Off to the vet today
- Thread starter Austin's Mom
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I know the wait is probably the worst part of all, but hang in there...
Austin's Mom
Boxer Insane
Well my baby bled thru the bandage so we had to go back to the vet and have it re-bandaged. It's been a long day, considering I stayed up all night to keep an eye on him. The vet said the surgical site looks really good, and that some bleeding is normal. I put a sock over it to keep him from licking.
Austin's Growth
Dear Austin's Mom, I just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know that we're pulling for Austin and for you too. I remember reading your posts a few years ago when my dogs were first diagnosed with MCT's. Your posts made me feel better because Austin was doing well so long after his tumor was removed. I had two dogs diagnosed with MCT's at the same time...not even related to each other. It was weird. One just needed surgery, but the other needed radiation.
Ironically, the one that just needed surgery is the one who has ended up having more MCT's over the years. The second time she was diagnosed, I was a totaly wreck. I just thought that was the end for her. She had two tumors, on top of each other on her left hind leg. I thought she was going to lose her leg, have to go on chemo., was going to die, etc., etc. It turned out that she only needed surgery again. She kept her leg (with a humongous scar on it). The two tumors were really superficial, Grade I's. I just have to keep a really close eye on her forever and have more removed as they pop up. I'm sincerely hoping that Austin's tumor is benign, but if it isn't there a good chance that it's another MCT with a similar grade as his last one. There's also a really, really excellent chance that he'll be just fine....just like my two dogs are now. Believe me, I understand the panic, the worry and the sadness. Try to remain positive because I'll bet anything that he's going to be just fine. The longer I live with dogs with MCT history, the more I understand that as long as I'm vigilant, they'll probably be just fine regardless of whether or not they develop more tumors over time. Most are not Grade III and anything less than Grade III I can handle.
Good luck -- everything is going to be o.k. and Austin will be fine. I just know it.
Dear Austin's Mom, I just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know that we're pulling for Austin and for you too. I remember reading your posts a few years ago when my dogs were first diagnosed with MCT's. Your posts made me feel better because Austin was doing well so long after his tumor was removed. I had two dogs diagnosed with MCT's at the same time...not even related to each other. It was weird. One just needed surgery, but the other needed radiation.
Ironically, the one that just needed surgery is the one who has ended up having more MCT's over the years. The second time she was diagnosed, I was a totaly wreck. I just thought that was the end for her. She had two tumors, on top of each other on her left hind leg. I thought she was going to lose her leg, have to go on chemo., was going to die, etc., etc. It turned out that she only needed surgery again. She kept her leg (with a humongous scar on it). The two tumors were really superficial, Grade I's. I just have to keep a really close eye on her forever and have more removed as they pop up. I'm sincerely hoping that Austin's tumor is benign, but if it isn't there a good chance that it's another MCT with a similar grade as his last one. There's also a really, really excellent chance that he'll be just fine....just like my two dogs are now. Believe me, I understand the panic, the worry and the sadness. Try to remain positive because I'll bet anything that he's going to be just fine. The longer I live with dogs with MCT history, the more I understand that as long as I'm vigilant, they'll probably be just fine regardless of whether or not they develop more tumors over time. Most are not Grade III and anything less than Grade III I can handle.
Good luck -- everything is going to be o.k. and Austin will be fine. I just know it.
Austin's Mom
Boxer Insane
Thank you sooooo much for your reply. It's been 4 years to the month since his first tumor, I don't think they believe this is a MCT, but some other kind of malignancy. They are testing the marrow from the bone of the toe they removed, but his bloodwork was excellent, and his x-rays looked good. So I guess these are all positives for an 8 year old. Back in April I lost my Mom suddenly and unexpectedly. I was with her all the time and now when the kids go back to school Austin is all I have left. I don't know what I would do without him. Especially now. I hate seeing him in pain and uncomfortable, but sacrificing a toe is much better than sacrificing his life. I'm really glad and happy your babies are ok, and I pray they continue to be. Thanks again for your support!
atlasmom911
Boxer Insane
I am sending lots of hugs and prayers for Austin. I hope he is feeling better. Give him a big kiss for me...Linda
Austin's Mom
Boxer Insane
Austin bled thru his bandage again today, so we took him back to the vet. Again. She put three more stitches in it so hopefully this will be the end of it. He goes back Tues. morning. Please keep your paws crossed this will be over then!
Austin's Mom
Boxer Insane
Well Austin didn't get his stitches out today. :( The vet said it looks good but it's not healed enough to remove them, so he soaked his foot and rebandaged it. I feel awful, I promised Aus he wouldn't have the bandage anymore after this morning. So he goes back Fri. morning and I PRAY they can come out then. Still no biopsy results, either.
Austin's Mom
Boxer Insane
Got Austin's results today
I got Austin's biopsy results today, it was some kind of cancer I've never heard of or can even remember the name of. Do you think they'll give me a copy of the report? Anyway, the margins were clean so they feel they got it all, and even tho there is evidence some cells broke off and got into the vacsular system, this type of cancer in not known to metastisize. (sp?) I guess that means spread. They will watch his lymph nodes, and in 6 months he has to get another chest x-ray. He got his stitches out but is still bandaged since the wound is still draining and hasn't closed completely. Ten more days of antibiotics. Better stock up on the peanut butter! So he goes for a re-check on Tues.
Ya know, I feel like I did this to him. When he went for his check up in April the lump on his side was a fatty tumor, and she said he may get more of them. Everything I've had them check so far has been nothing. So when this popped up I figured I'd just watch it and if it grew I'd have it checked. Maybe if I hadn't waited it wouldn't have been so bad. Bad, bad Mommy. :(
I got Austin's biopsy results today, it was some kind of cancer I've never heard of or can even remember the name of. Do you think they'll give me a copy of the report? Anyway, the margins were clean so they feel they got it all, and even tho there is evidence some cells broke off and got into the vacsular system, this type of cancer in not known to metastisize. (sp?) I guess that means spread. They will watch his lymph nodes, and in 6 months he has to get another chest x-ray. He got his stitches out but is still bandaged since the wound is still draining and hasn't closed completely. Ten more days of antibiotics. Better stock up on the peanut butter! So he goes for a re-check on Tues.
Ya know, I feel like I did this to him. When he went for his check up in April the lump on his side was a fatty tumor, and she said he may get more of them. Everything I've had them check so far has been nothing. So when this popped up I figured I'd just watch it and if it grew I'd have it checked. Maybe if I hadn't waited it wouldn't have been so bad. Bad, bad Mommy. :(
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