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Pofi: Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Amputation Pofi's long strange trip to becoming a Tripawd dog

September 24, 2016

A bit of a bump, or lump, in the road

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , — hester @ 3:36 pm

More than four months post amputation and into his 12th year now (# 12 Gotchaversary coming up in November), Pofi continues to do well and be spirited and happy far, far more days than not.  Back on August 1, we had a second post op onco cat scan of lungs and surgical site and all was well.  Lymph nodes unchanged or maybe smaller than at first (we also had FNA cytology of a node at that first appointment and there was nothing concerning), no lung mets and surgical site looking clear as well.  While we were discussing the results and how he was doing in general, the oncologist noted a prominent callused mass on Pofi’s forearm of the remaining front leg.  They took a photo and asked about it and I said it had been there for 6 years, not really grown in the last 5  and been determined to be benign.  They also measured it (a perfectly round 2.25cm diameter) and said we should watch it.

As if those words were heard and understood, by Pofi or that damn lump, it started to seem to bother him in the last few weeks.  And it seemed to get a bit more prominent. It is hard to say which came first – the worrying and licking at it or the greater dimension came first, but despite our efforts, he managed to remove a lot of the callus and ulcerate it.  Still, I was determined we could calm it down, get past this (he was also licking clean some other spots around the wrist – this lump is above that carpus) and he frankly, has always done this to his poor wrists and feet every once in a while.  Always seemed like a seasonal irritation.  But on this past Sunday, at the dog park, he also got it pretty gloriously wet in some mucky lake edge water.  I tried to gently clean it up and redress it to keep him from licking, but by Monday evening, he was suddenly seeming to be very unsettled, very uncomfortable and perhaps a little painful (there were a few little squeaks to indicate this).  It was a rough night – and I considered bringing him in to the U of MN for an emergency look over and consulted with them on the phone, but had given him 2 Tramadol by then and he was calming down and relaxing.  About 6 hours later, 2 more Tramadol and 1 Carprofen seemed to have near immediate effect when he was restless again and in the end we got good sleep.

Wet, dirty and happy - at the Airport Dog Park

Wet, dirty and happy – at the Airport Dog Park

Morning and he acted as if nothing had happened.  But I got a suddenly open slot on the onco schedule for the afternoon and in we went.  Our onco was not available, so another from the staff boned up on his case before we arrived and we had a thorough recheck.  He showed no real sign of pain anywhere at all except when that now mean looking ulcerated mass was poked or prodded and even that was not seemed perfectly reasonable to all of us.  All of the other fatty lipomas he has were once again palpated and measured and nothing seemed changed or troublesome there.  Pofi, in fact, handled it all like a champ.  And the offending lump is still the exact same diameter, but does seem to have more depth to it.  But also sort of inflamed looking.  So he asked, would we or had we ever considered removing it?  YES.  Would I consider removing it now so we could relieve the irritation and worry of infection on his much needed leg?  YES!  And would I like to talk to a surgeon for a quick consult right now if one could be located?  YESSSS!!!

In case there is any wonder why we would consider removal of this thing from his remaining front leg, I present the culprit in all its miserable glory.

In case there is any wonder why we would consider removal of this thing from his remaining front leg, I present the culprit in all its miserable glory.

Happily, a surgeon was located and despite his protestations, Dr. E was able to really get a good feel of it.  We all talked about why it might be bothering him – could be seasonal allergy (other spots on leg also licked clean), it could be he knocked or scratched it first, it could be his only front leg is now sometimes a little painful, especially the fallen, hyper extended carpus, or, of course, it could no longer be benign.  The very good news was that he felt it was not deep at all – only in the skin – and he could remove it quickly and likely even close it without issue despite how little skin there is on the skinny part of a skinny dog’s leg.  Tension relieving incisions MIGHT be necessary, but thought he might be able to do without.

Also discussed – had we ever considered a brace to support that fallen carpus?  Well, yes, before he was a Tripawd this was discussed.  And why had we not pursued? That damn lump, that’s why!  And so if we removed this and get pathology on it, not only would he be more comfortable and we would know if there was some sort of spread (or different cancer), but he could be measured for and get fitted with a custom carpal support brace from Therapaws (or another option).  Honestly, despite the fact this will be the 9th GA for this dog in just over one year, this was a no brainer and when he said he could do it on Friday, I immediately agreed.  I don’t want to manage and worry about this lump any longer.  If it is cancer, it needs to be removed.  If it isn’t cancer, it needs to be removed.  Fine needle aspiration was done and nothing ugly showed in that, but this is not, of course, definitive.

We discussed his current meds regime and onco and surgeon agree we will have to suspend the Palladia while the surgical incision heals, as the way Palladia works could impede healing.  So that is a week to 10 days, but absolutely worth the risk as our use of it is out of an abundance of caution as we see no definitive proof (yet) of recurrence or further metastasis.  So his chest and heart were also listened to and blood drawn for the pre-surgical work up; nothing remarkable and nearly every value is good and none are concerning.  Yet again, after being taken from me for the blood draw, Pofi the three legged wonder hound pulled a perfectly normal sized doctor down the hall like they were ski-jouring to get back to his Mommy; Dr. E laughed and said, “He’s pulling me off my feet!”

We returned home to enjoy the next few days with dinners or rotisserie chicken and kibble, birthday treats (his just past and Mia’s is actually today) and presents.  You can see, despite no pain meds since wee hours of Tuesday morning, he is feeling just fine.  But the lump, while being lightly bandaged afresh daily, is still just ugly.

And because we were in a fine mood, we thought we’d try some selfies:

We are not good at selfies...

We are not good at selfies…

 

...But we laugh about how bad we are at them!

…But we laugh about how bad we are at them!

Cut to Friday morning and after barely sleeping, I am up at 5:15 to be ready to drop him for surgery by 6:30 and then go straight to the office where I have a long and busy day ahead of me culminating with a 2 hour presentation on soon to be launched process and tool changes to the people impacted (think herding cats).   And had signed up to volunteer for a cook-a-thon later (and really can’t back out) and pick up a friend at the airport at midnight to bring her to her hotel.  Pofi is DELIGHTED to be going solo with Mommy in the car until he quickly susses out our direction.  And I get the pleasure of leaving my dog with them, listening to his SHRIEKING echoing off the high ceilings in the expansive hospital lobby.

Surgery went well and was short.  Dr. E had no problems closing the wound.  Po, the champ, came out of anesthesia uneventfully.  He ate dinner very well – was just tiny bit whiny on ride home and at home, but I think it more his dissatisfaction with the mega bandaging than any pain.  To be certain he could sleep, I do give him some Tramadol, but we don’t need to repeat it later.  He woke up pretty bouncy this morning and is being completely chill while Daddy sands the floors in our living room; remarkable in itself as air compressors and other power tools send him round the bend.  In 7 to 10 days, we’ll have the pathology.  Hope, of course, for it to be benign, still.  Or low grade STS at worst.  Appreciate all the good vibes you can lob our way on that count and for healing to proceed without incident.  But we are so, so happy to have it gone.

Post lumpectomy, Mia keeps a watchful eye over her brother. As my husband said, it is easy to overlook the fact this is very hard on her, too. Especially on the days where she ends up home alone with only cats for company. And he is really her only canine friend. Sweet girl.

Post lumpectomy, Mia keeps a watchful eye over her brother. As my husband said, it is easy to overlook the fact this is very hard on her, too. Especially on the days where she ends up home alone with only cats for company. And he is really her only canine friend. Sweet girl.

 

This morning - feeling brighter and completely unworried about the floor sander!

This morning – feeling brighter and completely unworried about the floor sander!

 

20 Comments »

  1. I’m so sorry to hear you’ve had all this to contend with, but sounds as though your handling it really well. Buckets full of good vibes being lobbed your way for positive news from pathology and a speedy recovery for your handsome boy!

    Lots of love,
    Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie)

    Comment by megstamum — September 24, 2016 @ 3:49 pm

  2. Your support means so much. Thank you, remarkable Meg and Clare (who is equally remarkable).

    Comment by hester — September 24, 2016 @ 3:53 pm

  3. Poor Pofi! But hopefully this was just a big ugly nothing and will heal up nicely.

    Comment by otisandtess — September 24, 2016 @ 6:07 pm

  4. We certainly hope so, too! Thanks, Christine.

    Comment by hester — September 25, 2016 @ 12:06 am

  5. We are sending good vibes your way Pofi! Heal well no, more bumps!
    Holly & Purrkins

    Comment by purrkins — September 24, 2016 @ 7:02 pm

  6. Thank you, Holly and sweet kitty friend, Purrkins!

    Comment by hester — September 25, 2016 @ 12:07 am

  7. Oh Pofi you take everything in stride and keep on keeping on don’t you sweet boy? Fingers and paws crossed here for a great pathology report. Love your selfies too by the way. Let’s get through this and hopefully minimal dr appointments after this. Glad to see sister Mia watches over you so well!

    Comment by linda8115 — September 24, 2016 @ 7:14 pm

  8. Pofi thanks you sincerely, especially for the fewer Dr. appointments thoughts!! Thanks, Linda.

    Comment by hester — September 25, 2016 @ 12:08 am

  9. Lisa,
    I am glad that the surgery went well for Pofi. Here is to hoping it is nothing major serious. Hugs to you & Pofi

    xoxoxo
    Michelle & Angel Sassy

    Comment by Michelle — September 24, 2016 @ 7:35 pm

  10. We both thank you warmly, Michelle, for the good thoughts and support!

    Comment by hester — September 25, 2016 @ 12:09 am

  11. POFI!!! POFI THE THREE LEGGED WONDER HOUND!! POFI THE MUCKY MUD WADDING DOG!! POFI THE BLURRY KING OF SELFIES! But most of all POFI, OUR CHAMPION, OUR HERO, OUR MIRACLE DOG!!!

    You are soooooo loved and sooooo well cared for by your humans!! And Mia is a very devoted nurse! With this kind of love and attention, a lump in the road is just that…NO BIG DEAL!! POFI IS A LUMP SMASHING MACHINE!!

    And as odd as this may sound…the “silver lining” is that Pofi gets his brace!! And even though he had to go through a lot of tests, Pofi passed all his tests with flying colors! That’s really encouraging!!

    So, again all is well in Pofi’s world!! 🙂 And he and Mia got some great squeaky toys as an extra bonus!! I had the biggest frin on my face watching Pofi look for a hidi g place for his prize!! You could actually “see” him thinking…”Over there? No, maybe over there? Nope, not there, Mia will find it!”

    Lobbing all the positive healing energy in the Universe your way!!!

    Lots of love!

    BTW…The selfies are priceless treasures! It’s not about a”perfect”‘picture, but it is about a PERFECT MEMORY and you captured that! 🙂

    Comment by benny55 — September 24, 2016 @ 9:41 pm

  12. Thank you for the cheering and support, Sally. You’ll be happy to know his duck is secured with a honking pheasant he hid a week earlier: much to the hysterical delight of friends who were over to witness him as he poked and pushed it down behind the cushions and then grabbed the displaced throw blanket with his mouth and dragged it over the hiding spot for good measure. I kid you not.

    Comment by hester — September 25, 2016 @ 12:13 am

  13. I’m so happy surgery went well and is over….that really was a nasty looking lump, it’s good that it gone. I’m interested to see the brace, I’ve never thought about one for Nitro, but maybe I should. I love how bonded Mia and Pofi are, that she watches over him. And I love that you’re doing selfies….I’m not very good at them either (because I’m not a 16 year old girl, lol), but I do them for the memories. Keeping our paws crossed that the lump comes back nothing, but whatever the outcome, you’ve got this. You are all warriors!

    Paula and Nitro

    Comment by dobemom — September 24, 2016 @ 9:57 pm

  14. Paula, right on the selfie skills? Doesn’t come naturally to me as it does to a teenage girl, but you are right about the memories. Thanks so much…

    Comment by hester — September 25, 2016 @ 12:15 am

  15. Sending you & Pofi huge hugs and lots of love!!!

    Comment by sam12 — September 25, 2016 @ 7:43 pm

  16. Thank you so much, Sam!

    Comment by hester — September 25, 2016 @ 8:11 pm

  17. Love the selfies! Partially fond of nose closeups. 😉 Pofi, you are too adorable. And your sister Mia is a sweetheart for taking one for the team.

    Karma, Adelaide and the pack, and always with our angel Brendol

    Comment by Karma — September 25, 2016 @ 8:24 pm

  18. Thanks, Karma (and pack). I like the nose close ups, too.

    Comment by hester — September 25, 2016 @ 9:40 pm

  19. I was off line all weekend and am just now seeing this!!!! Hoping and praying for the best but also sending HAPPY CELEBRATIONS!!! We do lots of selfies too.. always a challenge. But you did great! So cute those photos.

    Did I hear you say “little boo”? I used to say that to Shelby all the time … and now I call Jasper “Baby Boo”.

    HUGS and keep us posted!
    Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)

    Comment by mom2shelby — September 26, 2016 @ 11:09 am

  20. Thanks much, Alison! Yes, you heard right – Little Boo. Cause, you know, he’s such a little dog! LOL. Sweet that Pofi and Shelby share a nickname, but I do sometimes call him Baby Boo, too…

    Comment by hester — September 26, 2016 @ 5:36 pm

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