean.

Thanks everyone! :)

iradney
05-22-2007, 11:05 AM
Yay, go Ike :) So very glad to hear it's good news!

SteverinoNY
05-22-2007, 06:08 PM
Well we heard from the oncologist today and are waiting to hear what Ike's primary veterinarian says, but the cancer doctor said that there are a few options: surgery to look inside and to try and remove more cancer (which was rejected outright after consulting with the doctors and my parents), chemotherapy in which he would be sedated and hooked to an IV and would have to go to the vet once every 2 weeks, internal chemotherapy with pills, or to do nothing. My dad won't make the decision until later, but the doctors said he will not survive this cancer :cry: Its just really tough to go through this because he is such an awesome dog and is too young to give in to this awful disease.

If you could send good vibes along to Ike and my family (and if you practice any religion, please pray for him and us during this trying time).

I'm really sorry I couldn't bring good news because there are so many animal lovers on this board and it really does seem like a family to me and all the other members, but I just felt I would share because I value the support you have provided to me and my family.

blas
05-22-2007, 06:33 PM
Thoughts and prayers for your puppy........I cannot stand to see animals suffer. As I read this I'm nearly breaking down crying at the thought of coming home and not seeing my pets...

My laborador retriever, Bear, sends you and Ike many virtual licks and hugs and doggie treats!