Toni DiGiallonardo

Hi
My name is Toni and my sick baby is Rusty. Rusty is a blue/red heeler mix,he is 11 1/2 years old. Rusty has had Epitheliotropic lymphoma for at least 2 years. The doctor said he had six months to live and he is still alive,but I know his time is short. My heart is breaking but I don't let him hear me cry. He has tumors on his gums and now the cancer is attacking the pads of his front feet. I can feel a lump a little bigger then a marble on his upper neck and his breathing is getting labored. He is still eating his boiled chicken breasts with fresh garlic and his cottage cheese and yogart. I feed him 1/3 a can of Hills n/d for lunch. I have been giving him K-9 Immunity from the begining along with vitamins and herbs. I decided not to do Chemo because I didn't want him to feel sick and the vet said it was a 50-50 chance it would help. So God brought us through 2years and I am so thankful he really hasn't suffered. I just kept being lead to build his immune system and lots of LOVE. I'm not very good on the computer, so if I don't respond it's because I can't figure it out and I'm sorry. God Bless all of you and God Bless all of our babies.


Toni

Benpaws

My Dear Toni,
I check in every day to see if somebody else needs a little comfort. I am so sorry to hear of Rusty's illness and good for you to not put him through chemo but give him good nutrition and supplements to build up his immune system. You indeed added two years to his life.
This is very sad and none of us ever wanted to be here, but thank goodness we have a place to come and share our stories. thank you Ted!
My prayers go out to you and Rusty and I too cry daily, but never around Benny who has Mast Cell Tumours. He was operated on in November 2007, but the tumours returned in July, 2008 and now he is on prednisone and had a shot of a cortisone-based drug last week and he is only 6 and a half and "my heart." We too offer him great nutrition and good supplements and of course LOVE. You cannot go wrong with LOVE.
Know that everyone here cares about what you are facing and the "pain" is real and cuts through the very core of your soul.
God Bless you and Rusty and continue to love him every moment. Every day with him is a "gift." You are so much better for having known that kind of love Rusty has given you and continues to give you and you back to him. It is some wonderful kind of a BOND: Human and Dog.

Joanne (Benpaws) & Benny

Toni DiGiallonardo

Dear Joanne & Benny
Thank you for your reply. I,m so touched by your response to people. You're a gift from God and so is Ted. This is a great place to let out you're heart felt feelings without people thinking you've lost your mind. My vet even asked me if I wanted Rusty to live forever? Yes was my reply. My prayers are with you and your little love,Benny. It's all worth it when they look at you and say with their eyes, I love you too. We are going to the vet tomorrow. I think we need an antibiotic and maybe more prednisone. I'm also going see about pain pills and a sedative just in case something happens in the night and I have to drive him to the emergency vet 20 minutes away. Sorry I'm rambling.
Toni & Rusty

Benpaws

Thanks Toni,
You and Rusty will continue to be in my prayers. This "journey" is a difficult one we are all facing and it is good to bond with each other and share the pains and the joys we all have in common.

Hugs, Joanne & Benny