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

[Pat and Traveler]

Hopes and best wishes to all of you.  This has been such a bad year for you!!  Thankfully, you listened to your gut and got the right things done.  Hope Sammi has an uneventful recovery and we'll meet again at future doodle romps.  Paws up from Trav, Sammi!

[Summer Promisloff]

So great to get your message Pat.  Thank you so very much for your continued kind support and encouragement!!  Can't hardly believe Sammi survived being hit by a car in January only to be diagnosed with this cancer in October......it's either been a nightmare year for Sammi or a year of miracles; maybe a bit of each.  So far, Sammi's doing very well and we're hoping for that "uneventful recovery".  As each three months pass with no recurrence I'll be better able to breathe.  Hope we can meet up again at a doodle romp in the near future.  Sammi paws up right back at ya Traveler!

[Jennifer]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Kudos to you for being proactive. Praying for the best for Sammi. (((HUGS)))

[Summer Promisloff]

Thanks so much for your empathy, wonderful prayers and hugs!!!

[charlotte bednarsh]

Am thinking and praying for you and Sammi.

[Summer Promisloff]

Thank you very much for your thoughts and prayers, we are so grateful for them!

[Corey & Kelli Horochov]

I'm glad to hear everything is going to be ok with Sammi. I really havent been on this website for awhile now but thought I would check back to see if anyone was having any cancer problems in goldendoodles. My dog Mulligan was drinking alot of water for about a week. We brought him to the vet just to get him checked out to see. Thought if anything he might need some medication for something. They did some blood work, came back that he had high calcium in his blood. The vet took a X-ray, and it showed a cancerous mass between his heart and lungs....So going to the vet for a check up resulted in a 2 months to live outcome..We were so distraught over this news. The vet and staff left us in a room for about a hour, and we had to leave out the back door. This cancer is found in golden retrievers (but not common) I guess I couldnt focus much after the news. He is still with us right now, and we are breaking every rule known to man for dogs. Steak every night for my boy.. We love him and will always have a golden doodle in our lives

[BG and Gavin]

What a heart breaking story Corey.  Heres hoping that Mulligan breaks all the rules too.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am so sorry to read this about your sweet Mulligan. I will say a prayer for all of you!!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'm just sick at heart to hear about your sweet Mulligan. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Summer Promisloff]

My heart aches for you, Mulligan and your family.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Your Mulligan is such a beautiful beautiful boy.  Such sad news.  My heart breaks reading this.  We'll keep you, Kelli and Mulligan in our prayers and hope for a miracle.  Hugs to all of you.  We're here for you.