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104336

Keep Melanie in your thoughts

Derek & Amy on Grief - Thu, May 15 2008

My wife and I are reaching out for support to everyone, as today is turning out to be one of the more painful days of our lives, and we need all of the well wishes we can possibly find for someone we love.

Over the past two weeks, my wife, Amy, and I have had our beloved dog Melanie at the vets repeatedly for what everyone hoped would be diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome. However, last week, ultrasound and GI scope results indicated it may be lymphoma, which would likely mean she would have 4 weeks to a year, at best, to live. We have been overwhelmed with fear, but steeling ourselves for the possibility that our time with this wonderful, joyful dog may be nearing an end.

We vowed to fight for her as long as her quality of life remained high, and vowed to do whatever necessary to afford chemotherapy with the best vets our State has to offer.

Today, Dr. Buzetti did surgery for Melanie, to take biopsies from her
intestines to send off for a definitive diagnosis. He was optimistic and hopeful before he began today's surgery, noting that the odds of lymphoma seemed to be about 1 in 20, given the recent data that he'd received from her ultrasound and GI scope from a week ago. The risks of today's surgery were about 5% of infection - the same as spay surgery. We were worried this morning, of course, but not overly so.

Well today's surgery took a shocking and heartbreaking turn. When he
opened Melanie up, Dr. Buzzetti found a large mass, and had to remove it, and resection her bowel. Additionally, he found hardening of her intestines that he said is "a very bad sign." He said the risks of post-surgical complications have "quadrupled" as a result of the need to remove the large mass, and that the next 3 days will be "touch and go" for her survival. And, if she survives the next three days, he told my wife, "Amy, I need to prepare you for a likely diagnosis
of lymphoma, now that I've seen what I've seen." I have taken my pets
to Dr. B for nearly a decade, and I have never seen him look so sad
as he did today.

We are in a state of shock and grief that we cannot begin to describe. We thought we would take Melanie for surgery today, and perhaps get good
news that she merely has irritable bowel, and if we received bad news
and it was lymphoma, that we would begin treatment and be able to at
least spend the coming months making memories with her and grappling with letting her go.

But now - our beloved dog may not make it through the next 3 days.

Please - if you are religious, pray for Melanie. If you are not, please send every good thought you have her way. Please keep Melanie in your thoughts.

We are bereft with grief and fear, and feel utterly helpless.

Please think of Melanie,

Amy & Derek

Jen on May 15 at 03:27 PM

Avatar_human

Our thoughts prayers fingers and paws are crossed for Melanie and for your entire family.

Tiffany on May 15 at 03:29 PM

69982

Derek - You, Amy and Malanie are in our prayers!! Hugs and puppy kisses to you all - The Gang

Anne on May 15 at 03:30 PM

89920

Amy and Derek,

I have tears in my eyes. We had to euthanize our 9 year old German Shepherd unexpectedly in October after she collapsed and the doctor found a massive tumor on her spleen which had caused her spleen to rupture and bleed internally- we had no clue until she collapsed one afternoon after coming in from playing outside... she had shown NONE of the signs that indicate cancer (weight loss, lethargy, etc) and it was devastating. I understand what you are going through and my prayers and thoughts are with you.

Ann on May 15 at 03:30 PM

79338

So sorry for your sad news. Sending our good thoughts your way!!!

Star Hunter on May 15 at 04:54 PM

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I feel so sad for you. Mommy and I will be remembering you and Melanie in our prayers. Mommy knows well how you feel. She lost a pup to liver cancer. After diagnosis, she did not get to take her home again.

Melissa on May 15 at 04:54 PM

95020

I will keep you all in my prayers. We recently had to deal with a similar situation with our sweet Rosie. My heart breaks for you and I will pray for Melanie to rebound and do well. But if that is not in God's plans, then I pray for peace and comfort for you all.

Debbie on May 15 at 06:10 PM

77053

We will keep all of your in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you all.

Lisa & Harry on May 15 at 06:20 PM

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You will be in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry to hear this about Melanie. God Bless.

Kelly on May 15 at 06:36 PM

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My thoughts and prayers go out to your family, I know how hard it is. Our dear sweet cat, Stuart, died in December from Lymphoma, it was so hard to finally get the DX, and once we did, it was too late. He died December 20th. You have come to the right place, these great folks here really helped me through a very difficult time, I don't think I would have come through it like I did without them. {{{hugs}}}

Raspberry on May 15 at 08:35 PM

48000

Amy and Derek, I'm not sure what a "dog" actually is because I live in a cat shelter, but I've been told that dogs are very nice. And Amy, I've met you before and I know for a fact that you are very nice. I am really so sorry to hear about your dog friend, Melanie. But I have to tell you that since I've been at Cats Haven, I have seen one miracle after another. I have been with other kitties who we were sure wouldn't make it through the night, but a little while later they were going off to their new homes. In fact, no one thought that I would live more than a day or so. Well, here I am nearly two years later. I think a lot of this has to do with love and positive energy, so just know that all the kitties and I are sending lots and lots of love and white light to you, Derek, and Melanie. We will take shifts tonight at the shelter and keep the good thoughts flowing as long as you need for us to. We're thinking of you all, and we know that Melanie will be home with you soon.

Charlie (Goosey) on May 15 at 08:45 PM

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We'll keep you and Melanie in our thoughts. I hope everything goes well.

Ojo on May 15 at 08:46 PM

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we sure feel sorry for your little girl, Amy & Derek. We will be saying our puppy prayers for all of you.

Mama Muttblood^..^ on May 15 at 09:21 PM

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Oh how heartbreaking for all of you! News like that is so hard to bear. I am certain that you have given Melanie a wonderful life, and that she has brought so much joy to yours. At least you can spend as much time as possible with your sweet baby, and help her over the Rainbow Bridge. Many prayers and hugs to you.

Kris on May 16 at 09:57 AM

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I'm so sorry for what you're going through right now. I'll be praying for you all, for wisdom, peace, and a miracle or two! {{{{hugs}}}}

Buster on May 16 at 10:22 AM

81987

What a sad, sad time. Just know that all your Indy Paws friends are holding you in thoughts and prayers. You are not alone.

Joann on May 16 at 11:02 AM

77916

So sorry about Melanie...of course, you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

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