Yesterday, Emmett had his round of tests at Purdue’s small animal hospital. He was due for a battery: blood work, x-rays, ultrasounds, and aspirations of three new lumps.
These Purdue days are very long days, and yesterday was compounded by John being out of town. It’s about 2.5 hours each way. I left the house extra early – at 7 – to drop Lucas and Cooper off at doggy daycare. Then, Emmett and I drove up to Purdue for his 10 am appointment.
The way it works there is that you get checked in, then at his scheduled appointment time, you meet with an oncology technician. She went through his chart and paperwork. We discussed the medications he’s on and any side effects (none, thankfully), appetite, energy level, all that good stuff. Because he had a few new lumps, she went over those next and mapped them for the oncologist to check out.
Then the stressful part starts.
They basically execute each test and procedure as the equipment and staff are available, which means they take him back around 10… and he finishes up sometime after 3. For me, sitting in the lobby and worrying makes the whole experience far more stressful. I think the techs understand that, and they offer to take your cell phone number and call with updates throughout the day. So, I left my number and went to the nearby mall to do some Christmas shopping. I spotted the Pinups for Pitbulls book at the West Lafayette Barnes and Noble!
Anyway, by the time I finished up shopping, I still hadn’t heard from the techs. It’s excruciating to wait all day, that’s for sure. I ended up at Starbucks – I brought a pile of papers to grade, and ate scones and drank coffee. Just after 2, the oncology resident called and said that he wanted to meet with me around 3. I panicked. At his past appointments, the doctor came out to the lobby, said “all good news,” gave me his paperwork, and that was that.
So, I rushed over there and waited. And waited. And waited. Then waited some more.
Just before 4 the doctor called me into an exam room. By that time, I had burnt off all those scones calories from jiggling my legs and wiping sweat off my palms!
His blood work was good, though his liver enzymes were slightly elevated again, despite being on Denamarin, a liver drug. He said the elevation wasn’t enough for him to worry yet, but we’re going to repeat the blood work in four weeks. Two of the three lumps were just fat cells.
The third, though, they’re concerned about because it’s a different texture, much firmer, than the others, and he wasn’t able to get a good sample for his slides. He did send what he had to cytology, and I’m still waiting to hear back. They promised a call today, so I’m basically sitting here holding my phone.
On the drive home, I realized he didn’t mention the “gall sludge” that showed up on his last two ultrasounds, so when he calls I’m going to ask about that.
We made it to doggy daycare by about 6:20 – they close at 7, so I was nervous – then back home twelve hours later, just before 7 pm to decompress. (Wine.)
So, that’s where we are! Worrying about the results is definitely keeping me distracted, and today hasn’t been particularly productive! Thanks so much, everyone, for all the wishes and crossed fingers on Facebook yesterday. As soon as I know what’s what, I’ll leave a note in the comments below.
Waiting… waiting… waiting…
Waiting is hard, but made easier with friends beside you. We are hoping for good news. stella rose and momma
What a day! Sounds super stressful. Think of you guys and sending insane amounts of good vibes your way.
Fingers and toes crossed. Sending positive energy for you both!!
oh my goodness, what a horrifically long day. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way, sometimes I really think Tom Petty was right. The waiting is the hardest part.
Hoping for good test results ??
That was supposed to be a heart
John here. The oncologist didn’t call today so we don’t have any updates. We will be calling first thing in the morning….
I’m getting sympathy stress just reading the account of your day! Take it as easy as possible.
Thinking of you and Handsome Emmett! Good results!
Keep the faith. We will be sending good thoughts.
The waiting is the worst! Good luck. Sending good thoughts.
Lots of love and prayers to you guys and Em!
So sorry you all have to endure this. I think this must be standard practice at all teaching hospitals. I went through something similar here At Ohio State University Vet hospital with my Dobe: the ALL day waiting and waiting! Felt like it was one of the circles of Hell!
These vet hospitals really need to have a better waiting area for people from out of town so that the physicality of the surroundings doesn’t contribute to the built-in emotional stress.
My prayers are with you and for sweet Emmett, for favorable results and his
continued well being.
You have such a lovely family.
Best Wishes for a peaceful Holiday season filled with ONLY good things for all.
Emmett, I love you to bits – hugs and prayers.
What a stressful experience. Though Mr. Emmett probably felt more comfortable than you did, even with the tests.
I hope you get some good news so you can catch your breath.
We doggies need to teach you hoomans how to wait. It is a lot easier for us. We know 2 hours takes the same amount of time whether we are waiting or living.
Your Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
The waiting, and the not knowing, are the absolute worst. I usually can’t function or focus on much of anything.
Thinking of you and hoping you get some news soon. Sorry I’m late in commenting, things have been a bit crazy at our place lately too.
I do hope the test results are good. We’ll keep you all in thoughts and prayers.
Abby the Lab and Family
Quick update: Sadly, nothing to report. The sample size wasn’t large enough to determine anything. We need to talk to our regular vet to determine a course of action. Thank you all for the wishes!! We feel so lucky to have you all pulling for a good result!
Well that kinda stinks, all that worrying just to have to go through the whole process again. I know some people get mad when you compare people to dogs but….things like this happen all the time in people medicine too, my friends Dr wasn’t 100% sure of her type of lymphoma because the sample size was too small so they kinda guessed, I know scary right!! Hopefully your vet will be able to save you a drive by getting a sample or removing it and send it away for testing. Sending positive thoughts
Sof
Just be positive and do not worry. Emmett can feel that. 🙂