Why am I writing this?

I have known many, many people who have had their dogs die from cancer. In many cases, the cancer was too far advanced to treat. Of those who did treat, you don't know the details of what they went through. It sounds quite simple when summarized with 'we went though chemo and he lived 2 years'. There is a whole lot more emotion and decisions to be made. Treatment is not always simple.

This blog is my own personal experience. Some days are filled with frustration, others are filled with laughter. If anyone is offended, I can't apologize for my emotions. I typed what I felt at the time. It does not mean I feel the same today. If you want clarification, just ask. No matter my frustrations, I know my vet and oncologist are doing a fantastic job of caring for Arri. He just is not co-operating by being a 'typical' case.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

March 14, 2012 6 week follow-up and a new little brother

Outside of leg, March 16
I should have trusted my instincts and went to see my home vet last week.  The tumor on Arri's leg that was present at the start of radiation seems bigger.  It could just be that the swelling in the leg is gone so it appears bigger but it is also very firm.  At one point during treatment, it was very squishy.  I called the oncologist last week to chat but she told the receptionist to tell me to make an appointment.  Wouldn't talk to me without seeing Arri.  So today was our scheduled 6 week follow up.  I pointed out the growth and they did a needle aspiration.  Apparently scar tissue and cancer cells are very similar so they are not 100% positive.  They don't like how firm it is either so Arri is scheduled for surgery on Monday, March 19.  Since it is in an area of radiation tissue, the surgical specialist (ie...really expensive surgeon) will be performing the surgery.  It will done in Canton so that means a 2.5 hour drive to drop Arri off and then come home.  They want to keep him overnight so I will drive back on Tuesday to pick him up.  All I can say is there better not be a single cancer cell after this surgery.  I could have 3 surgeries at my vet for the price of this one.


After the drive to Canton for this follow-up visit, Arri, Teva and I proceeded down to Delaware, OH to attend puppy class at the North Central Center of CCI and pick up the new puppy.  The puppies teeth are nice and sharp, maybe he can just gnaw off the tumor.  Just kidding, sort of.  The new puppy is Oregon.  He is a male, lab golden cross and utterly adorable.
Oregon
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