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]

That's an excellent take home lesson; listen to your gut no matter how many people are trying to convince you otherwise......Thank you, thank you for your hopes!

[Summer Promisloff]

Thank you so very much for remembering Sammi in your prayers!  I do believe they work and are answered.  I had the same types of questions after three different places in the lump had been aspirated and biopsied.  Sammi's vet and my husband, Steven, who is a Cardiologist, tried to explain to me how that could happen.  What I understood them to say is that these tests are not 100% indicators, just indicators that there were no cancer cells present where the aspirations were drawn; therefore, the odds are the lump is not cancerous.  The vets/docs rely on their past experiences, all the other symptoms or lack of them, along with the test results to formulate their best interpretation of the findings.  My husband says that's why it's called practicing medicine, it's an inexact science at best.   

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks so much for sharing Sammi's story with us.  This is a great lesson to always trust our instincts.  Sending positive thoughts for Sammi.

[Summer Promisloff]

Thank you!!

[Summer Promisloff]

Reading through these amazing responses from so many wonderful people, yours included, is very humbling and joyful for me.  I don't have enough words to express how much Sammi, Steven and I appreciate all the support!  Thank you!!

[Sue & Lily Grace]

My prayers are with Sammi and you. You have done the right thing by not waiting. I pray that this disease is arrested and Sammi has a long and healthy life.

[Summer Promisloff]

I appreciate your prayers!  I believe that they are answered and we can use all the prayers, hopes and positive thoughts we can get.  I know that Sammi is not out of the woods with this thing yet, I'll be able to breath easier as each three months passes with no new growths.  I draw comfort from your affirmation that I did the right thing by not waiting.....

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am adding Sammi to my prayers. So proud of you for being proactive. I hope it never comes back and Sammi has a wonderful and healthy life.

[Summer Promisloff]

Thank you for adding Sammi to your prayers, it means so much to us and we believe it makes a difference!  I am so thankful for your empathy and generosity of spirit.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Summer, thank you for sharing Sammi's story. I am so glad you persevered in getting the surgery right away, and I'm hoping it never comes back!

Could you please share a little more info about Sammi? Is he a Labradoodle or a Goldendoodle? How old is he?

Keeping our fingers and paws crossed for a complete and permanent recovery!

[Summer Promisloff]

Thank you so very much for your kindness!  Sammi is a multi generational Australian Labradoodle.  He is 4 years old and has always been on the thin side; he weighs 37 pounds.  He was the smallest and most timid of the litter  but he has grown to be such a smart, athletic, goofball of a doodle.  It's interesting that he has every stuffed toy we have ever given him and always has one in his mouth whenever he travels from one room of the house to another.  He's just a total sweetheart, but then I'm biased........

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Sammi sounds like such a wonderful boy.  I know your story will help us all if we're ever in this situation.