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]

With all my heart I hope you will NEVER be in this or a similar situation!! 

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

Sammi is blessed having you as his owner.  Thank you for sharing this with us here on DK.

[Summer Promisloff]

Thank you!  And we feel so blessed to have Sammi!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

So sorry you had to go through this, but very glad that you were proactive on Sammi's behalf. The prognosis sounds very positive. I hope that Sammi remains cancer free!

[Summer Promisloff]

Thank you so much for your kind words!  My husband and I were talking about Sammi's prognosis this evening and we're both feeling a huge sense of relief that we caught this cancer in time.  As each three month interval passes with no masses returning, I think I will be able to let more and more of the fear go......

[Ginny Nightingale]

Good for you for thinking the worst and pushing for his surgery--Vets have to go with the odds to avoid doing work that costs big bucks that people sometimes resent if it turns out to be unnecessary. They are caught between a rock and a hard place when the diagnosis isn't that clear--so we have to nudge them along sometimes to make it clear that we want the work done and we want it done now! 

[Summer Promisloff]

You're totally right; I can't imagine how difficult it must be to be a vet and try to find that fine line when proposing treatment plans.  I'm so grateful that Sammi's vet agreed to do the surgery, he did a clean and efficient job and is a conscientious person.  I don't fault him, I think he was doing the best he could with the info he had.  

[Camilla and Darwin]

I'm sorry to hear that this happened. I'm thinking of you guys and hoping that it won't return!

[Summer Promisloff]

Thank you so very much!  We appreciate your kindness and support.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I'm so glad you "went with your gut" and insisted on being thorough!  Years ago, I had a thyroid lump that everyone was convinced it was "nothing to worry about".  A biopsy came back "inconclusive", but rather than take a "wait and see" position, we went ahead with surgery.  It turned out to be cancer - much to everyone's surprise.  

Sending you and Sammi good thoughts!!

[Summer Promisloff]

Congratulations on being proactive, having the courage to go through surgery and beating the cancer!  You did a very brave thing and I hope that you were surrounded with supportive people.  Thank you for your good thoughts sent Sammi's way, we can use them all.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I am so sorry to hear about the cancer and you must be crushed, I know I would be if it were one of my doodles. Thank God is sounds like they got it all and Sammi can live a good, long, happy, healthy life.  Sending doodle hugs your way.  BTW.. early detection is key!!!! for humans too !!!