Sassy

Monday, October 22, 2018

DREADFUL

Monday, October 22, 2018

Arrived at TOS in Springfield, VA this morning around 9:00am.

Bicavity CT scan ordered by Dr. Khanna

I also asked that they do her legs too, while she’s under. She sits a lot, or lays down and somewhat favors her rear. I was assuming it was her hips but who knows.

Around 11:00am I received a call from Jessica conveying that they see a very large mass (“impressive” she called it) in her left lung and wanted my permission to do a needle aspirate. Big, no, HUGE, sigh. She said it was so large it was pushing other things like her heart, to the right (which is supposed to be in the middle). I, of course, said yes to the aspirate. We should have results within a few days, both from the needle aspirate and the actual radiologist report.

I felt like I couldn’t breathe. The heaviness. The surreal moment in time where it’s almost hard to believe. I don’t want to believe. I hear people talking but my mind is struggling. This feels like a nightmare. Please, let it be just a nightmare. Sigh.

I’ve been here before. Only this time it’s different. I don’t feel this race against the clock like I did before. I think it’s because I feel like the clock already has me beat. Beat, just like last time, although last time somehow I thought I could get ahead of it. I thought wrong. Very, very wrong. The numbness, the feeling of defeat, feeling of helplessness all take over. We cuddle with our Sassy girl. She knows she is loved and we too, know she loves us.

I really feel at a loss. She didn’t even REALLY have symptoms. Even my vet wouldn’t have done the blood test I decided on my own to do just because she vomited. I have just been paranoid after losing Schmoopy last year. And Sassy, like Schmoopy, just turned 10. That blood test revealed hypercalcemia, which after Schmoopy, sets off major alarm bells for me. It seems that by the time a dog is symptomatic, or hypercalcemic, it’s too late. That’s just my opinion, and I realize I’m getting ahead of myself since I don’t “officially” have results back, much less options. But let’s face it, it doesn’t sound good. I can be a realist, or I can be a hopeless optimistic, and live in “La-La” land as my mother would put it.

So heart broken. Truly. Sigh.

We will see what they say. We will spend every day loving her as we always do. We will make her as comfortable as possible.

I love you my Sassy girl. My chunky monkey (even though she’s not chunky)., my cuddle bug. I love you so very much.

How can this be. Someone, anyone...wake me from this awful nightmare.

October 22, 2018 - Monday:
12:30am - diarrhea
6:00am - diarrhea

October 21, 2018 - Sunday:
5:00am First bowel movement early morning was fine (before breakfast)

Pepcid given around 5:30am

5:30am - Ground turkey breakfast

10:00am - diarrhea
11:00am - diarrhea
12:00pm - Pepto Bismal (about 1 tsp)

3:00pm - diarrhea

6:00pm - diarrhea
7:00pm - 1/2 Cerenia

no dinner

7:30pm - Wowee (our Pomeranian) also had diarrhea which suggests perhaps it was the ground turkey, maybe. That said, our Samoyed also had the ground Turkey (although not as much) and didn't have diarrhea.

October 20, 2018 - Saturday

food: Cooked ground turkey, watermelon

Normal bowel movements

Sassy is very regular (usually). She has a bowel movement first thing every morning, and every early evening

Friday, October 19, 2018

Sassy Food intake as of 10.19.18, 12:20pm

6:30am:

About 1/3 wet can I/D
1/2 Greenie

9:30am

A few pieces of oatmeal
a few small pieces of salmon
1/4 biscuit

Friday, October 19, 2018 - Medical Notes

Dr. Khanna spoke with Dr. Chafetz earlier this morning.

Dr. Khanna conveyed his recommendation that we do a bicavity CT scan (Chafetz on board)
I inquired if there is any concern with anesthesia for her. he said that Dr. Chafetz didn't think it would be an issue and there was nothing in her blood work that suggests it would be a problem.

I also mentioned that I noticed Sassy was limping a bit last night and this morning. I thought it was the left leg, but now I actually can't tell. It seems to kind of come and go. I'm not sure if she and Boomer were rough housing and something happened or exactly what happened or if there's some other kind of bone issue. I was thinking it would be good to do imaging on her legs while she is under for the CT scan.

Actions:

Sassy to fast starting 9:00pm Sunday night (she can only have water)
Scheduled for CT scan Monday.

Drop off around 8:00am
Talk to Jessica and mention the leg(s) issue
Arrange for pick up late day

Sassy health status 10.18.18

Concern: Her blood calcium is above normal. Ionized calcium 1.71

My interaction with her today: Came home from business trip around 6:30pm and she was very excited to see me. That's good news.

Treats: She ate biscuits and a greenie for me - good news

Plans: Monday morning CT scan with Dr. Khanna's office