Very sad day (Update 3/23)

TonyD

TonyD

One Shot One Maggie's Drawers
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
3,762
Likes
28
Location
South of the Mason-Dixon
Feedback: 0 / 0 / 0
A few weeks ago my best'est bud, Beau Miller, developed a small ulcerated sore inside his right cheek. Nothing much was thought about it as it was like a sore when you happen to bite down on your cheek when you're eating. About a week and half ago (over the weekend) it doubled in size overnight, and doubled again by Sunday. An appointment was made on Monday for the following morning to see the Doc. He didn't like what he saw and suggested a biopsy right then and the tissue was sent to the histpathologist at the University of Georgia.

Beau used to be Hell-on-wheels when he was a little younger. In fact, had he had the inclination he would have made a hell of a Marine and that's the best compliment I could ever give someone. That's probably why we hit it off so well. Some of his more notable escapades include playing paparazzi and chasing Kim Bassinger and her grandmother down the road in their neighborhood outside of Atlanta one afternoon. He once had some neighbors that had a mutual dislike for each other. So, the next day after the neighbors took possesion of their brand new Mercedes, just before they were heading to church, he decided to get in the back seat and 'christin' it. I won't reveal what he did as I'm not really sure of the statute of limitations on this one. More recently he was one of the more 'colorful' ushers at my wedding this past September all 'spiff'ed' up in a tux.

Anyway, another tumor was noticed this past weekend on the right side of his neck along with a swollen lymph node. He received the results of the biopsy yesterday as melanoma and was immediately referred to an oncologist in Jacksonville, FL. I drove him to the oncologist this morning for consultation and further testing. Five hours worth of abdominal ultrasound, aspirating the new growths, blood work, urinalysis and chest X-Rays. They do their own in-house work-ups.

At 4:00 this afternoon we received the results. Metastatic Melonoma which has already invaded both lungs. One to two months of expectency with no treatment except hospice care. The only possibility is a trial study of a new drug being ran at the Univeristy of Florida - Gainsville which is set to start the beginning of the week. We're trying to see if he can be a accepted on short notice even with the pulmonary metastisis but it just doesn't look good.

Beau is my 13 year old cocker spaniel and he is the King Of Cool. The best buddy a guy could ever hope for.
 
My condolonces. I know what its like, one of my Australian Terriers has gone through hell and back between being run over by a car and surviving two tumors. He's in our prayers.
 
I'm sorry to hear that, Tony. I have lost two cats to illness like that, and even when you expect it (because the little girl fought it every step of the way for months) it's like a punch in the gut when it finally happens. (I wound up hitting the road for a week long bike trip after we lost her).

I hope your little friend pulls through.

Ross
 
Tony,
Dogs truly are a mans best friend. I have a boxer and a cocker spaniel. I love them so much. I know there are those that say "it's just a pet" but I am one of the people who say "that's my family". I understand your pain. I have loss the best dog in the world just like many others have. You and Beau are both in my prayers. God Bless you
 
Tony,

I'm very sorry to hear this bad news.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Beau!

Dogs are "one of the Family", not just pets!
 
I feel your pain, man. We've had to have a good friend put to sleep when his pain got to be too much for him. It's tough.

Our best wishes for all of your family.
 
Sorry to hear that Tony. A good pet really does become part of the family. We've lost a couple in the past and it's rough.
 
Tony,
I feel so bad for you and Beau. But, it sounds like Beau is pretty tough and you're doing all you can do. Our prayers are with you.
Mike
 
Tony, you & Beau are both in my prayers! I know what you're going through..I just lost my best bud Duke in October. I hope you can enjoy your remaining time with him.
 
Aw huney....I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. Like others (and especially BJ), my animals have been my kids since I don't have any of the two legged kind. They've all been very special to me, but there's been a couple that were just a bit more special. My heart goes out to you, especially when it's one of the more special ones....it hurts even more.

If you have a pic of Beau in his tux, I'd sure love to see that one.
 
That is very sad news, Tony. It is obvious you and Beau have both been blessed with a great friendship.
 
Type-o and C-Pher, thanks. I've been lifting a few of my own. Course Beau likes to lean over and lap up a little vodka and cranberry, also.

Lynne, if you host pics, I'll send you a couple and you can edit my first post with the pics. I don't have any of those accounts.
 
Tony, having seen a lot of dogs in the referral hospital with metastatic cancer I know how hard it is to watch the little guys deteriorate.

The best thing to hold on to is that dogs don't despond their situation or ever ask, "why me?" Beau is just happy to sit and hang out- and will be happy until the very end, because he has you. And to him, that's all that matters.

I hope the Drs told you what to look out for and expect as things progress, but if you ever have any questions or concerns feel free to PM me, I'm a Licensed Veterinary Technician and have seen a lot of cancer patients in the field. Best of luck to you two. I'm thinking about you.
 
Back
Top Bottom