Great news on the cytology report. Hugo and you are in my prayers for a successful surgery on Thursday, and for chemo not to be required.

Thank you for keeping us updated. Sending gentle hugs to your baby boy.

Tomorrow morning is surgery day. It kills me that Hugo has no clue what he's about to go through or why mainly since he appears to feel fine.
I decided to try reading about canine chemo just now, bad idea. I came across a veterinarians online journal of her dog going through chemo and how she put him down. Needless to say I didn't finish reading the blog and am still drying my eyes.
So I decided to come on here. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and well wishes for Hugo. I anticipate surgery to be successful, Hugo to do great. I hope I keep it together.
I'll post when I hear from the surgeon.

Prayers for you and Hugo....hope all goes well with his surgery.

Sending out lot's of prayers for Hugo's surgery and recovery.

You and Hugo are in my thoughts today. Praying for all to go smoothly. Looking forward to hearing he is back home with you.

Hoping all goes well with Hugo's surgery today. Please update us when you are able to do so. My thoughts are with you.

I know how stressful surgery day can be. Hoping Hugo came through it ok and will be acting like nothing happened by Saturday!

Hi Everyone -
Sorry I'm updating so late. Per Dr. Haynes, Hugo did great. I wanted to go see him but didn't want him to get excited thinking he's coming home and the vet agreed it's best for him to not see me since he's staying over night. But they said he's alert, groggy and perks up when anyone comes close to his crate.
Tumor will be sent out for addl biopsy to check for other abnormalities. I get to bring Hugo home tomorrow. It's definitely an empty house without him here tonight. Can't wait to bring him home tomorrow and make his recovery comfortable.
Love you all for the prayers/concerns/good positive thoughts.

Hooray Hugo!!

So happy to hear things went well!! :)

Happy to hear that things went well for Hugo :)

Very happy to hear all went well. I'm sure both you and Hugo will be happy this evening when he is back home. Wishing you both a peaceful weekend. Keeping both of you in my thoughts and prayers for good news.

I can't wait for Hugo to be back home. I pray his recovery is fast and that he feels better and is free of pain soon.

Hugo's home! We got home about 3 hours ago. He looks good...a little groggy but no moaning or groaning. The tumor was apparently the size of a walnut so the cuts pretty big (red and swollen a bit). The healing will show in the next couple days I'm sure.
Couldn't be happier with his surgeon (Dr. Haynes) and his regular doctor (Dr. Rabe) for referring him. They are both, hands down, amazing.
Stitches come out in 2 weeks. So far he has trying licking the wound. He may be too tired. Hopefully he doesn't try bc he won't like the ecollar.
Meds have kicked in and he's comfortably sleeping on the bed right now. But I'll be sleeping on the floor with him bc he shouldn't be going up and down the bed stairs (at least not yet).
Everyone's prayers and positive thoughts worked! Thank you! Baby boy is home and on the road to getting better. Xoxo from Hugo!

Awww .. so sweet of you to sleep on the floor with him. :) Hope he has a good night..so glad it sounds like he is doing well!

I don't want him getting upset that he can't be on the bed. He's the sweetest little boy. He's comfortably sleeping. :)

Kong makes a small inflatable collar that they can wear. Much more comfortable than the cone.

Thinking of Hugo and you today. You are so sweet for sleeping on the floor with him. :love:

I've been meaning to post an update. Hugo's stitches are out from the tumor removal and the surgeon did a great job. You'd never know he was cut open back there. We met with the oncologist and have decided to start radiation on the area of the tumor since it was too large to remove it all without risking the nerves around it. So 20 rounds of small doses of radiation. 5 days a week (weekends off) for 1 month. Yesterday he had a catheter put in so he's more comfortable without needing to be poked everyday. Today was radiation round 2.
He was very groggy yesterday when I brought him home bc of the surgery and more anesthetic. However, he ate some food last night still. Today he's much better, not groggy really. A little tired but definitely alert and more himself. Ate food without problem again.
This was a very difficult decision for me bc I of course don't want to put him through anything where he may be uncomfortable. I felt it was the best decision to do radiation now to try stopping whatever's left of the tumor from regenerating.
I anticipate there will come a day that when I drop him off for radiation in the morning I won't cry right when I get on the car or when we get back in the car after picking him up. It takes time I guess. I should be happy that he doesn't seem to be in any true discomfort. The oncologists and vets at VCA Sepulveda West LA are so good with him that he doesn't fight me putting him in their arms at drop off. That makes it a little easier.
Please continue with your thought and prayers and thank you for all the positive encouraging words. I wouldn't be able to make it without this site and you all. Hugs and kisses from Hugo.

I will continue to pray for Hugo and you . It's obvious that you love him dearly and that you would go to the ends of the earth for him. I'm sure he knows that, and it will help him to get better. My heart breaks knowing what you and Hugo have had to go through; I remember the surgery for Ashley with a benign tumor and how difficult it was for her, but my heart is so warmed by your love for Hugo.

I agree with Lisa's beautiful post. Hugo is obviously loved dearly.

I am praying for him and you for the treatments to go smoothly and to be successful, for Hugo's comfort, and for your strength.

Sending your boy gentle hugs.

Hugs and prayers to you and Hugo.

Heres hoping for a Happy Healthy Hugo!!

You are a great mommy to Hugo!

Your post made me cry; I can only imagine what you are going through. Poor Hugo. If he goes willingly into the hands of the people at the VCA though, at least you know he isn't uncomfortable or hurting when he is there because he would fight being left there

Please know that my prayers are with both of you. I pray that this helps get rid of the rest of the tumor and that you and Hugo have many more happy years together.

Hi Everyone -
Sorry I haven't posted an update. So Hugo went had the tumor removal (went great) and 20 rounds of radiation (5 days a week for a month). Radiation went real well. Dr. Askin at VCA WLA is great. Hugo loves her and the staff there. Ultrasound still doesn't show any signs of spreading as of approx 3 weeks ago - so that's great news.
He's had 1 treatment of chemo and no side effects.
The port that was placed b/c of all the radiation treatments was removed last Thursday.
Hugo's 2nd chemo treatment has been delayed b/c he white blood cell counts been a little low since the first chemo treatment. Wednesday his oncologist said she was going to do the chemo but at a lower dose. However, they weren't able to get to his veins... so we've decided to start him on Palladia 10mg (1 pill on Mon/Wed/Fri). I'm suppose to start him on it tonight. A little worried b/c I haven't read great reviews about it online, however, it could be that the reviews I've read were of dogs in a more progressed stage of cancer.
Anyone have experience with this pill?
Thanks for everyone's support and prayers. Hugo is doing real well. So thankful to all his doctors at VCA WLA!

What a lucky little guy to be so loved and well cared for....

Thank you for the update. Prayers continue for your boy and for you....