I've been on pins and needles for the last several days.
You see, one of my oldest and dearest best friends has been going through a rough time. He went to the doctor on Sunday for an examination and, well, that doctor visit was kind of stressful and traumatic. And now for the last several days, we've been waiting for his test results from that doctor visit.
And I've spent the better part of those last few days…in worry about this best friend of mine.
You see, this particular friend came to me when I was going through kind of a tough time myself. And just a short time after we met, I moved away from everyone I knew and loved and lived on my own in a new city (where I knew no one!) for 6+ months, and this friend of mine remained my constant companion during that time. He helped introduce me to new friends and occupied my time when I got lonely or bored, and we've remained best friends for over 9 years.
And while 9+ years may not seem like very long, it sure has been a long time for my friend. He's now 55 years old (or about 10.5 years old in human years). He has floppy ears and a goofy demeanor to go with them. He's a real goofball (just like me).
He might be 55 years old, but he sure doesn't act like it. (Nor does he look it--unless you catch a glimpse of the slightest wispy whitish-gray hair on his baby face.) He still has a lot of energy and loves chasing squirrels in the park near our house or running up and down the yard at my mom's house when we visit.
For the past year or more, our dog has had a couple of lumps -- one on his back and another smaller one on his front leg. He's not such a big fan of going to the vet (actually, that's an understatement), so although I told the vet assistant about the lumps last time we were there, I really wasn't in such a rush to get them examined properly -- especially since they don't seem to bother or hurt him.
But the last time I was at the vet picking up his flea medication, they kind of insisted that he get examined, and I was in no position to argue (considering he needed a refill on that flea medication).
As I mentioned, to say that he's not such a big fan of going to the vet is kind of an understatement. He hates pretty much everything about it there -- the smell, the way his feet slip on the floor, that they want him to get up on the table, and that every time he goes there he gets shots. The only part of the vet visit that he's actually willing to do is getting up on the scale to be weighed.
Taking him to the vet is highly stressful -- sometimes for me more than it is for him. When I know I have to take him to the vet (for his annual shots or something else), I start dreading it several days before we have to go.
So a couple of weeks ago when the vet assistant insisted that he get an exam, she assured me that they would be able to examine the lumps…they'd just have to put him to sleep first. But before they'd be able to put him to sleep, they'd need me to slip him a little pill to mellow him out and help get rid of some of his anxiety. (Nevermind my anxiety.)
No part of that sounded easy. Because not only is he terrified of the vet, he's also extremely picky about treats and what he eats. I had no idea how I was going to get him to eat the pill.
When Sunday rolled around, we got up and did our usual walk around the block. And, as it turned out, tricking him into eating the pill was easier than I thought it would be which kind of made me feel a little guilty about the whole thing. The vet actually recommended and sold me these treats called Pill Pockets which are like the Play-Doh of dog treats. It was extremely easy to shape the treat around the pill, and he was none the wiser that I'd even drugged him. (My husband even tried to warn him.)
I spoke with the vet assistant on the phone several times before the 3 of us left for the vet's office on Sunday.
The Vet Visit
Sure enough, as soon as we got there, it was extremely traumatic -- for both of us (my husband remained cool headed). Despite our dog's general displeasure with being there, he did manage to jump up on the scale to be weighed….just before going back into panic mode.
The vet assistant managed to wrangle him enough so that the vet could inject him with something to knock him out. And that's when I really started to feel bad for our dog. He lost control of his body and then peed on himself and the floor where he lie.
That was about the time when my husband got roped into helping carry the stretcher (with our dog on it) to the back area.
The vet and his assistant worked quickly and managed to draw blood, draw fluid from both lumps, and even clip his nails in less than half an hour while he was under. And then it was time to wake him back up.
The first lump turned out to be just fatty tissue/fluid.
The second lump -- the one on his back -- was the one they were more concerned about. They explained to us that they'd have to send a slide of it to a lab so they could examine it in more detail. (For those curious, the lump on his back is about the size of a marble. I did take a picture of it, but I'd rather not post it because I just think that's...well, kind of tacky.) They told us we'd have to wait 3-4 days before they'd get the other test results (blood test, the fluid from his lump, and heartworm test).
They put our dog in one of their caged areas so he could wake up on his own and they sent us back home until that time.
Back at Home
When we came back to pick our dog back up Sunday afternoon, he was pretty energetic but still a little groggy. We took him home and tried to keep him comfortable while we waited for the medications to wear off. But it seems no one really enjoys lying around when they're sick. Because the first time our dog saw my husband go down to the garage, he was up on his feet chasing him. Which would have been fine…had he had not still been groggy.
A couple of hours later, I tried to go to the grocery store to pick up a few things, and I think our dog panicked (because I was leaving) and started to follow me...until his legs failed him. He didn't make it very far before he ended up on the floor. By Sunday night, he seemed to be doing better but his 3rd eyelid (Google that if you're ever curious) was still showing and, at times, he seemed to be moving in slo-mo.
By Monday morning, he looked physically better (no more 3rd eyelid--yay!) but I was practically dragging him on the morning walk. By Monday afternoon, he was back to chasing squirrels in the park.
Waiting...and waiting
But…we still didn't know his test results. So we continued to wait.
In the meantime, a contact of mine recounted stories of his dogs who've all died of cancer originating from the same type of "lumps" that my dog has. I guess maybe he was trying to prepare me for the worst(?).
And prepare me, it did. I tried to stay positive about the still unknown test results, but by Tuesday night, my whole dog's life was flashing before my eyes, and I have to admit that I started feeling despondent. I tweeted 3 times in succession, each one less hopeful than the last…culminating in this one.
And in those quiet, desperate moments, I tried something else: I told God about what a great friend my dog has always been to me and I prayed to Him not to take our dog yet. (Ok, so that might have been a little over dramatic. But if you've ever been in my situation or even known a person who is very very ill, then I'm sure you'll understand what went through my mind.)
I am NOT ready to say goodbye to our dog just yet.
The Test Results
I spoke with the vet today and got our dog's test results.
His blood and heartworm tests were perfectly normal. The results of the fluid from the lump on his back were a "little suspicious" but inconclusive. The vet said there's no show sign of malignancy but if we want to be 100% sure, then he suggested a biopsy of the lump. Given that just having them take the fluid from it was pretty traumatic, I think we'll hold off doing any further treatments (like a biopsy) right now. He suggested that we keep an eye on the lump and that we shouldn't worry about it as long as it stays the same size.
Even though the test results weren't 100% conclusive, I'm relieved. And I'm looking forward to spending more time with my best canine friend.
You see, one of my oldest and dearest best friends has been going through a rough time. He went to the doctor on Sunday for an examination and, well, that doctor visit was kind of stressful and traumatic. And now for the last several days, we've been waiting for his test results from that doctor visit.
And I've spent the better part of those last few days…in worry about this best friend of mine.
You see, this particular friend came to me when I was going through kind of a tough time myself. And just a short time after we met, I moved away from everyone I knew and loved and lived on my own in a new city (where I knew no one!) for 6+ months, and this friend of mine remained my constant companion during that time. He helped introduce me to new friends and occupied my time when I got lonely or bored, and we've remained best friends for over 9 years.
He might be 55 years old, but he sure doesn't act like it. (Nor does he look it--unless you catch a glimpse of the slightest wispy whitish-gray hair on his baby face.) He still has a lot of energy and loves chasing squirrels in the park near our house or running up and down the yard at my mom's house when we visit.
Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made. ~Roger Caras
For the past year or more, our dog has had a couple of lumps -- one on his back and another smaller one on his front leg. He's not such a big fan of going to the vet (actually, that's an understatement), so although I told the vet assistant about the lumps last time we were there, I really wasn't in such a rush to get them examined properly -- especially since they don't seem to bother or hurt him.
But the last time I was at the vet picking up his flea medication, they kind of insisted that he get examined, and I was in no position to argue (considering he needed a refill on that flea medication).
As I mentioned, to say that he's not such a big fan of going to the vet is kind of an understatement. He hates pretty much everything about it there -- the smell, the way his feet slip on the floor, that they want him to get up on the table, and that every time he goes there he gets shots. The only part of the vet visit that he's actually willing to do is getting up on the scale to be weighed.
Taking him to the vet is highly stressful -- sometimes for me more than it is for him. When I know I have to take him to the vet (for his annual shots or something else), I start dreading it several days before we have to go.
So a couple of weeks ago when the vet assistant insisted that he get an exam, she assured me that they would be able to examine the lumps…they'd just have to put him to sleep first. But before they'd be able to put him to sleep, they'd need me to slip him a little pill to mellow him out and help get rid of some of his anxiety. (Nevermind my anxiety.)
No part of that sounded easy. Because not only is he terrified of the vet, he's also extremely picky about treats and what he eats. I had no idea how I was going to get him to eat the pill.
When Sunday rolled around, we got up and did our usual walk around the block. And, as it turned out, tricking him into eating the pill was easier than I thought it would be which kind of made me feel a little guilty about the whole thing. The vet actually recommended and sold me these treats called Pill Pockets which are like the Play-Doh of dog treats. It was extremely easy to shape the treat around the pill, and he was none the wiser that I'd even drugged him. (My husband even tried to warn him.)
I spoke with the vet assistant on the phone several times before the 3 of us left for the vet's office on Sunday.
The Vet Visit
Sure enough, as soon as we got there, it was extremely traumatic -- for both of us (my husband remained cool headed). Despite our dog's general displeasure with being there, he did manage to jump up on the scale to be weighed….just before going back into panic mode.
The vet assistant managed to wrangle him enough so that the vet could inject him with something to knock him out. And that's when I really started to feel bad for our dog. He lost control of his body and then peed on himself and the floor where he lie.
That was about the time when my husband got roped into helping carry the stretcher (with our dog on it) to the back area.
The vet and his assistant worked quickly and managed to draw blood, draw fluid from both lumps, and even clip his nails in less than half an hour while he was under. And then it was time to wake him back up.
The first lump turned out to be just fatty tissue/fluid.
The second lump -- the one on his back -- was the one they were more concerned about. They explained to us that they'd have to send a slide of it to a lab so they could examine it in more detail. (For those curious, the lump on his back is about the size of a marble. I did take a picture of it, but I'd rather not post it because I just think that's...well, kind of tacky.) They told us we'd have to wait 3-4 days before they'd get the other test results (blood test, the fluid from his lump, and heartworm test).
They put our dog in one of their caged areas so he could wake up on his own and they sent us back home until that time.
Back at Home
A couple of hours later, I tried to go to the grocery store to pick up a few things, and I think our dog panicked (because I was leaving) and started to follow me...until his legs failed him. He didn't make it very far before he ended up on the floor. By Sunday night, he seemed to be doing better but his 3rd eyelid (Google that if you're ever curious) was still showing and, at times, he seemed to be moving in slo-mo.
By Monday morning, he looked physically better (no more 3rd eyelid--yay!) but I was practically dragging him on the morning walk. By Monday afternoon, he was back to chasing squirrels in the park.
Waiting...and waiting
But…we still didn't know his test results. So we continued to wait.
In the meantime, a contact of mine recounted stories of his dogs who've all died of cancer originating from the same type of "lumps" that my dog has. I guess maybe he was trying to prepare me for the worst(?).
I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren't certain we knew better. They fight for honor at the first challenge, make love with no moral restraint, and they do not for all their marvelous instincts appear to know about death. Being such wonderfully uncomplicated beings, they need us to do their worrying. ~George Bird Evans, Troubles with Bird Dogs
And in those quiet, desperate moments, I tried something else: I told God about what a great friend my dog has always been to me and I prayed to Him not to take our dog yet. (Ok, so that might have been a little over dramatic. But if you've ever been in my situation or even known a person who is very very ill, then I'm sure you'll understand what went through my mind.)
I am NOT ready to say goodbye to our dog just yet.
The Test Results
I spoke with the vet today and got our dog's test results.
His blood and heartworm tests were perfectly normal. The results of the fluid from the lump on his back were a "little suspicious" but inconclusive. The vet said there's no show sign of malignancy but if we want to be 100% sure, then he suggested a biopsy of the lump. Given that just having them take the fluid from it was pretty traumatic, I think we'll hold off doing any further treatments (like a biopsy) right now. He suggested that we keep an eye on the lump and that we shouldn't worry about it as long as it stays the same size.
Even though the test results weren't 100% conclusive, I'm relieved. And I'm looking forward to spending more time with my best canine friend.
My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am. ~Author Unknown
good to have a good news,best for your pet.
ReplyDeleteThanks Daanish. He's doing much better now. :)
ReplyDelete--Meliha