Hello All!
I was hoping to get my blog up the first day I found this website which was 11/11/11 the day after Kumba’s Tripawd transformation, but I was emotional and not really grasping the technical part of this very well. I am glad I was able to overcome that part and hope to continue with a regular post on my pretty girl’s recovery.
Kumba is a 10 (approx.) year old lab mix that I rescued from Northern Cali.and she has been the best dog in my world. In early September, I took her to the vet due to a mild limp on one of her front legs. I couldn’t tell which one it was then, they diagnosed her with elbow arthiritis and sent us home with pain killers and an anti-inflammatory pill. About five weeks later her limp was severe and I took her back and it was re-diagnosed as the horrible cancer/osteosarcoma:( I was told her upper left limb would break in a couple of weeks because the cancer deteriorated it and made it so fragile and she was in alot of pain which was obvious. The two options were to put her down or amputate her leg. I went for a second opinion at a more advanced facility that cared for cancer patients and provided chemo. I had a biopsy done and once the results came through, I knew there was only one choice that was right for Kumba. I was so scared her leg would break before we could get the biopsy results back. I think I was more worried she would go through more pain than I could bear. The decision to remove that pain right away seemed like the only right choice for us once we found out what we were dealing with 100%. I found this site the day after she had the operation and it was very comforting and supportive and it was the reassurance I needed. I felt so lost and unsure and you all helped me see things in a better light
Saturday she came home and I was very surprised that she moved as well as she did when she got up to go out and do her business (both, which is good) We lounged on the floor together and she got lots of hugs and pats. She did have the worst gas in the world though, lol! I am not sure if its the cut up hotdogs (used to hide her pills) thats causing it or something else. If anyone has a solution for a better pill pocket, please let me know.
Before bed, I tried to get her to come to my room but she insisted on sleeping in the living room, which she sometimes does, but I worried about her being too far away, so I didn’t sleep much and checked on her in the late eve. to find that she somehow managed to get on the couch and sleep there, which never has been allowed. I was so shocked to see this and at the same time worried about how she would get down since she is suppose to take it easy with this 18″ stapled incision, but at the same time it brought a smile to my face and made me realize that if she can do this on her second day of post op, I wont worry so much about her getting around moreso in a few weeks.
We put a t-shirt on her to protect her from her back leg scratching it til its bloody or worst. I am afraid she will rip it open. They didn’t bandage this and I am not sure why.
Today is her 2nd day home and 3 days after her surgery. She is resting alot, still very gassy,eating well but not drinking much water and I don’t know if I should be worried about that just yet. We will see how she does in the next few days and I will try to post again as we progress
I am so thankful I found this website so I can share with others who will go through this and have other parents share with me on their journeys. I read stories that I totally related to in the beginning before surgery and all of the emotions that loving parents go through when their loved ones are at risk. 
I welcome any advice on our journey!