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Tumor Burst!

Last post 05-03-2008 4:01 PM by agilebasenji. 16 replies.
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  • 04-27-2008 11:01 PM

    Tumor Burst!

    Arrrrgh sometimes I have to wonder at the lack of breaks going on in my life.  My heart puppy Jasmine will be 13 in  1.5 months she has been struggling with a terribly invasive tumor , a hermangiopericytoma. While considered begnign the placement is life threatening. It is on her haunch near her rectum.  We have had it debulked 3 times already and had planned to do it one last time the first of May.   Tommorrow , Kota is scheduled to go in for tumors, he has 3 that are a concern and my home is far better suited for rehabbing the boy than a New York apartment.  But about an hour ago The Hubs said "What is on her butt?"  I looked up and it appeared there was two streaks of red, one deep and brilliant the other clouded and thick looking.  I looked it over and called for the clippers , taking the hair off for a very clear view.  There are two holes , about 1 inch apart but the larger , about the size of a dime and the smaller to the bottom is half that. My first paniced thought was snake bite, but I would have known had she been bitten.  While cleaning it massive amounts of both pus and necrotic tissue came out. It appeared to flow freely until a large mass would temporarily block it.  Gentle manipulation and the wounds once more freely bled. I called my vet who is out of state for the weekend and then his emergency replacement who agreed so far I had done everything I could. She would not be a candidate for surgery since she had both snacked and drank earlier in the evening.  With the massive infection that seems to be pervasive she may need to be on antibiotics for a few days before she can have the tumor debulked and cleaned out. I packed it with a topical antibiotic and gave her a double dose of Cephelexan and a rymadyl for any pain from the manipulation. Her skin was already bruising as I put a bandage over it.

    I know one day Time will rob me of my girl and there is nothing I can do about that. But it can't happen this way, it just can't. She is gentle and brave and I know she lives with the certainty of our love.   Keep a good thought in your heart tonight and tommorrow please, light a healing candle or send some great vibes out for her. .. Jasmine is one of the really rare ones.

    Bonita of Bwana

    Bonita of Bwana
    AKC Rhodesian Ridgebacks
    Champions, Therapy Dogs and Awesome Companions
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  • 04-27-2008 11:53 PM In reply to Bonita of Bwana

    Re: Tumor Burst!

    I just emailed you one from the heart.  I will be MUCH in prayer for you (forgive me folks - I had to say this despite the fact this isn't the Spiritual Circle and I don't mean to be offensive). 

    Bonita -- what you did for her tonight HAD to be a relief.  Warm packs maybe to help it drain??  Getting rid of that kind of yuck has to help.  Not pleasant, but likely good for her.  And thankfully you aren't one to panic but you simply cleaned it up as best you can.

    take care -- I'm here if I can help.  Callie


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  • 04-28-2008 6:36 AM In reply to calliecritturs

    Re: Tumor Burst!

    Callie , How could anyone ever be offended by the incredibly sincere and caring prayer you offered? Thank you for your kindness and encouragement, Thank you for being brave enough to go out on a limb.  Your words were both eloquent and educated.

    It is almost 5:30 am and we have 2.5 hours left before the clinic opens, We will be there early, to make sure David sees Jasmine before the rest of the day's chaos get's in the way.  I kicked everyone else out of the room , leaving only Jasmine and Kota. I needed to know they would remain NPO , that the kids would not forget and slip them a bite of egg or toast.  The water is picked up and the bathroom closed off so no sneaky drinking to mess with either's chance at a surgery.

    Saturday night I had opted to sleep in the RV, after working in it most of the day I was feeling ill and so very tired, sometimes everything hurts so badly meds can't help. At dinner the family called out to see if I wanted anything and I said only Jasmine,  She was brought out to me and for the first time I can ever remember she did not want to be on the bed with me, prefering instead to lay on her big floor pilllow. After a rough few hours I simply cuddled next to her. She has always eased my pain giving me a focus,  my breathing tries to match hers and everything slows down. I wish I had gone with my gut Saturday when I commented to the Hubs that the area seemed really warm and hard.

    Interesting side note, after the tumor burst 6 of the other 8 dogs made it a point to come up and smell her wound, they touched her face and chin in a submissive and respectful manner, each dog who did this was one of her adult pups or her 2 grand duaghters. The 2 who did not, are the only ones not of her blood on our property,  They just gave her space and watched her with deeply concerned eyes, When I took her out to potty they both went to her ottoman and smelled that.

    Thank you again Callie, you have made me go "Wow" too! Embarrassed

    Bonita of Bwana 

     

    Bonita of Bwana
    AKC Rhodesian Ridgebacks
    Champions, Therapy Dogs and Awesome Companions
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  • 04-28-2008 6:46 AM In reply to Bonita of Bwana

    Re: Tumor Burst!

    aw, poor jasmine! i'll be sending some get well vibes myself!!!

    and i agree, that there's nothing offensive in callie's post. i'm not religious, but that doesnt mean your prayers offend me. on the contrary!!

    anyways, i hope everything goes well tomorrow!!! keep us posted on how jasmine is doing!!

    {{HUGS}}

    Janet
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  • 04-28-2008 1:13 PM In reply to janetmichel3009

    Re: Tumor Burst!

      I'm sending lots of healing vibes and prayers too and hope the infection heals quickly; {{{hugs}}}.

    Life isn't about waiting through the storm; it's about learning to dance in the rain.

    Janice
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  • 04-28-2008 2:35 PM In reply to Bonita of Bwana

    • sl2crmeg
    • Top 75 Contributor
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    Re: Tumor Burst!

    Ouchy, poor Jasmine. Her name makes me think of the princess Jasmine in the Aladdin movies (I'm a youngn :) ) but I always think of her as the 'queen' at your guys place. I hope everything goes well in her surgery.
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  • 04-28-2008 2:40 PM In reply to sl2crmeg

    Re: Tumor Burst!

     Bonita, I am so sorry for you and Miss. J. How is she doing?

    It's just a better life with dogs.
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  • 04-28-2008 3:59 PM In reply to Pit_Pointer_Aussie

    Re: Tumor Burst!

    Been thinking of you guys all day -- *hugs* all around


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  • 04-28-2008 10:01 PM In reply to calliecritturs

    Re: Tumor Burst!

    Ohhhhhkay so here is an update....  Kota is Home Party!!!   His surgery was a piece of cake according to the vet, everything is looking like fatty tumors so no issue with the big C ,  I could be totally giddy with relief if he did not have 5 incision sites for a total of 43 stitches.  He was sooo drunk when I went to check on him and because of his size and the ease of his surgery he had to go into a regular kennel rather than a surgical suite... before I could slip back out he heard my voice ..I had whispered his name and he tried to run to me while laying drunk on his side. So in the run I went and for the next 90 minutes we sat together , me reading him a magazine and him trying to wake completely up. Once he stood up he refused to go out the back door to potty and I signaled the vet he was ready to go home with me.  He is snoozing on my bed , muzzle back on to prevent him from tearing out his stitches. It will be on for the next three to four weeks, what ever it takes for every stitch to heal...

    Jasmine on the other hand is mad at me David was as distressed as I am but assured me if we give her until Friday on the heavy antibiotics she has a far better shot. Then she will go in for her surgery and I will be there waiting for her to come out ... The concept is as long as she has this horrible tumor where clean margins are impossible to obtain she will have the rough end of a supposedly benign issue. The top of the tumor is rounded, the bottom has tenticles,  as the tumor regrowth is retarded by diet and care the tenticles die and become necrotic turning into a massive infection. The pus alone is frightening and I worry more about her throwing a clot than anything else!  I know this is not her time. It can not be. Queens do not go out this way.  Amputation is not viable as the entire leg and hip joint would have to go and at 12 years 10.5 months  that is not the kindest cut.   So Jazz is home too, curled up at the end of my bed. She is wearing a small adult diaper to allow the open wound to drain but to keep debris and dirt out of it . Everyone has assured her she is terribly chic and it is the cutest pair of "panties" she has ever worn.

    I did try the no bite collar for all of 15 seconds. Apparently this is not the answer.... I have never seen her so furious !! So instead we agreed she will leave the wound alone and I will not annoy her further.

    She is my heart. She knows me better and yet loves me still and in her eyes there is no wrong I can do that she can't get even with me for!  She is my heart and we are not over yet.

    Bonita of Bwana

    Bonita of Bwana
    AKC Rhodesian Ridgebacks
    Champions, Therapy Dogs and Awesome Companions
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  • 04-28-2008 10:57 PM In reply to Bonita of Bwana

    Re: Tumor Burst!

    Hey Ms. Socks was the darling of pet therapy with her "jeans" on (she wore big old continence pads in bitches britches) -- all the elderly folks thot it was just too cool that the dog wore Depends like they did!!  So tell Jas to "join the club" -- all the cool sr. citizen ladies wear them!! **AUNT CALLIE SAYS** lol

     Telling her it's to keep it clean should work -- however you might want to put a sign on your back door that says "Take Jas' briefs off!" because you'll get used to seeing her in them and you'll forget to take the darned things off so the poor gal can pee in peace.  Poor Socks -- she'd look at me from across the yard like "Mo-ommmmm -- you FORGOT again!!" -- we literally had to put the sign up in self defense.  SHE wanted to go out to the potty as often as possible!!

    The other thing that would work but give her urinary mobility would be snap up jammies (kids) -- altho you might have to open up a few seams.


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  • 04-29-2008 4:28 PM In reply to calliecritturs

    Re: Tumor Burst!

    Hang in there Bonita.  Better days are ahead.  Jas is a tuff old cookie and will pull through.  We're thinking about you.

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  • 05-02-2008 10:44 AM In reply to Bonita of Bwana

    Re: Tumor Burst!

    Fingers crossed that all goes well today!!

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  • 05-02-2008 5:00 PM In reply to janet_rose

    • sl2crmeg
    • Top 75 Contributor
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    • New Smyrna Beach, FL
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    Re: Tumor Burst!

    I knew knew knew I thought of her for a reason today! I hope all went well for my favorite 'queen' :)
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  • 05-02-2008 5:23 PM In reply to sl2crmeg

    • Dog_ma
    • Top 150 Contributor
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    • San Diego County, California
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    Re: Tumor Burst!

    Thinking of you, Bonita. 



    "Are you a dog trainer?"
    "No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night."
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  • 05-03-2008 12:00 PM In reply to Dog_ma

    Re: Tumor Burst!

    Jasmine Update....

    My girl is home,  what a long and difficult week ...but she is home!!  The surgery was as sucessful as could be hoped. I went in at one point to talk to her , My vet allowed me to encourgae her to stay to hear my voice and to know she was loved.  He had fininshed the de-bulking of the tumor on the haunch and then began to remove a mamory tumor found as I lifted her into the car to bring her to the vet. Buried deeply in her chest it was not easily palpated and once she was opened up it turned out to be profoundly connected to the muscle , we sent this mass of for the histopath to determine if it is indeed a more lethal form of tumor.   Chances are not great that it will be another benign mass.

    But today she is alert, walking and eating. She slept deeply last night. I know it could be argued that it was residual effects of the anesthesia but I honestly think it was more to do with being relieved of the pressure and the infection.  She is moving better today , jumping on and off of the ottomans and the bed. 

    David and I had a talk , and I have not shared it with the family.  We discussed the simple elments of her health and with this new mass, he is sadly sure that she will not make it another year, the chances of another 6 months are minute.  I will take what I can get.  What she is able to give. and we will continue to travel and play as we always have.  I will fill my memory cards with her images to give to the kids when they are grown.  And I have a bottle of Dom set aside to celebrate her life.   I think 6/17 we will have a large birthday party for her, she will be 13. Today is odd, weather fills the sky and the storm rolling in has darkened the morning to nearly night.  The sound of thunder rolling in is causing Jasmine no distress, normally worried by storms she is curled on my bed a small smile on her face.  What did she learn while under anesthesia? what ever it is it is returning her stregnth and easing her old worries? ... wouldn't it be wonderful of all of us could learn it?

    Bonita of Bwana

    Bonita of Bwana
    AKC Rhodesian Ridgebacks
    Champions, Therapy Dogs and Awesome Companions
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