I know it's been awhile since our last post and I do apologize. We have been trying to come around facebook and catch up with our blog friends and to those that do not have facebook or those we have not connected with yet I do apologize. We have haven't had a lot of online time and we were trying to find a way to maximize the time we had available. Hopefully we can come around to all our friend's blogs soon. We do miss reading about your adventures and good times.
Emma went to the vet and the lady found swollen lymph nodes. She suggested we have blood work and an xray done. We followed her advice and this is the xray they showed us.
The Dr. said there is a mass between her neck bone and the trachea/esophagus. The trachea/esophagus is the black tube toward the bottom. They recommended more diagnostic testing. Like a chest x-ray and an ultrasound to guide a needle biopsy of the mass to determine what kind of mass it is.
Problem: Emma is still losing weight, has no appetite, has had diarrhea for a very long time. She doesn't eat enough to have gotten the proper nutrients for a very long time despite our determined attempts to encourage vitamin supplements and balanced foods. She refuses anything we add a multi vitamin powder to and most times refuses any kind of dog food. This makes us very leery of any surgical procedure. Today we requested the xray be done only if it could be done without any kind of sedation. The Dr. agreed he did not want to use sedation. And sweet, gentle, mellow, Emma was very cooperative. That's my wonderful girl! Our fear is no matter what they find out she is not going to be a good candidate for surgery. I am going to guess that surgery in this area of the neck is a major surgery since it's so close to vital arteries. I'm worried any type of surgery in this area would cause her to completely stop eating from the pain and discomfort. I'm worried the stress surgery places on the body and the anesthesia would be too much for her to handle.
So, that leaves us with the question...what do we do?
I don't want to let her down, I don't want to make the wrong decision, most of all I don't want to let her down. She's counting on me to take care of her and I feel I have failed.
I can only hope what they are seeing in this xray is not a mass. I've asked our primary Dr. to take a look at them and see what he thinks.
Sincerely,
Emma's Mom
This is heartbreaking news. What I always ask in these circumstances is "and then what?" Meaning, they could run some tests or such and such and then what?
ReplyDeleteMiss Emma might just not have the strength for surgery at this point. You need to do what is best for her, what will provide her with the best quality.
When Mango was so sick, the vet described all the things they could do for him. I listened and then I said "I don't think he could survive that." I could see the relief on the vet's face when I said that.
I don't know if this is Miss Emma's time or not. She loves you and she knows she is loved in return.
Mango Momma
I am just stopping by to offer our positive thoughts and vibes for your Emma. I know it's hard not knowing what to do when they depend on you. With all the love you two share, I know whatever you choose to do will be the right thing for her.
ReplyDeleteMom always tells the humans to ask 'us' - watch our eyes and our tail - they khan hold the answers -
ReplyDeleteWe'll be thinking of all!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
Oh my, rough times there too :( Hopefully doctors can be helpful. Let's hope the best! But I'm sure you are doing everything you can and are able to.
ReplyDeleteI send you all a lot of strength!
-Lilli-
Oh no. Emma, I am so sorry to hear you're having such a rotten time of it :( Your Mom's thoughts on not putting you through surgery in your weakened condition sound very wise. You and your Mom are very close and share lots of love for each other. That love will lead you both to the best decisions possible. Trust in yourselves and each other. Mom and I send you all lots and lots of love and support.
ReplyDeleteThe Roo Family
We are sorry to hear about Emma. Sending healing paw and much love. Take care all.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
Sending prayers to you and to Emma. Whatever decision you make for her, it will be the right one.
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry to hear about this. Thinking of you guys!
ReplyDeleteHowdy Emma's mum. Just from reading back on a few posts, please don't feel like you have failed Emma. I bet she feels loved and cherished all the time! I'm sorry she isn't well. Wait to hear what your primary Vet says and take it from there. You will know in your heart what is best for your special girl. Take care all. No worries, and love, Carol (and Stella and Rory)
ReplyDeleteOh Emma. How hard this must be on your family. Our thoughts are with you all during this difficult time. Emma has lived a wonderfully loved life and we're sure you'll do what's best for her.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs and giant Dane kisses to you all from us in Singapore!
We stopped by via the POTP. So sorry to hear about Emma's problems. Wishing you the best as you are faced with such difficult choices. Your love for Emma will guide you.
ReplyDeleteSusan and Wrigs
Oh no - we will keep Emma in our prayers. We are also sending you hugs.
ReplyDeleteSam
This makes us so very sad. We're having many of the same problems with Samba and Sky. We know we don't have a lot of time left to get this under control. We're sending our best thoughts your way.
ReplyDeleteMorgan, Sebastian and the Porties
We don't get around the blogs as much anymore as we'd like to, either. Just saw this sad news and wonder what the current status is. Mama says sometimes it's really hard to tell when you've crossed from prolonging living to prolonging dying. We know you will do whatever is best for Emma. Big hugs to you all.
ReplyDeleteYou have not failed! That's simply not the case. You're thinking about her and what's best for her. How is that's failing? We're sending our best vibes to Emma. She's a beautiful girl!
ReplyDeleteMayzieMom here. We're just now trying to get caught up on blogs and saw this. Please know we're thinking of you and sending warm thoughts your way.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear this but glad to see Emma is on face book, We did not have power for a long time and so missed this post.
ReplyDeleteYou did not fail Emma. She is the oldest big dog I have ever heard of and that is a testament to your cimmitment to her. Whatever you decide you are making the right decision. I had an elderly pug Bingo, with a tumor in the spleen. He was a senior rescue and not a good candidate for surgery and we never put him through it. I think that for him that was the right decision. We are thinking of you. Every time I see Emma I t hink of my 10 and a half year old Norbert I pray he does as well as Emma at her age.