Another Unknown Growth

[_whits_]

We had a bandage change on Saturday and the surgeon let me come into the treatment room to see the incision. The incision is healing beautifully. Better yet, she hasn't bothered the bandages at all. 

Her surgeon didn't have me watch the bandage change (what little I witnessed had a large man about the size of a linebacker holding her still for the surgeon), but was laughing as he brought her back into the consultation room. He asked, "is she always this quirky!?" Then told me if I ever didn't want her that he'd adopt her in a heartbeat. She's been a great Cairn ambassador. 

Her surgeon said the incision is healing enough that Addie's allowed to jump on and off the bed, which has saved my sleep and sanity.

I have so appreciated the wonderful ramp/stair suggestions and am planning on getting one for the bed once I can figure out the best configuration for our very tiny room. As it is, Addie has me lift her on the bed and only jumps off once for water and back on to sleep the rest of the night. My bed is low to the ground as is my guest bed, as Addie learned to hide under bed frames (for HOURS once) and I dealt with my frustration by putting the beds on low box springs on the floor. But I do think long-term I don't want her leaping unnecessarily.

I should get the pathology report tomorrow. Addie gets her bandage removed for good on Saturday. 

Here's her modeling her new pink bandage and her rain boot. 

[josie&holly]

Addie is lovely and that is good that she was able to to demonstrate how lovely Cairns are to Vet!

[hheldorfer]

Addie is an excellent Cairn ambassador and it's wonderful to hear that she's healing quickly.  How long until she can lose that bandage for good?

[Hillscreek]

Such a stylish girl! Glad she's healing well.

Edited May 31, 2016 by Hillscreek

[Sam I Am]

I love the soulful look with her pink bandage on. 

[Lynn in TN]

"Is she always this quirky?" 

I would love to know what she did to get that comment. lol

Addie you are beautiful! I am so glad you're on the mend.

[Dempsy's Mom]

She looks just like we would feel .....

[tlwtheq]

Little Sweetie; she wears those in style.

 

[LindaMC]

So happy that Addie came through the surgery and is on the mend and healing very well.  She is indeed a very beautiful Cairn, I love her coloring.   I'm another Cairn upright who is worrying about Maisie and her jumping off our bed.  She needs a boost up but always insists on jumping off herself and I cringe every time she does.  My bed is high and I've been looking for stairs that will fit with our bed but haven't seen any yet.  I like the idea of a ramp but don't have the slightest clue of how to make one.  I will have to look in to that.

Once again, so glad that Addie is doing well.

[kjwarnold]

How's Adie doing?  I'm curious to hear about your pathology report, hopefully it came out as good as can be expected.  

[Autumn & Lola]

Waiting, too, to hear the results.

Our new bed is much higher than the old one, and a lot bigger, too. That means that I have to walk sideways to get onto my side. I've been thinking about this ramp business. It really is too high for Lola to be jumping on/off, but I have *no* clue how we'd fit one in the tiny room. We usually put her on the bed, but she jumps off herself.

[sanford]

On June 3, 2016 at 9:53 AM, Autumn & Lola said:

...Our new bed is much higher than the old one...We usually put her on the bed, but she jumps off herself.

Would you have room for a small (padded) footstool or low bench next to, or at the foot of the bed? Lola might be coaxed/taught to use it for getting up on the bed, but using it to get down is another matter!

Edited June 4, 2016 by sanford

[_whits_]

Addie's pathology results took a little longer than expected. Today we received the results, and she had both her bandage and stitches removed.

The pathology results show that the lump was a benign infiltrative lipoma. Not cancer, which is a relief I can't properly express. 

Apparently lipomas have a tendency to grow back, and infiltrative lipomas are more difficult to deal with and more damaging than your average lipoma in that they will attach to and displace surrounding tissue. Her surgeon told me that there's a "medium" likelihood that this will grow back, that it will always have to be removed if it does grow back, and that each subsequent surgery gets more and more difficult to both perform (especially with her leg not having much extra skin and tissue to begin with) and to entirely remove the lipoma. 

He is recommending that I meet with a different specialist to have a course of radiation done on her leg to kill off what's left of the lipoma cells. According to her surgeon, radiation has a high success rate of getting rid of these infiltrative lipomas permanently, but only when done after the first lipoma is removed (once it grows back apparently radiation rarely works to prevent further recurrences). 

I spoke to Addie's regular vet today and she recommended the same course of action, because of the chance of recurrence, the damage these infiltrative lipomas can do, and the increased difficulty and complications with each removal. She also noted her worry over how fast Addie's lipoma grew, suspecting that a future lipoma could get unwieldy quite quickly.

On Monday, I'll call the specialist in radiation oncology that Addie's surgeon recommended to get a better idea of what's involved in a course of radiation for this particular diagnosis. I am very, very, very grateful that it is not cancerous but still a bit intimidated by the particular type of lipoma she's had and the complications that could be involved. 

The vet said Addie was "an amazing patient" throughout his time with her. I'm very proud of how well she has represented Cairns. 

She was starting to develop a bit of a rash from the bandage so I'm happy to have it off, and pleased the incision has healed enough to have the stitches out. However, I'm back to watching Addie 24/7 because although she didn't bother her bandage one bit, she's been trying to gnaw at her newly exposed foot every chance she gets. I imagine it itches like crazy. I also feel bad because she's been limping again since the bandage came off this morning.  Her activity is still restricted for another week. I imagine it will take a while to rebuild her stamina after nearly three weeks with only potty breaks for exercise. 

Here's hoping the scabbing heals quickly, the rash clears up soon, and we get some clarification on the radiation aspect of things. 

Thank you all for your kind words and warm thoughts for my little girl. Cairn Talk is such a wonderful supportive community. I so wish we could have the sleepover at Brad's with our collective chaos of Cairns. 

[pkcrossley]

it's good news, we are all very relieved. if you have a radiation center within convenient distance you are lucky. the radiation thing will be hard on you but not on addie. the staffs at these places are fantastic and they will take good care of both of you. addie will think it is a trip to see all her friends. here's hoping you get a good protocol and get the thing under control for good. 

[hheldorfer]

It's wonderful that the growth wasn't cancerous but I understand your continued concern about radiation therapy.  It probably will not be easy to go through the radiation protocol, but there will be an end to it and (fingers crossed) you will not have to worry about future lipomas.   Please give Addie high-fives, a few extra treats and lots of cuddles from all of us.

[Sam I Am]

Oh such a relief ! I get your concern about the radiation but on a positive side, it sounds like it will stop the future growths. 

Have you thought about putting a kids sock on Addie's leg? Would she leave it alone?

[tlwtheq]

So glad about the benign pronouncement!  It's good she's young and strong, and that oncology treatment should be successful. 

 

[Hillscreek]

Good to know positive results. Hoping the radiation will keep future growths at bay. Addie is young and strong so that should help her. We'll be thinking of you both and wishing you good luck.

[Autumn & Lola]

I'm so glad it was benign. She will get through the radiation with flying colors. Sorry for short message-I am away and one-finger typing. Hugs to the both of you from me and Lola.

 

[_whits_]

Addie has had a bit of a set-back.

Once her bandage came off and stitches came out a little over a week ago, she starting limping. I figured it was normal, as there wasn't much skin on her leg and I figured the incision was quite tight as it healed and probably pulled on her scabs so was likely a bit uncomfortable. Also, the limping was only first thing in the morning and at the very end of the day. And her incision was healing really, really well, to where there's only a small section with scabs still (the deepest part of the incision) and the rest has scarred over.

But three days ago she started crying occasionally when she took a step (no indication of a trigger, once when she was on a short potty walk, once when she turned to leave the bedroom, once when I placed her on the ground (front feet first; her injury in is in the back). It really alarmed me because Addie has NEVER screamed in pain, and these were screams of pain. She has been stung by bees, she's had vets poke and prod her, she had me step on a front foot about a year ago . . . she simply does not express any sense of pain ever. Except now. 

When she was in her bandage it took everything I could do to keep her from jumping on furniture and dragging me on long walks. Now, she's having trouble stepping up on the sidewalk and hasn't attempted a furniture jump (her surgeon did okay it) since she tried to jump on my bed earlier this week and couldn't make it up. It's not that I want her jumping on furniture, it's just I'm alarmed at how something that was a piece of cake (she's basically a professional high and long jumper) even the week of surgery (despite me trying to stop it!) has become impossible. She's also stopping a lot even on short walks, and sitting whenever we stand still for a moment (when usually she'd be pulling to get going, even when she had her bandage on). 

I called her surgeon, but he can't get her in until next Wednesday so asked that I take her to her normal vet in the meantime. Her normal vet has been kept up-to-date on the surgery and gave her a full exam. She said the incision seems a little tender (although Addie was once again being stoic and barely moving), and we had her walk around while the vet watched her gait and we did notice that Addie will, under no circumstances, back up. ("Back" is one of the commands I taught her early on in life to get her out of the way and keep her from things like hot ovens and broken glass). She's in pain, though doing her best to hide it, except when it hurts so bad she can't.

The vet suspects it might be a pinched nerve/nerve inflammation and prescribed an anti-inflammatory that is supposedly good for nerves specifically. She also wants me to see Addie's surgeon next week (his first available appointment). I hate seeing my girl in obvious pain, especially when I know she usually refuses to show it. It means it must hurt terribly.

We also see the radiation oncologist next Monday for an exam and consult on a course to keep the lipoma from coming back. 

[Sam I Am]

I know if you are like me you won't feel at ease till the surgeon sees her. It's so upsetting to see them so uncomfortable, hopefully the anti inflammatories will kick in and give Addie some relief. Big hugs to both of you.

[josie&holly]

Very glad the lump was not cancer but sorry that Addie is still having problems.  Hope that the anti inflammatories help.  Also hope things go well about  the radiation treatment.

[sanford]

Keeping fingers crossed for Addie. I'm sorry the surgeon wasn't more diligent in fitting you in sooner!

[Autumn & Lola]

I'm so sorry Addie has had this setback. I hope it is something minor that can be righted quickly.

[Hillscreek]

Addie