Pearl Update

[MP_the4pack]

Sending prayers that if it has to be cancer, it's a really really slow-growing one that will let her enjoy lots of good time with you.

 

 

Actually, I want the opposite.

 

Sorry I haven't responded earlier. I'm exhausted, first good news, then not. Then maybe still good news, but not. Then maybe another piece of good news, then not.

 

Here's the update. Pearl did very well with surgery. Her heart is actually in very good condition. The Vetmedin (heart drug) did perform a miracle on her heart. It's back to the way it was years ago with just the valvular disease.

And.......hypertension is a GREYHOUND THING!

 

The spleen was 5 lbs. They removed that.(her pet weight was 64 lbs, she was down to 58 by the time she got to OSU.....So, she's down to 53 or less by my calculations) It's not hemangio, but it is a sarcoma. They removed the two nodules in the left and center lobes of the liver. Called it a partial lobectomy.

They saw another nodule in the right lobe and removed that. But in going over the right lobe, they concluded it's in worse condition. Loaded with cancer. It's pretty well shot. Worse than the other two. Her middle and left lobes are still working.

Needless to say when I heard that I broke down again.

 

Okay, to the jaw drop. Dr. Couto said that if it is a slow growing cancer, I can have about 4 months with her. Chemo doesn't work on them.

If it is an aggressive cancer, chemo works about 80% of the time, and I could have as much as 9 months with her.

So, I'm being selfish, I want the 9 months.

 

I visited her today. Spent 1/2 hr on the floor of the 'comfort' room. She took a big sigh and relaxed. Apparently, she is a bit anxious without me, so Dr. Couto, Dr. Thompson (surgeon) and the ICU staff will confer this afternoon and call me by 6 PM. They may decide it is to Pearl's best interest to send her home with me tomorrow. To Jane's house(JoeJoesMom) not all the way back to NJ. (update....I see her tomorrow at 9:30, and they will decide then if she's coming to Jane's house).

 

In other news, Diamond is here with me. Since she was due for her last chemo today it was either have it done here or wait another 2 weeks.

So we did the chemo here. And since she was also due another chest xray (next week) we did that too. And the added perks are that a radiologist reads it and Dr. Couto was right there. (otherwise, just my GP at home reads it).

Clean!

Diamond's surgeon Dr. Ben-Amoz, her vet tech Amy and a few others who took care of her in Oct went to visit with her to today, so she was in her glory.

She's doing great. (at least one of my sisters is).

 

While Diamond was in chemo and I was waiting for Pearl to be taken to the quiet room, the staff wheeled Smiley out the door. He was...shall I say, "in a happy place". (more drugs than Pearl) They let me love on him and tell him his Momma misses him.

 

Let me tell you, all the time I've been in the waiting room waiting (8:00 AM to 6 PM, Wed, 7:15 - 6 PM yesterday, and 8 - 2 PM today) there always seems to be a greyhound in there. Either as a blood donor or patient. I got plenty of greyhound fixes while waiting for my babies.

 

Thanks for all the prayer and support. I've actually lost about 5 lbs. But I won't recommend this as a diet.

[Sambuca]

I hope it's a fast growing cancer as well, for your sake. I'm glad things are looking up overall for the time being.

 

Can I ask a couple random questions? My Dad has a sarcoma and we are looking into everything we can find, as he's not doing great. Do you know what type Pearl has? If not, when you find out can you let me know? What are the treatment options? What kind of chemo? I'm sorry for the hijack.

 

Now, don't forget to eat. You aren't going to be able to help them as much as they need if you get sick, so stay healthy.

[Guest ss556]

Mary Pat, take care of yourself. Glad Diamond is with you also. My thoughts and prayers are with Pearl. I hope for the best, whatever that is for her. May you have some extra time with her.

[TheFullHouse]

My gosh, what a road you are traveling right now. I'm keeping you all in my prayers and please take care of yourself. You need to be healthy for your babies.

[Guest GryffinSong]

Hugs from a cancer survivor. It's never easy, whether in our canine friends or human. I'm so glad that you're there for Pearl, and I know that you're making excellent decisions for the both of you. Hugs to you both, and may you have as much time as possible with your Pearl!

[Guest Smiley]

I'm so happy to read this update Mary Pat! I've been thinking of you all day today and Pearl too. I'm glad you got to see Dr. Couto again today and that everything looks great with Diamond. You needed this good news and I'm so happy you got it! I'm especially glad that you got to visit with Pearl for a whole half and hour-that seems like heaven to me. And of course I'm so happy Smiley got loved on too. Thank you for that!

 

I got your message today and since you weren't available when I called back, left a message. Hopefully we can connect soon, or if nothing else, on Sunday.

 

Hang in there and remember that many prayers and hugs are coming yours and Pearl's way!

[queenwinniesmom]

Mary Pat, you have been through so much. You're doing everything you possibly can to keep Pearl safe and healthy, and I so hope you get as much time together as possible.

I know Beth really appreciated that you were there too, as they played the "waiting game."

You and Pearl are in my prayers.

[RobinM]

Incredible.

 

Keep the faith.

 

Many prayers sent your way.

[CaliforniaGreys]

I have to admit this is all overwhelming to read so I can't imagine how it is for you.

All I can offer is to keep you all in my prayers. And you sure have that!

[BertnLil]

You certainly are going through a lot. Sending strength and hugs.

[ahicks51]

A friend of mine who used to be on here more often had a dog with a spleen that was removed; the pathologists hemmed and hawed over it for 4-5 days, unconvinced as to whether it was malignant or not. Eventually they decided probably not, but in the interim I came up with an interesting paper on psuedotumor of the spleen in the canine. It had some vaguely similar features.

 

Note that while traditional chemo works best on swiftly growing tumors (the faster they grow, the more readily they succumb to poison), some (non-traditional) methods of combating slower-growing tumors can be used as well. Most revolve around enhancing the immune system.

[lflaherty45]

Prayers and hugs.

[sabrina]

Mary Pat the 3 of you have gone so much. Stay warm with this blanket of prays & hugs we send to Diamond, Pearl & you.

[4greyhounds]

Sending lots more prayers!!!!!!

[greytluck]

I hope you have many more good months with pearl a head of you. Sending lots of prayers.

[TinyMityMo]

what a rollercoaster ride! Best wishes for the most successful outcome.

 

 

I'm a little jealous that you are close enough to go to OSU and see and speak with all the specialists directly. I guess Bailey is in sort of the same boat. Her other tumors were scattered throughout her omentum. In addition to her spleen they took out one big tumor but there were too many small ones all over to do anything with. Her biopsy came up as spindle cell sarcoma. Dr. C asked for additonal testing to be done but I had my vet save him some tumor samples when she did the surgery so we sent those to him. So far the only feedback I've gotten with all my emails back and forth is that the sample arrived yesterday and they were going to process it today (he wanted to definately rule out hemangiosarcoma). Then he said he'd get back with me Wednesday after he's back in town. So I have to wait more. I wonder if it is the same sort of prognosis as he told you?

 

Hopefully Pearl will be home soon and if she's like Bailey she'll perk right up now that the spleen is out.

[Guest vahoundlover]

What a rollercoaster! My prayers are with you guys!

[Guest Adrianne]

I can't imagine what you must be going through. Keeping you and Pearl in my thoughts and prayers.

[Guest wholovesskunks]

Wow! Talk about a winding road! I am glad she made it through (and glad to hear you saw Smiley!) I will keep on praying!

Krista

[EllenEveBaz]

Keeping all paws crossed here.

[45MPHK9]

thinking of you, mary pat, and pearl.

[Guest LunaTygerCat]

Hugs and prayers!

[Guest FullMetalFrank]

Sending prayers; I hope you get lots more time.

[Guest PhillyPups]

Mary Pat,

 

Many prayers for Pearl, Diamond and, of course, you. Sending you a

 

I am sure it is comforting for Beth, to know that with all you are going through, you took time to love on Smiley too. Prayers also for smiley and to Beth also.

[greytpups]

Sending lots of good healing thoughts and for everyone