Shannon's Surgery

Today was surgery day. What a long day. Up at 4:30AM, left here at 5:40AM, arrived there at 7:00AM. Checked in at 8:00AM. Not sure what time her surgery started. She was second in line and they start surgery at 10:00. The surgeon came out to see me around 1:00PM. She said that she thought she had gotten all of it, but that lab analysis would verify. (I'll post again when I get the results.) She said that at the center of the mass was Shannon's microchip. There's no way to tell if that's what caused the growth. But the surgeon suggested I not replace the microchip. Shannon was released at 5:00PM for the return trip home. That was a long day. The bill for today was $2,132.14. She was sent home with the following meds: Cefpodoxime (antibiotic), Carproten (NSAID), Tramadol (pain med). She will get a cold compress at the incision site 3 times a day for 5 days. She is only allowed outside on a leash until the stitches come out, which should be in 2 weeks. I can go to my normal vet for that. I am carrying her up and down the steps... For now... I shouldn't be doing that, due to my own health. But exertion can pull at her stitches, so I'll do what I can for as long as I can... Here's the pictures. Don't scroll down if you are delicate... (I don't know why they shaved so far down her back...)

Shannon's Consultation with the Veterinary Oncologist in Richmond

We saw Dr. Waite, the Oncologist, in Richmond today. This growth is a benign cancer that is acting like a malignant cancer. Shannon is scheduled for surgery Monday to remove the growth. She shouldn't need any radiation or chemotherapy. The surgeon, Dr. Aktay, looked at it today and said that she felt she could remove it and get good, big margins. Dr. Waite also found something in Shannon's armpit and took a sample to see what it is (cytology) and found it is a lump of fat. All of my girls have these lumps... Anyway, we have to be there at 8:00AM Monday for the surgery. Ugh... I'll have to leave here around 5:30AM to be sure we get there on time... The bill today was:
   Consultation                         165.00
   Cytology                                 80.00
   Pre-surgery blood work         122.00
     Total                                   367.00

Shannon's Referral to Dogwood

Today, I received the referral for Shannon to the Oncologist at Dogwood Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center in Richmond, Va. That's 83 miles from home. Ugh... I'll call tomorrow to make an appointment.