Update On Cookie - could use a few rays

Valerie · April 05, 2007, 02:17:58 PM

We took Cookie to the vet surgeon (at the same hospital where she had her back surgery) to have them look at the lump on her throat. Its a spindle tumor, which is cancer.

They ideally would like to run an MRI, then do surgery to remove as much as possible. Then what they remove will be biopsied. We may have to follow up with radiation after that. They aren't sure how much they can remove during surgery as its close to the trachea and larynx.

Financially this is going to be tough. They said, if we don't want to do the MRI ($1900) they can still go ahead with the surgery ($3000), he just prefers having the MRI to have a good visual of what is in there. I really don't feel qualified to say whether or not to do the MRI- I don't want to skimp on my Cookie's care, but on the other hand, we are still paying off the back surgery. :verdict: Its a tough call, but we are probably going to have them do it all. I'd rather pay off cc's for a year than not have my girl around.

We went ahead and made the appointment for next Wednesday to do the MRI and surgery. We love Cookie so much, we don't want ths mass to get any bigger or spread or cause her pain.

What a tough day- i didn't go back to work after the appt- I was too teary eyed and drained. I am beginning to hate that hospital- I end up in tears every time I am in there!

(in reality they are very good there, I just hate that we have to be there!)

Barb · April 05, 2007, 02:20:33 PM

Bless your heart and Cookie too.....she and you have been through so much. Sending massive rays that they get it all and your girl is on the mend soon. Please keep us updated and give Cookie a soft belly rub from me. Hang in there mom - be strong.

Jeri · April 05, 2007, 02:27:58 PM

So sorry to hear about Cookie's lump. I hope the doctor can remove all the cancer.

PattyInAK · April 05, 2007, 02:34:15 PM

I am SO sorry! How old is Cookie? I would also be in a predicament with the $$$. My vet is one who will tell me exactly what the odds are, and what he would do. I trust him to be up-front and honest with me, I have to know the facts. In Cookies case, I would want to know what the radiation would put her through. If everything was positive, I'd find a way to budget so I could get the bills paid off in a year or two. Will keep Cookie in my prayers.

Sandishooligans · April 05, 2007, 02:51:54 PM

Oh no! Sweet Cookie is in our thoughts today. I can understand about the $$. Our vet (the 2nd one) with Dolly was very upfront about everything. In her case, yes, we could have done surgery and tests and more tests, but our vet was very truthful about her prognosis and I trusted his judgment that it would be to our Dolly's benefit if we said goodbye at that time.

Cookie sound like a .....tough Cookie. Sending loads of rays her way for GOOD NEWS.

Valerie · April 05, 2007, 03:11:53 PM

Quote from: PattyInAK on April 05, 2007, 02:34:15 PM
I am SO sorry! How old is Cookie? I would also be in a predicament with the $$$. My vet is one who will tell me exactly what the odds are, and what he would do. I trust him to be up-front and honest with me, I have to know the facts. In Cookies case, I would want to know what the radiation would put her through. If everything was positive, I'd find a way to budget so I could get the bills paid off in a year or two. Will keep Cookie in my prayers.

Cookie is about 8 or 8 1/2 ( she was roughly 6 when we adopted her 2 years ago, we aren't quite sure when her birthday is).
The vet said they see a lot of patholgy cases, and hers is very optimistic about a good prognosis. He thinks she will recover very well from the surgery, but he can't give us more info on the tumor until it goes to the lab and they see what stage it is. Its just because of the location they aren't sure how much can be removed from surgery (vs a leg for example). I did not even ask what the radiation would do, as I really don't want to know until we have to cross that bridge. I guess I am staying hopeful that the surgery will get it all. I have to take this one step at a time.

Valerie · April 05, 2007, 03:13:05 PM

Quote from: Sandishooligans on April 05, 2007, 02:51:54 PM

Cookie sound like a .....tough Cookie. Sending loads of rays her way for GOOD NEWS.

She is a tough Cookie- especially when she stands behind her Mama's legs to bark at the vet.

PattyInAK · April 05, 2007, 04:06:45 PM

Quote from: Valerie on April 05, 2007, 03:13:05 PM
She is a tough Cookie- especially when she stands behind her Mama's legs to bark at the vet.

Misty was my "tough guy." I brought her in to work one day before a vet appointment, and that little 10-lb. squirt sat on my lap and did her deep throaty growl at anyone who dared to walk by, like they were really going to be frightened.

Kari · April 05, 2007, 07:07:12 PM

I am so sorry to hear this!! Let me know if there is anything Drew and I can do for you! Rays coming your way!

cheryl186 · April 05, 2007, 08:48:11 PM

I am so very sorry to hear about Cookie. Prayers and Mega Rays for a very good prognosis for her. I hope they can get all the tumor....Hang in there...I know it is tough but we are all here for you.

papbouv · April 05, 2007, 11:45:47 PM

Rays from Oklahoma too so sorry to hear Cookie has cancer hope they can get it all too.
Papbouv

Valerie · April 06, 2007, 07:22:12 PM

Thank you all! Cookie ended up sleeping in the big bed last nght with us. I think she could sense that I was upset, plus she walked in the room when I was on the phone with her regular vet and just stared at me with these big sad eyes. I think she knew I was talking about her.

I think we have decided to just do the surgery- no MRI. The cost is just too much. We just want them to remove the lump for now and send it to the lab and go from there. We caught it early and its tiny so I am going to have faith that surgery will get it and we won't have to worry about it coming back for a long time. This dog has been through enough this year and I want to keep the procedures done to her to a minimum.

Mike · April 06, 2007, 07:54:01 PM

Golly, we need to stop this run on our furry friends. Sending rays that all will come out in the best possible manner for Cookie.

Dee Dee and Hallie · April 06, 2007, 08:04:44 PM

I am so sorry Valerie it is so terrifying to get that kind of news (most of us have been there...those that haven't, will, it's definitely the down side to having these precious little souls). For having to have it though it sounds like it is about as good as you can hope for! I know you'll find out more but many prayers coming from us too that it is early and easily removed. Hang in there give her a hug for us too.

Roberta · April 07, 2007, 03:26:32 PM

Rays and good thoughts to Cookie. Tough cookies are little stars.
Roberta

Kari · April 12, 2007, 11:57:17 AM

How is Cookie doing??

LUVMYGUNNER · April 12, 2007, 04:16:17 PM

hope all goes well for the little sweetie.

Valerie · April 12, 2007, 04:58:07 PM

Thanks so much for asking! I was going to come in here today and update…

I have decided to get a 2nd opinion. I wasn’t 100% comfortable with all the procedures the wanted to do on Cookie + the expense is way more than we can comfortably handle right now. I called another vet (who was not taking patients right now-darn!) who spent time on the phone with me and referred me to another hospital with a surgeon that they send many of their patients to. They said the hospital I took Cookie to originally is the most expensive one in our area. They said that this other surgeon is good at coming up with treatment based on your budget.
So I called vet surgeon #2, and the person in her office was extremely nice, and extremely understanding of the fact that we had just undergone back surgery and didn’t have a huge budget to spend on this lump. So we meet with them on Monday morning.
I feel much better about this 2nd appt.
I left the 1st appt very confused and unsure as to which treatment was best and overwhelmed at the expense.

cheryl186 · April 12, 2007, 05:07:40 PM

It is always very wise to get a second opinion....still sending healing rays and comforting hugs for you all

, am praying for you all and hoping things turn out as best as possible.

Kari · April 13, 2007, 08:57:02 AM

I'm glad that you are getting a second opinion if you were uncomfortable! Good for you! I hope the appt goes well! Where are you taking her?? I did love VSH but found them to be somewhat expensive too. But in the end was glad I took her there for the problems that she was having with her back and immune system. But it is always good to get that second opinion if you have that option - especially if it works better with your budget and you feel more comfortable.

Dee Dee and Hallie · April 13, 2007, 12:48:03 PM

That was a good idea to get a second opinion, it's so hard to make decisions at times like this! We're praying for you and Cookie, please let us know what you end up doing.

scootersmom · April 13, 2007, 01:12:52 PM

Wow, what a difficult thing to be going through...thoughts and rays and support coming your way...keep us posted, please.

Valerie · April 13, 2007, 07:25:38 PM

Quote from: Kari on April 13, 2007, 08:57:02 AM
I'm glad that you are getting a second opinion if you were uncomfortable! Good for you! I hope the appt goes well! Where are you taking her?? I did love VSH but found them to be somewhat expensive too. But in the end was glad I took her there for the problems that she was having with her back and immune system. But it is always good to get that second opinion if you have that option - especially if it works better with your budget and you feel more comfortable.

I loved VSH for her back issues. It was worth every penny to see her walk (mostly) normal again.

For this lump- I think they might be too high tech- too much. The other hospital I am going to is VCA hospital. http://www.vcaemergency.com/

Valerie · April 13, 2007, 07:26:20 PM

Just wanted to add thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. It really means so much to me.

doxielady5569128 · April 13, 2007, 07:35:14 PM

I just realized I had neglected to send rays and prayers to Cookie! I truly hope she can beat this. we're here for you all the way!!! Thanks for keeping us posted.