Thurston is a floppy dog. A giant St. Bernard weighing 185 pounds before this started, he has a huge personality and many wonderful qualities. I love him more every day! Since he can no longer type after his amputation, I will be managing his blog for him as best I can.
I am Thurston’s Mom. A single pawrent since the death of my husband I am a 68 year old retired nurse living in a Chicago suburb. I went on vacation in February 2018 and left Thurston to board at his favorite place on earth, Day Care. When I returned in late March, I noted he had a slight limp. Thinking he hurt himself running around with the other dogs I thought nothing more about it and it went away. When the limp returned and I noted a little swelling at he right front wrist, we went to our local veterinarian on April 22, 2018 and our lives changed forever when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
I’d lost another dog to this disease several years ago and I was just devastated. He was just 5 years 8 months old! How can this happen and what do we do now?
After consulting with 3 other veterinarians and 2 Oncology consults he received his amputation and treatment at University of Wisconsin. His 3 months ampuversary was on August 11, 2018. He finished 4 rounds of Carboplatin on July 26, 2018 . He is now 136 pounds and is getting along great. He is participating in a clinical study and so far, so good. I have kept his journal for him and now its time to share his story. We want to encourage others with this devastating disease who have giant dogs that they, too have “3 legs and a spare!’