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Post by catstina on Oct 17, 2012 11:49:52 GMT -5
So sorry to hear that, Suzi. You and Dharma are in my thoughts.
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Post by maryellen on Oct 17, 2012 15:57:58 GMT -5
oh no.. hopefully the vet caught the 2 new ones right away.. hugs to you and dharma
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Post by suziriot on Oct 17, 2012 17:01:37 GMT -5
Thanks all. Dharma is home with me now. Our vet said she got very good margins on the tumors and we should have biopsy results early next week. The other two were very very small and I'm glad she was so thorough and careful. We missed them on our own examination of her. The thing that really worries me is that one of the other tumors was actually two tumors - a small lesion was right next to it and completely under the skin, so we could not have seen it. There were three other lumps the vet aspirated as well, two of which were sebaceous cysts and one was a skin tag. She removed the two bad teeth and did grafts to build a bone matrix so she won't have gaping holes. We're starting prednisone in preparation for chemo, which will start in 2 weeks for a 12 week course of treatment. Please think good thoughts for my girl in the next few months.
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Post by michele5611 on Oct 17, 2012 17:29:58 GMT -5
Glad that she is home now and resting. Sounds like you have a great vet!
Interesting about the one tumor being underneath another. Same thing happened to Harley last month a mast cell lurking under another type of cancerous tumor. It is impossible to find everything no matter how diligent you are...we do the best we can. Really is scary but Dharma is in good hands. Dharma is a trooper and she is very lucky to have such a great owner. Be sure to update us on her progress.
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Post by melonie on Oct 17, 2012 17:56:07 GMT -5
Sending positive thoughts your way!
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Post by loverocksalot on Oct 17, 2012 22:05:05 GMT -5
BTW I have been told that Frankincense helps heal these lumps and cancer. Someone just sent me a document on it for pets. I will be praying for your girl. Be well!
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Post by emilys on Oct 17, 2012 22:28:28 GMT -5
oh Suzi.. I'm so sorry, and hoping for the best for Dharma.......
((hugs))
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Post by suziriot on Oct 19, 2012 16:54:35 GMT -5
Ok we met with the vet this afternoon to go over the pathology results and I brought along the research I had done and my questions. The masses were all identified as mast cell tumors, which we knew. Two were Grade I and one was on the low end of Grade II. The good news is that all were extremely low to zero on the mitotic index, which is the most important indicator in the prognosis. Dogs with tumors with a mitotic index below five have an average life expectancy of five years, which is well within Dharma's normal life expectancy.
She's on the prednisone and we start vinblastine in a couple weeks. Her three sutures are pretty big, but fortunately she's not licking or bothering them too much. The report said the vet got very good margins, so that's good too. Poor Dharma, she looks pretty banged up. Other than seeming a little sore and unsteady with the back legs, she's doing good.
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Post by maryellen on Oct 19, 2012 16:59:45 GMT -5
yeah for Dharma!!!!!
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Post by catstina on Oct 19, 2012 17:06:23 GMT -5
So happy to read the prognosis is good!!
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Post by michele5611 on Oct 19, 2012 18:01:14 GMT -5
Glad to hear they were all pretty low grade and mitotic index was low.
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Post by melonie on Oct 19, 2012 18:08:10 GMT -5
*sigh of relief*
She's been through enough in her life, so I'm glad to hear that this isn't a dire situation for her.
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Post by loverocksalot on Oct 20, 2012 7:22:14 GMT -5
Good to hear she is doing good.
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Post by adoptapitbull on Oct 20, 2012 8:49:25 GMT -5
That's what we want to hear!
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Post by Dave on Oct 21, 2012 17:09:30 GMT -5
Suzi, that's the best news to get!
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Post by RealPitBull on Oct 22, 2012 20:36:10 GMT -5
I was scared to click on this thread. Whew, I am so relieved!
~Mary
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Post by suziriot on Oct 22, 2012 20:52:28 GMT -5
She's doing really well. Hopping around acting like her normal crazy self. Hopefully we can keep her strong through the chemo too.
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sharron
Full Fledged Poster
Posts: 191
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Post by sharron on Oct 23, 2012 2:55:35 GMT -5
So sorry to hear about Dharma . Prayers , positive thoughts and lit candles.
My Beau had mast cell cancer for three years. Every time we removed them with surgery , others would appear.
Thinking of you both . Hugs !!
sharron
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Post by RealPitBull on Oct 23, 2012 7:17:29 GMT -5
She's doing really well. Hopping around acting like her normal crazy self. Hopefully we can keep her strong through the chemo too. Yay Dharma! Give her a kiss for me?
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Post by emilys on Oct 24, 2012 10:56:58 GMT -5
good news!
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