Hi, my name is Sampson, I am an 11 ½ year old, male Rottweiler. I’ve always considered myself pretty lucky. My new pawrents adopted me when I was 6 years old and life has been a big adventure. We do a lot of fun things, my favorite addition to my life has been my new brother. He is a 2 year old Rottweiler named Owen and we have a lot of fun. I am doing all of these things I’ve never done before-like digging. If you haven’t done it, I recommend finding a place in the yard that is inconspicuous and going to town. Do not dig in the front yard, it is not worth the trouble and aggravation. Well, my brother was pretty sick this month, he has Addison’s disease. So we’ve been focused on getting him better. In the middle of this, about two weeks ago, I started limping badly and I was in a lot of pain. Mom, took me to the vet and I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. What a bummer, but apparently it is pretty common in rottweilers. Since I am still young at heart and otherwise healthy, the doctors at the University of Pennsylvania thought I was a good candidate for surgery. I had my right, front leg amputated on Wednesday, May 5th, Cinco de Mayo. While I am not Mexican or a Chihuahua, the day is appropriate, since it represents Mexico’s victory over the French. To me it symbolizes my personal battle with cancer. I sailed through surgery, no complications. I was up and walking around the next day. Yup, I couldn’t believe it either. The nurses liked me so much, they put my bed in the hospital hallway so I could watch everyone walk by and make friends. My surgeon thinks that I am a really tough guy. Rule number 1, it is good to have a doctor who believes in you. The original plan was to keep me in the hospital few days. I was doing so well, I was discharged the next day. Mom picked me up, I love a good car ride. I stood up all by myself when we drove on to our road to look out the window. I wasn’t sure how my younger brother would react to my change. Wow, was he happy to see me, he climbed in the car and gave me a big kiss right on the nose. I forgot how much I missed him.
I am getting around better each day and hoping it gets easier. I am still pretty tired and have been sleeping a lot. All of us are sleeping in the living room until I am feeling better. My appetite is not what it used to be. How long will it take for me to feel better and get on my regular eating schedule? How long will it take me to get up and around, I get tired pretty easily?
Thank you for the support and please get back to me.
Sampson
PS