Faith with Osteosarcoma and Skin Problems
Faith: An Amazing Life
Faith was adopted in February 2002 from Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control, approximate age one (1) year, six (6) months, a Black and Tan Shepherd/Mix, birthday 09/08/2000. Her condition at that time was a normal healthy dog.
In August 2005, I noticed Faith's right rear leg was bothering her and causing her to limp. I took Faith to her primary veterinarian and she was treated for "right knee joint inflammation resulting from a partially torn cranial cruciate ligament.
Approximate six (6) weeks later, the lameness in her leg had progressed. I took Faith back to her doctor and was referred to a specialist group, located in Irvine, California.
In September 2005, I took Faith for her appointment (Consultation/Testing). Per the discharge summary (referral report), Faith was diagnosed with right tarsal soft tissue sarcoma (Osteosarcoma). Hearing that news, I did not consider putting her down as an option. She had so much life in her.
In October, 2005 Faith had surgery and her right rear leg was amputated. The surgeon advised that this was an aggressive cancer and Faith was given at least six (6) months survival. Chemo treatment was offered but I declined. Because I used natural therapies in my own health care, I decided to pursue that path. Seeking the root cause of the issue, looking at other choices and options are my approach.
My journey had just begun. In the human world, I seek holistic approaches to healing vs. being medicated. In addition to having a healthy lifestyle (diet and exercise). Not knowing at the time, if the animal kingdom had a veterinarian who practices holistic medicine, I started researching and learning what I could find on cancer in animals. My thought was understanding how this happened to Faith. At that time, I had a total of three (3) dogs and I immediately changed their diets. I made sure the food I purchased was good quality food made in the USA (reading labels and ingredient's) and bottled water since I do not have a filtered system. I am a advocate for staying healthy and fit. I juice and started juicing, adding an apple and fresh veggies (broccoli, carrots, red potatoes) with their meal and they loved it.
I love my pet (s). With Faith, my focus was to enhance the quality of life and not focus on the cancer as a death sentence. In my prayers at night I would ask for healing, something special for Faith. I did what I could and let God do the rest.
Through a source, I was made aware of a holistic veterinarian located in southern California. In October 2005 I made an appointment for Faith as a new patient. I provided copies and background on Faith's condition and for approximate nine (9) months, Faith's wellness plan consisted of acupuncture to help with the fathom spasm and healing herbs to help with the cancer.
I found and purchased two (2) books; Why is cancer killing our pets? How you can protect and treat your animal companion, Author Deborah Straw and The Nature of Animal Healing, Author Martin Goldstein D.V.M.
Time was going by and Faith exceeded the six (6) months showing no progressive signs of the cancer. In August of 2006, being an amputee, put a strain on her hip. Through her primary care doctor, I received a referral for Faith to have hydrotherapy rehabilitation and conditioning to help her balance on 3 legs.
I had to avoid walks with Faith for a while to allow time for her hip to heal. When I was able to walk her, I found out quickly our walks could not be long and had to carry her home. I like to walk with my dogs and pondered what can I do and how can I make this work? My creative solution was, I purchased a kiddy wagon, one large enough to put Faith in and worked out just great. When she would get tired, I would put her in the wagon. When she was ready to walk some more, would take her out. We were a site and received a lot of looks, smiles and thumbs up.
In 2015, Faith started showing signs of losing hair and dark spots appearing on her skin. I took her to her primary veterinarian for care and treatment. Time went by and her conditioned appeared to be getting worse. I knew of another holistic veterinary doctor and I made an appointment as a new patient to have a second opinion. I remember the doctor advised me that according to Chinese medicine Faith had a blood heat disease. Chinese medicine and an integrative medical program were recommended. She started improving and has continued to this day. Her fur is growing back in some areas and skin is looking great.
Faith is still with me today at a young age of 15 soon to be 16 years old. As I do for myself, we continue with a healthy lifestyle, diet, exercise and lots of love. I give thanks each day to the Lord for another day including Faith.
Mary (Redondo Beach, CA)
Faith was adopted in February 2002 from Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control, approximate age one (1) year, six (6) months, a Black and Tan Shepherd/Mix, birthday 09/08/2000. Her condition at that time was a normal healthy dog. In August 2005, I noticed Faith's right rear leg was bothering her and causing her to limp. I took Faith to her primary veterinarian and she was treated for "right knee joint inflammation resulting from a partially torn cranial cruciate ligament.
Approximate six (6) weeks later, the lameness in her leg had progressed. I took Faith back to her doctor and was referred to a specialist group, located in Irvine, California.
In September 2005, I took Faith for her appointment (Consultation/Testing). Per the discharge summary (referral report), Faith was diagnosed with right tarsal soft tissue sarcoma (Osteosarcoma). Hearing that news, I did not consider putting her down as an option. She had so much life in her.
In October, 2005 Faith had surgery and her right rear leg was amputated. The surgeon advised that this was an aggressive cancer and Faith was given at least six (6) months survival. Chemo treatment was offered but I declined. Because I used natural therapies in my own health care, I decided to pursue that path. Seeking the root cause of the issue, looking at other choices and options are my approach.
My journey had just begun. In the human world, I seek holistic approaches to healing vs. being medicated. In addition to having a healthy lifestyle (diet and exercise). Not knowing at the time, if the animal kingdom had a veterinarian who practices holistic medicine, I started researching and learning what I could find on cancer in animals. My thought was understanding how this happened to Faith. At that time, I had a total of three (3) dogs and I immediately changed their diets. I made sure the food I purchased was good quality food made in the USA (reading labels and ingredient's) and bottled water since I do not have a filtered system. I am a advocate for staying healthy and fit. I juice and started juicing, adding an apple and fresh veggies (broccoli, carrots, red potatoes) with their meal and they loved it.
I love my pet (s). With Faith, my focus was to enhance the quality of life and not focus on the cancer as a death sentence. In my prayers at night I would ask for healing, something special for Faith. I did what I could and let God do the rest.
Through a source, I was made aware of a holistic veterinarian located in southern California. In October 2005 I made an appointment for Faith as a new patient. I provided copies and background on Faith's condition and for approximate nine (9) months, Faith's wellness plan consisted of acupuncture to help with the fathom spasm and healing herbs to help with the cancer.
I found and purchased two (2) books; Why is cancer killing our pets? How you can protect and treat your animal companion, Author Deborah Straw and The Nature of Animal Healing, Author Martin Goldstein D.V.M.
Time was going by and Faith exceeded the six (6) months showing no progressive signs of the cancer. In August of 2006, being an amputee, put a strain on her hip. Through her primary care doctor, I received a referral for Faith to have hydrotherapy rehabilitation and conditioning to help her balance on 3 legs.
I had to avoid walks with Faith for a while to allow time for her hip to heal. When I was able to walk her, I found out quickly our walks could not be long and had to carry her home. I like to walk with my dogs and pondered what can I do and how can I make this work? My creative solution was, I purchased a kiddy wagon, one large enough to put Faith in and worked out just great. When she would get tired, I would put her in the wagon. When she was ready to walk some more, would take her out. We were a site and received a lot of looks, smiles and thumbs up. In 2015, Faith started showing signs of losing hair and dark spots appearing on her skin. I took her to her primary veterinarian for care and treatment. Time went by and her conditioned appeared to be getting worse. I knew of another holistic veterinary doctor and I made an appointment as a new patient to have a second opinion. I remember the doctor advised me that according to Chinese medicine Faith had a blood heat disease. Chinese medicine and an integrative medical program were recommended. She started improving and has continued to this day. Her fur is growing back in some areas and skin is looking great.
Faith is still with me today at a young age of 15 soon to be 16 years old. As I do for myself, we continue with a healthy lifestyle, diet, exercise and lots of love. I give thanks each day to the Lord for another day including Faith.
Mary (Redondo Beach, CA)
