Maggie’s life saving surgery

We are the Adams-Piegza family. Six years ago our sweet Rottie, Maggie, joined our family and has been our best friend and “first born” little girl ever since. When our daughter, Ava, was born, sweet Maggie became lovingly known as “Sissy.” Maggie is a gentle giant and the sweetest puppers you will ever meet. Last March, just shy of her 6th birthday, we noticed she had a limp, which was getting progressively worse. Maggie has always been a healthy weight and is in good phyical condition. I just had that feeling something was not right. We made an appointment for the vet and after x-rays and a North Star oncologist consult, we were told she has Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and its terminal. We were told 2-6 months. We were utterly devastated. I will NEVER forget the look on my husband’s face. He couldn’t even get the words out. We were told her bone has been eaten away, and when it finally breaks, it will be excruiciating and it will be time to out her down. We prayed to make her final weeks memorible and to keep her as comfortable as possible. We prayed to make it to her 6th birthday on April 19th and our prayers were answered. We began palliative care and continued to pray over our sweet puppy. 2 months passed, 3 months, 6 months….we were soo thankful for our time together. Every day felt like we were on borrowed time. We were told to look for a vicious cough which would mean it spread to her lungs…thankfully that never came. After a while, we began to wondered if maybe they were wrong with the Big C diagnosis. Then, her limp started to get worse. We could see the tumor protruding. “Please God, let’s make it through the holidays and our daughter’s 4th birthday,” we prayed.

About a week ago, Maggie was outside and Martin screamed to me, “Maggie’s hurt.” The yelppie cry she made is one you never want to hear. I thought that was it. We called the mobile vets to come to her house as we did not want to risk the pain of a car ride. Her leg was swollen and she was no longer baring weight on it. The mobile vet came and said , “There is definitely an issue with her leg, but if it was osteosarcoma, she was either misdiagnosed or is a living miracle. She has too much fight in her to give up now.” Okay! We decided it was time for an oncology consult. We knew it would be expensive, but boy were we in for a surprise. The consult alone was $1,800 not to mention the first vet bills and the ‘round the clock medicine. We had the date set, held our breaths, prepared for the worst, but trusted in the Lord. Last night, we were told the most amazing news. Maggie’s cancer has NOT matasticized and is local to her right foreleg. Sadly, the bone is shattered and she is in pain. We were told if we can amputate the leg, she will no longer be in pain, and will live a long and happy life loved by her family. We do have pet insurance, but it only covers a portion of the procedure. We are looking at costs close to around 10k for the surgery alone, and then intensive aftercare while she heals. Sadly, we just do not have that kind of money, and time is really working against us. Our options are surgery or to put her down. I keep praying over the situation for guidance and answers. My husband reminded me, she would do it for us in a second. And she would. Our little girl deserves to be happy, healthy and most of all pain free. One operation can give her her life back and us our “Sissy” back. The doctors at Cares (Blue Pearl, Langhorne, PA) assured us she is young enough and in terrific physical shape to have a successful procedure. We are so thankful for any amount you can contribute. We would NEVER ask for help, but we are truly out of options. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We appreciate you simply reading our story. 

—With Love, Grace, and Gratitute,

Lisa , Martin, Ava & Maggie.