Hello Tripawd Friends -

 

The description of this group of forums mentions horror stories as a potential topic and, well, I think that's what we have.  As some of you know, Holly, my Tripawd Warrior Princess, has been having a bit of a rough patch over the last few days.  We are in the midst of struggling with watching her discomfort and hoping that we can get past this stage.

 

Holly has been meaning to write a post introducing the rest of her pack, but she hasn't quite gotten around to it yet.  Unfortunately, we now have to introduce one of the Monkey Butts to you under less than ideal circumstances.  Clyde, a pitbull mix, went to the vet today and was diagnosed with oral cancer.  We don't know yet what kind it is - the vet did an aspiration of his lymph node; if the cancer has already spread there, we should get a diagnosis from that early next week.  Otherwise, the next step is likely a sedated or anesthetized biopsy.  Obviously we don't know much yet, but from what the vet has told us so far, what we do know is that our guy is in trouble.

 

We have an appointment scheduled with our new BFF, our oncologist, for Tuesday (I'm going to start having my paychecks just direct deposited to the clinic) to start this entire process AGAIN.  At least I have read all of the cancer books, I guess.  I am aware that I am terrified and devastated, but at this point I am mostly just in shock.  I absolutely cannot believe that this is happening.

 

I am so glad to have found this site.  During the past few weeks, as we have started down this road with Holly, the information has been invaluable and the support maybe even more so.  The sense of community here is just wonderful - from Crystal's mom's helping me think through potential heart problems to the fact that I have Baby's Power Mushrooms sitting on my kitchen counter, I am just blown away.  As the tripawd, Holly will obviously continue to be the main character on her blog etc., but I am so glad to have this resource for cancer information as we move forward with Clyde.  I can't thank you all enough for welcoming us into your community.

 

And now, a little bit of the good stuff...the pics!

 

here is the Clyde:

 

 and Holly & Clyde together:

 

(Holly would like to speak up here and say that this picture should in no way imply that she likes Clyde.  She doesn't want you to get the wrong idea.)

 

Just a couple of months ago on a hike, back before all of this...it seems like forever ago.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

 Alex & Holly