Katie's CT scan

[Stacy]

Today I have a newfound sympathy for patients and parents at work. From my perspective I look up and three hours has gone by, and it seems totally normal that results from tests aren't back yet. From the patient side - they tell you that she should be finished by lunchtime barring emergencies (with other people's dogs) and then it's 3:00 and I've heard nothing. I was trying not to lose my mind, but honestly I was losing my mind! 

Unfortunately, we still have adenocarcinoma of the nose. I was really hoping that they would call and say, just kidding. It's a polyp and we can fix it. 

She said it's a rostral mass that starts at the incisors and ends at the tip of the nostril. There is no bone destruction, but it is on the nasal seputm. 

The doctor continues to be very optimistic that we can "cure" this with radiation. She also said she spoke with one of the surgeons who said we could remove it surgically by cutting off her nose! She said she probably wouldn't do that to her dog, but she wanted to put it out there. I will not ever do that to her. She also mentioned piroxicam and palladia as another possible option. She said she wasn't sure how well it would work, but that we could try it. 

I told her that I've been reading everything I can find and there are no good outcomes to nasal adenocarcinoma. One of the journal articles I read seemed to consider it a success that the dog was in remission for 10 weeks. And she said, basically, that since she is such an outlier I am going to have trouble finding studies that deal with the tumor in the same place and stage that Katie has. She also feels confident that with stereotactic radiation we won't irradiate her eye and cause her to go blind or see a lot of the other truly terrible side effects that come with radiation. 

It's definitely a lot to think about. And I'm going to speak with the people at Colorado State at least. I have always said that chemo and radiation is a road I wouldn't go down with my dogs. But then if there's a chance that we can do something and give her a normal long life I wonder if it would be a mistake not to take that opportunity. I wish she could tell me what she wanted to do. 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Oh, Stacy. While I have never met you or your dear Katie, I definitely feel a connection to you as we both endeavor to figure out what the future will bring for us and the dogs we love so much. It makes sense to me to consult with the doctors at Colorado State before you make any decisions. Message me if you'd like to talk offline. Laurie

[Stacy]

Thank you so much. I hope Wally's results are better than Katie's and he has an uneventful recovery and doesn't need anything else.

[Wendy and Myla]

You are going through what all of us are hoping we will never have to deal with!  I have no advice at all except to follow your heart - you are the one that knows Katie the best!  I do have to say, that from what you are saying, I really like your vet!  She sounds like mine - gives you all the options but also her advice.  Thinking of you and Katie and sending huge hugs!  Please keep us updated!

[Stacy]

Oh definitely, this is the sort of thing that you read about, hug your dogs, and say, "thank god that's not us!" Three weeks ago we had this little thing in her nose that even the vet wasn't particularly excited about, and now I'm in a nightmare! I keep expecting to wake up. 

I do like this vet. I just wish I knew if her optimism is realistic. There are a lot of unknowns with this. But we will figure something out!

[Barbara, Zoey and Zeke]

We are with you in this Stacy.   Also surprised the KC area doesn't have what you need.  Keep us informed and good luck!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

What horrible news.  HUGS.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Stacy, Univ of WI vet school at Madison has a clinical trial right now using stereotactic radiation for dogs with nasal carcinomas or sarcomas; that's 7.5 hours from you:https://uwveterinarycare.wisc.edu/clinical-studies/oncology

[Stacy]

Getting her into a clinical trial would be amazing. I need to check those people out!

Also, I had no idea that Wisconsin would be closer than Colorado. My sense of geography is poor. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Depends on what parts of WI or CO, lol. 
Even Chicago is closer to you than Colorado State.

[Stacy]

Fair enough, but I find the idea of driving around in Chicago absolutely intimidating. I think I'm a city girl, but not city like that! Add to that not knowing where I'm going and it would be a disaster!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL, I've lived in the Chicago area all my life and even I don't drive into the city! 

[Stacy]

Also, in looking at the flyer for the study she qualifies for the trial. Sadly, I still have to pay for the treatment. But that they're actively doing research into the area seems promising.