Annie Gets a Second Chance!

Well, in an effort to get myself mentally ready for the battle ahead, I started this blog.  I was set on the fact that I’d chronicle Annie’s fight in this forum so others could maybe learn something from my experience and since it would be theraputic.  

The last info that we had was that Gulf Coast in Houston had recommended an amputation.  Due mostly to cost, but also b/c I had a bad gut feeling when working with Gulf Coast, I decided to find another doctor to do the amputaiton.  When I showed up for my appointment and showed him all the xrays, ultrasounds, lab reports, etc. etc. he was less than convinced that an amputation was teh way to go.  Based on how little pain Annie appeared to be in and that the original biopsy said “possible” synovial cell sarcoma he recommended a deeper biopsy.  This cost $700 so of course doubt slipped into my mind thinking he was just trying to milk me for more money.  But when he laid out all the info, it just seemed like the logical thing to do.  So we did a biopsy two weeks ago and he said he got a “cornucopia” of tissue samples.  Deep, near the bone, directly from the synovium capsule (I may have butchered that one), etc. etc.  He then sent the samples off to A&M and the results came back 100% clear!!!!  I almost cried!  What a roller coaster.  First I thought bone cancer, then synovial cell, then amputation…and it ended up being a fibroma (I think?) basically a fiborous tumor that was merely a cosmetic issue unless it grows to the point that it affects the mechanics of the joint.  It’s amazing to me that a benign tumor could come up as fast as this one did, but as an Aggie, I’ll trust the great Aggie pathologists that say it’s all clear. 

Thank you all so much for your support.  We’ll treat this time with Annie as a second chance and spoil her more than we already do!

There is a lesson learned in all of this stuff.  I went to three doctors, I read as much as I could, I asked a gazillion questions, and I trusted my gut when talking to these docs.  Each consultation was $100, but in the end it saved my dog her leg.  I hope this experience still does indeed help someone make a decision for their dog.