Received word around 2pm my local time that Toto was in recovery and awake. The technician I spoke with said that the surgery was longer and harder than they had anticipated. They took Toto’s leg and shoulder and then found a mass of cancer behind her shoulder blade that was the size of a softball. The surgeon removed that and therefore Toto lost more blood than anticipated as well. They are keeping her tonight and hopefully she will be home with us tomorrow. We are going to visit her at 5:30 (it’s 4:30 here now). I simply cannot wait to see her and pat her little head and hug her! My husband keeps saying, “I want to go see my dog!” 🙂 They told us to give her 4-5 hours before we come so 5:30 is even pushing that time. Thanks for the prayers and thoughts today. It sure has been a “ruff” one. I have so many more questions now. Maybe that’s normal. More cancer…seriously? So they’ve pretty much found it everywhere. Do we proceed with chemo? Any thoughts? Will she be in pain with the remaining sources of cancer? I know only my vet and I can answer the questions, but it seems my family and I make tough decisions only to be faced with more. So, my next question….anyone have a silver lining? :/
Thinking of you guys, my hound, Miller, also lost a lot of blood during surgery so I know how nervous and frustrated you mist be feeling, 6 days later he’s finally home but its been a rough week! They can do wonders with modern veterinary medicine! The best bit was today, we brought him home and he immediately acted like he’d never left! You’re in our thoughts & prayers! X
I’m so sorry to read this. I hope you have a good visit with Toto this afternoon! I really have no words of wisdom myself, I know others will chime in who’ve had more experience with cancer and chemo. Just wanted to send along my best wishes for you.
Darn crappy disease sucks!
Toto is out of surgery and they did get rid of that nasty tumor and the leg with the bone cancer…so all that’s gone!
All of his work up prior to surgery was good so, hopefully, you’re done with all these little unwanted surprises! That must have been causing him so much pain
Recovery s no picnic, that’s for sure. But once recovery takes place and all that horrible bone pain is gone, Toto will feel sooooo much better!
For now, just keep it chunked down–one day at a time. Focus on recovery and balncing pain meds, you have plenty of time to decide on chemo, etc,!
This is all so overwhelming and scarey. But once you get your boy home yoj all will feel so much better!
You hang in there! We re here with you! The silver lining is so etimes ot revealed immediately. But, If you think about it—-Toto IS out of surgery and will be home with you soon for all the loving and spoiling one dog can stand
) -) 🙂
Stay strong, get so e rest and please give us an update as soo as you can! I would thi k the vet may keep him a seco d night? Maybe?
You are doing a great job!! Remember, the bone cancer pain is go e!
Sendi g you serenity and peace and a whole lot of silver so you can keep making new linings:-)
Sally and Happy Hannan
Gayle, Family and of course Toto,
I am so sorry for the lousy newsT!hough not the news you were looking for. This damn cancer is ruthless, and really does not care.
I suspect the surgeon doing the amp has not been able to get pathology results yet on the new cancer mass? Once that occurs, likely a discussion with your oncologist is best, to understand the type of cancer and how aggressive it is.
At this point, Toto is going to need all your love and support to get through the initial couple weeks with the amp recovery, BUT you can all do it!!
We did 4 rounds of chemo AND are doing homeopathic treatment with Dr Charles Loops, who came highly recommended on Tripawds as a vet who works strictly with canine cancers.
As several people have said on this site, our animals (buddies) do not have a date stamp on their butts. Hang in their and defy the odds but keep in mind quality over quantity for our tripawds, as I’m sure you will.
Hang in there! Let us know if we can do anything else.
You are in our prayers,
Stirling and Tahoe
What a rough time for Toto and all of you. The good news is he is done with the surgery and on his way to recovery.
Often times the silver lining is you get more time with your baby than you would have had. As Sally said, it sucks, but you just keep fighting on. You really won’t know your next step until you get more detailed info from the vet. After you get some options, come on here and sound them out. Your gut will tell you what is right for Toto and you.
Give him lots of hugs when you see him. Sending pawsitive thoughts your way.
Luanne and Shooter
Yes, a silver lining indeed. I know it’s hard to find one, that’s why we’re here.
First, you removed the terrible pain of the tumors. That’s the most important thing. Whether or not you do chemo is something you can decide later. Right now, take a deep breath and know that Toto is free of that terrible pain and you still have your girl.
Here is a great article written by Dr. Intile, a friend of Tripawds, which discusses why even when cancer behaves badly, amputation is still a good choice:
http://tripawds.com/forums/tips-and-resources/great-osteosarcoma-article-diagnosis-is-cancer-now-for-the-treatment/#p107355
And finally, another silver lining; I had a massive tumor in my shoulder too. It was removed and even though my prognosis was 4-6 months I lived two years! I’m sending all my pawsitivity that Toto does too.
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