07-11-2023, 01:55 PM
I haven't been around very much for the last few weeks because me and my wife have been dealing with major health issues with our great dane, Roman.
A couple of months ago he started acting very lethargic and not eating much. We took him to the vet. He couldn't figure out exactly what the issue was, so he gave him a general antibiotic and a steroid shot, and sent us home telling us to bring him back if he didn't get better. Well, he got worse over the next couple of days so we went back and the vet took blood to have tested. We got a call a days later with the vet saying he referred us to the OSU vet center for a full workup because he was concerned about lymphoma and a couple of other things after seeing the blood work.
So, we end up going to the OSU vet center, they did all their stuff and then we came back home to wait for the results. We got a call the next day wanting us to bring him back to see a specialist. When we got there, the specialist told us they wanted do do a biopsy of Roman's spleen to check for Hemangiosarcoma. After every thing was said and done, they were able to verify that's what it was.
We had never heard of that, so the specialist spent a lot time explaining exactly what it was, and that it was in his spleen. The worst part was when he got to the life expectancy. Without surgery, most dogs die within a month. Removing the spleen could give him up to 6-9 months. We were devastated after hearing that, but then he told us that given Roman's overall heath and his age, he was very confident that removing the spleen, in combination with chemotherapy would give Roman 'at least' another full year post chemo. The 5 rounds of chemo will take about 3 1/2 months, so overall, Roman could live another 15 months or so, if the vets optimism is accurate, which we really hope it is!
I'm trying to keep this as short as possible, but trying to include the important stuff too. So, after learning this, my wife wanted a 2nd opinion to confirm the diagnosis, treatments, etc. We went to the Metro clinic in Cleveland and had them check everything. They pretty much confirmed everything OSU said, and they were also cautiously optimistic about surgery with chemo giving him a few extra months.
After that, we scheduled the splenectomy at the OSU vet center. The total cost with everything involved was almost 3,500. That surgery, plus the costs of all visits, meds, testing, travel, etc leading up to it...basically wiped out our bank account. We actually had to ask for help from family to fully pay for the surgery. My wife doesn't work anymore because she's dealing with her own health issues, so our income isn't what it used to be.
It's now about 2 weeks out from the surgery and they are saying we need to start the chemo within the next week to 2 weeks. The amount still needed towards the 5 rounds is 2,800. We just do not have the money right now to cover that, and I really don't want to ask those family members again. So, I told my wife I would ask my 2nd family for help - you guys. It's pretty embarrassing to have to ask for help, but we're in a time crunch and we placing our hope in the chemo and the optimism of the vets. So, I want to ask for any help you guys can give...and I apologize for even having to ask.
Our St Bernard died a few years back. He was like one of our kids, such a huge part of our family. My wife took his loss very hard, but a couple years later we decided to get another big boy...and Roman came into our lives. He's been an incredible pet and companion and is my wife's best friend. I know even the optimistic expectancy of an extra year after chemo might not sound like a lot, but to us, and especially my wife, that's invaluable extra time we get to spend with him.
I'm sorry this is so long. If you would like to help, I made GFM. It's what we use for our fundraisers, so I know it's safe and easy to use.
https://gofund.me/1b707817
Again, I hate asking for help from you guys for something that is not board related, so I apologize again for needing to.
BJ and Melissa
***I know this thread isn't JN related, but I wanted the most people to see it for a few days.
A couple of months ago he started acting very lethargic and not eating much. We took him to the vet. He couldn't figure out exactly what the issue was, so he gave him a general antibiotic and a steroid shot, and sent us home telling us to bring him back if he didn't get better. Well, he got worse over the next couple of days so we went back and the vet took blood to have tested. We got a call a days later with the vet saying he referred us to the OSU vet center for a full workup because he was concerned about lymphoma and a couple of other things after seeing the blood work.
So, we end up going to the OSU vet center, they did all their stuff and then we came back home to wait for the results. We got a call the next day wanting us to bring him back to see a specialist. When we got there, the specialist told us they wanted do do a biopsy of Roman's spleen to check for Hemangiosarcoma. After every thing was said and done, they were able to verify that's what it was.
We had never heard of that, so the specialist spent a lot time explaining exactly what it was, and that it was in his spleen. The worst part was when he got to the life expectancy. Without surgery, most dogs die within a month. Removing the spleen could give him up to 6-9 months. We were devastated after hearing that, but then he told us that given Roman's overall heath and his age, he was very confident that removing the spleen, in combination with chemotherapy would give Roman 'at least' another full year post chemo. The 5 rounds of chemo will take about 3 1/2 months, so overall, Roman could live another 15 months or so, if the vets optimism is accurate, which we really hope it is!
I'm trying to keep this as short as possible, but trying to include the important stuff too. So, after learning this, my wife wanted a 2nd opinion to confirm the diagnosis, treatments, etc. We went to the Metro clinic in Cleveland and had them check everything. They pretty much confirmed everything OSU said, and they were also cautiously optimistic about surgery with chemo giving him a few extra months.
After that, we scheduled the splenectomy at the OSU vet center. The total cost with everything involved was almost 3,500. That surgery, plus the costs of all visits, meds, testing, travel, etc leading up to it...basically wiped out our bank account. We actually had to ask for help from family to fully pay for the surgery. My wife doesn't work anymore because she's dealing with her own health issues, so our income isn't what it used to be.
It's now about 2 weeks out from the surgery and they are saying we need to start the chemo within the next week to 2 weeks. The amount still needed towards the 5 rounds is 2,800. We just do not have the money right now to cover that, and I really don't want to ask those family members again. So, I told my wife I would ask my 2nd family for help - you guys. It's pretty embarrassing to have to ask for help, but we're in a time crunch and we placing our hope in the chemo and the optimism of the vets. So, I want to ask for any help you guys can give...and I apologize for even having to ask.
Our St Bernard died a few years back. He was like one of our kids, such a huge part of our family. My wife took his loss very hard, but a couple years later we decided to get another big boy...and Roman came into our lives. He's been an incredible pet and companion and is my wife's best friend. I know even the optimistic expectancy of an extra year after chemo might not sound like a lot, but to us, and especially my wife, that's invaluable extra time we get to spend with him.
I'm sorry this is so long. If you would like to help, I made GFM. It's what we use for our fundraisers, so I know it's safe and easy to use.
https://gofund.me/1b707817
Again, I hate asking for help from you guys for something that is not board related, so I apologize again for needing to.
BJ and Melissa
***I know this thread isn't JN related, but I wanted the most people to see it for a few days.
