We have received mixed news this week.  The cancer is in Sparky's lymph node (not good),  but the ultrasound of his abdomen (and a couple of aspirations taken during that scan) came back all clear (very good).  The lump does not seem to have grown at all (3cm).  Sparky still seems to have no pain. There is no limping,  and does not react when the lump is pressed.  He still dances and prances around during our walks. The heat slows him down a lot, but when we go out at 6:00am and 11:00 pm, he still doesn't want to stop after almost an hour.

The oncologist is away this week, but we have had lots of contact with the specialist surgeon who works wih her.  The surgeon told us that when the cancer is in one limb, and the just the closest 'armpit' lymph node, it is still considered localized histiocytic sarcoma.  I trust that she knows her stuff on this one.  I realize that it very likely has micrometastasized, but when I read about Brady, it gives me hope. And after the week of bad news followed by worse news, a bit of hope is a very good thing.

We still don't have the final results from the next step of the bone biopsy.  I think the test they are running is called immunohistrochemistry.  The first step came back indicating 90% histiocytic sarcoma.  The next step will be more definitive.  One alternate possibility is a synovial sarcoma. The surgeon said that the treatment would be the same – amputation and chemo but the prognosis could be better.

We have a tentative amputation scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, which will take place only after I have a long discussion with the oncologist.  The amputation will remove the lump and the lymph node.   I need to understand better whether this is still considered 'localized' or not. And what that might mean for prognosis.

For about 50 minutes every hour,  I feel good about my decision to amputate.  But for those other 10 minutes I think I am putting my boy through huge trauma for the real possibility of 106 days (chemo only) vs 160 days (amp and chemo).

Your Sparky is gorgeous! I wish you peace in making your decision. It is hard because everything comes at you so fast and you have to do a little crash course in cancer treatments and types and options and it is overwhelming. With Abby, who was only 15 months at the time, we found out about the cancer on a monday, got a lung Xray that showed they were clear on the Wednesday and had her leg amped on the friday. A crazy week!

The great thing about the amp is that it takes the pain from the tumor away and, while rough for a couple weeks, the recovery was quite quick. Unfortunately, the Xray did not show the micro met that was lurking there… In a way, I am glad it didnt because we might have chosen differently… And we are now at 9 months post amp (as of today!) and she is doing great. We go to the beach almost everyday and she runs like a maniac for an hour. Who knows how much time is left but the time we have now is awesome. She is our special tripawd gal and always amazing us.

You will find lots of folks on here who have had pretty good experiences with the amp procedure. Dogs are so amazing and adapt so quickly. While you are considering your options this weekend be sure to come on here and ask questions and look at past posts and get whatever support you need. It is really a great group!
Jackie, Abby's mom

I've tried 10 times to post something to you that would help – and I hit the delete key every time – but here goes……

We got a second opinion on Riley when we first found out about the cancer in her leg – we had tests run the day she broke her leg and then had more tests run 3 weeks later (while her leg was in a cast) and the results were actually DIFFERENT!! We knew we still had to amputate so we crossed that bridge and then waited for the bone biopsy. The outcome wasn't good – so I decided to go the K-9 immunity route along with other supplements, diet changes (she was already on EVO for her allergies) etc…. I didn't expect to get to the 6 month mark and yet here we are – (its been a emotional week for me – happy tears).  I wasn't ready to lose my dog and so now every day is precious – she's been my buddy, my shoulder to cry on, my walking partner etc for 10 1/2 years – and I / we will fight every step of the way to have another day….and I wouldn't change a thing.

my motto -

No one knows what the future holds so live each day to the fullest and make each day better than it was the day before. Fill it with belly scratches, licky kisses, long walks, balls and sticks, whatever it may be to create a lifetime of wonderful memories.