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stewartslucy · 05-26-2006, 06:58 AM

Here is an update on what happened with our Molly Muffins.

We took her to the Michigan State Animal Cancer Clinic.

They did repeat every test her regular vet had given her, as well as a few more, such as a needle biopsy of her liver (came back benign, but this is inconclusive, as the outer 'rings' are usually what are malignant, so we may have sampled an inner part.)

Also, the ultrasound equipment there was far superior to what was used in our vet's office.

The bottom line is that in all likelihood, she has liver cancer, but we cannot have a definitive diagnosis unless we were to do the surgical biopsy.

If we do the surgical biopsy, we can do 2 things;

1) sample the cells, close her up, make a determination as to what it is and then they could give us a prognosis from there

or

2) sample the cells, have oncologist start scraping away cells as much as possible, which will require quite a convalescence on Molly's part. She would be hospitalized for a length of time that the doctor cannot give me a ballpark for. The risk also involves 'upsetting' the cancer and having it become more aggressive, spread. Also that she will never fully recover from this surgery to the state that she is now in. Or the doctor may see that it is too far spread and not surgically treatable.

Right now, Molly is mostly her wonderful old self. She still can go for walks, move around the house to her favorite spots, patrols the yard for squirrels, rabbits and other invaders, and now that she has bounced back you would not even know she is ill other than a slight decrease in her appetite.

Because the ultrasound images seem to show the right side of her liver is what is inflicted, this would indicate cancer vs. if it was spread throughout her liver evenly this might indicate some sort of live disease.
If her left side is what was affected, they could surgically remove that part of her liver. But the right side of the liver is the side that has critical veins and arteries that link to other organs, so we cannot just remove the right side.

If we chose to do the surgical biopsy, followed by chemotherapy, this would NOT cure her. It would just slow the cancer down and prolong her life.

The doctor cannot predict how much more time this would give Molly until they have a sample that definitively tells them what kind of cancer it is.

That is when they can start telling us whether or not this is the type of cancer that responds well to treatment or not or how long she will have to live with or without treatment.

We feel much better having gone in for a second opinion, even though none of what we learned there is encouraging news. In fact, it is almost what the doctors are NOT saying that is notable.

No one is saying even if this is liver cancer there are good treatments with successful outcomes, and to go for it.

At this point, we don't feel the outcome is worth putting Molly through major surgery which she may never recover from. We are going to let nature take its' course.

There is comfort in knowing that we have given her the best life we possibly could. She travelled everywhere with us-all over the USA and to Europe 5 times! We love her sooooo much. We have simply been in her orbit for 10 years. Our world really revolves around her.

For now, we will continue to give her the best care, enjoy her, and hope that God will give us as much time as He can with our precious girl.

Thanks to all for your kindness.

I hope this information might help another Yorkshire family.

05-26-2006, 06:58 AM	#5
stewartslucy Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2006 Location: Farmington Hills, MI Posts: 183	Here is an update on what happened with our Molly Muffins. We took her to the Michigan State Animal Cancer Clinic. They did repeat every test her regular vet had given her, as well as a few more, such as a needle biopsy of her liver (came back benign, but this is inconclusive, as the outer 'rings' are usually what are malignant, so we may have sampled an inner part.) Also, the ultrasound equipment there was far superior to what was used in our vet's office. The bottom line is that in all likelihood, she has liver cancer, but we cannot have a definitive diagnosis unless we were to do the surgical biopsy. If we do the surgical biopsy, we can do 2 things; 1) sample the cells, close her up, make a determination as to what it is and then they could give us a prognosis from there or 2) sample the cells, have oncologist start scraping away cells as much as possible, which will require quite a convalescence on Molly's part. She would be hospitalized for a length of time that the doctor cannot give me a ballpark for. The risk also involves 'upsetting' the cancer and having it become more aggressive, spread. Also that she will never fully recover from this surgery to the state that she is now in. Or the doctor may see that it is too far spread and not surgically treatable. Right now, Molly is mostly her wonderful old self. She still can go for walks, move around the house to her favorite spots, patrols the yard for squirrels, rabbits and other invaders, and now that she has bounced back you would not even know she is ill other than a slight decrease in her appetite. Because the ultrasound images seem to show the right side of her liver is what is inflicted, this would indicate cancer vs. if it was spread throughout her liver evenly this might indicate some sort of live disease. If her left side is what was affected, they could surgically remove that part of her liver. But the right side of the liver is the side that has critical veins and arteries that link to other organs, so we cannot just remove the right side. If we chose to do the surgical biopsy, followed by chemotherapy, this would NOT cure her. It would just slow the cancer down and prolong her life. The doctor cannot predict how much more time this would give Molly until they have a sample that definitively tells them what kind of cancer it is. That is when they can start telling us whether or not this is the type of cancer that responds well to treatment or not or how long she will have to live with or without treatment. We feel much better having gone in for a second opinion, even though none of what we learned there is encouraging news. In fact, it is almost what the doctors are NOT saying that is notable. No one is saying even if this is liver cancer there are good treatments with successful outcomes, and to go for it. At this point, we don't feel the outcome is worth putting Molly through major surgery which she may never recover from. We are going to let nature take its' course. There is comfort in knowing that we have given her the best life we possibly could. She travelled everywhere with us-all over the USA and to Europe 5 times! We love her sooooo much. We have simply been in her orbit for 10 years. Our world really revolves around her. For now, we will continue to give her the best care, enjoy her, and hope that God will give us as much time as He can with our precious girl. Thanks to all for your kindness. I hope this information might help another Yorkshire family.