Really hoping this is not about to happen

NikiMo

Hi friends,

I know that with what everyone is facing these days that this will sound trivial, but I also know we have some pet friendly folks on here so I am posting anyway. On Friday I stayed home from work because I wasn't feeling well, around noon I noticed blood on the floor, the throw on our couch, and all over my dog Hutch. I panicked looking for what was going on, Jeff was a bit panicked too and already calling the vet. I finally found the wound was on Hutch's lip. It was bleeding steadily and when I wiped it a small piece of tissue/skin came off. We took him to the vet and they cauterized and told us it was a skin tag, take him home and it will heal on it's own. Around 5 o'clock we called them again, the bleeding wasn't stopping, they said to come back. We got to the vet about 5:30, they worked on him for 2 hours. Apparently where this cut/skin tag is makes it very hard to close the wound without surgery. Halfway through a different vet came out and said that she was a little worried that this wasn't a skin tag. My head started swimming and I started a mantra in my head ..."don't say cancer, don't say cancer, don't say cancer"....she said it might be a mast cell tumor (cancer). I was very close to throwing a fit or just curling up in a ball, Jeff took my hand and whispered "it's not cancer" he was so reassuring that I pulled it together. Of course though just like when the oncologist tells you something you weren't prepared for I heard nothing past the c-word. Later they came out with a happy puppy who had A LOT of tissue glue on his lower lip, in the cone of shame! They asked when we wanted the surgery done and I said immediately, so I drop him off tomorrow for his tumor removal. Then they showed me the estimate, there was a biopsy for $50 or a biopsy for $95. I asked what is the difference, they said one is more thorough if we take more tissue. I said I want you to know for certain what this is and that you get clean margins! She realized I unfortunately knew what I was talking about, but has no idea why. I am not looking forward to tomorrow morning, I am happy he will be home that evening but I don't want to think about the results. Hutch is Jeff's best friend, he calls him his little buddy, we don't have children our dogs fill that void. I can't even imagine what this would do to Jeff. I don't want to be a bring down on the board, and I know that others have far more serious issues going on and I feel silly asking for this but....If anyone would like to say a little prayer for Hutch it would be much appreciated. If you can't say one for Hutch please say one for Jeff, his recovery is linked to good results for sure.

Thanks all and I hope everyone had a nice weekend with their loved ones...even their furry loved ones!

Niki

Daisylin

Hutch
Niki,
I'm sitting here bawling my eyes out for you and poor Hutch. You must be terrified. When Lee posted his thread about pets a while back, you replied, and mentioned that you had a picture of your dogs on the expressions page. I looked at your babies, and even now, I can picture the big goofy smiles on their faces. It's so easy to see why you love them.

I've thought lately about our own dog Daisy, and how she's really helped me hold myself together these last 9 months. She went for her annual shots the other day, so I guess I was just thinking about doggie health. I could not even imagine the meltdown I'd have if I had to face health issues with her, while facing Lee's cancer. She has literally been the saving grace of my life lately. I know some may think that sounds nuts, but it's true. Some evenings I just want to curl up on the couch and have doggie time. Pets can be so comforting and loving, and always seem to know when to turn on that super cute face. I imagine Jeff must be devastated.

I know exactly how you and Jeff feel about your 'fur babies', Lee and I are the same with our girl.

I am praying for Jeff, and you and especially Hutch.
Please keep us posted, many of us are animal lovers, and regardless of that, we care about you and Jeff, and only wish the best for you always, in every way.

Chantal

Joel C

Daisylin said:

Hutch
Niki,
I'm sitting here bawling my eyes out for you and poor Hutch. You must be terrified. When Lee posted his thread about pets a while back, you replied, and mentioned that you had a picture of your dogs on the expressions page. I looked at your babies, and even now, I can picture the big goofy smiles on their faces. It's so easy to see why you love them.

I've thought lately about our own dog Daisy, and how she's really helped me hold myself together these last 9 months. She went for her annual shots the other day, so I guess I was just thinking about doggie health. I could not even imagine the meltdown I'd have if I had to face health issues with her, while facing Lee's cancer. She has literally been the saving grace of my life lately. I know some may think that sounds nuts, but it's true. Some evenings I just want to curl up on the couch and have doggie time. Pets can be so comforting and loving, and always seem to know when to turn on that super cute face. I imagine Jeff must be devastated.

I know exactly how you and Jeff feel about your 'fur babies', Lee and I are the same with our girl.

I am praying for Jeff, and you and especially Hutch.
Please keep us posted, many of us are animal lovers, and regardless of that, we care about you and Jeff, and only wish the best for you always, in every way.

Chantal

Niki,
Hi Niki,
There is nothing trivial about the health of our pets or how much they mean to us. You can count on me to say a prayer for Hutch.
Joel

TerryV

Oh Niki!
Animals are more than pets. They truly are family. I know that I've bawled my eyes in a dog's fur more than once.

We would have been lost without our animals through Nick's trek with EC. The cats curled up next to him when he needed sleep. Nothing like a warm purring cat to put a human to sleep. and the dogs - well they are Nick's hiking buddies. They "guilt him" into getting outside and taking care of them. and taking care of them involves short hikes or trips to the lake - and believe me, nothing better for Nick than an hour or two in the trees.

I hope that the biopsy is clear for Hutch and that it isn't cancer. Hugs & prayers to you all! Please keep us up on how things go for Hutch at the vet tomorrow. Know that we are all right here with you!

Terry

Ginny_B

You poor dear! Just feel
You poor dear! Just feel free to talk away about your dog. It's so painful when something goes bad. We lost our 16 year old Lhasa Apso last Feburary and we cried our eyes out. Brandi was my baby. She was our "puppy". Hubby whelped her so she was ours from the moment she saw first life. We lost mama a few years back, but we had her puppy. At 16 she was till "the puppy" to us.

My heart goes out to you and I hope everything goes well. Please let us know.

ritawaite13

Hi Niki
Don't ever appologize for loving a pet. I remember when our dog of 14 years passed, our whole family wept like we'd lost a person. Pets truly are a member of your family. There's nothing like a little fur therapy when you're not feeling up to par. Prayers will be said for Hutch!
Rita

NikiMo

Daisylin said:

Hutch
Niki,
I'm sitting here bawling my eyes out for you and poor Hutch. You must be terrified. When Lee posted his thread about pets a while back, you replied, and mentioned that you had a picture of your dogs on the expressions page. I looked at your babies, and even now, I can picture the big goofy smiles on their faces. It's so easy to see why you love them.

I've thought lately about our own dog Daisy, and how she's really helped me hold myself together these last 9 months. She went for her annual shots the other day, so I guess I was just thinking about doggie health. I could not even imagine the meltdown I'd have if I had to face health issues with her, while facing Lee's cancer. She has literally been the saving grace of my life lately. I know some may think that sounds nuts, but it's true. Some evenings I just want to curl up on the couch and have doggie time. Pets can be so comforting and loving, and always seem to know when to turn on that super cute face. I imagine Jeff must be devastated.

I know exactly how you and Jeff feel about your 'fur babies', Lee and I are the same with our girl.

I am praying for Jeff, and you and especially Hutch.
Please keep us posted, many of us are animal lovers, and regardless of that, we care about you and Jeff, and only wish the best for you always, in every way.

Chantal

Chantal you made me cry
Chantal,

Your post was really touching, I know that you can relate to how important our furry friends can be. I have spent many nights curled up with our pups praying and crying for their 'daddy' to be healed. They are always happy and willing to share their joy. And just when you think you can't get up one more morning and face the day...you have to because they have to go out...haha! Fro Lee's post I know how important Daisy is to the both of you, a constant companion in the good and bad times. With all that you have going on trying to help Lee find pain free normal days I am touched that you would offer comfort to Jeff and I. Know that we are praying for you and Lee and Daisy also.

Niki

PS. Hutch is the goofy yellow dog in the picture

JimboC

I'm so sorry to hear about
I'm so sorry to hear about what Hutch is going through. It's hard enough on us and we know what's going on. Hopefully the doctors can get him back in good health soon. I always wanted a dog but kept putting it off. Once I get my counts up some more I think I am going to go ahead and get one.

Take care!

NikiMo

Thank you all!
Joel, Terry, Ginny, and Rita thank you for you kind words and prayers for Hutch! He really is like a child to us and I can't believe that this is happening to our family right now. Hoping and praying that the second vet is just being very cautious, always better to be safe than sorry. I will keep all of you updated on the biopsy, hopefully like Jeff said so assuredly on Friday night "it is not cancer".

Jim, Once those counts are up you should take the leap and get yourself a pup, you won't be sorry, they can bring you joy when you don't think it is possible!

Hugs to all of you wonderful folks,
Niki

sandy1943

Niki, I don't have a pet,
Niki, I don't have a pet, but friends and family that do are very close to them. They are part of the family and when something happens we care very much.

My mother always had a parakeet. One was very trained and was allowed the run of the house. As a teenager my family went on a day trip to the lake. That morning the bird was acting ill. We tried to enjoy ouselves, but after a couple of hours, we left and went by a pet store. With medicine in hand, we went home and all stood around watching ,( including my tough grown brother,) my mom administer the medicine. The bird did survive. When we have pets, we do fall in love with them and don't want to see them suffer.

Nothing is ever to trivial to share with one another. I will be praying for Hutch.
Sandra

oriontj

Dogs are family at our house
Not said lightly either..Red curls up on Tom's lap. He sits with him while he does PT exercises. He never left my side for a month for my second knee replacement. He's a bi blue sheltie from Mobile, AL. His buddy Vaugnie, a blue merle sheltie, also from Mobile, AL is truly my best friend ever. He's constantly in my lap...watching me cook, sew, knit. So I understand the importance of a pet in your life. I will sincerely pray for all of you and Hutch, that all is ok.

Without our blue boys it would be lifeless around here.

jan

chemosmoker

Hutch is receiving prayers NOW...
Niki,
You came to the right place!!!
This is a CANCER board for goodness sake!!
What better place IS there to post about such a worrisome issue if not here, with your family of cancer patients and caregivers!

I will be praying for Hutch and for Jeff, and you, too.
I will hope for positive biopsy results, but no matter what they are, there are solutions and they have medicine for dogs, too.

I can just imagine Hutch and Jeff in the infusion lab together in a recliner, sitting and watching a movie with their own IV's going with chemo(I know-it's just a funny mental image. Don't want ANYONE to have to suffer MORE chemo. But I had to share the mental image I had reading that at first!).

Thank yo for sharing this with us so that we can all put in extra special prayers for Hutch now. I think it is a perfect place to share this.

God bless you, Jeff, and Hutch.
-Eric

cher76

The Blessing of Pets
Niki,
Every fall in many Catholic churches The Blessing of Pets is held in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures. Saint Francis' feast day is October 4th, hence the fall ceremony. Tonight I am offering up this prayer for Hutch. May he have good results tomorrow!
“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”
XOXO,
Cheryl

jss2011

cher76 said:

The Blessing of Pets
Niki,
Every fall in many Catholic churches The Blessing of Pets is held in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures. Saint Francis' feast day is October 4th, hence the fall ceremony. Tonight I am offering up this prayer for Hutch. May he have good results tomorrow!
“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”
XOXO,
Cheryl

prayers for Hutch
Hi Niki
Our furbabies are the best, they are always there to listen when we can't talk to anyone, they give us comfort when we are down, they just seem to sense what we need.
Keep us posted and hope you get news soon, sounds like it will be a long day.

Hugs,
Julie

Donna70

cher76 said:

The Blessing of Pets
Niki,
Every fall in many Catholic churches The Blessing of Pets is held in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures. Saint Francis' feast day is October 4th, hence the fall ceremony. Tonight I am offering up this prayer for Hutch. May he have good results tomorrow!
“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”
XOXO,
Cheryl

Niki, prayers coming for Hutch
I just read somewhere that dogs sometimes do more than psychiatrists for people. And I believe it. It is not trivial to worry and pray over a support system that most of us have used during all our bad times and celebrated our good times with. I will be praying for Hutch hoping the biopsy comes back clear and all is good. take care and give Hutch a big hug from me.
Donna70
mom to Emma the pug