Rusty Needs Our Prayers

[Chuck Holliman]

Rusty developed a small growth on the inner thigh of his left leg around Thanksgiving; we took him to our Vet in mid December and she did a biopsy and Ultrasound and said she thought that it was a hernia or muscle tear and to check it again in 30 days. The growth began to expand rapidly over the next 30 days and she did another biopsy last week. It came back 50-50 that it was malignant; she referred us to an Oncologist Surgeon who did a more extensive biopsy Monday. The results came back on Thursday; a sarcoma, grade 3 which is the most aggressive from of cancer. We took Rusty to San Diego yesterday where they have advanced diagnostic imaging equipment to make sure the cancer has not spread to his vital organs, which so far it has not. They did CAT Scans, Ultrasounds and X-Rays. The tumor covers the entire inner thigh of his leg and the only hope to save Rusty is to remove his leg and some of the surrounding tissue. Chemo therapy or Radiation cannot control this form of cancer in this stage, the tumor has grown significantly this past week and will spread into his internal organs very quickly if not removed. The Oncologist will remove Rusty's leg Monday morning after which he will undergo Chemo therapy. The Oncologist told us that we can expect one to three years of quality life for Rusty if the surgery is successful. He said that it is almost certain that this form of caner will reoccur within that time frame, possibly sooner. Our vet and the Oncologist both said that it is extremely rare for a dog under two years old (Rusty is 17 months) to develop this aggressive form of cancer. Needless to say Jan and I are devastated and feel so hopeless for Rusty.

Chuck Holliman
Palm Desert, CA

It has been a very long day! We took Rusty in at 7:30 AM this morning and the Dr. just called at 8:30 PM. The Dr. had hoped that Rusty would be prepped and the surgery would begin around 11:00 AM, but called us at 1:30 PM and they were just getting started. After seeing the tumor’s growth since last Thursday’s visit, he spent more time adjusting his plan of attack and getting the surgical team prepared. Rusty was in recovery when he called and he said that he was doing fine. The Dr. said that the surgery went as planned, without any major problems or bleeding and he was able to remove the tumor and leg intact; it will be sent to the Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center for analysis. The Dr. felt very comfortable that he was able to remove a safe margin of non-tumor flesh for 95% of the area; the 5% where he had to take less was in the area of the penis and pelvic bone and he could not take any more without causing damage to those areas. When he gets the reports back from CSU, we will know if he was successful in completely removing the tumor. It will probably be Wednesday before we can bring him home and it is doubtful that we will be able to visit him tomorrow as they are concerned that he would get over excited on seeing us. We are preparing our spare guest room for Rusty as he has to be kept quiet and closely monitored for 14 days after he comes home.

The Dr. is spending the night with Rusty! He has an inflatable air bed and will put that in the recovery room to sleep on so that he can monitor Rusty.

Again, Thanks for all of your support for us and your prayers for Rusty.

Chuck & Jan

Wednesday morning, Rusty came home last night! The Dr. called mid-afternoon and said that he was recovering so quickly, probably due to his young age, they thought he would be more comfortable at home rather than spending another night in the hospital. Rusty’s first night home went very well; obviously he was exhausted and happy to be home. He slept most of the night and was not too active; the challenge will come when he is rested and wants to be more active. We have to keep him from running, jumping or playing with Oliver for the next 14 days, when the sutures are removed. He has one pain med that is given once a day and another that is given every 6 to 8 hours, depending on if he is showing signs of pain and an anti-biotic pill that he takes every 8 hours. He also has a vacuum pump connected to a drain line in the incision which has to be emptied and measured every 8 hours. We were up at 3 AM to give him a pain pill and empty the vacuum pump and again at 6 AM, which we are normally up anyway, for his anti-biotic. We have a couch and recliner in the room which allows Jan and I to stay with him. He is confused and bewildered, but still the same sweet and lovable boy he has always been.

The Dr. showed us the before and after surgery X-Rays yesterday and reviewed the extent of his surgery procedures. In addition to Rusty’s leg, he removed a portion of his Pelvic bone. The before X-Rays depicted how much more the tumor had grown since he X-Rayed it last Thursday. The Dr. said that in another few days it would have been impossible to remove the entire tumor without impacting vital organs, which would precluded him from doing surgery. They shaved Rusty’s entire hind quarters for the surgery which along with the large incision, certainly does not look like his before photos. The Dr. used the leg’s skin to cover the area where the leg was removed and when the hair grows out there should not be any noticeable scar line.

The complete leg and tumor was sent to Colorado State University to make sure the Dr. removed the entire tumor and perform additional analysis as to the type of tumor. The results will probably be back early next week. Further tests from last week indicate that the tumor is most likely a fibrosarcoma (tissue) which is less lethal than a hemangiosarcoma (blood); unfortunately, because it was a level 3 sarcoma which is the most aggressive, there is a 50% likelihood that it will recur in the future. The Dr. said that we will have to take an aggressive Chemotherapy program to knock it out. We will appreciate and enjoy every day that we have with Rusty to the fullest.

Chuck & Jan

[Joy Williams]

I am so, so sorry to hear about Rusty. Please know that our prayers are with you now, and will be thinking of you guys on Monday. Please keep us posted on his progress.

[Becky, Savannah, & Raleigh]

sending prayers your way for your sweet boy

[Kathy Spyker]

I am so sorry to hear about Rusty. I don't know much about the cancer but I hope his age will help him bounce back and heal fast. I work at a kennel and I do know a dog with 3 legs can get around as good as some with 4. I will keep Rusty in my prayers..

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm so terribly sorry to hear about Rusty. Please don't give up hope. The author Pam Houston has written about her Irish Wolfhound's osteosarcoma and the fact that he lived much longer after his amputation than the surgeons predicted. I agree with F Parker...no one can predict the outcome with certainty. Sending prayers that Rusty will prove the predictions wrong. Hugs to you all.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Well, If Rusty needs prayers, you have come to the right place .... this is one big prayer chain and we will get it going. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Please keep us posted on how he does. Doodle hugs and kisses to Rusty from Lucy and Sophie!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh my goodness. I am so very sorry to hear this but sarcomas are fast growing tumors and often occur in limbs of young people. I do think no one can predict outcome even if the odds are not good. Ted Kennedy's son had a sarcoma of his leg and survived. I hope Rusty beats the odds.