Coming off panic mode….for a few days at least

Butchey Hudson’s Momma here.  Just a quick update, as we are fresh back from our visit from our oncologist to consult on the Hemangiosarcoma tumor removed from Butchey’s neck last week.

First the good news:  No metastasis to spleen or heart.  They did new ultrasounds and x-rays and no masses were found in those areas.  For this we can feel like we can come off of panic mode, at least for a little while.

There are a few routes we can take for treatment.  We could do chemo treatments using ifosfamide or dacarbazine.  Or we could use Palladia, Palladia/Deramaxx/Cytoxan as maintenance, or go back to metronomic protocol but replace Deramaxx instead of Piroxicam.  Let me footnote this with I am pretty sure I have all the drugs correct, but the brain is swirling and we agreed not to make a decision right at this point in time.  She is going to consult with her other veterinary oncologists and we are going to discuss again maybe this Friday. 

We have some concerns with going the chemo route again, after doing the Adriamycin last fall.  We also have some concerns with GI upset after having some vomitting issues under the metronomic protocol over the past couple of months.

So our heads are spinning on a decision of what is the best route to take.  A difficult aspect of this is that this isn’t a textbook case of Hemangiosarcoma (HSA).  While we are extremely happy that the HSA hasn’t acted like it normally would and have gone to his organs (and have a much poorer prognosis) there really isn’t much to compare it to.  I believe she told us 5% at best of HSA show up subcutaneously.  But to have two spots is quite unusual.  Her concern is that this is metastatic, of course.  The thought that this was a separate HSA tumor is just too coincidental.  I almost feel like we might be playing whack-a-mole with HSA.  Where will it pop up next?  But these are my own layman’s terms.

In other news, he is doing very well recovering from last Wednesday’s surgery.  He is off the Tramadol now and seems to be in no discomfort, other than itching at the incision site.  We had a bad bout of Montezuma’s revenge over last weekend following the surgery, but that seems to have been resolved.  We are trying to contain his energy and keep him from whipping his toys around and playing too rough with Lola.  However, we think that he might end up being a little sore tonight though, from wrestling with the vet techs for his ultrasound.  But so far, so good.  He is a happy boy, feeling well and still doesn’t know he has cancer (of course).  He thinks life is grand and he’s most concerned with where and when his next piece of cheese is coming from or which squishy ball to choose to lounge on the couch with.

So that is it for now.  We are going to take a long nap now and try to have a relaxing 4th of July holiday.  Well as much as we can with the Butchmeister hating fireworks and thunderstorms.  =0/

Hope everyone is enjoying a well deserved day off!  Thank you all for your good thoughts, emails and kind words.  Time is precious; enjoy EVERY day!!

 

6 thoughts on “Coming off panic mode….for a few days at least

  1. Oh we have lots in common, Butchey! We both have 3 legs, hate loud noises and detest thunder. And we’re butterscotch. And live with monkeydog sisters.

    Your folks are going to make the best decision for you, Butchey. They want you to feel well and to be happy and to have enough energy to win when you and Lola wrestle. Make sure you let us know what happens when you talk to the V-E-T again.

    Oh yeah–GOOD BOY on making them work hard at the V-E-T’s office today! Never give in!

    Love, Dakota

  2. Nancy,
    My thoughts are with you and Brett. Such hard decisions…go with your gut feelings…they are usually right 🙂 Give that boy a scratch on the belly from me! I KNOW Maggie would LOVE Butchey..she’s a sucker for those Golden boys! 🙂 Sure wish we’d cross paths again.
    Keeping you in my thoughts and super good news for the clean scans!!

    Tracy & Maggie

  3. These decisions are never easy. It feels like it’s impossible to know what’s best, but you know your pup best, and you will make the best decision for him because it will be made out of your love for him and your desire to do what’s best for him.

    Hope you have a lovely relaxing holiday with the pups! Sending pawsitive thoughts out to sweet Butchey boy!
    Jackie

  4. Oh Butchey Finchy and Buster are with you on hoping for a quiet fourth! They don’t like firecrackers either. Nancy whatever decision you make for Butchey will be the best one. You know him the best. I know it’s hard. We will be keeping you in our prayers.

    Jenna

  5. So sorry you and Butchey are having to deal with the vile cancer again. I totally understand about playing “whack-a-mole” with the cancer, as that was how Rio’s MCTs presented themselves. It does make for a lot of worry and sleepless nights.

    I think you are doing the right thing by taking a few days to digest the information and do a little research. That’s the only way to approach making these kinds of decisions that never really have a pat answer.

    In the meantime, Butchey has the right attitude — IT’S ALL GOOD!!! Let him be your guide, and I’m sure that he’ll help you decide what’s best. We’re sending you hugs and best wishes for a good outcome.

    Thinking about you,

    Rio’s momma, Micki

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