Adenocarcinoma in the colon

Patti - while some of the information sounds a little conflicting, I think the general idea is that if it hasn't spread, surgery can be done with a better than average chance of success.  That's good news in my opinion.  Obviously, if the cancer has spread, that's a different story, but I wouldn't even go down that road right now.  The plan for bloodwork, ultrasound and then surgery, makes sense to me.  Waiting 2 weeks will hopefully allow some time for healing and just getting healthier to deal with another surgery.
I know this must feel daunting and overwhelming, but I'd try to just hang on until you have some definitive answers.  Hopefully the news will be good.

Yeah, I agree with Cathy and reddbird...but I wanted to say this.   All the confusion makes things worse.  Get together your game plan and then write down a list of what you think you need to ask the vet.    Its so hard to think straight when your worried and concerned...
I hope so much that the cancer hasn't spread!

I wish I had something truly helpful to add, but I just wanted to send good thoughts to you.  I know the confusion you're facing - you get into the vet's office and you think you're absorbing all that's being said, but then you get home and it's all a jumble in your mind.  Even when both my husband and I went, we'd come away with different interpretations.  It's almost like you need to bring a tape recorder and re-listen to it multiple times when your head is clear.  It's hard to comprehend it all when you're consumed with worry about your baby.  It sounds like continuing to let him heal, then doing some new tests are good first steps.  If he's stable right now, then you can collect yourself for a couple weeks and continue to do more research.  Extra hugs for both of you!

Hey Patti,
I'm wondering how Frosty is doing, Please give us an update.
(((HUGS)))

Hi Patti, I'm glad that Frosty Paws is doing a bit better. I will keep candles burning brightly and pray that things go really well on Wed.
I am posting some pics of my doglets for you to see and hopefully you will get yours on here so that I can admire them. Be good and get some rest and I'll talk with you on Wed.
(((HUGS)))

Sweet Pea

Omni

Goliath

Shanti

Hi Everyone,
I don't have very good news for the long term.  We did a colon scope and it turns out there is too much cancer in the colon.  I could risk a much more risky surgery which may end up with a colostomy bag...or just love him.   After seeing how he was after the colon scope, and the risky surgery, I am just going to love the heck out of him.  He has started eating and has really perked up this last week.  Here is a picture of everyone.  The chocolate lab is Bozko and he is 4.5 yrs old.  Jake is his younger brother the yellow lab.  Duchess the black shepard mix was rescued from a pound and she is about 11 years old.  Last but never least is Mr. Frosty Paws at around 10, the little brown shepard.  

Awe,,,I'm sorry for the news, but I am encouraged that you have made a decision and you will be doing what you think is best for Frosty Paws!  Loving him, taking care of him, giving him things to make him happy is the best thing for you to do. He knows how much you love him and he feels secure in that!  Hang in there, and enjoy him as long as you can, because he will enjoy you also.
I love the picture of all the dogs...how cute. You must have been enticing them with something really good to eat in that picture!

Yes, they absolutely go insane for anything with peanut butter on it.   There was a few days when Frosty would hardly take his pills with Peanut butter on them but now he gobbles them up like old times. 

 There was a few days when Frosty would hardly take his pills with Peanut butter on them but now he gobbles them up like old times.
 
I kind of think that means your doing what is best for Frosty!!! They are all happy!

Anal issues solved enjoy...

http://www.atomfilms.com/af/content/dog_years2


Cheers

Ben The Dog

Lena's babies are the cutest.   Sweet Pea is a adorable.   Since I decided to do nothing in regards to more surgery... a new problem has come to light.   When the specialist first spoke of debulking the tumors in his colon I shrugged it off..why bother putting him through more things when it was going to be terminal anyway.  However, I didn't realize how quickly he seems to be blocking up.  He has a terrible time passing stool.   I thought the spreading of the cancer would get him before full blockage of the colon.   I called the surgeon and spoke to him.  I'm not sure how to describe what he said but the large tumor is kind of flowing in his colon.   It can fold up on itself and block entirely and then it could then break free and he can pass very loose stool.  
 
He said they could do a procedure (its still considered surgery) that would cautorize the tumors.   He said this could relieve his blockage.   He strains so hard and his belly must be upset from his loose stool and the straining.   Has anyone heard of this?   I asked him what he would do and he said this is one of those procedures that is very personal to the person.   It's in no way curative and it could give him relief for weeks or months..He does not know.
 
He would need an epideral and then the procedure would be to go back up his colon and do the cauterization.   I asked about pain.  They said they do very good pain management but I also remember it took him 3 days to recover from just the colon scope.    Comfort to him though would be very well worth it.  Anyone have this as an option?
 
Thank you!
Duchpaws

Gee, it does seem never ending doesn't it!
But it would seem like you almost don't have a choice to keep him from being blocked!  Seems like you will have to do this prodecure.
I feel so bad for you and I hope someone comes along to help you with a good answer.   

I had the debulking treatment this Tuesday.   I am disappointed because when I talked to the surgeon he seemed to think he would stop bleeding so much from the rectum and would help make sure he didn't get blocked.   After the surgery, I had to ask all the questions...like does it look like you were successful in relieving the blockage.  His answer to me was that he didn't think he had a blockage!!   He did remove the stiches from the previous surgery.   He also said there is a slight chance he hit the colon and tore it.   We will know in a week because he will get gravely ill.   When we talked about the procedure he said it is highly, highly unlikely that we would damage the colon but if we do we will go in and fix it.   Now he doesn't know if he did.   
 
I was happy when I brought him home yesterday afternoon.  He ate chickhen in the car and boiled hamburger when we got home.   However this morning he barked to go outside and when he came back in...he wouldn't stop shaking and panting.  He has been panting and shaking all day.  He won't even take his meds with peanut butter.   I called the dr. and he hasn't called me back yet.!    I will never put my other babies through any of this again.  I am so discourage.   Two months ago I had a happy dog and now he is trembling, getting so thin.....
 
I know he will be going to the bridge soon.   I feel it in my heart.   I just thought this last procedure would give him some relief and now it may have put him over the edge.   Who am I doing this for?   It thought for him but I think I did it for me because I can't let him go.   What was I thinking.  I have put him through so much..

Patti - you did the absolute best thing based on the information you were given.  Don't beat yourself up or second guess what's already been done.  I know that's hard, but most of us would've done the same thing.  We want to take care of them and we trust what our vets tell us. 
I'm so sorry you're going through this and I hope and pray that they didn't nick the colon and that this panting and shaking is just a normal part of the recovery.  I'm sure the surgery was extensive and perhaps he's just weak and tried to do too much.  I hope you get a reply from vet very soon.  I know how frustrating it can be waiting and worrying.  Please let us know what you hear when they call you back and don't second guess what you did with only loving intentions.

duchpaws,  There have been times when I've had to wait a few hours for the vet to call back; he may be in surgery and unable to return your call right away; I hope he calls soon; if you are very concerned you can call again to make sure the receptionist understands the urgency of the matter. Don't be so hard on yourself; we all have a hard time thinking clearly when we're upset. From what I've read I thought the recent surgery was a good decision; it was intended to make him more comfortable; you were told he had a blockage because that's what the vet told you; how could you know otherwise? I'm so sorry the surgery seems to have caused him to feel worse. I'll check back this evening to see how your dog's doing and what the vet said; I hope he feels better soon and the shaking and panting subside. I'll be praying for him << Big Hugs>>