behle Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 :puppydogeyes: Just got off the phone with Max's vet. He had blood work done to see why ALL his lymph glands are enlarged. There was a slim chance it might have been some sort of systemic infection after his leg surgery, but no, it is not. There is no elevation of his white cell count. In fact, his blood work looks fine other than his proteins being a little low (he has not been eating well at all lately). SO....the next step is to use a needle to aspirate some cells from one of the enlarged glands to see whether or not he has lymphoma. I really don't want to put him through a more invasive procedure, such as a biopsy, right now. This will be done on the thirthieth of this month as his vet will be out of town until then. And if it is cancer, then my Max won't have much longer to live even with steriods or chemo. He is my best boy...what will I do without him if is lymphoma? :cry: :cry: :cry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marion Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 Oh Behle, I'm so sorry for all the anguish you're going through. :cry: The thought of it is unbearable. :cry: How you're going to cope not knowing till the 30th I don't know. :cry: Poor Max, after what he's already been through with his leg. Give him lots and lots and lots of hugs and kisses from all of us :buzi: :buzi: :buzi: :buzi: :buzi: :buzi: and I will keep my fingers crossed and say a prayer every night for him. :angel: :angel: :angel: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosebud Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 :( Oh no Behle, I am so sorry to hear this. We will keep pawpaws crossed for your family. :angel: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_Cassie Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 I will be thinking of you and Max. I will pray that it is not Lymphoma.... If Max is diagnosed with Lymphosarcoma you could always seek a consultation visit with a Veterinary Oncologist to see if there are any new treatment recommendations. I have heard of a new drug they are researching (some practices may already be using it) called Tapet which is a form of Salmonella...it is being used for treatment of Metastatic Melanoma with great success & has received partial responses in dogs with Sarcoma & Melanoma. I had to have one of my Newfoundland Dogs put down before christmas due to bone cancer....it was the hardest thing I ever had to do...cancer makes you feel as though you have no control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
behle Posted July 16, 2003 Author Share Posted July 16, 2003 Thanks you guys for your support. I do appreciate it more than you will ever know. He had been to the vet late this spring and there was no swelling then. He was at two vets in the last month and there was no swelling. This has come on all of a sudden; so it is not good and his vet has already been making suggestions for worst-case scenarios. So my guess is, the vet is pretty sure this is cancer. You are so right, Cassie. I feel totally powerless...that is gutwrenching for any person whose faithful companion is very ill. I have to get off this thread now. I have cried enough for today.. I will know for sure after the 30th. Thank you, everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malamum Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 I have everything crossed for Max. Unfortunatley I can't offer any medical advice but just wanted to offer moral support and say that we are all here for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bk_blue Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Hoping that the news turns out to be good, not bad... Fingers are crossed and sending positive thoughts!!! :cry: :angel: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommacat Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Behle - our thoughts and prayers are with you. Cancer is so horrible :cry: Take this chance to love an appreciate Max as much as possible, and know all of your dogo friends are thinking of you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
behle Posted July 17, 2003 Author Share Posted July 17, 2003 Malamum, Bk, and Mommacat - thank you so much for your posts and best wishes for Max. He is getting lots of special attention, but doesn't have a lot of energy or desire to play since his leg isn't even totally healed. He's still my best boy and loves hugs and kisses and bellyrubs. I will tell him you are thinking of him.. :) Time will tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogPaddle Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Oh poor Max. Definately sending best wishes your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelboddy Posted July 18, 2003 Share Posted July 18, 2003 I am so sorry to hear about Max. :cry: You guys will be in my thoughts and prayers. :angel: Give max bunch of kisses for me please. :buzi: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
behle Posted July 18, 2003 Author Share Posted July 18, 2003 Here's the latest on my furkid, Max. I'd been stewing about having to wait for a needle aspiration on one of his lymph nodes until the 30th of this month-it seemed to long to wait based on what I have read of the disease. Then yesterday afternoon when I woke up Max to go outside he looked at me and I noticed his right eye was all swollen. :o My heart just sank..I cleaned it up as best I could with a damp clean washcloth then took him outside for a good look in the sun. Sure enough, it looked inflamed and darker than normal. So I decided that when we went in this morning for removal of his staples (still convinced the surgical site was not healing correctly) I would ask that the procedure be done there instead of at my regular vet. I was a good client and did call Max's regular vet's office to let them know of my intentions, and they thought that was a good idea since his own doctor wouldn't be in town to read the results. So off we went this morning. Max was happy to get into the car to go, but when he saw the vet's office he got all droopy and I didn't blame him one bit. I left him there for about an hour while they did all they needed to do and the doctor had a chance to look at the slide. Max's leg - He said that the surgery site had filled with fluid since the drain tube hole on the inside of his leg had healed first on the outside instead of the inside as it was supposed to. So they lanced that and now it is draining fluid (thank God it's not pus). No more antibiotics since these may be upsetting his stomach and keep him from eating this weekend. Needle Aspiration - When he looked at the lymph node cells he said he didn't see a definative indication of lymphosarcoma, but what he did see in the sample plus the blood in Max's eye (and a spot on the retina) cause him concern. The lab will have the results interpreted quickly perhaps tomorrow or at the latest Monday. He will call me. Max is home now with a red right eye and a draining right leg. Poor thing..he still manages to be good natured. I have steroid drops to put in his eyes three times a day. No treatment yet for what else ails him since if it is cancer steroids given would inhibit the effectiveness of any chemo given him. I bought a chicken to cook up (he is used to cooked chicken) and a little steak for him as well. Plus some of his favorite little nibbling treats. I'm hoping I can encourage him to eat. Thanks for listening to me. :oops: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malamum Posted July 19, 2003 Share Posted July 19, 2003 [quote]Thanks for listening to me. [/quote] Of course we are all more that happy to listen to you. We are all worried about Max too. Sending LOTS of positive thoughts your way and have everything crossed for good news when you get the test results back. Give Max an extra big cuddle from me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bk_blue Posted July 19, 2003 Share Posted July 19, 2003 That's why we are here, to listen to you Behle!! :angel: Keeping everything crossed for poor Max. :angel: :angel: :angel: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elsastarr Posted July 20, 2003 Share Posted July 20, 2003 Just a couple of months ago, I thought we where going to lose our Daddy-Dog (Caleb) to Soft-Tissue Sacrcoma. I have a SUPER vet & he told me on a Friday & we had the weekend to pray, cry & research then the next week we were going to a cancer vet. Well, I started emailing, & I got a responds from the a special group one of the places they said check w/ was Auburn Univer. (well, of course, I thought). The Oncology Dept there has dual-heads so I wrote them of the situation & asked for any help or suggestions. Dr. Ralph Henderson emailed me back & ask for the phone # of my vet, I gave it to him & called my vet to let him pull the file & to be ready for the phone call. Later, that day the had a phone consult & then did some faxing of info. by that Thurs. Caleb was going back to our vet for a surg. they took the next layer of skin & sent it to the lab. When the results came back he HAD gotten it all that time. Because Dr. Henderson had told him JUST what to do. Thanks to that help we didn't have to go to a specialist, we had a specialist. It was SO heartbreaking, while he did have it & when we thought, should we face surgery/cemo or raditation....what is going to happen & how do we get through this. We had a lot of people praying for Caleb & us. I'll be praying for you, both. But, it can't hurt to seek Dr. Henderson's advice who know, he maybe able to help. [url]Http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/~hendera/[/url] (that's info about him) (this is he's email, if you don't hear from him I would call Auburn & find out how to get in touch w/ him during the summer, but you'll probably be fine w/ just the email) [email][email protected][/email] I hope he can help. :angel: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
behle Posted July 20, 2003 Author Share Posted July 20, 2003 Elsastarr - Thank you for your post. Glad to hear of the success you had when your Caleb was so ill with cancer. I do appreciate the recommendation about Auburn Univ. and Dr. Henderson. I do not have the results yet of Max's needle aspiration, but I am not hopeful for good news. His lymph nodes seem to be bigger each day, and his energy level has plummeted. His eye is no better; I'm sure he cannot see out of it and I am continuing the steroid drops. Monday I am supposed to get the results of his test. Max is a five and a half year old rottie who has always been a very high-energy dog. This has come like a bolt out of the blue. His surgery site has still not stopped seeping fluid, and he is dropping weight. He only wants outside long enough to take care of his business and then wants right back in to sleep more. He does this coughing/chuffing noise a lot now because of the enlarged nodes. If it is lymphosarcoma there is no cure, just a delay of the inevitable depending upon the treatment chosen. If it is what the vet and I suspect, then I have hard decisions to make. It can spread to other organs easily which is why the vet is so concerned about his eyes. At any rate, thank you so much for your kindness in getting the information to me. I will see what Monday brings. Thankyou for your prayers. :angel: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolk9s Posted July 20, 2003 Share Posted July 20, 2003 Behle, I am praying for you and Max, hoping so hard his illness is reversible. Max, heal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mouseatthebusstop Posted July 20, 2003 Share Posted July 20, 2003 I am so sorry I missed this topic untill now :( We will keep fingers and paws all crossed for max :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisysmom Posted July 20, 2003 Share Posted July 20, 2003 Behle, I too just saw this post and want you to know that we are here for you and Max too. It is so very difficult when your dogs are sick and you can't do anything about it but love him :( I truly hope his test results come out negative and your worry is put to rest. All our best, Daisysmom, Daisy, Chelsea and Jake :buzi: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsefeathers! Posted July 20, 2003 Share Posted July 20, 2003 Oh, Behle! I've only just seen this topic (still playing catch up from the days I couldn't even get on here)!! I'm so sorry Max is having to go through all this, as well as you. I wish I knew what to say that could ease the emotional torture. Don't give up hope just yet. Max needs to know that you are his rock and his strength when his own strength is failing him. If you start giving up so soon, he may, too. Just love him as only you can and continue to be there for him. The hard decisions (if necessary) will come all too soon, so for now, just treasure each moment you have and try to put aside all the "what ifs" (I know it's easier said than done). I know it's so hard to watch your best friend who was always young and strong suddenly become weak and frail and feel powerless to stop it. I am all too familiar with that pain. We are all here for you and please do be sure to keep us updated as soon as you know anything, good or bad. I'll be sending all the positive energy I can muster Michigan bound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
behle Posted July 20, 2003 Author Share Posted July 20, 2003 I can hardly type for the tears. A "thanks" doesn't begin to express what all of your posts have meant to me these past few days as Max and I go through this illness. I am trying to keep all this "on the back burner" as I go about my weekend, since every time I dwell on it I am good for nothing else. Max is getting lots of cuddles, pats, and any special morsel that he will take from my hand. He is my best buddy. Even though it's not adequate....Thanks - HF, Daisymom, Mouse, and Carolk9s, as well as everyone in my Dogo family. You are :angel: :angel: :angel: for caring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellieangel Posted July 20, 2003 Share Posted July 20, 2003 Oh Behle I'm so sorry I hadn't seen this post :oops: :cry: Poor you and poor Max give him loads of hugs from me and tell him I loves him, :iloveyou: You will both be in my thoughts now Love and hugs xxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elsastarr Posted July 21, 2003 Share Posted July 21, 2003 You are so welcome, it's the very least I could do. I'll keep praying for you both, this is a terrible thing to have to go through, I know. :cry: Big Puppy Kisses & Praying Pawpaws Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
behle Posted July 21, 2003 Author Share Posted July 21, 2003 No news yet on Max's test results...I will call the vet office again tomorrow. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marion Posted July 21, 2003 Share Posted July 21, 2003 We'll say an extra long prayer for Max tonight. :D Will be thinking of you. Let us know asap. :iloveyou: :iloveyou: Hugs and kisses from Ruby and Rosie :iloveyou: :iloveyou: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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