Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So Tate's path report was missing what I figured was a key piece of information, and that is, what'd they find in the lymph nodes? Anything?
So I asked that of the oncologist this morning, and he said that they couldn't find a lymph node. Okay, you took my dog's whole entire leg including the entire hip joint and even some of his pelvis - and you couldn't find a lymph node?
I guess in the end it doesn't matter. We're moving forward with chemo so the course of treatment doesn't hinge on what's in the lymph nodes. But I'd kinda like to hear, "We didn't find anything in the lymph nodes." Right now, I'm trying to decide who to NOT recommend or even advise against. The surgeon or the pathologist.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
It is pretty standard to take the lymph node when removing the entire scapula. Did they remove the leg at the shoulder joint? If so then the lymph node is probably still present in the axillary area.
Pam
No, sorry, it was the back leg. A hemipelvectomy.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
The pathology report on Rio said they had trouble finding any lymph tissue, too. They speculated that either her tumor had enveloped the node or that it had originated in the node and it basically "took over." Either way, they had trouble finding her node as well.
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Sorry, I wasn't paying attention! It can be harder to find an inguinal lymph node of it is not enlarged.
Pam
Thanks to both of you! I'm not sure what went wrong, just a little discouraged the oncologist wasn't a little more positive about the outlook, that's all.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Don't be discouraged. The oncologists base a lot of what they tell us on statistical data, and you have to have someone on both sides of the percentages in order to have those numbers. I read it all the time on here -- dogs that have been given less than an optimistic prognosis that far exceed their doctor's and owner's expectations. On the bright side, if there was no lymph node, then there's less chance of lymph node involvement, right?!
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Yes, you're right. And I suspect they lean toward the conservative side, don't want anyone coming back to say "But you said ___!" And I'd probably do the same thing, lots of litigious people out there.
Tate has been doing something "new" every day, meaning something he hasn't done since pre-surgery and we get all pumped about it. Yesterday he scratched behind his right ear with his remaining hind leg for the first time. Today, he tried to scratch behind his left ear with his missing leg! "Dang! What's going on here?" He figured out a way around it. But Rick scratches all over his left side for him every once in awhile, and he really likes that. Follows after Rick, "Do it some more Dad, do it some more!"
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Maggie did the 'air scratch' for awhile too... she would stick her chin out on her left side and her little stump would move. I became responsible for scratching the left side 
.
She stopped doing it at some point- I don't remember when- maybe once she had me trained!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Rio has pretty much stopped scratching altogether. She rubs her muzzle and head on the couch post-breakfast, and she'll lay on the floor and rub her front paws over her nose and forehead, but that's about it. But when I scratch her, she totally gets into it! She's leans and groans, and her little butt nub wiggles when I hit certain spots on her back. Aww! It's the least I can do for my girl! 🙂
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riosmom said:
Don't be discouraged. The oncologists base a lot of what they tell us on statistical data, and you have to have someone on both sides of the percentages in order to have those numbers. I read it all the time on here -- dogs that have been given less than an optimistic prognosis that far exceed their doctor's and owner's expectations. On the bright side, if there was no lymph node, then there's less chance of lymph node involvement, right?!
Please don't fall victim to statistics. It will make you miserable. I wasn't aware I was a victim, but I knew I had this horrible fear as Trouble approached the 12 month mark, that her days were numbered. And to make it worse, during that time we began to lose other tripawds at the 12 - 14 month mark. My fear escalated. And then one day it was gone. I was sitting outside with her, enjoying the sun and all of a sudden I was aware I was no longer afraid she would die. I knew of course one day she would, but the fear was gone. Trouble lived an amazing 27 months 20 days cancer free. We had to let her go, but not due to cancer. Enjoy the time you have, don't let it be jaded by fear.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
shanna is so right!!! don't fall prey to the 'nostrodamus numbers'. fear is a stealer of joy!!!!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
This is why I love this place, everyone's been through it, or is working through it and share everything. Control freak that I am, I've been wanting to fix it. Hey, you can only do so much!
Good news of the day is that Tate's 48 hours + past chemo and no barfing. Gotta like that!
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Way to go, Mr. Tate! Keep up the not barfing 🙂
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