I have not been very good at keeping this blog updated, because it seems like cancer has touched every aspect of my life lately, from family to friends and even my beloved Kiara. Kiara has earned her wings, so I feel I need to finish her story.
Kiara received 4 rounds of carboplatin ending in mid-march. She did not really
have any side effects from the carboplatin. She was then entered into clinical
trial of Palladia/Piroxicam/Cyclophosphamide and was randomized to the aggressive arm of the study. She started receiving Palladia every other day and Proxicam/Cyclophosphamide the other days of the week. She started to experience
some of the side effects of Palladia. She suffered weakness in the hind quarters, so we took her off of the Palladia for a week. A week later when she started taking the Palladia again the dose was lowered and did not experience any side effects again for months. She had a really good spring and summer, until August when she slipped on the dew in the grass and injured a disc in her neck. She was started on pain killers and restricted activity. It took about 3 weeks, but she was back normal. Sometime in mid-September she began using her front leg more cautiously and stumpled periodically — over time that behavior became worse. I took her to her check-up on Oct 6th and learned that she had two new tumors, on in her neck and the other in the elbow of her remaining front limb. She declined very quickly and by Oct 11th she could not walk on her own, we needed to help her with a sling. We decided to release her from her pain and we said goodbye the next morning.
She is at peace now and is running free at the rainbow bridge with her sister Zira (pictured with her above) who preceded her in death in Dec 2010.
You did the right thing, her pain is now gone. Many will show her the way.
Izzy
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Kiara. Such a beautiful, beautiful girl! This cancer business does not respect anyone or anything, and it takes the strong and powerful as well as the weak and feeble. I suppose in many senses it is the great equalizer. We are an odd alliance here on this site, but the thing we have in common is our love for our dogs as we fight to give them happiness. Thank you for loving Kiara so much that you were able to say “no more” to the pain. She was a lucky girl.
Shari
So so sorry for your loss. What beautiful sisters and I’m sure your heart is incredibly heavy right now. My Mackenzie took palladia too and she was doing great. Then suddenly she started to decline quickly and we had to release her from her pain too. Please take comfort in knowing that you are not alone and Kiara is running free with her sister now. What a comforting thought. We will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Kami and Angel Mackenzie
you gave kiara a final selfless gift by ending her suffering. we are so sorry for your loss – love never ends.
charon & gayle
Kiara was beautiful, a true Tripawd Hero. May she run free of pain and rest in peace at the Rainbow Bridge.
Oh Kiara and family, we are so deeply sorry. Please know that we send our deepest condolences to you all.
Kiara, your spirit will forever light a path for other Tripawds families who need encouragement when times are darkest. We will miss you but know that your presence will help keep making Tripawds such a great place to be.
Many, many hugs coming your way from the Tripawds community….
That final gift is the hardest gift to give, but you did the right thing. I am so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to say goodbye. She was greeted by many tripawd heros at the rainbow bridge.
Jenna & Spirit Chili Dawg
I hope you have peace in knowing your selfless act ended her pain. She is running pain free now and playing with her sister. She will always be in your heart.
Hugs,
Jackie, Abby’s mom
I am so sorry for your loss. Kiara & Zira are both running free together. Hugs to you.
Nancy & Butchey
My heart goes out to you for the loss of your sweet and very beautiful Kiara! All of our tripawd angels will forever leave their 3 paw prints in our hearts…Again, I am so sorry about your sweet angel ~ she is with Zira and all of the other tripawd anfgels who will watch over her with love…..We all are going through the most emotional times of our lives as we find out our most loved dogs have cancer and we would have to say goodbye one day. But say goodbye to them is because we love them so much ~ they are now running free! !Hugs and prayers to you and your family ♥
Spirit Indiana and his mom ~Carol~~
(sorry aboout the angels typo!) xo