Sheba had surgery on Thursday to have a questionable lump removed. This lump was in the same area as the cancerous lump she had removed about 11 months ago, but this one was much smaller than that. However, I thought I could feel another small lump underneath this one, and that was what really worried me.
Unfortunately, it turns out that I was justified in my worry. When she was shaved for surgery, they could see what looked like other lumps, and when our vet was done he had removed a large area of connected lumps, and she had a 6 inch long incision. He feels strongly that it’s the same cancer as before, and he did his best to remove all he could find, and to leave “clean margins”.
If you’re squeamish…scroll past this photo. I tried to blur it just a little, I really just wanted to show the length of it.
Because of what he found, he wanted to do chest x-rays to check for cancer in her lungs. I think that was the phone call that scared me the most. They did find one small spot that they will want to keep an eye on, but that was it. What a long day of waiting and worrying that was, and none of it was the news we wanted to hear.
We could never feel those other lumps, between her thick fur and the fact that the probable cancer hid underneath the layer of fat just under her skin. I asked the doctor if he felt that this stemmed from him not getting all the cancer last time, and he said yes. The one good thing about that is that it’s been close to a year, so if it comes back hopefully it will be slowly again. That probably gives us a best case scenario of another year with her. Until we get the lab results to verify exactly what it is though, we won’t know what her long term prognosis is. We’ll find that out in a few days.
In the meantime we are trying to focus on her recovery. She is really doing great. After the last surgery we were dealing with seromas (pockets of liquid) which caused concern for possible infection, but so far this time her incision is looking great; there is no swelling or redness.
She spent the first couple hours at home in the crate (considering she has never been crated I was impressed with her that with only working on it for one week, she was willing to go in). As you can see in the photo below she is not happy about it though. I wanted to keep her quiet while she was still loopy from the drugs, and keep her separate from her siblings for a while – they can get weird (snarly) when one comes home from the vet or doesn’t feel well.
She was much happier when Dad got home and we let her out to come up to bed with us. We haven’t had to put her back in since. She seemed pretty good the next day, but I think the pain killers the vet gave her were still helping then. Saturday morning she was quite stiff and had trouble going up and down the stairs. But by afternoon she was better. We gave her Rimadyl with the vet’s OK, and Sunday morning she did much better on the stairs – still slow but not as bad.
Since then the challenge has been keeping her and Luke from playing, and keeping her indoors while Luke and Cricket get their exercise. But she is simply the best patient – look, in the second photo, you can see she’s still smiling!
She is a trooper and a strong girl. If all continues to go well, then the stitches will be out two weeks after surgery and things can get back to normal for her. I dread the phone call with the vet, and what we’re going to find out, but I’m not going to speculate about that too much. If it’s the same cancer, there is not much treatment other than radiation available and we opted not to do that last time. We’ll deal with all that when we know more for sure. I am trying to stay optimistic but I’m still very scared. Our past dealings with cancer and our pets have never been good. It’s an insidious disease and in our experience often comes back with a vengeance.
Samantha
You might remember that Sam is hyperthyroid, diagnosed over 6 months ago, and they also suspected she might have cancer when she stopped eating around the same time. But a short time on prednisolone last spring got her eating again, and we didn’t have the invasive tests done that they recommended. I honestly thought it was the thyroid meds, or the stress of just having to take them that affected her appetite and I might have been right.
I feel lucky that it seems we made the right decision. Sam went for her 6 month blood test last week, and her thyroid levels are right where they should be. She tolerates the meds well and takes them daily with very few issues. She has gained back all the weight she lost back then, and her appetite remains good. She’s still finicky but we’ve found certain things that she continues to like so we’re just sticking with those.
I was actually concerned that she was overweight again but the vet thinks she is perfect (phew, is Sam relieved there’s no diet!). Her coat is soft and healthy. For a while she constantly had little scabs around her face which we could never determine the cause of for sure. When I was brushing her the other day, she had no scabs whatsoever. Right now she seems extremely healthy and we are thrilled about that. She’ll continue with her current dosage of thyroid meds and hopefully stay that way for a long time to come!
Now to hope for good news for Sheba…..maybe 6 months to a year from now I’ll be writing about how well she is doing – paws crossed.
Hooray for good news! Hope you have some on Sheba too. That’s some zipper on her side.
All things considered, that all sounds like very good news. That incision is a doosey! Hopefully she’ll be well enough to go out more in the next few days. Paws crossed that you get some good news regarding the pathology results.
And good news about Sam’s thyroid levels being stable. If that’s a recent picture of her, she looks fantastic. We managed our kitty on thyroid meds for nearly 4 years (he lived to 17) and paws crossed Sam will be just as easy to keep stable.
I’m so glad to hear that about your kitty, I sure hope Sam can be with us for 4 or more years yet. It was scary in the beginning, but she really is doing well now. That IS a recent photo of her….I cannot believe how healthy her skind and coat is now compared to how it was.
I posted an update on Sheba today…not the news we were hoping for. 🙁
Such good news for Sam! I’m glad that Sheba is doing so well after surgery. That’s quite an incision! My heart goes out to you. My experience with my dogs and cancer has not all been bad, though, so keep those positive thoughts. I’ve watched for your FB updates and please know you’re in my prayers.
I imagine it was very stressful. Hoping for a good recovery! Good news on Sam.
So glad to hear good news about Samantha, Jan. And our beautiful Sheba, well, she is just the best girl, so strong and happy through everything she has to go through. You know our hearts our there with her and you all. All these wonderful prayers and positive thoughts coming her way have to help, at the very least, for you to have as long a time with her as you could hope for. Hang in there, you are stronger than you know as well!!
I hope the biopsy comes back inflammation or suture reaction. Hope all is well with her. So glad to hear Sam is doing so well! Fingers crossed and prayers headed your way.
Thank you, JoAnn! Sheba is doing very well – healing well, feeling good, and not wanting to stay quiet! We’re just trying to focus on all of that right now and hope for the best long term.
Sending you a hug Jan, and paws crossed for Sheba as well. Sam’s good news is great to hear. Hold on, don’t lose the faith, know there are many prayers going up for your entire family. Let us know what else we can do ❤️
I’m glad to hear Samantha is doing so well and hope the same will be true for Sheba soon. We hate the C-word so much! Hopefully the vet got it all and you’ll still have a long time with her!!!
So glad to hear that everyone is ok. Sheba is a brave and happy girl. Harley is a lumpy guy, you’d think I’d be used to it, but everytime we go to get them checked Im holding my breath. Here’s to a long, happy life for both of these sweet babies! <3
Poor Sheba. We’re purring that she heals quickly and if it is the same evil C as before, it’s progress is veeeerrrrryyyyysloowwwww. We’re glad to hear Sam is doing well, though. Keep it up, Sam!
So glad Samantha is doing so well. You’d think she’d be grateful for all your care by helping you out with a review or two. 🙂
And Sheba is a beautiful girl. I’m glad to hear her incision is healing well. Hopefully you’ll get good news from the doctor. I know that whatever the case you’ll take care of Sheba like no one else in the world.
Wonderful news about Sam, we’re so happy to hear this! We’re sending lots of prayers out to Sheba – bless her, she really IS a trooper and such a happy girl! I certainly can understand your fear – as you know, you and I are exactly the same when it comes to worry and fear. Our fingers and paws are all crossed for you – even Daisy’s! I’ll be watching for your next update.
I’m sending lots of love and healing thoughts Sheba’s way. That is quite the incision–poor girl. But I am so happy to see she’s still smiling through it all. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the next phone call from the vet is better news. And I’m so glad to hear that Sam is doing so well!
I’m saying healing prayers and sending lots of positive energy. You are right, she’s a strong girl and with you in her corner, well…she’s one lucky girl. 🙂
Sending prayers to sweet Sheba. It is easier said than done not to worry. She is so loved. I am happy for the news about Sam.
Oh my goodness! I want to say poor Sheba but maybe she is lucky in some way that the vet did such an invasive surgery. It sounds like she is coming around and we will keep all paws crossed for a positive outcome. We are also pleasantly surprised at how well Sheba is doing, especially since mom didn’t have as good as luck with her hyperthyroid cats. Love Dolly
Wow, you have a full plate right now. I hope this last surgery was all that will be needed. Hopefully they got all the nasty cancer this time. We are sending get well quick thoughts your way.
I’m sending my best thoughts and prayers to Sheba. What a good girl to be so strong with all of those staples. That Golden smile just melted my heart. I really hope that she will be cancer-free. ♥ ♥ Good for Sam too!
Aw my sweet, sweet Sheba. Jan, I am so very sorry for all your going through, Sheba is such a strong girl, and very lucky to have such a great mom who truly cares about her. Paws crossed for you guys and sending all my prayers your way. ((hugs))
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
That is quite the incision on Miss Sheba. We’re sending you lots of positive energy – it’s hard to stay optimistic, but Sheba seems to know how to do it!
I will be praying for Sheba. That is a long incision, she is an excellent patient. I am glad Sam is better.
Sheba remains in my thoughts and prayers – as you all do – with giant hopes for her long-term prognosis. As Bev said, I am sending POTP every waking moment to help her fight this. And Callie is watching over her as well. I know how scared you are, how utterly helpless the wait can make you feel. I will continue to be here for you.
I am so glad the news about Samantha is so good- God knows you needed it to be!
We have our paws crossed and are sending positive thoughts and prayers to Sheba. Cancer is a very scary, and mean disease. Good for Samantha doing better. Two bouts of bad news would be almost too much!
Sam I’mk so glad you got good news…. I cross my paws that the good news will continue and that efurrything goes purrfect. And yes, Sheba is a trooper and a golden hero…all paws and fingers are crossed and we hope hope hope for as much time as possible …. hugs to you all
Oh poor sweet Sheba..i hate these things..so unfair..i am sending more POTP for her and hope she has a quick recovery from this latest surgery..bless her smiling face i could just cry 🙁 i am glad Samantha has been getting good results though..it seems unfair when more than one pet is unwell..sending gentle hugs and love to you all..
Bev xx <3
I guess it goes with the territory when you have multiple senior pets, as you probably know! Thank you for all of your support and POTP. Sheba seems to feel very well, so we hope that is a good sign.
xxoo