Fightin' Stella!
A: My girl's fight is on and she is doing great so far. Thank you for all of your recommendations of vets, alternative treatments, kind words, and sharing your personal stories with me. It means so much to us.
Many have asked me for an update, so here it is. Stella has spindle cell sarcoma and unfortunately the CAT scan revealed that it is of an aggressive nature, covering most of the right jaw and spreading past the mid-line of mouth. I don't understand the rest of the report. Surgery is not an option because they wouldn't be able to get clear margins; and I wouldn't have done that anyway unless the mass was much smaller. We are on our way to Dr. Post in CT, a specialist, for a 2nd opinion and a few more tests to go over all of our options.
Stella is a very strong lab, so if anyone could fight this for as long as possible, its her!! She needs to be able to do 3 main things: eat, play, and sit at our legs when we are eating. If she is doing these things, she is happy. Occasionally Stella likes to:
I know she will tell us when it's time. Until that comes, this dog is living the high life! FIGHT BABY, FIGHT!
Sorry for the lack of content here lately, as any time outside of servicing my buyer/seller clients is going to her. Thanks again and Ill be back Thursday.
Posted by OT
Tue Mar 3rd, 2009 09:32 AM
Noah - sorry the news was not more positive. I am sure Stella lived a great life under your care and will enjoy the time she has left. Here's wishing you both strength over the coming months.
Posted by Former Seller
Tue Mar 3rd, 2009 09:34 AM
Stella is very lucky to have an owner that cares about her and gives her a great life. It sounds to me like she will live the rest of her days happily, whether there are few or very many.
Posted by lisa
Tue Mar 3rd, 2009 09:45 AM
Awww! Stella is beautiful and such a lucky girl to have such loving people in her pack! Our two dogs are such important members of our family here in Manhattan. They bring us love and perspective no matter what the heck is going on in the stock/real estate markets or with our jobs. The best quote I ever heard about how a dog thinks is when you ask a dog "What time is it?" They always respond enthusiastically in their own way "NOW, NOW, NOW". Words to live by these days. Enjoy your NOW with her, Noah.
Posted by Noah
Tue Mar 3rd, 2009 09:48 AM
Thanks Guys!
Lisa - wow, that is so right on. We are sticking in a day at Audreys for her, tonight and tomorrow, to enjoy the NOW NOW NOW!!
Posted by truthteller
Tue Mar 3rd, 2009 10:00 AM
You're bringing tears to my eyes, Noah.
Keep on fighting, Stella is very blessed to have you, dear friend.
Posted by Robert
Tue Mar 3rd, 2009 10:32 AM
Good going, Stella.
Good to know she's being pampered.
Ok, hoping for better news.
Posted by Robert
Tue Mar 3rd, 2009 10:35 AM
Good going, Stella.
Yes, pamper that girl.
Ok, hoping for better news.
Posted by Marmotton
Tue Mar 3rd, 2009 10:40 AM
Gorgeous dog.
Best wishes of recovery.
Posted by lars
Tue Mar 3rd, 2009 11:44 AM
Your approach is sound...keep her dancing till she no longer wishes.
It will be hard, but overtime all you will remember are the fun moments; and, like mine, she will always be with you.
Best...
Posted by DL
Tue Mar 3rd, 2009 03:22 PM
As a cancer survivor, don't let the word aggressive scare you. Aggressive cancers respond very well to chemo because chemo targets fast growing cells. Its the slow growing cancers that are more difficult to treat. Radiation would also normally be advisable but because of the location there will be lots of side effects. Best of luck.
Posted by Gabu
Tue Mar 3rd, 2009 03:31 PM
Stella -- keep fighting for as long as you can! We are rooting for you!!
Posted by jason
Tue Mar 3rd, 2009 06:04 PM
she is such a beautiful lady.
Posted by WestSideMan
Tue Mar 3rd, 2009 09:23 PM
Keep fighting, Stella! We're all pulling for you!
Posted by Otto
Wed Mar 4th, 2009 08:13 AM
All the best wishes and warm thoughts for your precious furry child Stella. Treasure every moment you have with her, and I hope you have many many more. --Mrs. Otto
Posted by michael daly
Wed Mar 4th, 2009 03:32 PM
I'm sure she loves you for the way you're handling her...best wishes for lots more barking, licking, rolling, swimming, ...
Posted by Anon
Wed Mar 4th, 2009 10:05 PM
Best wishes for Stella,
Noah -- spring for strawberry whole fruit bars for her when she gets better!
Posted by Jen
Thu Mar 5th, 2009 08:32 AM
Noah,
Having put down both my dog and one of my cats so far in this lifetime, all I can say is that the painful sad feelings are utterly legitimate and normal. In the month before I put my cat down I would wake up every night and find him lying along the inner edge of my left arm, with his head on my shoulder, looking into my face with such gratitude and love that I would lie there weeping for an hour before I fell back to sleep, and he would never take his eyes off me. My dog, my Strudel, when I threw myself on the floor in tears the day we had to do it, she lay down with me for half an hour and then got up, wandered out of the room, and came back with her leash in her mouth and put it down next to me. We spent the rest of her last day outside. She knew.
People who don't bond with animals can't understand this fully, but that's not your problem. One thing though--and this is my experience--so take it as that, is that I found the hardest part was the before, the knowing and not being able to communicate it to them, the thoughts of what will it be like when they aren't there. In fact, there was a feeling of relief when it was over both times, that was comforting. They are out of their pain, and you are left to move forward on your path with all the treasured memories.
I think George Carlin said something like every puppy is a mini tragedy. No matter how difficult this process is, you'll get another one someday. Because the seeds of joy are in sorrow, and the seeds of sorrow are in joy.
Love her up,
Jennifer
Posted by noah
Thu Mar 5th, 2009 09:01 AM
Jen thank you so much for that. Thanks Michael and anon too! This all helps and we are big time dog lovers, so this is hard for both of us.
Im still away and have to stay most of day here for final tests, wont be back until way late tonight. I think there is not much we can do but we are just making absolutely sure.
Posted by OT
Thu Mar 5th, 2009 09:44 AM
Wow, Jen - you absolutely brought tears to my eyes. I hope no one knocks on my door for the next 5 minutes while I pull myself back together.
I am one of those that has never bonded with a pet. I do have a young daughter and I know that if anything happened to her or I had to see her suffer through any pain, it would absolutely wreck me. I can understand that a love and devotion to a pet is no less debilitating and truly feel for you Noah.
Thank you for not only running a great board, but for bringing a touch of humanity into our self-involved lives.
I have never even met you but you and Stella are both in my thoughts. I can only wish you both strength to continue enjoying each other for as long as you can.
Posted by truthteller
Thu Mar 5th, 2009 11:39 AM
Tears in my damn eyes, Jen.
I too had three cats and a dog.
All beloved, truly beloved friends.
Noah, the pain and anguish are real.
Posted by Robert
Thu Mar 5th, 2009 12:24 PM
Jen:
Wow. Copied and pasted your post to a few folks who will love to read it.
The story you tell and your word choice - - Picasso of words.
This was very moving, even at work surrounded by chaos.
Thoughts & prayers for Stella.
Posted by Thisson
Thu Mar 5th, 2009 02:07 PM
Sorry, but I'm not interested in your dog.
Please post more about what you are seeing on the ground w/r/t residential real estate.
Gracias, Senior.
Posted by Rachel
Thu Mar 5th, 2009 04:09 PM
It's clear from her photos that Stella has a great, happy life and nothing is going to change that. You're in my thoughts and I'm hoping for the best.
Posted by drtomaso
Thu Mar 5th, 2009 07:08 PM
Noah-
When the time comes, take solace in the fact that its our responsibility, as pet owners, to make the call that is right for the pet. They give you their unconditional affection, sacrifice their freedom, for years longer than their natural life-span, and in exchange, you have to have the strength to do what is right for them. It sounds like you are thinking clearly on this matter, and I can only hope that when my turn comes around again, I will be able to do what's right for my dog.
Also, when it comes time to make that final, dreadful, call and ban Thisson's ip, please remember, we're with you.
Posted by Thisson
Fri Mar 6th, 2009 11:27 AM
Yes, Drtomaso, my ip should be banned for requesting that this blog stay on topic.
Grow up.
Posted by drtomaso
Fri Mar 6th, 2009 01:11 PM
My apologies for making a joke of your horribly insensitive comment Thisson- but now you have my dander up.
Is this your blog? Do you pay a subscription to obtain content here? What right do you have to demand the conversation be steered away from the one chosen by the author and owner? To say nothing of the tactless manner in which you chose to do so.
I can understand not being interested in the author/owner's more personal musings, but I would suggest that you find a more appropriate way to voice your objections- like perhaps saying nothing and coming back later when a different post is up.
Further, I would sincerely suggest that its not my maturity level in question here.
Posted by Thisson
Fri Mar 6th, 2009 05:35 PM
Simple - I didn't demand anything. I asked nicely.
Furthermore, I view the adverts and Noah's listings just like everyone else, which is all that is required of me, so why do you mention a subscription?
I think it's a benefit to Noah to have the knowledge of what will increase traffic (more real estate posts) and what will decrease traffic (more dog posts).
This isn't a personal blog to talk about pets. It's a real estate blog. If he want's more doglover traffic, he can just say so, and I'll post some links for him at the American Kennel Club and then go read a real estate blog. Happy now?
Posted by Noah
Fri Mar 6th, 2009 07:48 PM
its an open forum here, thisson can say whatever. Doesnt mean I listen, or care. I write about what I want, when I want.
After writing over 1,000 entries spanning 3+ years about how I view macro economy, credit markets, and Manhattan real estate, I can care less if a reader or two stops visiting OR worse, thinks the site's quality is degraded because of a post like this explaining why I need some time off.
Posted by Robert
Sat Mar 7th, 2009 06:21 PM
More important than getting what we want is the way in which we get it.
And…well said, NR.
You’ll always lose a few - - for reasons real or imagined - - every business does.
Posted by Barney
Sun Mar 8th, 2009 11:54 AM
Hi Noah............Former Realtor here in the Grosse Pointe area of metro-Detroit, Michigan here, and "Mommy" to our just-over-nine year old Shepherd/Husky "Gus". I just discovered your site/blog today, as I'm kind of a Manhattan/NYC realty junky, and wanted to tell you that my parnter & I surround Stella, yourself and anyone else close to the both of you with STRENGTH, HOPE AND LOVE. We had to put another Shusky (Shepherd/Husky) down before we had Gus because of severe behavorial/psychological issues, and he still doesn't want to talk about it, even though it was over 10 years ago. Gus is our "son", as I'm sure you consider Stella your "daughter"....please know that we're sending eternal hugs, massages, treats, and inimaginable LOVE to her, to WIN her battle, and to you & yours if, unthinkably, she does not...remember, BREATHE, MEDITATE, PRAY & Give Thanks.....God Bless.
Posted by Natalie E
Tue Mar 10th, 2009 01:12 PM
Take some time off and enjoy Stella- Some people will not understand and they can all go to _ell. I am so sorry to hear the doctor can't get good margins in her case. I will pray for her and when the time comes pray for you to fight through your sorrow. I am not religous except when it comes to dogs. Hugs and kisses to Stella from Frenchi !
Posted by warcraft gold
Thu Mar 12th, 2009 11:34 AM
Stella is blessed to have an owner like you. Hope for a better health for her.