Xan Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Oh my goodness!! How on earth you managed to write that so coherently under the circumstances I do not know! :blink That's a lot to sort through. I'll be chanting for good tests tomorrow!! Many hugs: :grouphug My Inspirations: Grey Pogo, borzoi Katie, Meep the cat, AND MY BELOVED DH!!!Missing Rowdy, Coco, Brilly, Happy and Wabi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Good grief. My heart goes out to you in getting through these further tests and deciding what is best for your pupper. Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeForHounds Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 My heart just sank to my toes. I can`t imagine how you are getting your head around this. Have you contacted Dr Couto at OSU to ask his opinion. If nothing else they can provide the chemo drugs at no cost to you. 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...
crazygang Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 You're all in our thoughts..... Run free our beloved Sir Snowy, Pip, Queenie, Sadie, Tess & Rosie until we meet again......I would rather feel the thorn than to never see the rose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Sending lots of prayers! Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ScottH Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmswartzfager Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Cripes, FL! That's just crazy! Wow. Definitely get in touch with Dr. Couto/Greyhound Wellness Program at Ohio State. They'll want to have the pathology reports and surgical notes (at a minimum) sent to them, just so you know, so that no time is wasted. If it's the same oncologist at CVRC that we dealt with when Tyler had his bone tumor, she trained under Dr. Couto and is somewhat receptive to having him on board. I'm almost positive it is the same doctor, but I can't find any records right now to confirm. Deanna with galgo Willow, greyhound Finn, and DH BrianRemembering Marcus (11/16/93 - 11/16/05), Tyler (2/3/01 - 11/6/06), Frazzle (7/2/94 - 7/23/07), Carrie (5/8/96 - 2/24/09), Blitz (3/28/97 - 6/10/11), Symbra (12/30/02 - 7/16/13), Scarlett (10/10/02 - 08/31/13), Wren (5/25/01 - 5/19/14), Rooster (3/7/07 - 8/28/18), Q (2008 - 8/31/19), and Momma Mia (2002 - 12/9/19). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jerrybird Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 My heart goes out to you with the hard decisions you are facing right now. Give Drake an extra hug from us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FLT Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Thank you - Dr. Couto's name keeps coming up (and I can see why!). I'm going to work with the vet's office to get the information together and faxed over to Dr. Couto's office soonest, and will give him a call to ask for the consult (and one hopes, help with Chemo if nothing else). I appreciate everyone's kind thoughts. As you can imagine we are beside ourselves, and sort of flailing in place at the moment. Hoping that Drake's X-rays and Ultrasounds all come back clear today first - and then we'll see what tomorrow brings. FL Cripes, FL! That's just crazy! Wow. Definitely get in touch with Dr. Couto/Greyhound Wellness Program at Ohio State. They'll want to have the pathology reports and surgical notes (at a minimum) sent to them, just so you know, so that no time is wasted. If it's the same oncologist at CVRC that we dealt with when Tyler had his bone tumor, she trained under Dr. Couto and is somewhat receptive to having him on board. I'm almost positive it is the same doctor, but I can't find any records right now to confirm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patsy Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 White light coming your way as you and the docs make decisions. Patsy and DH with the Humane Society specials, Linus & Jazz, in North Dakota Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FLT Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Heard back from the vet's office about the X-rays and Ultrasounds. Chest X-rays (3-views) were all clear, no growths seen. Heart Ultrasound was entirely clear, no growths seen. Abdominal Ultrasound was almost clear - with the exception of one "small marble" sized nodule on his spleen. The vet said however that the odds are (not that odds have been working in our favor yet) that it is not Hemangiosarcoma because they would expect to see multiple growths and not just one. They theorize that it may be a normal non-cancerous growth that may appear on the spleen as dogs age (he said evidently that most dogs start getting nodules appear on the spleen as they get older? Anyone heard of this?). While they were looking in the abdomen they also noticed that the walls of his bladder appear to be abnormally thick and the ultrasound shows debris in the bladder that does not show on x-ray. The vet said it is unrelated to cancer, but I gave approval for them to pull some urine out (using a needle - which he said was similar to a blood draw in trauma, not very bad) and test it. We would be surprised if he's got a UTI with as many antibiotics as he's on right now, but may as well test it as long as he's there. I go pick up Drake after work today. They'll have copies of the medical file (surgical notes and pathology reports) available for me to take with me, so I can get it to Dr. Couto. I left a voice mail on the Greyhound Wellness Clinic line a little while ago requesting their help and letting them know I was pulling documentation together for them. After we get Dr. Couto's opinion we'll finish deciding how we want to proceed. Continued suggestions and experiences are very welcome. Thank you, FL (and Drake) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patsy Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Upping the white-light quotient coming your way. Patsy and DH with the Humane Society specials, Linus & Jazz, in North Dakota Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FLT Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Thank you! It is greatly appreciated! Upping the white-light quotient coming your way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xan Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Hoping hard for helpful info from OSU and the urine draw. And lots of other hoping, while I'm at it. My Inspirations: Grey Pogo, borzoi Katie, Meep the cat, AND MY BELOVED DH!!!Missing Rowdy, Coco, Brilly, Happy and Wabi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetdogs Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 I'm sorry for this diagnosis, but you'll be in good hands with OSU. Nothing but good healing thoughts to you & Drake. Deirdre with Conor (Daring Pocobueno), Keeva (Kiowa Mimi Mona), & kittehs Gemma & robthomas. Our beloved angels Faolin & Liath, & kittehs Mona & Caesar. Remembering Bobby, Doc McCoy, & Chip McGrath. "He feeds you, pets you, adores you, collects your poop in a bag. There's only one explanation: you are a hairy little god." Nick Galifinakis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FLT Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 So has anyone actually taken their dog to OSU for amputation surgery, instead of doing it locally? It seems to me that they've got all the experience in the world with greyhounds - especially as relates to bleeding and recovery after surgery - but maybe that we'd have to have follow-up care locally? It's about a 7 hour drive for us, according to google maps. (We live in Laurel, MD) I'm going to inquire if that's an option - but the drive may ameliorate a lot of the benefits. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenwinniesmom Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 Wow, I've been following Drake's story, but haven't posted till now. I just wanted to tell you what an excellent job you're doing of taking care of your boy. You have gotten hit with so much bad news at once, it's a wonder your brain isn't exploding! Right after the diagnosis is such a difficult time. Your comment about "flailing in place" describes it very accurately. You are faced with so many options, alternatives, questions, etc. And you only want to do what is best for Drake. We didn't do Winnie's amp at OSU, but I think there are some people here who did. In any case, they are invaluable as a resource, and second or third opinions. Given the unusual combination of 2 types of cancer, I think they would be very interested. I wish I had some experience with these types of cancer so I could give you some excellent advice, but I don't (it was osteo and lymphoma with Winnie and Patsy). But so many of us do have experience with this struggle---what should I do, how should I do it, when should it happen. So when I say that we are with you and Drake in this journey, please know that it's true. You and your sweet boy are in our prayers. Please continue to let us know how he's doing---and how YOU are doing too. Nancy, Mom to Evangelina and Kiva Missing Lacey, Patsy, Buster, my heart dog Nick, Winnie, Pollyanna, Tess, my precious Lydia, Calvin Lee, my angel butterfly Laila, and kitties Lily, Sam and Simon My Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Catsburgandhoundtown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fasave Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 Incredible story. You're doing a great job managing the situation. My grey has had two soft tissue sarcomas in the last year. One on the front leg and one on the back. They got clean margins with both, although the leg will be questionable as they didn't get the amount of margins they like to get. I was going to pursuit radiation as follow-up for the leg but a friend was going through the same thing with her grey (same time, same location) and they didn't get clean margins. Dr. Couto recommended to her an injectable chemo that was still in "trial" phase. We live in Boston and she was able to find a vet in RI to administer it. I believe it's been 6 or 7 months since the treatment (3 shots versus 3 weeks/5 days a week of radiation & substantially cheaper) and her boy is showing no signs of regrowth. Definitely follow up with Couto. You never know what he might be working on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FullMetalFrank Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 I am sorry you guys did not get better news with the test results; but it sounds like you are being very proactive with Drake and will get him what he needs. I will keep your sweet boy in my prayers for his difficult journey ahead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FLT Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Drake is back to the vet tomorrow for suture removal and bandage change (or possibly removal entirely) on both legs. I hope to hook up with Dr. Couto as well, and get him all the information he needs to give us a second opinion before we make any final decision about Drake. Thank you all, FL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Gezz--sorry. I wouldn't hesitate to make the 7 hour drive to OSU! Dr Couto is THE Dr to see--IMHO. I'm sure that other folks will chime in but, I have stayed at a Red Roof hotel in Columbus--wasn't to fancy but, it will be close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xan Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 FL, how's it looking today? How are you all doing? Sending hugs to you all! My Inspirations: Grey Pogo, borzoi Katie, Meep the cat, AND MY BELOVED DH!!!Missing Rowdy, Coco, Brilly, Happy and Wabi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FLT Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Hi everyone (and hello Xan - thanks for checking in today) I'm just back from taking Drake to have his sutures removed. The rear leg is healing well, the Dr. thinks - but now that the sutures are out there is some gaping in the middle of the incision. He re-wrapped it with a pressure bandage and says it should be fine in a week. I managed to snap a VERY quick photo of it before it got re-wrapped. I insisted on seeing the legs before they were re-wrapped this time - was very demanding about it! The front leg isn't doing as well. The incision itself is healing fine, and is all together nicely - however the skin on top of where some of the tumor was on top of the paw is dying. He's got an almost dime sized section where the skin has either died (as in - open wound now) or is looking like it is about to die. Dr. P was sort of hoping we had made our decision about the front leg amp, because it could of course take care of this issue pretty handily. I'm still holding out to talk to Dr. Couto first - but know that we need to make up our minds sooner than later of course. In the meanwhile, they pressure wrapped the front, and we'll see what it's doing in a week. I suggested hydro-therapy but Dr. P said it's a blood supply issue, rather than a healing issue. Sorry I need to run to class, so I can't post that one photo just yet - lab tonight, but I'll get it posted tomorrow.. along with current photos of both pups. Thank you very much, everyone - I appreciate your support and kind thoughts more than I can express. It really helps me hold it together. Hugs to all, FL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest trevdog Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Sending many more prayers your way.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest eaglflyt Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 I've just ready your story updates. I'm so very sorry about the diagnosis. I'm praying for Drake and the decisions you're having to make. ((((HUGS)))) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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