After Stella’s biopsy, I felt my hope grow. I tried not to raise my expectations too high, but I wanted to stay positive. The idea that this whole thing was a mistake was something I wanted so badly to be true.
A week and a half passed. Our vet called at the end of the day on Friday; he had the results.
It was cancer.
I felt like I was right back in that initial vet’s office, hearing the news for first time. My immediate thought was that the biopsy was a mistake and we wasted all of this time! We could have had the leg off and already started treatment, but I knew I had made the best decision I could have at the time.
I fought tears as he gave me the options. We could try to get an appointment at WSU for a limb sparing surgery or we could set up an appointment for amputation.
WSU was 5-6 hours away and it was winter. She would need multiple appointments and I was 7 and a half months pregnant. My greatest fear was that something unexpected would happen with the pregnancy (by that time, the baby could come at any moment) and I wouldn’t have the ability to make multiple trips to make sure that Stella got everything she needed.
I made the appointment for the amputation for November 5th.
Stella is such a bea gal. Love the picture of her Happy self.
You cert had y8our hands full at the time of diagnosis. We k owmit was a scary time. We also know amputation gives Stella a chance at a pain free Happy life.
Any pictures yet of Stella and her hooman sibling?
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
In retrospect, amputation was absolutely the best option for Stella, but at that pivotal moment where I was trying to make the decision and I had multiple sources telling me maybe it wasn’t cancer and maybe she wouldn’t be a great candidate with her arthritis, it was SO hard. I was so appreciative of this supportive community who really helped me through the process.
I will definitely share pics of Stella and her human! I have been so fortunate to be able to watch Stella meet her and get to know and love her and vice versa. Would you believe that one vet gave Stella two months to live, and two months to the DAY of Stella’s diagnosis, was the day our baby was born? That was 18 months ago. Proof that no dog has an expiration date.
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Aww great pic of your sweet girl. What a stressful time for ALL of you, baby included. There is never a good time for something like this to happen, but winter? 7 months pregnant? Yikes! What a brave mama you are. You absolutely made all the best decisions for Stella. She is a lucky, lucky dawg. Thank you for sharing.
2020- what a year it was!
Stella has done SO well and she is lucky to be one of the pups who gets some true quality time after her diagnosis and treatment. I feel like the lucky one to have been able to be her mom and get this extra time to really appreciate what a bright light she is. Thank you for your kind words.