Thomas's Profile

Type of Cancer: Bone Cancer

Medical Term for the Type of Cancer: Osteosarcoma

Diagnosis Date: April 16

Stage of Cancer: Stage 1

Chemotherapy: Carboplatin (Paraplatin)

What I Hate Most About Cancer: That it is a thief.

What I Have Learned From Cancer: That I am stronger than cancer; it may take my life but it won't take my joy.

Alternative Cancer Treatment: Homemade meals with powerhouse, immunity-boosting, cancer-fighting food. Also Cannabis Oil, Vit C tabs, Maitake mushrooms, phytoplankton, olive oil, coconut oil, ACV, curcumin, Artemix, IP6 tabs.

Cancer Drugs Positives & Negatives: Carboplatin, Doxyrubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Tamoxifen, Toceranib, Piroxicam. No significant side effects (minimal diarrhea, occasional nausea).

Metastasized? Where?: Side (by rib) and lung

Gift Friends or Family Could Give You: I love banana cake :)

Cancer Center: Veterinary Specialist Services (VSS) in Jindalee, Brisbane, Australia

Tips for others on how to deal with the physical side effects of chemo/cancer: Be as active as you can. Make memories.

Tips for others on how to deal with the mental struggles of chemo/cancer: You don't know the future; be present in today.

End of Treatment Date: July 27

Has the Cancer Come Back?: Yes. 3 weeks after the first round of 5 x chemo infusions were completed.

Bone Cancer symptoms: Swelling above left carpal, limping. My vet had just lost her dog to osteosarcoma so took no chances - straight in for an xray, which suggested it could be bone cancer, so immediately referred to a Vet Oncologist (Dr Terry) who took bone biopsies and did body scan. Scan showed no spread of cancer. Results received 16 April 2018 that it was bone cancer; shoulder and leg amputated 17 April. Surgery site got infected, which delayed chemo for a week. Chemo finished 27 July. Unfortunately cancer returned, found lump on my wide 3 weeks after chemo finished. Scan showed 2 nodules in my lung, too. Lump on side removed surgically (vet said it just "peeled" away, not attached to the rib). Had further chemo infusion (Doxorubicin) which finished 19 October, plus "home" chemo/meds (continuous). Scan while getting Doxorubicin showed lung nodules had halved in size. Will have another scan on 21 December 2018.

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects: Left front leg and shoulder amputated on 17 April 2018.

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects: Carboplatin, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Tamoxifen, Toceranib, Piroxicam. No significant side effects (minimal diarrhea, occasional nausea). Nan has noticed that my fur is very slow growing now - months later, surgery sites are still sparsely covered in fur, and I am getting bald patches (my paws, chin, snout).