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 much for your sweet words!  

[Leslie J]

I'm so sorry Sammi (and you) has to go through this!  It affirms my belief that mom (or dad) usually knows best.  Thank you for sharing this- it is a reminder to be assertive and not back down when we hear a "don't worry, it's nothing". Your post may save another doodle's life!  I hope Sammi heals quickly and remains cancer free.

[Summer Promisloff]

Thank you for your kindness, empathy and hopeful wishes.  Sammi's continuing to do very well.  It's surprising how quickly he is healing; for which I am totally grateful. 

[Suzanne & Jack]

Summer, I know exactly what you are going through.  My old Jack had fibrosarcoma.  I will send you a pm

[Summer Promisloff]

I am so sorry about your Jack having the same cancer as Sammi and would definitely be interested in learning what you and he went through and are going through now.  Please do send me a message!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I am so so so sorry that you are going through this. TY so very much for sharing. I found a cyst on my Sammie's side that was aspirated and was told that it was nothing so at his advice I left it alone.  I am changing vets for a few reasons and our new vet will remove it - even if I have to stand on my head!

I wish vet's would listen to us - we know our doodles!! 

[Summer Promisloff]

Please let me know how it goes with Sammie's cyst removal.  You and Sammie will be in my prayers and thoughts.  Sending you Doodle hugs!

[Leigh & Allie]

Wow! I am so sorry for this diagnosis. I might just be that "one" doodle owner you are hoping to reach. I found a lump on Allie's back last night. I think it is a mole. It is not as large as the one you mentioned, but I am definitely going to go get it checked out. Thank you!

[Sue & Lily Grace]

good for you.  Good luck.

[Summer Promisloff]

Please let me know how it goes with that lump you found on Allie.  I hope it is totally benign!  I will keep you and Allie in my thoughts and prayers.  Sending you many blessings!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Here's wishing you and Sammi many years of happiness and health together.  Good for you on trusting your instinct.

 

[Summer Promisloff]

Thanks so much!