Monte (aka M's Fund Raiser)

Meet Monte.
In mid November 2007, Monte began limping.   The vets suspected a torn ACL, but the pre-op x-rays proved that he had Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in his right rear leg, just below the knee.  After many tears and A LOT of research, I decided to have Monte’s leg amputated.  I also decided that he would begin chemotherapy shortly after his surgery since the length of survival increases with both amputation and chemo.  He pulled through surgery with flying colors and was home the next day.  He had absolutely no problems with his incision (no draining or irregular swelling).  During the day he was fine, but for about two weeks, we had restless nights.  I don’t know if he was having phantom pains, or just uncomfortable, but I was exhausted.  He, of course, got to sleep all day while I went to work!  After those first two weeks, he began sleeping through the night.  With the help of the wonderful Dr. Couto and his staff at Ohio State University, Monte began chemotherapy.  The OSU vet school provided, free of charge, the doxorubicin chemo drug used to treat him.  He had five treatments, two weeks apart.  He is also taking Artesiminin, Omega-3 and vitamin C to help ward off the cancer.  On March 12th, 4 months post dx, he had a follow-up checkup with his oncologist.  They did chest x-rays to see if the cancer was visible in his lungs, one of the first places that Osteo metastasizes.  We were thrilled that they showed NO SIGN of cancer.

Monte is his old self.  He still loves to run and play with his greyhound brother (Houdini) and sister (Gracie).  He loves his stuffies and a good long nap in the sun.  He hasn’t missed his leg at all.  Every day I am greytful that he is still with me and treasure every moment we spend together.

Monte is the proud owner of Susan Lundberg