Misha is our April 7, 2013 Pup of the Week

When I used my blog to whine about my back legs that keep going flopsy under me causing me to face plant myself on the floor, I mentioned that, while I would not shun your prayers there were others who deserved them more.  One of these dogs is a good friend from mine on DS:  Misha.  As they say on Law and Order:  This is her story.

Misha is a beautiful golden retriever with two sisters of the same breed.  Misha is 12 and slowing down from arthritis (why do I hear a bell ringing?)  but there were  no signs of problems.  A few days later Misha’s Mom was rubbing her neck when she felt a large lump.  In a panic she called the vet and set up another appointment. The lump seemed to come out of nowhere and was bigger than a golf ball.  Her Mom asked for prayers as she nervously waited for the results.   

On a Friday Misha was back at the vet.  She got a needle stick and an x-ray.   The needles stick hurt quite a bit.  The vet said she could tell there were lots of activity in the cells, which is bad, and that it was a tumor, which is worse.    

The results were not what anyone had hoped or prayed for.  The biopsy showed it was the big bad C.  They had to go to the cancer center to see if it was even possible to operate on it because the neck is such a sensitive area.  The scariest part of the story is that the bad C grew so quickly.  Within two weeks it went from nothing to life threatening with no chance for anyone to prepare.  Misha was showing signs of being unable to swallow and something needed to be done quickly.

Misha went to the cancer center and got another big needle stuck in her.  They did not find any cancer in her heart or lungs which was good because the probably would have decided there was nothing they could do if they did.  The doctor was not sure what the mass was but knew it had to come out.  There plan was to get all the cancer and then get it tested.  Like human cancer centers it was both depressing to be there, with so many sick dogs, and hopeful, with so many getting better.  

As they waited for surgery the mass grew and it when operation cay came it was larger than they expected.  It was attached to her tonsils and lymph nods.  Because of this, after surgery, chemo was likely.  It was a nightmare scenario they had hoped to avoid.

                                   

The surgery was a success through her will, the surgeon’s skills and prayers.  She got to come home after some much needed care after the surgery.  Her neck was shaved but that was a small price to pay for the tumor being gone.  She got put on pain meds and amoxicillin. . She came home hungry and now swallowing was easier.  Through it all she never lost her appetite.  

Her parents will meet with the doctors this week to discuss radiation and chemo treatments and how likely it would be that the treatment will be successful.  Further treatments will be lengthy and hard on Misha so there are difficult decisions to be made but I know her parents will do what is best for her.  As her mother said:  “they say to us before every trial: remember to have fun with your dog and love them no matter what because you don't know if its your last day with them.”

True words,  But I think if we all come together and pray Misha can hold off that last day.  We have seen Summer, Chelsea and Willie come through some dark and hopeless times.  Now we are counting on a Misha miracle.

And we vow never to lose hope.