Consultation with the University of Illinois

This video was taken yesterday (1/25/12).  Look at this adorable, nerdy girl.  Ugh, I love her!

Today marks our second oncology consultation - this time with the University of Illinois.  Millie & I picked up Donna and Evan, then made our way to vet med for an appointment at 11am.  The waiting room was decently full, but this time is was mostly pet owners without their pets.  There was an elderly man with a cat & a woman in her 50's with a very handsome Pit Bull.  The Pitty was beyond thrilled to be there & was quite vocal & determined to come say hello to the Kate Moss of Mastiffs (referring to Mil's sassy new figure at 140lbs).  We had to move twice to avoid Millie showing the Pit Bull just how much she didn't care for him.  Mil was nervous, but seemed pleased to have me, Donna & Evan there.  We've become "Team Millie."  

After a short wait, we were introduced to our oncology intern.  He was a nice guy, but I wasn't over the moon excited about him.  Evan reminds me that it is hard for medical professionals to remember all the details about every one of their patients, and also understand how each person prefers to receive information.  However, when he asked about her TPLOs & said, "Oh she had them in her knees and her hips?"...I was unimpressed.  To his credit, he seemed to be much more knowledgeable about oncology (as he should as an oncology intern).  He was pleased she already had a biopsy & talked to us about what we hoped to get out of today while he examined her.  Mil was great during her exam, and even snuck in a few kisses.  We decided we would do chest x-rays, CBC/Chemistry & a urinalysis.  If each of those were clear then we would discuss the possibility of amputation & chemo afterwards...though I couldn't help myself from asking some questions right away.  We left Mil & were told to return around 3:00pm so that we could go over the results of the diagnostics.  Donna left to meet a friend for lunch & Evan and I stopped for a bite at Subway.  It's hard not to only talk about Millie, so as it has been for the last several days, we continued to talk about Millie.

When I returned home, I discovered that poor Sugar had an accident.  She's been having stomach issues off and on (besides her normal, super sensitive stomach) for the past few weeks/months.  I called her vet & asked if they would have time to see her.  We scheduled her appointment for 4:00pm.

Just before 3:00pm, the doctor called to let me know the good news.  Millie's x-rays were clear!  We had been told this was likely the case, but nevertheless this is GREAT news!  Her bloodwork (minus her creatinine being up just a hair -- 1.7 & high end of their normal is 1.5) and urinalysis were both normal.  Minus her leg issue, this girl was given a clean bill of health!

We picked up Mil & set up a surgical consultation for next Monday, 1/30/12, at 10:00am.  Hopefully we'll have the biopsy results by then.  If so, her amputation surgery could be as early as 1/31/12 -- providing her biopsy shows osteosarcoma.  Her chemo treatments (1 treatment every 3 weeks for a total of 5 sessions) would start the day they remove her sutures.  

Sugar's appointment went well.  Her bloodwork is normal too, which is always nice to hear considering she'll be 13 soon.  Her vet suspects anxiety induced GI issues (she's always been an anxious girl), or increase in stomach sensitivity as she ages.  She's on FortiFlora, eating Purina EN with chicken & rice mixed in, and taking anti-diarrheal meds.  Let me tell you -- this girl LOVES her some chicken & rice.

Millie seems to be doing just fine.  She has some minor swelling at the biopsy site, but in all honesty I've been letting her do whatever she wants (see video above).  In some respects it makes this process easier, but it can also make it more difficult.  If it is osteosarcoma, it will be difficult to take her in for an amputation when it looks like she is doing so well.  On the same token, I know this is what will give her the best chance at a longer life.  So far I've been comfortable in every decision I've made.  I hope that it will always be that way, and that I won't ever second guess myself.  

Now for some adorable Millie (& Shugs) photos....

Oh so ladylike 

This is a favorite activity for both girls...staring out the window waiting for the next killer (or child, or postman, or...a leaf blows by), so they can loose their minds barking.  Good work girls.  Good work.  Also, take note just how lazy Mil is.  She is sinking into the couch, spread eagle with her upper body pressed into the couch & head resting on top.  I'm actually jealous of her perfect form.