Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Not the News We Wanted to Hear

Warning...I'm going to post a gross picture. Why? Because I want you to know what a hemangiosarcoma looks like.

A WHAT?


AKA, cancer.

One of our Golden Girls...Jill, has a hemangiosarcoma on one of her toes on her front right foot. We noticed a sore on the toe about a month ago. We honestly didn't think much of it. With 4 goldens in the house, they are always rough-housing and running around and playing hard. It looked as if she'd scraped the top of her foot somehow, maybe even dragged it while she was on a walk. We tended to the sore, and it seemed to heal up a bit. But then she started to lick at it and when she did it bled, and it bled BAD. This is what it looked like. You can probably see the spot that looks almost like a large blood blister. That is the culprit. Damn cancer. After taking very good care of her paw, and giving it plenty of time to heal, we came to the realization that it wasn't just something that would go away on it's own. We took her to the vet and they recommended that the "mass" be removed.

A relatively easy procedure, and just over $400 later, this is what her paw looks like now. Much better, right?

Well, just when we thought that was over and done with, we got the call with the news that we didn't want to hear. The "mass" that was removed is cancerous. Have I mentioned lately how much I freaking HATE CANCER? Yup, I'm pretty sure I have....

Anyway, the next step is to have her toe amputated. I know it can be a lot worse, and hopefully after they biopsy the toe they will confirm that they were able to get all of the cancer cells, but right now I just feel pretty bummed about it.

2012 just keeps slinging shit my way...or at least that's how it feels. We are waiting to hear back as to when her next surgery will be. Please keep your fingers crossed that all goes well.

7 comments:

kks said...

oh Sue, I'm so sorry about Jill...wow, hemangio on the paw....usually see it in the heart or spleen....i hope that the removal of the toe will end this horrible cancer. thinking of you and your pack...
xoxo

Curt Rogers said...

As always I am keeping you in my thoughts. Give Jill extra ear scritches from me today, okay? Tell her Curt and Duncan are sending her all the positive thoughts we have!

Anonymous said...

This sucks more than words can say. Give her big sloppy wet smooches just like she give me.

Lurline said...

Sue,that is just terrible! Poor puppy - to be hoped you have got rid of that cancer before it has done mor damage. I'm so sad for you all.
Hugs - Lurline.

Lurline said...

Sue,that is just terrible! Poor puppy - to be hoped you have got rid of that cancer before it has done mor damage. I'm so sad for you all.
Hugs - Lurline.

Lurline said...

Sue,that is just terrible! Poor puppy - to be hoped you have got rid of that cancer before it has done mor damage. I'm so sad for you all.
Hugs - Lurline.

Chris H said...

Our first goldy Shevey had the same sort of growth on her forehead. She was lucky and had surgery and they removed it all.
I hope they can remove all of Jill's cancer... poor girl.