Sad news re Sugar; Lab Results p2 #27

[Freedom]

Sugar didn't recover well from the last lavage (See here: http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?172266-Sugar-Lacey-and-a-short-Marlin-video-Willy-and-Tasha-too&highlight=willy

Monday I had her in to the specialist; he found a loose tooth, just dangling, and a bump on the bridge of her nose, up between the eyes. Today she went in for xrays, biopsy, and removal of that tooth, and a dental.

Sugar has a malignant cancer. It has eaten away the bone in the nasal passage, which is now open to the occipital bone (her left eye bone). It has eaten away much of the jaw bone on the top on one side.

She only had the one tooth removed, the bone to hold it was gone.

We will have a biopsy lab report next week (probably Wed), which will tell us what type of cancer. The specialist said some types, he can give her meds which will slow its growth way down. He doesn't know for sure, but based on his experience, this is not the sort she has; she has an aggressive fast growing sort. Based on the fact there was no sign of this 6 weeks back, and based on what he saw on the xrays, and with the scope in her mouth and nasal passage today. He took lots of biopsies, mouth, gum line, nose, and bump on the outside of her nose, and sent all that to the lab.

We already know we are not doing anything like chemo or radiation. We will work to keep her comfortable and have a good quality of life for as long as we can.

She is home, groggy from the anesthesia, not in any pain, and not aware of anything but a stuffy nose. The nasal congestion is now permanent. He used a syringe to clear it of fluid and snot, but it immediately filled up again, as the bone is all gone.

She has one stitch, which will be removed by a vet tech in about 2 weeks. He is not sure if she will still be with us then, we will know more when we get the lab report next week.

[chocolatepuppy]

Oh Sandie, I'm so sorry to hear this.:( Many prayers for you and Sugar. I hope she is with you and comfortable for a good while. {{{hugs}}}

[Queen of Poop]

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry (LES). Please give Sugar a kiss on the head from me. Sending you a big HUG and loads of good thoughts. :love::love::love:

[kaycountrygal]

I am so sorry to read about Sugar's illness; it sounds terrible. Poor thing--I am glad she is not in pain and hope she won't be. You're both in my thoughts. So sorry. ((Hugs))

[Scooter's Mom]

Sandie, I am sending many ((hugs)) and prayers your way for you and Sugar both.

[fritz03]

Sending good thoughts to you Sandie and Sugar,hope she will be with you a little longer.Know what you are going through.

[Pinot's Mom]

Aw, Sugar, many hugs and kisses from here; for you and your Mom, too.:love:

[Taz_Zoee]

I am so sad to hear this news about Sugar. I hope you are hanging in there. I know you are going through a lot right now with Sugar and Marlin. And I hope Sugar continues to be pain-free for as long as possible.

Big hugs to you Sandie.

[cassiesmom]

Oh Sandie, I'm so sorry to hear this.:( Many prayers for you and Sugar. I hope she is with you and comfortable for a good while. {{{hugs}}}

I am so sorry to learn this sad news. I'm praying too for you and Sugar. (((HUGS)))

[Karen]

So sorry, but at least you know she has had a good life with you, better than it ever would have been. We know you'll keep her as comfortable as possible for the rest of her life, poor thing! The hard part about pets is having to say good-bye, and the more you love, the more it hurts. But just know that the love outlasts the pain.

[Felicia's Mom]

I am sorry about this Sandie. Sending thoughts and prayers to both of you.

[pomtzu]

Oh no Sandie - this is such tragic news. My heart breaks for both you and Sugar. You just have too much on your plate right now - doesn't seem fair.

I know you will keep her comfortable for as long as you possibly can. Hopefully the vet was wrong about it being fast growing - we can only pray.

Prayers going out to both of you. Please give sweet Sugar a gentle hug and kiss from me - and hugs to you too Sandie.

[Randi]

Oh Sandie, I'm so sorry to hear this. :( It must be horrible not being able to breath properly, but at least she is not in pain. My heartfelt wishes that she will comfortable for a while yet.

Please give Sugar some gentle kisses from me and Fister.

((((hugs)))) :love:

[Alysser]

Oh no, I am so sorry to read this about Sugar. :( You will be in my thoughts:love:

[moosmom]

Oh Sandie, I am so very sorry.:( I remember meeting Sugar at the doggie picnic. :(

Please give her head scritches and kisses for me.

Love and hugs

Donna and fur crew:love::love:

[Lilith Cherry]

Oh Sandie I am so sorry to hear the sad news about Sugar - all our prayers are with you. Lots of hugs and good thoughts for you all:love::love::love:

[krazyaboutkatz]

Sandie, I'm so sorry to hear about Sugar.:( This really hit me hard because it brought back sad memories of my Sunny.:( I hope you can make her as comfortable as possible. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent her way. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[Alysser]

How is sugar doing today?? How are YOU doing??

[Freedom]

Thanks for asking, Alysser. Sugar is well, she recovers from anesthesia SO quickly, she ate her full dinner last night as though it was just another day, ha haaa. (Unlike Lacey who doesn't want to be bothered for 48 hours after anesthesia.) I give her a break on walks anyway, her body needs to recoup after the long day.

I walked three this morning: Lacey, Tasha and Willy. Now, I did that yesterday while Sugar was at the specialists, it was fine. But today I got all choked up, thinking this is all it will be very soon.

It is a lovely sunny day, we've sat out in the back yard for an hour at a time, 3 times so far. They love it back there.

I have a few errands I was supposed to do today, I just don't have any interest in leaving. I've had snuggle time with each of the 5, separately, on my bed.

[Cataholic]

My heart is so heavy for you and your crew right now, Sandie. I am so sorry this is all happening to you, at once, though it is never good to deal with on its own, either.

[ChrisH]

Sandie, I am so sorry. You and Sugar, Marlin too, are in my thoughts and my prayers. {{Hugs}}

[Varga]

I'm so sorry to hear this :( Wishing all the best to you and your crew.

[Bonny]

I am so sorry to read about Sugar & Merlin. They both are in my thoughts & prayers. Hugs to you & gentle pets for Sugar & Merlin.

[Grace]

Oh, Sandie - so very sorry to hear about Sugar. Prayers headed your way :love:

[robinh]

Oh Sandie, I am so sorry to hear this. Give her a big hug for me. Love her lots and spoil her rotten for whatever time she has. She is lucky to have you.

[Freedom]

Thank you.

[Freedom]

This afternoon, the specialist called with the lab report. "It really couldn't be any worse" he said. I'll put in the details for medical folks. For the rest of us, skip down to Microscopic Findings and Comment:

*****

Biopsy
Microscopic Description: The multiple small tissue pieces are
segments of a larger mass with a small band of superficial
epithelial cells in one place. This is composed of fields and septa
of proliferative, pleomorphic neoplastic spindle-cells. These have
oval/elongate heterochromatic nuclei with 1-2 mitotic form/hpf and
moderate amphophilic cytoplasm Scattered in and cuffed by the
neoplastic spindle-cells are irregular islands of neoplastic
cartilage. In other fields small staghorn/trebecular deposits of
eosinophilic material consistent with bone matrix are also formed by
the neoplastic cells.

Microscopic Findings: MAXILLARY/NASAL MASS - OSTEOCHONDROSARCOMA.

Comment: This primary bone/cartilage must be considered aggressive
with a guarded to poor prognosis for further local invasion and
possible distant spread.

*****
He said that there is no hope of remission, but we can slow it down using Palladia, a chemotherapy pill. So I have some of those. I never knew, I am not allowed to touch chemo meds, so with the prescription I also got several plastic gloves. Sugar will need periodic kidney and liver blood work done while on this med.

The bump on Sugar's nose is now about the size of a "shooter," those large size marbles. And it oozes and drains. He said it will continue to grow and to drain, that the nose is no longer open for drainage. And the cancer cells prevent any sort of healing where the stitch is. He had considered just leaving it open, but decided to put in the stitch.

We go in on May 3 to have the one stitch out, he said he will stop in to see her at the time and answer any questions I have.

I have so little background I don't even know what to ask!

[Karen]

How sad. How is she feeling? Does it bother her? Is she eating okay?

[Freedom]

Karen, Sugar is eating fine and still enjoys our 2 mile walks daily. She is on pain meds, and he says it is up to me to figure out if / when she is in pain. Some dogs don't seem to feel any pain until the later stages, some dogs feel it earlier.

[Pinot's Mom]

Oh, Sandie and Sugar; all I can do is send prayers and {{{hugs}}}. :love:

[Cataholic]

Words fail. I am thinking of you and your sweet Sugar.

[robinh]

Sandie, there are no words to say how sorry I am to hear this. I had hoped for better news. You and the fur-kids are in my prayers.

[Alysser]

I am so sorry. ((hugs)) to you and Sugar!:love::love:

[Karen]

Karen, Sugar is eating fine and still enjoys our 2 mile walks daily. She is on pain meds, and he says it is up to me to figure out if / when she is in pain.

That's good, both the eating and the walks. Dogs can be pretty amazing at ignoring or masking pain.

[chocolatepuppy]

You, your dad and Sugar are in my thoughts Sandie. {hugs}

[krazyaboutkatz]

Sandie, I'm so sorry to hear this.:( You're in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[caseysmom]

I am so sorry for what you are all going through and sorry I missed this until now.

[moosmom]

Sandie,

I am so sorry to hear about Sugar. You, your Dad and the fur kids will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Queen of Poop]

I am so sorry the results came out the way they did. My heart is breaking for you. You'll both be in my prayers. Sending a big HUG to both you and Sugar. :love::love::love:

[Randi]

Sandie, I'm so sorry to hear about the results, but I hope you can keep Sugar pain free and comfortable. Glad she can go for little walks. :)

Sending lots of ((((hugs)))) :love:

[Felicia's Mom]

I am sorry to hear about Suger. Sending thoughts and prayers to both of you.

[Catty1]

HUGS! I went to the other thread to read about Marlin - I hope some sort of sedative helps!

And dear Sugar...just too stupidly sad and unfair...sending love you you and her. I know you will be sharing lots of love. She has a great home, the best she could have found.:love:

How old are your dogs? I don't come to this side often, but I seem to recall there is quite an age range.

Wishing Sugar many pain-free and happy loving days with you.:)

[Freedom]

Candace, Sugar will turn age 15 years on May 1. Marlin, don't have an exact birthday so I use the date he arrived here as a foster, he will be age 14 years on Aug 2.

The others are a bit younger, Lacey is 9; Tasha is 7 and Willy is 8.

[prechrswife]

I'm so very sorry. :(

[cassiesmom]

Sandie,

I am so sorry to hear about Sugar. You, your Dad and the fur kids will be in my thoughts and prayers.

What Moosmom said! :love:

A candle, too... http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/message.cfm?l=eng&cid=15886351

[Freedom]

Aw, thank you for the candle, Elyse.

And thank you, each and every one of you, for the support and caring messages. I haven't posted much except for updates; but I read and re-read what you have written to us. It means so much.

[Bonny]

Maybe those pills will help extent Sugars life & slow down the cancer. If she is eating & going on her walks she can still enjoy life to fullest. Take each second at a time Sugar & enjoy those pats, walks, & the love of your humans & doggie friends.

[Freedom]

Thanks, Bonny.

There is no chance of a cure or of remission. This is a fast, aggressive cancer.

Palladia has a 37% success rate in slowing its growth. IF Sugar is in that 37%, she may have as much as 90 days, certainly not longer. The specialist is making it all clear to me, he says he doesn't want to "sugar coat" it, there is nothing good in this sort of cancer. And if we are in the 63% where the chemo pill has no effect, we will be lucky to see 4 weeks. :(

I've "spoken" with someone on FB who lost her bichon to this last year. She chose not to do the Palladia, just keep him comfortable. She says it was all so fast she could barely adjust to the diagnosis, and he was gone.

[Randi]

Sandie, you and Sugar are in my thoughts. Sending love and hugs, and hope Sugar will be comfortable and painfree. :love: :love:

[Miss Z]

Really sorry to hear this, Sandie. :( Poor girl. We all know you'll do everything you can to keep Sugar as comfortable as she can be :love:

[IRescue452]

I'm really sorry to hear how bad it is. Please give her hugs for me and spoil her as much as you can until the end.

[Roxyluvsme13]

Poor Sugar, I'm sorry the prognosis is so bad. I know she will have a wonderful time with you while she can. (((HUGS))) and you're both in my thoughts :love:

[Felicia's Mom]

I am sorry to hear about Sugar. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.:love:

[Lilith Cherry]

Thinking lots of loving thoughts for you all Sandie. Kiss Sugar for me:love:

[ChrisH]

So very sorry .. keeping Sugar and you in my thoughts and prayers. {{hugs}}