My Sugar is to have his leg amputated tomorrow.

[k9diabetes]

I happened to see the posts about Sugar elsewhere and his having a nerve sheath tumor on his leg... I know you're going to see the specialist tomorrow and just wanted you to know that we will be thinking about you and hoping for the best possible outcome.

Natalie

[Patty]

Re: Bonnie - thinking of you and Sugar

Bonnie,
Hope the specialist appointment goes well!
Patty

[bgdavis]

Re: Bonnie - thinking of you and Sugar

Thanks for your support.

The trip to OSU yesterday didn't go as well as I had hoped. Sugar has a mass tumor on his right carpal planter surface. It is called hemangiopericytoma or a peripheral nerve sheath tumor, grade 1.

Normally, a grade 1 would be a good thing since it is the least damaging and is removed successfully by surgery. However, because of Sugar's location, right behind the last pad of his paw, and the size, it cannot be removed surgerically without reconstruction surgery as well. We're talking about a 2 to 3 week hospitalization and two separate surgeries with a skin graft from his stomach. It's also very expensive.

The second recommendation is for 21 'hits' of radiation. Luck isn't with us since the nearest place that could do this therapy is the University of Missouri at Columbia, a 400-mile round trip for us. I can't possibly drive that 21 times over a month nor can I take off 3 weeks or more of work to temporarily go there. I have other animals that I'd have to kennel or find a pet sitter.

That leaves us with chemo therapy. The OSU oncologist who looked at Sugar yesterday said that there isn't any chemo that will reduce the tumor, but some that could prevent it from growing. This is the direction I think we'll pursue. That and keeping him pain free. They started him on Tramadol.

I just can't see putting Sugar through either the recommended surgery. Amputation of his fore leg is out because of his weight and age.
We will have to return to OSU for a visit with the oncologist to get started. I don't know when we'll do that.

I feel so bad because I didn't notice the tumor while it was small enough to excise without the extensive damage to his leg and paw. But then the groomer and two vets didn't notice it either.

I have a lot to think over this weekend.

Bonnie and Angel Criss

[Judi]

Re: Bonnie - thinking of you and Sugar

Bonnie, so sorry to hear this. Too bad there isn't a vet tech in Columbia who could foster Sugar for 3 weeks. But you probably woudn't feel comfortable not being there for the radiation and any side effects anyway.

We do what we can. hugs, Judi

[Soaphie & Sydney's Mom]

Re: Bonnie - thinking of you and Sugar

Bonnie - so sorry to hear of Sugars ailments and your aching heart. We are here for you!!!

Tami, Soaphie and Sydney

[k9diabetes]

Re: Bonnie - thinking of you and Sugar

Bonnie... so sorry to hear that the surgery would be so extensive.

I confess I might consider the amputation if the tumor starts to enlarge. Given the alternative...

How old is Sugar?

Natalie

[Shellie]

Re: Bonnie - thinking of you and Sugar

So sorry to hear of this diagnosis, Bonnie! I'll be hoping that the chemo will help! Hugs!

[bgdavis]

Re: Bonnie - thinking of you and Sugar

Natalie,

We don't really know how old Sugar is since he came from a rescue group. I've had him (and Hank) for 8 years. The vet thought Sugar was about 2 to 2 1/2 and Hank was less than a year old when I got them in 2004.

Sugar certainly isn't the 'good patient' that Criss was! He's already completely destroyed 2 Elizabethan collars! One he managed to split in half. And because of this, he's messed with the incision from the biopsy and has infection.

He's getting antibiotics and pain meds. I have to take him back to OSU to start the chemo. Don't have a date yet.

Bonnie and Angel Criss

[k9diabetes]

Re: Bonnie - thinking of you and Sugar

I'm sorry I missed this post the last couple of days Bonnie.

Well, I guess Sugar feels well enough to be a handful! I guess there's something to be said for that.

If only we could explain things to them...

Hoping for good things for Sugar from chemotherapy.

Natalie

[Patty]

Re: Bonnie - thinking of you and Sugar

Bonnie,
How are things going with Sugar?
Patty

[bgdavis]

Re: Bonnie - thinking of you and Sugar

Sugar was put into a trial program here in Fayetteville, but run in conjunction with OSU. It consists of a chemo drug being injected directly into the tumor and then the area being treated with a 'cold' laser. The idea is to stimulate the cancer cells to take in the chemo drug.

Sugar had his third treatment last Wednesday, but the vet said he was disappointed that we've seen no reduction in the size of the tumor. We want to shrink the tumor so that he could then be surgerically removed.

I'm still trying to see if I can come up with about $5000 for radiation treatments (21) at the University of Missouri. He would have to stay there for over a month as it is 370 miles away from me.

Thanks for asking about him. I'm a tad down right now from dealing with this. I have to change bandages and that's bad enough.

Bonnie and Angel Criss

[buddingartist]

Re: Bonnie - thinking of you and Sugar

Bonnie

We've never <met< however I just wanted to send you prayers and positive thoughts for both yourself and Sugar.

So sorry you are having to go through this.

Louise

[Patty]

Re: Bonnie - thinking of you and Sugar

Awe Bonnie,
I missed this the other day. Sorry to hear the tumor hasn't shrunk like they'd hoped.
Will continue to pray the treatment will be possible Bonnie.
Lifting you up,
Patty

[bgdavis]

Re: Bonnie - thinking of you and Sugar

Well, we got some better news yesterday. I took Sugar back to Dr. Mohler and he decided to go ahead and give Sug another micro-chemo/cold laser treatment. He thinks if the tumor hasn't shrunk at least 'we're keeping it at bay'. He also decided that we should only perform those treatments every other week instead of weekly so that Sugar had more time to heal.

I've got to say that dealing with this is a lot worse than all the operations and treatments Criss Ann went through. I'm having a hard time trying to clean his leg and bandaging bleeding wound. I sure hope they know what they're doing! Sugar, on the other hand, doesn't seem too different. He limps and has just about destroyed the 4th. E-collar. He will still attempt to chase a squirrel in the yard and eats well. His white blood cell count is good and he's only had an upset tummy twice. He's still getting Cytoxan 4 days a week.

Bonnnie

[Judi]

Re: Bonnie - thinking of you and Sugar

well I'm glad Sugar isn't phased by all of this and that they will do it less often but 4 collars! Sounds like you have your hands full. hugs, Judi