 Barked: Wed Apr 20, '11 3:54pm PST |
 | |  | | Thank you everyone for your thoughts, prayers and wonderful information. As you know the doctor that saw Lily yesterday recommended amputation for a couple different reasons. 1. Because it was removed a year ago and has already come back in the same spot, he felt it was highly likely to return again. Plus, he said if it was his dog he would do the amputation to make for certain that they get rid of all the cells, even though he knows this a bit extreme. He was also concerned that since we have already messed with it once and made it angry, he is concerned that some cells may have broken off...this is why he gave me a 90% chance of full removal instead of something higher. 2. Because of where it is located on her leg, they more than likely would not be able to close the wound after debulking it. With the first surgery they thought there was a chance of not being able to close it with all the tissue and skin that had to be removed but they had just enough. The doctor is also concerned that even with debulking it, there is a chance of damaging the tendon and losing function of the leg. If they don't damage the tendon and we go with radiation, radiation would have to be done on an open wound and it would take months if not longer to heal. He was not impressed with the new drug Palladia. When the biopsy was done for the first tumor, it came back a grade 2, clean margins with slight possibility of some cells left behind due to location.
When our first boxer Roxy was diagnosed with lymphoma at 10 months, it was one of the hardest things we have ever gone thru. We fought for her as long as she had fight left and in that case I wouldn't change anything for extra time that we got with her. But we are still paying off all her xrays, mri's, ultrasounds, surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy, etc. I really don't want this decision to be made based off of money but what is best for Lily. In my mind I feel that amputation is a bit aggressive but I think in my heart I know it is what's best. I feel all the "what ifs" coming on and remember that being such a hard part with Roxy. What if I am not doing enough research, what if it's something I did, what if theres something out there that can be done I just don't know about it, what if I would have caught it earlier...etc.
Thank you for letting me talk and write it out...it is a form of therapy for me and helps me get thru the decisions. |  |  | |  |
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16
No experience with mast cells, but I have known a three legged dog that got around fine and enjoyed life. I believe in your place, I would get a second opinion and if it is the same, go ahead with the amputation.
