Dear Friends,Again...THANK YOU for your continuous support, prayers and thoughts for strength for this journey with MAX's health!!! I remained totally overwhelmed by this 'cyber-tsunami' of goodwill.
I am determined to try and bring a little positivity to today's post despite the angst surrounding our lives. For this reason, I'd like to update you with the status quo at this particular moment and also to give you a glimpse of the world around us which remains unaffected by our dear MAX.
With a lot of pushing and shoving, I managed to get to see Max's specialist this morning. Dr Miller at RANDRIDGE SPECIALIST VETERINARY HOSPITAL has taken over Max's case. Our journey with Max's health has been speeded up somewhat. Max will undergo a large batch of brand new tests today - including a number of chest Xrays, scans, blood tests and aspirations of the 'tumour'. We will be fetching Max at 5pm, SA time, this evening and Dr Miller will be phoning us later to give me a full rundown of Maxi's condition. At that point we will be in a much better position to make some concrete decisions regarding Max.
OUR HOPE FOR TODAY (according to Dr Miller) is that there is no evidence of Cancer or that it appears anywhere else in his body. Also, we hope that the tumour is benign. We should hopefully know all this by tonight.
Although today is anxious again, I am very confident that Max is in the best hands possible in South Africa. Dr Miller is highly respected! Your prayers, however, remain as important as anything else.
Please note that as I hear anymore updated information, I will be putting it up in the
'CHAT BOX' in the tool bar on the R.H.S. of this blog. Sometimes I am unable to post a full blogpost immediately, but I am sure that the CHAT BOX will help us all through this hurdle. Please watch it (if you like) for any further information to this post.
Here are some pictures from yesterday...
TOFFEE has taken up the role of watch dog...and determined to find a way to climb the high garden wall... 
The picture below tells so many things: This was taken last night (when visitors were around)...it's Max's way of inviting us in. He is spending most of his time flat on his summy on the floor, but occasionally rolls over, like this...NOT to play...but seemingly to ease the pressure on his abdomen. 
Yes, life still carries on around us. The preparations for the 2010 Soccer World Cup are having a major impact on all the cities in our country. Last evening there was a presentation on our television showing what our stadiums are currently looking like. I took some photos of the TV which seemed to have come out quite well. I know some of you are interested so here they are...
The above stadium is at "SOCCER CITY" in Johannesburg.It can accommodate approx 103 000 spectators. It is an incredible building - shaped like an African Calabash (type of pumpkin).
The Stadium in Durban...
One of the logo's which can be seen everywhere...
So that's our post for today.
72 comments:
Max, we are hoping for the best possible results from your tests! All of our paws are crossed and we're praying as hard as we can. Hang in there, beautiful boy!
Aire-hugs,
Poppy, Penny & Patches
No words can express how much our hearts go out to you right now. What a roller coaster ride.... Some things just aren't meant to be understood, I suppose. Please give Max a big hug from us all, we love him from half a world away! And Brutus sends big sloppy Frenchie kisses for all for you. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Michelle, Mason & Brutus
Hello again from the North...
this is indeed no good news!
Max will let go when he knows the time is right. It will be peacefull! We have been thru exactly the same with Fritz - and now hubby is suffering from something similar...
Just enjoy the days that are left for you to enjoy; they will be a great gift!
We are thinking of you!
Hugs and Tailwags
~✿~
Beatrice and Gizmo from
www.gizdog.blogspot.com
We are very saddened by the news but we will pray harder and we are here to give you all the support we can as you go through this hard time with Max. We treasure each day that he is well and see his wonderful smile.
We believe that Dr Miller will do all he can for dear Max and we continue to believe in miracles as well.
We love you Max and stay strong, Max Mom.
-Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Scrappy & Bullet
Just read your post on Google Reader and came over and saw your update. We are so incredibly sorry to read the update.
My only offering is this -
We formed some of our fondest memories of Nikita after we were told there was nothing more we could do. She remained happy and pain free, our walks were slow and short, and our time was incredibly precious. Please give Max - and family - hugs from The Herd.
Thanks for your update !!!!
But its sad news :(
Max you are in our thoughts
and we will pray for you .....
We send also many positive power to Max Mom !!!!
We will think on you both ...
We love you Max.
Kareltje =^.^=
Anya :-)
Sweet Max, our prayers are with you!
Love Naqvee
Woof! Hope that the medication will eliminate Max's pain n provide him much comfort. Continuing to send my Golden Healing Thoughts. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
Max
Very sorry to hear your news. The herd is right... the most precious moments are now. You are in our thoughts too.
norwood
What can we possibly say. We are just so, so sorry. Solace , such as it is, comes in the fact that his remaining days will be spent in peace at the heart of the family that loves him.
Maxdog, I am so sorry to hear this, it just doesn't seem fair or right. I hope he can remain as comfortable as possible for as long as possible.
Your bogger friends love you lots!
tears and hugs,
Moose + Dana
No, no, no, this is just so not what anyone wanted to hear. Our hearts go out to you and we hope that you and Max can find peace, love, and joy together for whatever time he has left. Words fail us now but know that our hearts are full of love for all of you now.
Hugs, the OP Pack and Mom
Such sad news today.. We were so hoping it was going to be better news. In the short while we have known you, you have got right to our hearts and through your blog we feel as though we know you. Please know that we are thinking of you and sending out prayers, purrs and hugs your way in the hope that it helps in some smal way to ease your heartache.. Hugs GJ and Carol x
Oh no, what sad news.
My heart dropped when I saw your title at the top of my dashboard.
Here's hoping that Max will hang on as long as he can but let you know when it's time to go.
I am really sorry.
Oh Maxdog! I'm hurting for you. Sending love, strength, and comfort...
Dear Max and Caryl,
With great sadness we can only say we love you Max, and will keep you in our prayers daily.
Until, and after, you give Max the Great Last Gift, he will be a dog we will all remember with love.
Know that we are with you for these next days,
Kisses,
Stella and Jo
C,
Cherish each day and know that you are in my heart.
Big hugs for you and Max,
Kit
I think about you and Max a lot, and I hoped so fervently that the news would be good. My heart is with you, and I'm trying to send you strength.
Just as you said, love him with every ounce of your being (just as you always have) and shower him in hugs and kisses.
Many of us, all across the globe, are thinking of you.
I was hoping for such different news! We are sending you and Max lots of cyber hugs. I am so sorry they didn't have better news. We're praying that you have many more good days left together!
We are thinking of you today!!!!
Elizabeth & Luna
Max, you know are hearts are breaking for you and your Mom.
We were at the cinema last night watching The Princess and the Frog. At the very beginning of the movie a star is shining in the sky and the words "when you wish upon a wish" are sung. Murray jumped up from his seat and pointed to the screen and shouted out "I wish for Max to get better". After someone, shouted out in response, "Whose Max" - Murray shouted back "He's my friend in South Africa and he's dying" - you could have heard a pin drop in the cinema.
At the very end of the film when all their dreams are coming through Murray jumped up again and shouted "I wish Max to get better, Star". He got a round of applause in the cinema for you Max.
We know you aren't getting better - the NSLM knows and understands that Max, but he couldn't help but wish upon a star and hope for a miracle.
We sincerely hope you get to spend a little more time surrounded by the love of your family.
We love you Max!
Murray and Clive
We know that your hearts are breaking right now and we continue to send prayers of strength for all of you.
Wow - the previous comment from Murray and Clive really got to me. So wish you had gotten better news about Max. Try to enjoy each day with him and we'll be thinking of you. T & Kathy
Clive's comment also has tears running down my face. Oh Max and Mom, we are praying for you. We will keep checking for your updates on the sidebar.
Hugs and kisses,
Emma Rose and the Duchess
Hoover the Battery Powered Dog sent me your way, to wish you all best wishes in enjoying each and every day that you are blessed to have with Max. My heart goes out to all of you as this is the same thing that happened to my 12-year old dalmatian in 2004. I well know your pain, and the hurt in your heart. Even though we don't know you Max, we are sending all the hugs we have to you and your family today. You're a lucky dog to have such a special family who loves you so much!!!
~Oz Girl and her pack of 3, Ringo, Tori and Trixie
We're so sorry woo didn't get better news. But it is such a blessing he will come home to bask in your love for what ever time he has. Cherish every moment. We're keeping woo in our prayers.
sad woos,
jack, moo, & pat
I hadn't gotten to any blogs yet but in corresponding with Kathie from OP KS, I knew we had to head here straightaway -
We are sorry for the latest update -
Please know that love from all over the world is making its way to SA for you and for your to share with Max from us -
I know we'll light a candle to let our furiends already across The Bridge to prepare an extra special greeting for an extra special Golden heart -
I wish I could write more now but the words elude me -
Much love and long distance support,
Khyra and Phyll
Oh my dear ones, I am so heartbroken for you. I too am at a loss for words. Know how much Max and you are loved. Cherish every moment with your beautiful boy. I am so sorry, Caryl.
Much love,
Cloud and Kathleen
We are so sorry to hear the bad news.. Keep your chin up at least you have some more time with Max. Enjoy it to the fullest...
Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie
We so wish it could have been better news. At least Max will be home with you. We hurt for you.
Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch and Sue
Just hold him tight and love him.
Not the news anyone wanted to hear - our hearts are breaking with your families' - We'll hold tight in our hearts and prayers -
Love is a wonderful emotion that can make us so happy and hurt us so much.
Clive and Murray have touched our very being -
You've touch more beings than you could have imagined.
Please know that you are surrounded with love.
XXoooXXoooXXooo
I am so sorry. I am praying for you and for Maxx.
Hugs and love, andrea
Max, I hope you are at home at this time. I wish I could express how I feel right now but I have no words.
I love you.
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
Oh, no no no... Please give Maxdog a hug from us in Arizona! Our prayers are with you and Max and all your family.
Sam, Aaron and Christine
We're wordless......
I'm heartbrake now......I'm not able to tell you nothing.....
I'm shocked!!!!!!!!!!!
But.....they told you only 1 lobe was interested....and now....?????
9/10??????
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..........
I don't understand!!!!!!!!!!
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh Maxi............Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh Caryl..........
How much we would love take an airlplane and flight over there immediately!!!!!!!!!
We're sooooooooooo sorry...........
Hope Your boy is at home now with you and his family!!!!!
we're there with you.....
We'll keep you in our hearts every day.....and we give you a big big big and endless hug...
WE LOVE YOU.......
Caryl - we were sooo sorry to read your latest heartbreaking update. Max must be home with you by now. We've been thinking of you and Max so, so much and send him and you and your family gigantic hugs - and Max - huge pats and fur strokes. We are praying that the meds are making Max comfortable. You are in our thoughts throughout the days.
Big Hugs and xoxoxoxoxoxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Sammie and family
I am so, soo, sooo, soooo very sorry! I feel your heartbreak as I've been through something similiar with my own pets.
This news had made me cry. I don't know you or Max and I haven't been following your blog but for a few days but I just can't help it!
No matter how long we have our dogs, it's never long enough!
Sending you and Max all my love!
Oh Max and Caryl, we don't know what to say, but we want to let you know that we are still thinking about you.
Much love,
Gail and Hamish.
Hi Max and family,
Mommy eyes are leaking for you. We were in a very similar place about three weeks ago, and Mommy can empathize. It is just horrible to think about someone not being there. Max loves you so much, as the pictures show, and he is loved by all his e-friends and human and canine friends. I know this is heart wrenching for you, and we ache for you. Mommy is giving Mack something called AHCC and Essiac. We don't know if it will help, but the vet says there is a mass on his spinal colum;and, these things might help. The AHCC is supposed to help shrink masses without killing white blood cells. Please be strong for your Max, and give him love.
Sally Ann
We are so sorry for the latest news on Max. Our eyes are leaking and we have no words. Only purrs and tail wags for Max and you.
We are so, so sorry to hear the latest news about Max. Hugs to you all.
Love Ruby & Penny
We're sorry to hear this! You all remain in our prayers.
Karen and the Ao4
We wish there was something we could say or something that we could do that would help. Our hearts are heavy after reading this post - we were hoping for a miracle and still hope for one. You are all in our thoughts - you are much loved. Much love - JD and Max.
Caryl and the entire family, we are so very sorry that Max must go through this. We are very happy though that he is so very much surrounded by LOVE.
We LOVE Max too!
Big HUGS to Max, Love Tessa and her Mom Blu
OMG We love you and we are so sorry mommy cant stop crying!!! Please know our thoughts are with you!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE Valerie Joey and Kealani
we know max has had 10 years of major loving and his time remaining on earth will be filled now with a special kind of love - we are soooo sorry, it must be very hard, stay strong you are in our thoughts! your honesty through all this helps us all as it is something we all have to face... loves and licks xxx
We echo what the herd said about fondest memories of the dingo when she had liver cancer. to our surprise, she outlasted the 6 month pronosis for 3 more years. and we did it by just making her happy and doing things she COULD do.
please give max hugs from us!
wags-n-wiggles,
wild dingo
Sad news about Max. It was a liver tumor that got our Pooh Bear, too. Boo tumors.
Oh Im am so sorry about the bad news on Max.
I can really tell Max is very much loved and he can feel that.
My cat Babybella is a free bleeder so I give her as much love and attention that is humanly possiable. I don't know how long I will have her either.Her blood disease plays Havoc on her internal organs.
I think Love and Prayers go a long way.
Please give Max a big hug from all of us out here praying for him.
Dear Maxdog and Family, we are thinking of you so much right now and constantly praying for the best results possible! We wish you all the will you need to get through this tough times. We are with you.
Licks,
Kylie and Mommy and Daddy
I have come in a little late to the news about Max. If I duplicate other comments, I apologize. You asked in a post a couple of days ago about whether anybody knows if Max is dying. First, I am not a vet. -- I went through this kind of mystery C thing 2 years ago with Devo (my Golden). He displayed many of the indications, symptoms and behaviors (excessive panting and inability to sleep/get comfortable). Wonderful vets, vet specialists and knowledgeable layman gave me an overwhelming amount of information to process. It is very frustrating not knowing or understanding what is happening to your best friend. In my case, when I knew it was a death sentence (after a frank conversation with a veterinary oncology specialist), my only thought was to:
- Keep him as comfortable as possible for as long as possible.
- Listen to him very closely, because he will let me know when its time.
- Keep researching ways to keep his quality of life high during this borrowed time.
Don't ever hesitate to write whatever is on your mind and/or in your heart on these pages. We all understand COMPLETELY. I envy you for having such a knowledgeable and understanding audience during this most difficult time. I didn't discover the blogging world until after Devo had gone and this was my outlet and therapy. If you are interested, the details of Devo's fight with cancer is the the last few posts at:
http://devodog.blogspot.com
Our prayers are with Max. We'll keep a close watch on what is happening.
KT and Lady
Dear Max and Caryl,
We are all so sad to hear this piece of news. We just came over from Mango Minster when we saw that it was being dedicated to you, Max, with the feeling that the news wasn't what ANYONE had wanted to hear.
Please know that you have SO MANY loving, wonderful friends pouring out our hearts and prayers that things will go as smoothly and painlessly as possible for you, and that Your people will find peace in knowing that they have provided the love that has made your life as wonderful as it has been. May Love surround all of you in your household. Linda and the Country Corgis
I came over from Emma Roses blog, I am so sorry to hear about Max. It sounds as if he has left lots of paw prints on many hearts..what a good boy! Sending our best thoughts from Minnesota:)
Oh no, we are so, so sorry and must apoligize for our Mom leaking all over the computer. At least we can take comfort in the fact that Max will be surrounded by love. We are sending our prayers and healing licks to you and Max.
Love, Chewy & Lilibell
Dear Max,
I hear that you're not well, my heart goes out for you, my eyes filled with sad tears.
I wish you all the comfort and peaceful rest that you could get, pain free and lot of love from all of us.
As you request, I'll feed your fish every time I visit your blog, love to y'all, kisses and hugs to everybody.
Good night, Max.
Oh Caryl - like everyone else, we had been hoping for a miracle and are just devastated to see your latest update. I can't imagine what you must be going through now and I wish there was something mroe we could do for you and Max. We are not religious so we don't pray but we are keeping you and Max in our thoughts all the time. I know you will do everything you can to make his time comfortable and happy - and as I said before, the great blessing with animals is that they only live in the moment, so he will not be worrying or fearing about the future but simply enjoying your love now. And that is really the best gift you can give him.
Love,
Hsin-Yi & Honey the Great Dane
Oh Caryl...we are so saddened by this news...we want you to know that loving thoughts are pouring in for you and Max from all over the world...
We are right here for you....
We love him too...
Kisses to all...
Scruffy, Lacie, Stanny and Mumsie
Clive's Murray expressed so much with a song...we'd like to add another..
"Can you feel the love tonight?"
Your pal,
Petey
Oh dear. This is not the news we wanted to hear. Please know that we keep you in our hearts and prayers. You are surrounded by love. We are here for you.
Feel the hug. Please.
Love
Jake and Fergi, Sally and Nina
I am so very sorry to hear this news. Please know that you are in our prayers.
Hugs,
Twix and Mom
We are so sad to hear this. We are sending lots of love to you from Hawaii!
Love,
Mochi & Mommy
We are very sorry to hear this news. We'll be thinking about you.
Steve and Kat
Sending prayers for soothing peace for you all, especially dear Max. so unfair...
Hi Max, Khyra told us about you. We want you to know that we're thinking about you and sending you good vibes from California.
Love,
Teddy Bear
We know there is nothing we can say to help ease your pain, except to let you know that our thoughts are with you.
We are so heartbroken to hear of Maxdog's diagnosis. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. In the time you have left with Maxdog, which hopefully will be long, continue to make wonderful memories that will last you a lifetime, and beyond.
Peace,
Suka and K
If there is a blessing to be found in this news, it is that Max does not know all the medical things you know. He does not have to anticipate that he is dying.
A few years ago, our kitty was suddenly sick, and we took her to the vet. She examined her and did feel a mass. She drew some blood for tests and we went home. Later in the day she called with the test results that our kitty's liver enzymes were extremely high. Later that afternoon, sweet kitty died on her own, simply breathing more slowly and becoming cooler. She seemed comfortable and okay and never had to return to the vet. We stayed with her and stroked her till the end. I hope Max can go peacefully with you in a similar way.
Hi Caryl and MaxDog,
I'm so so sorry you don't have better news to share with us...my heart breaks for you guys. I wish I could give you and MaxDog a big hug! The two of you have such a great bond, continue to love and comfort each other as long as possible. We are thinking of you!
Denise & Kasha
Max, we are sooooo sorry that the update is not good news. We know that your people will make you as comfortable as possible and that they will love you with all their hearts. Take care, sweet boy!
Aire-hugs,
Poppy, Penny & Patches
Wordless, sad, crying and full of love for you Max and your family!
There is nor much someone from so far away can say or write :( but we are with you and we wish you the strength you need!
xxx Teal'c and Family
We continue to send our good vibes and are praying for Max's well being. We wish him only good days and good news.
- TBH&K
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