While we were on vacation, we noticed a little lump on Emmett’s front right leg. It cropped up suddenly and was about the size and density of a grape. Of course we were worried, but it didn’t seem to bother him. So as soon as we got back to Bloomington, we took him to the vet. The quick-and-dirty cell culture in the vet’s office showed abnormal cells. Though she sent the culture off to a pathologist, the vet warned us that, if the lump is a cancer, the area on his leg won’t allow for a wide enough or deep enough excision.
Monday night was rough around here. We were worried Emmett might have to lose a leg, and even worse, we were devastated that he could have cancer. Maybe I’m a little biased, but Emmett is the sweetest soul with a great big doggy heart. He’s only five years old. He’s in excellent health (though perhaps a tad doughy). But otherwise, we’ve never had any health issues with Emmett.
Anyway, the vet expected to get us our results by Thursday, but she rushed it and called us last night. The cells didn’t show malignancy, which was a humongous giant relief. But they didn’t not show it either. The next step is a biopsy, which is scheduled for tomorrow. She’s going to take a little sliver of the lump, and we should know more by Tuesday. This is going to be a loooong weekend.
In the meantime, we’ve ramped up their healthy diet, adding steamed carrots and broccoli with dinner. Though Lucas eyeballed the broccoli a little suspiciously – and even went so far as to spit out the first piece – they both gobbled it up.
So until we know for sure what’s going on, we’re trying to focus on the positive: it’s not bothering him and cancer cells weren’t obvious in the first swab.
In other news, Emmett and Lucas received Wubba toys from their fabulous aunt and uncle. Emmett can’t get enough of his.
He sleeps with it to prevent Lucas from playing with it. Though they got two Wubbas, they only want the one that the other has. More on Lucas’ toy-theft-prevention system tomorrow.
I knew that I hated lima beans for a reason!