What a long day traveling to Blacksburg and back. We arrived there before our 10:00 scheduled appointment time and were shown to an exam room fairly quickly. At first I was kind of disappointed because the oncologist we spoke with didn’t really tell us anything we didn’t already know. Osteosarcoma, blah blah, amputation, chemo, blah blah…. So we discussed a barrage of tests which we chose to have performed on Toto. New chest x-ray to rule out any spread which may have happened since last one, new blood work (her last was done in May), echocardiogram (to make sure her heart was healthy enough for the chemo they recommended) and an abdominal ultrasound. This was optional seeing as how only 5-10% of osteosarcoma patients have metastasis to the liver and spleen. But, since we were there, we opted to have it done. We were told to pick Toto up at 2pm…it was now only 10:15am so we headed out and traveled up to Mountain Lake Lodge for a bit (that’s where my husband and I honeymooned).
I received a call on my cell from the vet at about noon. She stated that during the (optional) ultrasound that they found some lesions on both of her kidneys. They had also noticed an enlarged lymph node by the affected arm…and some other bumps under her skin and on top of her skin. She asked permission to biopsy all of these lesions.
We returned to the hospital to retrieve Toto about 2pm. We finally got called into a room around 3pm. Guess what? We are now dealing with histiocytic sarcoma. So…now what? Well, the prognosis is the same and treatment is similar except that the chemo is oral (CCNU) and also still includes amputation of her limb. (Which we’ve scheduled for next Wednesday, August 7).
Silver lining? (because I always search for one) Two of the attending oncology veterinarians at VT are researching this cancer and it’s treatment. They even asked permission to take some blood samples from our dear Toto for research purposes. I assured them that they’d be writing a paper about how Toto kicked this cancer’s butt in the future. 🙂 The oncologist then asked Toto if she’d like to become famous and Toto gave her a hefty tail wag in response.
VERY impressed with the entire crew at VT. Even with the somewhat depressing news, I’m relieved we made the trip.
Toto just keep fighting the fight. You are not a statistic and it sounds like you’ve got some heavy hitters in your corner. Sorry you had to receivethis additional diagnosis. Stupid disease!
Sending you pawsitive thoughts.
Luanne and Shooter
I know this entire ordeala nd the entire day today, have all be extremely exhausting Don’t even try to wrap your head around it tonignt! I bet Toto’s gon a’ sleep like a log tonight because he’s not worried about a thing…..no stupid diagnosis, no statistic…nothing! Living like a dog in the mo et and enjoying every blkssful second of it..
Now, with cleared nead in tne morning o t “Tips nd Resources nd look at the post Jerry did todayHeck, I can’t remember the title but it starts “Osteosarcoma…….
Anyway, part of what I got out of it is som e of these tests aren’t accurate AND, when some of these “things” are fou d, it doesn’t really change the protocal or much of anything.The vet who wrote the article opts to amputte and treat even if lu g mets have shown up.
Do a search on the site and yo will find others who have dealt with this typeof sarcoma and hve enjoyed extended time with excellent quailty of life! Lots of ti e to love and spoil Toto!!
Stay connected to us! We understand! We are here for you!
Now, look at Toto and see if you can say something to make his tail wag. Now, go hug him and give a big hug to yourself!! ah, that was too little…..a really big hug like you mean it! Yeah, that’s it! Good job!
Lots of love to you. Yojr Toto is a very, very handsome boy! You can jist see his gentleness, his sweetness.
Sally and Happy Hannan
Hey I’m just catching up on your news. Sounds like an overall great appointment even if the news wasn’t as great as we would all have liked it to be (like, the cancer is gone!). But I love your attitude and that can get you through anything.
We have had quite a few members get diagnosed with histio. One, in fact, Barney from Houston, has survived it FIVE YEARS! He’s still going strong as a senior pup. His story is here:
http://tripawds.com/2012/03/06/barney-b-parties-four-years-after-histiocytic-dog-cancer-diagnosis/
We would love to talk to the researchers who are studying histio, if you get a chance, can you let them know we want to talk to them and see if we can get their contact info? Thanks a bunch, I know you have a million things on your mind!
Hugs to you and Toto.
Thanks Jerry! That’s encouraging!
I’ll see what I can do about the contact info. Of course that’s available on VT’s website so maybe that’s an option. Dr. Shawna Klahn there is who we saw. There’s a great article about the oncology program there.
http://www.animalhealthfoundation.net/blog/2012/12/veterinary-school-offers-chemotherapy-for-pets/
It also includes a link to the VT website.
I’ll be sure to let everyone know how Wednesday’s surgery goes. Tomorrow will be Toto’s last day as a “quadpawd”. Mixed emotions here at our house.
Best wishes to you and your girl. She’s lovely. She’ll be in good hands, and tomorrow will be harder on you! Many good thoughts and hearts will be with you all.
Liz and Princess Roxie
Hi Gayle and Toto,
I guess I should have started from the front and moved back in the updates…Anyways, I see that Toto was diagnosed with hystiocytic sarcoma. Though rare in the canine world, unfortunately not in the retriever world.
Our buddy, Tahoe, has periarticular hystiocyctic sarcoma, found in the left front elbow. We went thru 4 rounds of CCNU with Tahoe.
If there is any suggestions, feedback I can provide, please let me know.
Take care, you will get thru this as right now everything seems rather daunting but things will improve.
Stirling and Tahoe
Oh gosh! Any feedback about the CCNU would be very welcome! Any feedback at all about this horrid disease would be welcome! She just seems to have so much cancer…is CCNU worth it? By that I mean will she suffer more while she’s on it than she would otherwise? Is Tahoe a golden as well? THANKS in advance!