Rickiesmom Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 (edited) My 10 year old whippet Rickie's hemangiopericytoma returned in his right rear leg above the knee. He is having surgery tomorrow. The surgery is being done at a specialty hospital that has an oncologist, and pain management specialist on staff. To try and get clean margins around the original site, they will remove an area a bit smaller than the size of your palm down through one layer of muscle. To avoid a skin graft they will make incisions inside the thigh, rotate the skin in order to get coverage, then suture everything up. (They will nevertheless shave all areas where they might take skin for a graft, just in case, so he'll be quite the sight.) He'll be in the hospital for 2 - 4 days, and the recovery period is 2 - 4 weeks. We are in touch with Dr. Couto. We thought long and hard about whether this was the right thing to do, given the long recovery. We also discussed it with two vets we know well. He's healthy and full of life, fun and spunk. We felt it would be wrong not to give him the chance for a longer life, and we will be well supported post-op. We have negotiated with our employers so that one of us will always be working from home so he is never unattended, and the dining room is being converted to a safe and comfortable recovery room where we will sleep with him (futon on the floor so it's low) at night. Although it feels like the right thing to do, I am both worried and scared for him, and praying hard the recovery is as easy and pain free as can be. If anyone has been through something like this, I would so appreciate insights and suggestions based on your experience within the thread or via PM. Thank you for any white light you can send my sweet boy tomorrow. July 18PM: Rickie is out of surgery and doing well. More info in post 22. Edited August 2, 2008 by Rickiesmom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Sending lots of prayers, good thoughts and white light for you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Sending lots o fprayers! You are gluing him to the floor when he comes home, right? Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvgreys Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Sending prayers and light to Rickie, his loving family and all the vet staff working with him tomorrow. May he breeze through the surgery and have an uneventful recovery. Quote Jeanne with Remington & Scooter the cat....and Beloved Bridge Angels Sandee, Shari, Wells, Derby, Phoenix, Jerry Lee and Finnian.....If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heavenand bring you home again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Sending prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Lots of prayers coming from here for your boy. Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LadyChester Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Sending healing thoughts for Rickie and hugs for both of you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Good healing thoughts for Rickie. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CleosMom Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 We're sending lots of healing thoughts to Rickie. Mary, please let me know if we can do anything to help you out. Quote Jennifer Cleo (Golddust Cadilac 83484 Blazing Desire X Greys Blu Fox) Cole (Hallo Jeremy 88778 My Rooster X Bahama Tango) Athena (R and a Peach 93839 Coldwater Guv X R and a Lady) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tampagreymom Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Sending my prayers and good thoughts to you and Rickie. As an owner of a grey who had Hemangiopericytoma, I can only imagine what you are dealing with having it recur. I will pray for clean margins and a quick recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RooRoo Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I wish Rickie the best tomorrow during and after surgery. My boy just had 2 surgeries/graft, April and May for hemangiopericytoma so I know what you're going through. He sounds like a little guy with a lot of spirit so hang in there and don't doubt your decision Take care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirocco_Nikki Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Starting the "clean-margin, pain-free, infection-free and fast-healing" chant for your boy. Quote Drake - Fortified Power x Cajun Oriel Janney - Ronco x Sol Happy Waiting at the bridge: Sirocco - (Reko Sirocco) - Trojan Episode x Reko Princess; Nikki - (MPS Sharai) - Devilish Episode x MPS Daisy Queen;Yukon - (Yak Back) - Epic Prince x Barts Cinnamon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest paulamariez Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Sending prayers and healing white light to your precious little Rickie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeForHounds Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I was just thinking about him today. If you want me to call you let me know. In the meantime, lots of healing thoughts heading south west. Hugs to you as well. Quote Casual Bling & Hope for HoundsJanet & the hounds Maggie and Allen Missing my baby girl Peanut, old soul Jake, quirky Jet, Mama Grandy and my old Diva Miz Foxy; my angel, my inspiration. You all brought so much into my light, and taught me so much about the power of love, you are with me always.If you get the chance to sit it out or dance.......... I hope you dance! Missing our littlest girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Oh Mary- I am so sorry. I will keep you and Rickie boy in my thoughts. I know how much this boy means to you. Please update when you can. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vahoundlover Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Sending lots of prayers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Sending my many prayers. Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted July 18, 2008 Author Share Posted July 18, 2008 Thank you for your well wishes and prayers. We are heading down to the vet hospital shortly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HersheysMom Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Sending lots of warm thoughts and prayers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patsy Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Lots and lots of white light is coming his way and yours, too! Back to chanting now . . . . Quote Patsy and DH with the Humane Society specials, Linus & Jazz, in North Dakota Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Sending lots of prayers and good thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted July 18, 2008 Author Share Posted July 18, 2008 Rickie is out of surgery - surgeon said it went well. Most of you know the relief of hearing those words. Surgeon decided that rotating skin from the inner leg would produce too much tension, so he made an incision along the abdomen instead. Rickie will be in the hospital until, probably, Monday. I wish he could come home sooner but on the other hand think it's good he'll be in a very quiet and managed environment for that first critical period. Now we wait for the pathology report - should be back Tuesday or Wednesday. Thank you for the good thoughts, they really helped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patsy Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Renewing good thoughts and white light! Quote Patsy and DH with the Humane Society specials, Linus & Jazz, in North Dakota Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyGreys Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Sending lots of prayers and good thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 now that the surgery is over, hoping for a successful recovery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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