Our Sammi Has Cancer

[Summer Promisloff]

Our Sammi has cancer; such a nightmare diagnosis.  I am posting this message for three reasons, the first being I want to pass on to you what I have learned from this particular cancer experience in hopes that if this info will help even one Doodle/Doodle parent, Sammi's experience will not be in vain.  The second reason is I would like to ask for positive thoughts to be sent Sammi's way, and the third reason is Adina encouraged me to post this to the forum page, as I had only sent this message to friends. (I have never posted a discussion to the forum page and hope that I have the protocol correct.)

About a month ago while petting Sammi, I felt a rather large lump on his back that moved just a bit as I palpated it and the area around it.  It was located just above Sammi's spine almost in the center of his back and felt to be about walnut sized.  I automatically feared that Sammi had cancer while friends and family kept trying to reassure me that the lump was nothing serious, probably just a cyst.  Even the vet thought the lump was a harmless cyst but due to my insistence, he did an aspiration in three sites of the lump and sent it out for a biopsy.  A very long week later I received the news from Sammi's vet that the biopsy had showed no cancer cells, however just to be on the safe side and because of the size of the lump, the vet agreed with me that it should be removed.  I was told that the surgery to remove the lump didn't need to be expedited because there appeared to be no cancer present.

No one, not even the vet, shared my certainty that this lump was cancer and they seemed to be just humoring me when I insisted that it be removed as soon as possible.  But I was determined, so that week Sammi had the lump removed and was left with a quite large incision requiring ten metal staples to close.  The mass as the vet then called it was sent for a customary biopsy and I was still told there was no reason to worry.  Nearly another week later my husband, Steven, and I were advised that this mass was a malignant tumor, fibrosarcoma.

The vet assured us he had gotten the entire mass and had clean/clear margins but encouraged us to  seek a second opinion.  We spoke with an oncologist and a radiologist while we waited the two weeks for the staples to be removed and chest x rays to be taken.  We were told this type of cancer doesn't typically metastasize.  Even so, I was still thrilled when Sammi's chest x rays appeared to be clear.

We were advised that this type of cancer will typically come back in the same area if it returns, will have a tendency to grow slowly and has a low morbidity rate in dogs; all very hopeful news!  So we will need to be very watchful for any signs of lumps and will need to have Sammi checked by the vet every three months.

I've tried to be as specific yet as brief as I can be in relating this experience in hopes that this info regarding Sammi's ordeal might be of use.  The take home lesson for me is that early detection and expeditious removal of a suspicious lump can mean the difference in outcomes.

Sammi seems to be doing very well and we are hopeful that the fibrosarcoma was entirely removed and will not return.  Many thanks to all of Sammi's friends who have been and continue to be so wonderfully supportive!!

Summer Promisloff

[Summer Promisloff]

Thank you so very much for your understanding and support.  I will never be able to read or hear those words "early detection" again without feeling a little tug at my heart.

[Vivian & Mojo]

Sorry you had to go through this but glad Sammi is doing well. Sending blessings and prayers for Sammi and wishing him a long, happy & healthy life.

[Summer Promisloff]

Thank you for your generosity of spirit, your encouragement and support!

[Eva]

Thank you for sharing this story. Very well explained and I am glad that Sammi is getting the proper treatment and that you caught it in time.

[Summer Promisloff]

Thank you so much!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am so sorry to hear about Sammi. I hope that his recovery is smooth and that he remains cancer free.

[Summer Promisloff]

Thank you for your kindness!

[BG and Gavin]

Another lesson in listening to our instincts.  I am sorry that you and Sammi had to go through this ordeal and I hope and pray that there are no further issues.  Thank you for sharing your story.  I am sure that it will help others.

[Summer Promisloff]

Thank you for sending hopes and prayers our way, they mean so much and we are grateful.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Prayers and paw hugs to Sammi and your family!  Good for you for insisting to go further in the testing and not backing down.  Glad Sammi is feeling better and all good thoughts are with all of you!

[Summer Promisloff]

We so appreciate the prayers, good thoughts and especially the paw hugs!!!!  Thank you for your kindness.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

good for you for being insistent! your a good doodle mommy. Im so sorry you and sammi had to go through this, but im glad the prognosis is good.