The Start Of A New Year...

I really can't believe that we have made it through the holidays. It has been a mixture of joy, sadness, and worry. I have tried very hard to enjoy every moment of the holidays, the family members who shared it with us, the friends who shared love and concern, and just the glorious feelings the holidays bring. Today, however, brings me back to the decision that was the elephant sitting in the room throughout the holidays that no one wanted to acknowledge; do I continue treatment for Tasha or not.

So for those of you who know me well, I have pulled together a pros and cons list to help me make the decision.

Medical Point of View:

Pros:

1. Potential to extend Tasha's Life.


2. Dogs and Cats do not experience chemo and radiation the way that humans do.


3. We have the capability to do more, why not do it.
   

Cons:

1. Tasha could (with a high probability) have permanent side affects.
   
   
   
   1. Fecal Incontinence
   
   
   2. Urinary Incontinence
   
   
   3. Additional tumors caused by radiation
   
   
   4. Feeling weak, listless, nauseous


2. For radiation, the treatments would last approximately four to five weeks. During that time she would have to go to the vet each day, be sedated, receive treatment and come home each night with meds to help with side affects.


3. For chemo, the treatments would occur after radiation is completed and would last approximately three to four weeks. During that time she would have to go to the vet three times a week, receive treatment and come home at the end of those days with meds to help with side affects.

Personal Point of View:

Pros:

1. Treatment would potentially give me more time with Tasha


2. I would feel like I have done everything possible to treat her. I am a "fixer" so that is a hard one for me to get past.

Cons:

1. Treatment would potentially (with a high probability) impact Tasha's quality of life during her remaining time with us.


2. She would be stressed during treatment because she does not like going to the vets, being sedated, or driving in a car.


3. It was very hard to watch Tasha after the surgery, because she was in pain, and didn't understand why and for how long it would last. With further treatment, this would continue.


4. Tasha loves to play frisbee, run in the yard, sleep on the couch, jump on the bed, and play with her buddy Skolby. All of these things would be put in jeapardy, at least for the short-term, if not permanently.

I have also asked many friends and family members and received the following advice:

1. Dogs do not view time in the same way that we humans do. They live in the moment. They have no concept of a year from now, let alone six months from now.


2. The quality of life is more important than the length of life.


3. Working dogs need to have a purpose. If they are not able to work, it causes them stress and anxiety.

With all of these points taken into consideration. I have decided that Tasha deserves the utmost respect in her remaining days with us; I will not continue with any more treatment, but let her live her remaining days in comfort and filled with love. The "fixer" in me is having difficulty with this decision, but the mother in me sees that it is more important to let her be happy, let her live her days doing the things that she loves, and being happy and without pain; even if this means that the amount of time she is with us is shortened.