Today’s Challenge: Keep #focus on what you have, not on what you might lose.
On Sunday, I couldn’t stop crying over my pug’s health issues. All I kept thinking about was my life without her. Truth is, I haven’t been alone for about nineteen years. Buddy, (Unconditional Love) my cat was with me for eighteen years and Shorty has been with me for almost nine years. When Buddy passed away this summer (My Buddy has Gone to Heaven), I was thankful I still had Shorty. But now…
I’m scared.
A month ago I found a mysterious lump on Shorty’s stomach. I had it removed and tested within a week of noticing it. Then I got that life changing phone call from my vet. “Becky, it was cancer. It’s called a Mast Cell Tumor, Grade 2.”
The prognosis seemed good but of course uncertain–watch and wait. On Sunday, a month after the original lump was removed, I found another Lump, so yesterday we took Shorty to the vet, had a needle biopsy and we’ll get the results today. Last night, I found another lump on her leg. We’re going back to the vet today.
I think at this point, we need to do some blood work and an ultrasound to see if she has cancer within, or if this is a skin problem only. I may have some tough decisions…
Yesterday, I didn’t cry and my man asked me why I wasn’t crying anymore. “I’m just not thinking about all the bad stuff today.”
It really is amazing that we can decide how we want to feel by what we think about.
And even more surprising… because I wasn’t crying and full of dread, Shorty seemed a little happier than normal, and my man was a little less sad, too. Maybe I’m the leader in this pack. 🙂
I’m going to stay positive until we have more answers. I may tear up from time to time but I’ll try to keep it to myself… I’m going to avoid thinking about the bad stuff and focus on all the good about this little baby of mine.
~~~
I’m open to hearing about other people’s experiences with their dogs and Mast Cell Tumors–the good and the bad. Advice? Opinions? Thoughts?
Thank you.
I have no experience in this area and no advice to give … only heartfelt best wishes.
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That helps! 🙂
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No experience with this Becky, so I’m not sure if it would respond to chemo – a hard thing for an animal. Your pets do feed off your moods, so stay upbeat – you can do this, even at this time of year. Enjoy every moment with your furry friend. You have my prayers.
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Thank you, again… and for the great advice. I hate crying in front of her. 😦 I will stay upbeat… I have a lot to be grateful for, 9 amazing years with her and hopefully a few more. 🙂
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Awe….Thinking of you and Shorty! Praying for her healing. Much love to you!
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Thank you, Melody. That means a lot to me. ❤
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Not going to press like, I have been there with loved pets … All my best wishes…
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❤ Thank you.
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I haven’t experienced this situation but I don’t know what’d I’d do if anything happend to my furkid “Mollie”. When I rescued her 7 years ago I just assumed I’d have her around for many, years and by many I was thinking…oh around 25+ years. So imagine my surprise when one of my best friends told me it’d probably be considerably less. But I cannot dwell on what may happen, I can only enjoy the time I have with her now. My advice – enjoy each and every moment you have with Shorty and as one of your other respondents said remain as upbeat as possible.
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Thank you. I will take your advice. 🙂 She just had several skin tumors removed yesterday, and she’s doing great today. I have faith, and I’m staying positive! 🙂
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That’s wonderful news Becky, glad to hear it!! ~Steph
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🙂
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Becky – I just saw this and am so sorry to hear Shorty is sick. 😦 I hope that she is doing well despite the cancer and that it can be easily cured.
You’re going to think I’m crazy but my friend happened across a pet medium while she was volunteering for an rescue pet organization. She laughed at the concept until she accidentally was “summoned” by the medium to convey a message from her recently passed father and a special pet in her life. Long story short, she shared that she learned that pets are okay when they pass and are truly at peace. Some are there as well to keep children in Heaven accompanied. I don’t know if I fully believe it but I’m sure Buddy is up there keeping someone very comfy. xo
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I love your comment!!!! ❤ ❤ Thank you! My man and I always say we wish our dogs could talk, or at least say yes or no. LOL I would totally talk to a pet medium… not sure I'd believe it, but I think it would be interesting. 🙂
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Pets bring so much to our lives. I hope Shorty does well with treatment and you have much more time together. I did not see an update on his condition, so hope that means he is doing well.
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Shorty is doing great! At this point, we will just watch and wait. I had planned on spending a day or two on the couch with her, but I ended up spending a week on the couch with her… and I’m grateful. Maybe it was good for both of us. 🙂
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