Bruiser Bruno: My Tenacious & Triumphant Tripawd

 

Bruno’s Timeline:

2010

12/10/10 – Took note of Bruno’s limping. Decided to limit his activity & have him rest .

2011

2/16/11- Took Bruno to local vet for a set of x-rays of his right leg. Just to see.

Assessment:  X-rays showed slight deterioration of stifle and slight abnormalities were noted within the joint/connective tissues of the tibia and femur. Vet did not express significant concern [taking into account his age, 6yrs. old, and prior medical history of 2 TPLO surgeries( 4/5/07- right rear leg & 6/27/08-left rear leg).] Vet did however express that it more than likely was sign of arthritis.)

(Limping and lameness continued & subsided intermittently.)

8/22/11- Took Bruno back to local vet to get 2^nd set of x-rays taken of right leg.

Assessment:  New x-rays, when compared to those taken 6 months prior, showed significant abnormalities & significant deterioration of tissue, tibia, and femur. Vet, at this time, did express concern towards the rapid progression of this deterioration. The possibility of something more grave taking place such as cancer was offered up.  A biopsy was scheduled in order to obtain a more specific, concrete diagnosis.

8/24/11- Biopsy of affected stifle region taken and submitted to lab in Florida.

9/4/11- Started Bruno again on Rx: “Prevention” (Glucosamine) supplement (from Joshua Kennels-online)

9/8/11- Lab Analysis Results from biopsy came back with diagnosis: Synovial Cell Sarcoma

9/16/11- Oklahoma State University (OSU) consultation with veterinary oncologist, Dr. Souza

9/16/11- Found and became a member of Tripawds website.

9/20/11- Bruno’s Amputation Surgery (of back right leg) at OSU with Dr. Souza.

    (Dropped Bruno off at OSU on Monday evening 9/19 and picked him up on Thursday 9/22/11.)So happy to have my boy home!

10/3/11- Received call from OSU regarding post-amputation biopsy of right hind limb (stifle region).

 Diagnosis:  “Histiocytic” Synovial Cell Sarcoma (We were also told that regional lymph node, closest to stifle, was affected.)

10/14/11- Post-Op checkup at OSU. Decided on follow-up chemotherapy treatment.

Rx Prescribed: Lomustine (CEENU) 40mg to be administered every 3-4 wks dependent upon complete blood count (CBC) levels.

Assessment:  Bruno has adjusted well to his amputation. Currently no signs that his sarcoma has spread to other parts of his body.  Yet told that histiocytic sarcoma is “very likely” to metastasize elsewhere in the body.

10/18/11-3/7/12-Rx Administered: completed 6 rounds of Lomustine (chemotherapy) orally every 3-4wks.

    *(Addt’l Rx Supplement: Bruno also began taking K-9 Immunity Plus Supplements-6 wafers per day)

2012

3/21/12-Post-Chemo Completion Check-up @ OSU. Lab work and radiographs taken.

    Assessment: Bruno endured chemo well without side effects.  Unfortunately though his chest radiographs revealed the presence of a metastatic nodule in his left lung.

Rx:  Change chemotherapy treatment to “metronomic therapy” which preferentially targets the blood vessels that feed the tumor in hopes of “starving” and decreasing its progression. Then re-check in 30 days.

    Cyclophosphamide (25mg)-oral daily

    Deracoxib(Deramax) (100mg)-1/2 oral chew tablet once daily; anti-inflammatory

4/24/12- Follow-up Appt.of New Chemo @ OSU. Lab work up and radiographs taken.

    Assessment:  Radiographs showed that the pulmonary nodule present on 3/21/12 was no longer visible (either no longer present or just too small to see radiographically).

(Yes!:)Thank you God! )

Rx: continue last prescribe chemo and anti-inflammatory treatment.  Check-up in 30 days.

Cyclophosphamide (25mg)-oral daily

Deracoxib(Deramax) (100mg)-1/2 oral chew tablet once daily; anti-inflammatory

 

To be continued… (*May 20^th-8 month anniversary of amputation)

A-O-Buffalo!

Buffalo River-Here we come!

So, every April marks that time of year-our annual Buffalo River Trip.  The Buffalo River is America’s First National River.  It is there that each year we seek refuge; and only there, in the town of Yellville, Arkansas, that the cabins which were built by the Civilian Conservation Corp. back in the 1920’s replenish us with long overdue rest and relaxation and a sanctuary which nature alone can provide.

But although it has undoubtedly been one of Bruno and his sidekick, Daphne’s, favorite vacation spots, they have not been in what is coming up on three years. See, Bruno and Daphne unfortunately had been boarded the last couple visits.  It had been Vinnie, one of their four sons, whom had overcome a brush with death (due to acute kidney failure) whom had trumped them.  Being that my husband and I consider the Buffalo River- this pristine nature spot-a top ten on our “bucket list”-it had been Vinnie who had been the last two years, instead of Bruno and Daphne-until now.

So, who goes this year? You ask.

Bruno.

His sidekick,  confidant, and amor fidelus-Daphne.

And, once more-Vinne.

Are we crazy? You ask.

The answer:  Possibly.

So, tomorrow we head out four our four day adventure. And, I can’t wait.

As we prep to go, I am certain that Bruno can sense that several days filled with nothing but napping and eating and fishing and listening to the call of the wild are just around the corner.

My sun-worshipper boy, Bruiser Bruno ,with be able to take afternoon naps by the meandering river and his soul will be free as ever by the Buffalo River once more.

Introducing:  “The Incredible” Bruiser Bruno

 

Who:  The Incredible, Brave, Head-Strong, Bully, Sun-Worshipper.

The lover of: Pizza, LMN (yes, as in Lifetime Movie Network), and long afternoon drives down country roads.

Who?

None other than–MY Bruno.

Breed:  American Bulldog

Date of Birth:  January 1, 2005 (7yrs old)

Strengths:   His ability to ask for forgiveness (as he extends his paw-gesturing for a handshake) after he has been ornery, his quiet strength & laid back demeanor, how he has faced adversity time and time again head on.  How he calls on the fighter within him to help him battle illness, when in reality he is nothing but a lover.

Vices:  His love affair with food.

Main weaknesses:  PIZZA, Blue Bell Ice Cream- Homemade Vanilla (“The best ice cream in the country!” according to Bruno), any and all of mom’s homemade cooking.

His Current Adversary:  Histiocytic Synovial Cell Sarcoma

                         

*9/8/11- This marked the day that Jeremy, my husband, Bruno, and I were handed the news.  The news that was not only not good news, but that was news which we had clearly not prepared ourselves to entertain.  Lab results, which had been sent to Florida by our local vet, of the biopsy which they had taken from his knee joint identified his condition.  The diagnosis was: synovial cell sarcoma.  All I heard was the word “CANCER.”

 

 

 Timeline/Back-story leading up to diagnosis:   Coming Soon.

To be Continued…And so, the saga began.

Username: bruiserbruno