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The lab results are in

By ad hoc (Mon Sep 17, 2007 at 08:53:49 PM EST) (all tags)

There's bad news and less bad news.

Hemangiopericytoma

As cancers go, at least it's one of the better ones.

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The lab results are in | 16 comments (16 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback

:-( by yankeehack (4.00 / 3) #1 Mon Sep 17, 2007 at 08:59:41 PM EST

I hope he gets better. What treatment are you opting for?
****
You know what is funny? I voted for McCain in 2000 and Obama in 2008. (And let's not forget Edwards in 1998.)

: Options by ad hoc (4.00 / 2) #5 Mon Sep 17, 2007 at 09:39:05 PM EST

these
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Heat, pressure, and time: the three things that make a diamond also make a waffle.
[ Parent ]

Poor pup by iGrrrl (4.00 / 3) #2 Mon Sep 17, 2007 at 09:11:28 PM EST

Is the less bad news the treatment options?

"I don't have time for martial law, I have to get to the gym!" zarathus

Less bad by ad hoc (4.00 / 4) #4 Mon Sep 17, 2007 at 09:38:15 PM EST

This is a cancer that "does not spread through the body in the way one normally thinks of cancer."

I'll need to talk with the surgeon and oncologist at Angell to see what the realistic options are for a 13-year-old dog, but my first thoughts are some combination of options 2 and 3, namely, surgery to, what the vet called, "de-bulk" then waiting to see what happens in the next year or two. But that may not even happen for a while because it's not huge yet.

The fact sheet talks about "15 to 18" radiotherapy treatments. I don't know how often those would be, but if they're monthly, that's a year and a half. If they're daily, that would be manageable. But the thing is, the placement of the tumor is such that it would be almost impossible to cut out the whole thing. There's just not enough meat there. It's on the really bony part of the metatarsus.

So treatment options 2 and 3 look to be the most viable, depending on what, exactly, radiotherapy (option 1) is and whether the tumor can be removed.

But I won't know that until I get down to Angell. I'll be making that appointment tomorrow.

He's the best friend I've ever had. I hate to see this happen.
--
Heat, pressure, and time: the three things that make a diamond also make a waffle.
[ Parent ]

the "biopsy" by iGrrrl (4.00 / 3) #7 Mon Sep 17, 2007 at 10:13:57 PM EST

I assume the biopsy was a full removal of the visible parts? If so, options 2 and 3 sound reasonable, given his age.

"I don't have time for martial law, I have to get to the gym!" zarathus
[ Parent ]

: No by ad hoc (2.00 / 0) #11 Tue Sep 18, 2007 at 09:44:53 AM EST

the biopsy was just a fine needle aspiration which is why the diagnosis isn't 100% sure. The definitive diagnosis will have to come from Angell.
--
Heat, pressure, and time: the three things that make a diamond also make a waffle.
[ Parent ]

Wow. :-( by ana (4.00 / 3) #3 Mon Sep 17, 2007 at 09:12:38 PM EST

Treatable is good, especially if they focus on the quality of life for the critter.

Power up your flaming yo-yos already! --StackyMcRacky

: We'll see by ad hoc (4.00 / 2) #6 Mon Sep 17, 2007 at 09:43:15 PM EST

just how treatable it is.
In the mean time, it doesn't seem to bother him at all. There's been no change in mood or appetite or anything. And now that it's cooled off, he's a peppy again. He did have trouble on all the stairs at Open Studios, though, but that's just because he's an old man.
--
Heat, pressure, and time: the three things that make a diamond also make a waffle.
[ Parent ]

You know, even the amputee option isn't that bad by MohammedNiyalSayeed (4.00 / 3) #8 Mon Sep 17, 2007 at 10:23:45 PM EST

As a last resort, that is. I have known some pretty happy, peppy 3-legged dogs.

I'm taking this all as good news, since it means Mr. Puppinator can, and will, get past this somehow.

-
You can build the most elegant fountain in the world, but eventually a winged rat will be using it as a drinking bowl.

: Agreed by ad hoc (4.00 / 1) #12 Tue Sep 18, 2007 at 09:46:54 AM EST

But I think that's quite a ways away. The tumor would have to grow to a point that it would interfere with his quality of life for me to okay an amputation. I think that's a few years away at least. My answer would be different if this were a cancer that could metastasize elsewhere, but it doesn't move, it only grows.
--
Heat, pressure, and time: the three things that make a diamond also make a waffle.
[ Parent ]

Good luck by Horatio Hellpop (4.00 / 2) #9 Tue Sep 18, 2007 at 03:23:51 AM EST

to the both of ya.

"You can't really know something until you ruin it for everyone." -some guy who used to have an account here

Poor boy. by toxicfur (4.00 / 1) #10 Tue Sep 18, 2007 at 09:31:02 AM EST

It looks like it's reasonably non-threatening as these things go. Still scary for the both of you, I know. I'm really glad it's something that can be treated and that he's still getting around.
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If you don't get a Bonnie, my universe will not make sense. --blixco

: He's completely unaffected so far. by ad hoc (4.00 / 2) #13 Tue Sep 18, 2007 at 09:47:27 AM EST

It's me that's the wreck.
--
Heat, pressure, and time: the three things that make a diamond also make a waffle.
[ Parent ]

With his ears up in the picture . . . by Christopher Robin was Murdered (4.00 / 3) #14 Tue Sep 18, 2007 at 10:24:38 AM EST

He looks like he's listening to all of us talk about him. I imagine him thinking, "Hello, guys, I'm in the room."

I don't have anything helpful to say, but you and pup are in my thoughts. Best of luck to both of you.

Good Luck by notafurry (4.00 / 1) #15 Tue Sep 18, 2007 at 11:28:18 AM EST

Quality of life has to be the big issue, and it's AMAZING how much a well-loved puppy will survive without apparent lack. My ex-wife's dog (who's currently living at my house... something odd there) was shot by someone who deserves a few eternities somewhere warm and sulfurous... pity my religion doesn't believe in that.

Anyway, my ex rescued her post-surgery, nursed her through recovery, and since then she's been a happy, healthy, well-loved dog. More than ten years now - with only two legs, back left and front right, plus a stump back right. She gets around fine, the oddest hopping motion you've ever imagined, plus a spinning tail like a pusher prop for balance. Getting on in years now, closing in on 20; more than the average for a fully healthy dog, much less one with so much trauma.

So this is by no means the worst. Life will still be good.

: I don't believe in eternal damnation by ad hoc (2.00 / 0) #16 Tue Sep 18, 2007 at 11:41:02 AM EST

when immediate retribution is an option.
There are several two-legged dogs out there. There are a couple of three-legged dogs in the neighborhood, one owned by woman who has a gimp arm. Interesting to see the two of them together.
My dog already has a propeller tail. It spins like mad when he's happy. Back and forth is only mildly happy, a full propeller spin means really happy (like, treats are nearby).
--
Heat, pressure, and time: the three things that make a diamond also make a waffle.
[ Parent ]

The lab results are in | 16 comments (16 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback


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