Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yay for good ultrasound! I'm sure Karen will be by shortly to answer your questions about chemo/radiation. I would think it might depend on how clean the margins are after surgery. But a clean ultrasound is wonderful news! Like Sally said you've got a whole boatload of healing energy directed right at beautiful Belle. Keep us posted! Love and hugs ((()))
Linda, Riley & Spirits Ollie & Mighty Max
Thanks Linda and Im so sorry about Ollie; Him and Max months apart is beyond unfair. Sometimes I dont see things in a timely matter. I am sorry that your heart aches and you still have time/energy to devote to me and others. I love you for it and my prayers and thoughts are with you.
Deb, Belle and Angel Zeus
Hi Deb,
From my own experience and research radiation and/or chemo is often done after a MCT removal, especially if clean margins were not obtained.
I think you have a couple things to weigh-
The location of Bella's tumor is not good, and the chance of clean margins is not great.
Bella's tumor is a grade II with a MI of 1 which indicates a not very aggressive cancer. Chances are good that after surgical removal without further treatment that it would not return, even if the margins aren't clean. Tani had at least one tumor removed without clean margins and it never returned.
What I had to do with my pugs was weigh everything- their age, other health issues, how they did at the vet, how they did with anesthetic. Radiation would have required Maggie being 'put-under' over and over for the duration of treatment. I would not have done rad with Maggie because she did not do well with anesthetic- we almost lost her a couple times and I didn't think she would survive the treatment.
I hope you are consulting with an oncologist who can give you all your options and who you can help you make these decisions. It is not easy to choose- mast cell can be very unpredictable. It might help to decide what are not options for you and Bella- like I did ruling out rad.
Did you get the PM I sent?
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Karen, (and all) and i did get the message. I sent the vet the email and all my questions were answered. Started Belle on Pepcid and Benedryl tonite. Surgery is in the morning and it should be 2-3 hours.Im having other little things I see on her taken off and the bigger ones biopsied although nothing looks/behaves like the one on her butt. It was true to the disease; it got bigger than smaller than bigger again. It changed color a few times but its been mostly status quo for the past 2 weeks. Im glad its coming off tomorrow and I will give an update in the afternoon. Thanks again everyone and please keep the prayers and positive energy coming. Love you.
Deb, Belle and Angel Zeus
I hope all goes well tomorrow- I'll be looking for an update.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Okay, you have a plan and GREAT insight from Karen.
I'm just so darn sorry you, and Belle, have to go through this...and quite piffed off about it! I knkw it's jard ro wrap you head around this but one thing you must remember: "This does not equal that!" Belle's case is very different from your precious Zeusy and actually has a CURE rate!! Jist try and remember that, okay?
In the meantime, if you don't drink alcohol, now is the time to start. Drink a whole lot.just for tonight! You'll be so hungover tomorrow you won't even feel like worrying. OR...just gorge on every si gle sweet and junk food you can find tonight! Chocolate is always my preference!
You better believe we are wrapping you and Belle us in Tripawd positive energy! Powerful stuff those hugs are!!
Lots a d lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS...Pug Maggie and Tani..THANKS for still touching lives!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Will be sending healing prayers for today for beautiful Belle and you too. Will be waiting for your update. As Karen says an oncologist can best guide you they're the experts. Thank you for your kind words and much love right back at you!
Linda, Riley & Spirits Ollie & Mighty Max
Sending you lots of love!!!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Hi all...
Belle did "amazing" during/after surgery! She was in the car 2 hours after going home! Vet Dr Kristen stated that she went well beyond the perceived tumor margin not once but twice. Area looks great and I promised as a RN that does wound care, I would keep it clean after all her poops and pee pees. She also took off several, no eight areas that I was probably overly concerned about, and I requested those areas be biopsied too. The tumor margins will be stained, but she confident; and ALL pathology reports are being forwarded to me ASAP. So there wont be; "It was probably left in someones mailbox", as I heard when Zeus was dying of Osteo, which of course someone forgot to tell me about. I can only summize that God needed him more than I....(I love you Zeus)
The xrays also looked great but Dr Kristen is getting a Radiologist to look too because she knows how I felt about Zeus and the nonsense I endured from "Professionals". She had 2 Rotties that died of Osteo too and she understands my heartache. I ended up paying for twice what the original surgery cost because I will not leave any stone unturned for Belly; xrays, biopsies, injectable antibiotic...We all here get that. So I will wait for the biopsy and keep everyone posted. Please continue with the positive thoughts and energy, we feel you we hear you and I can only hope you all know how much we love you and we pray for you and your Tripawds!
XOXO
Deb, Belle and Angel Zeus
Thanks for the great update! Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Deb,
I am sorry I am just seeing this. I am so sorry to hear about Belle. I am glad she came through the surgery well and they came up with clean margins. I hate this frickin disease.
Use baby wipes after the potty Bosch has fistualas and that is always what I used. I used for sensitive skin with no extra stuff in them.
Keep us informed of her status.
xoxoxo
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Great update! Love the fact that you're being way proactive than reactive! Belle has such a huge advocate in you! Michelle wonderful suggestion on using the baby wipes for sensitive skin. I never would have thought about that. Deb take a deep breath and hope you can get some rest tonight. Hopefully the worst is over and you'll get a good report with nice clean margins. I'm saying my prayers for that to be true. Much love and many hugs!
Linda, Riley & Spirits Ollie & Mighty Max
Oh Deb...I jave tears for so many reasons!! Tears of joy because this IS going to be a good outcome for Belle. Tears for wishing you didn't have the heartache of all the "missteps"that happened with Zeus....okay...flippin' screw ups!!
Goodness knows Zeusy is doing a good job of watching over you and Belle!
So glad all those positive thoughts and healing energy are being heard, felt and received!!
You are doing an extraordinary job of making sure no stone is unturned! And make no mistake about it, you did everything possible for Zeus based on the Information the professionals" gave you and you had NO reason to look beyond that information. No reason!
You have done a stellar job for Belle and I am so glad things are looking so bright! It's wonderful Belle, and you, have Dr. Kristen. Clearly she "gets it" and will be extra cautious abput everything she does with Belle!
A celebration for Belle is in order...and for her very brave Mom!
Lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Sounds great so far! Hoping for the best possible path report(s)!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Oh Deb Sally is so right. You were such an advocate for Zeus. You could only go by the info your were given with him by the professionals. You can't know what you don't know. Your tragedy has taught us all a lot of lessons. Zeus' journey has made us all stronger advocates for our fur babies here. Zeus continues to work through you daily. Much love!
Linda, Riley & Spirits Ollie & Mighty Max
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