For those of you who are new to this blog, a quick little background note: My darling Emmett was diagnosed with a nerve-sheath tumor last July. It’s a soft-tissue cancer that is, thankfully, low-grade malignancy. After vets, oncologists, surgeons, and a specialist/angel/hero, Emmett had the tumor removed. We’ve been doing regular follow-ups — monthly with our vet and quarterly with the oncologist. I linked to the whole saga HERE if you’re interested in reading more.
Last week, I drove Emmett up to Indianapolis for his nine-month checkup. The tech got Emmett from our little waiting room to go do the x-rays. After 20 minutes she came back and said that Emmett was such a good boy. She said she had forgotten that Emmett actually jumps up onto the x-ray table and waits for his tests – the only dog they have who does that! I’m always so proud of my little guy…
Anyway, the GREAT news is that everything came back clear!! His legs, his lungs, his lymph nodes are all good. In fact, we don’t need to go back for the next round for six more months! All great, wonderful, exciting news!
This whole thing has been so difficult, so challenging, so exhausting. Every time he has an appointment, we get nervous, all the “what if’s” start swirling. But, man. We have been so incredibly lucky.
I’ve gotten a lot of questions about dealing with canine cancer, and I’ve had the chance to chat with a woman locally who went through a lot of what we’re going through. So just throwing this out there, but if you are facing the same thing, please don’t hesitate to email me to ask any questions, gripe, vent, cry, anything. It’s tough, and we’ve been so incredibly lucky to have an amazing support system in place. And Emmett is so lucky to have so many kind, caring, supportive friends and family.
As soon as the appointment was over, we flew to Maryland for our darling nephew’s baptism and got back late last night, so I’m a little behind. But there are some great things coming: another giveaway, some fun springtime activities, a little link love later in the week, and guest posts!
It is so generous of you to put yourself out there for other people going through this. A little understanding goes a long way when a four legged member of our family is sick.
Well, thank you!! Truthfully, going through it all with Emmett was harder than I could have ever imagined. Having to make all the decisions, relying on the expertise of doctors we’d never met, not being able to ask Emmett what he wanted, all while struggling with the devastation of the cancer diagnosis… whew. It was rough. And we’ve been incredibly lucky. So if I can talk it through with anyone else facing a similar circumstance, it’s the least I can do!
Definitely the downside of having a pet (or any human loved one) is the medical issues we deal with. When Buster (our GSD) got really sick, the initial diagnosis was bone cancer (when we got him to the vet, he was borderline in need of a blood transfusion). Turned out he had a very rare reaction to his seizure medication. The whole process put Buster in the hospital for 3 days until we figured everything out. 3 days. Can’t imagine what you must go through when its ongoing. I hope Emmett continues to receive a clean bill of health!
Thanks, Rod. And I’m so glad to hear everything’s alright with Buster. I can’t imagine how scary that must have been!
I am so glad your pup is okay. I echo what Rod said- being responsible for another beings health and well being… it’s a lot. You’re being a great mom, a great care giver.
You’re doing a really good job.
Thanks, Shauna, for the kind words! 🙂
Having met Emmett personally, after getting a clean bill of health from each of the previous visits, all of us in the East Coast Office do a fist pump and little dance. We love both of your boys (and you guys!) so much, hearing that he’s doing well makes us so incredibly happy. I remember when we took Lucy to the emergency room 18 months ago and they said she may not make it through the night. That was so incredibly hard. I remember dreading the phone call I made the next morning, but being so relieved when they told me she was OK. It’s amazing what those four-legged, bad-breath-having, food-begging little pups manage to do to us. Give Emmett and Lucas a cheeseburger from his aunt and uncle!
I’m so glad your doggie came back with a clean bill of health. I lost my dog last August and I know how it can be. I didn’t lose her to cancer, but old age. I wish you and Emmett by best wishes for a long healthy life.
Chris, I’m so sorry for your loss. Emmett and I sincerely appreciate your kind words. These little ones… they just seize our hearts, don’t they?
My almost 14 yr old Keeshond was diagnosed with oral cancer. I am told treatment is not advisable due to her age and the advanced stage of the cancer and the type of cancer. Since traditional options are not an option we started giving Littlefoot an herbal Cancer Support supplement. Littlefoot started that 3 days ago and there was a visible improvement in her energy and personalty. Then today day 4 it seems like we have declined. Will there be good days and bad days ? does anyone know. I have never had a dog with Cancer before.
I’m so sorry to hear about Littlefoot. There are definitely good days and bad days, but it sounds like you’re doing all the right things. Wishing you and Littlefoot all the best.