Thursday, January 14, 2016

News - No Pictures

It is with a heavy heart I am sharing that our vet phoned last evening, shortly after 7 pm. The news is what we expected, but not what we hoped for.

Hogan, our much-loved 12 year-old beagle-chow rescue dog, has soft tissue sarcoma, a type of cancer that grows as a ball-like mass and can originate in muscle, which is where his is located. Dr. Vernon explained that the cancer is deep, so she was unable to obtain clear margins. The cancer will return. She explained options that might possibly work to remove the cancer, but it would entail more extensive surgery and radiation treatment in Gainesville at the University of Florida, or at an oncology center in Orlando. We have decided to forego treatment and focus on making Hogan as comfortable and as spoiled as possible for whatever number of weeks or months remain. As Dan said to our children, "We're going to love and pamper him until discomfort dictates that we set him free.

I admit that I cried all last evening, then thought I was cried out, but have cried more today. We're both feeling heavy-hearted. It will take time to adjust to this new knowledge, but rest assured, Dan and I will make sure Hogan knows he's loved, and that he is as content as possible.

As well, I received expected, but not-what-I-wanted-to-hear information from my cardio-vascular physician. Indeed, last Monday's ultrasounds of both legs reveals that I have arterial plaque blockages again (PAD). Apparently, being on Lipitor, Plavix, and Pletal, and exercising regularly isn't enough to prevent plaque from collecting.

Sometime next month, I will have another angiogram of my left leg - the procedure in which the doc goes into my right groin, and inserts a device through the artery of my left leg to balloon out plaque. He suspects that plaque is collecting at the bottom end of the eight inch-long stent in my femoral artery, a condition he calls the "candy wrapper" effect. While he's "in," he said he will peep down my right leg too because the ultrasound indicates a 60 percent blockage below my right knee. If that's the case, at a later date I'll have another angiogram to have the right leg ballooned open.

My left leg angiogram will be the fourth time Dr. Qamar has needed to enter that leg. Though, on the positive side, it's been 15 months since the last time. Perhaps the drugs are working to make the need for this procedure less frequent. In total, this will be my seventh angiogram at his catheterization lab. It's looking like I'm slowly working my way closer to getting the toaster they promised after ten visits!

Yesterday's news finds me needing to apply to my life my 2016 word for the year, "lighten." Over the next weeks and months, I will make a concerted effort to give these concerns and burdens to God.
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. - Psalm 68:19
If you live in the Central Florida area, I hope to see you Friday or Saturday at the Quilting Guild of The Villages' MarketPlace, the biannual event where more than 45 vendors will sell quilting, sewing, and knitting/crocheting supplies. Admission is $10, or $9 with a coupon.

You'll find Lora and me there, at La Hacienda Rec Center from 9-3, working in her Dragonfly Quiltworks booth. She's selling modern fabrics, and will have more than 100 bolts, and heaps of fat quarter bundles! Linda

27 comments:

  1. oh I'm so disappointed at both pieces of news. Prayers for a lightness of heart in spite of life's challenges...

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  2. So sorry about Hogan. I know he will feel loved. Also sorry about the leg news. Maybe this time will be the magic bullet. Wish I could come this weekend, have fun.

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  3. No doubt this was a rough post for you to write. Thank you for sharing. You are in my prayers on all fronts.

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  4. Sad news, indeed. Hogan was a lucky pup when he adopted you two, way back when! Keep your chin up!

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  5. Oh poor you. Not the best day yesterday I'd say. I'm so sorry to hear about Hogan as I know how much our pets are part of the family. And your own medical news isn't what you were praying for either. I hope the quilting event on the weekend will give you some much needed distraction.

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  6. So sad to hear this news on Hogan but he is "one lucky pup" to have landed in your nest and has had a wonderful life here in TV with all the sunshine. Prayers also for your continuing health issues. Hugs

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  7. My thoughts are with you on both counts Linda, but I'm sure your faith will pull you through. My husband says God only gives you what he knows you can cope with, as hard as this might seem. HUGS :-)

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  8. My thoughts are with you Linda. I know Hogan is a big part of your family.

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  9. I too will be praying you and yours. I wish I could do more.

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  10. So sorry it was not the news you wanted to hear, on both counts. Hogan knows he is loved and will certainly feel it more so now. My thoughts are with you. Sending hugs.

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  11. So sad to hear about Hogan. I too am shedding tears just reading about him and you. My prayers are with you and know that He who watches over us will take the burden from your shoulders. I see you still have your sense of humor about your doctor visits in spite of it all. You are a real trouper.

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  12. Difficult news to deal with, but you have your plans in place ready to move forward.

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  13. Blessings to you and Hogan Linda! You know that you will be in my prayers....

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  14. So sorry to read your news Linda. It is so sad to have a pet go this way, but as you say, he will be dearly loved right up to the end.
    And your own medical news must be rather disappointing too, with more interventions needed. We are all wishing you the very best with your upcoming treatment.

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  15. Prayer sent up for both you and Hogan. You received two pieces of difficult news at once. You've been diligent about your exercise and diet, so I'm sure it's a disapoointment. All the best to you for your procedure and recovery. Won't be able to attend the Market event this weekend- sorry to miss it. I'm sure you'll be busy and exhausted once it's over! Enjoy the event.

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  16. Linda, may you feel the arms of our Father around you as you lean on Him during these hard trials. Prays for you and Dan.

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  17. I am so sorry to hear the news about Hogan. I can kind of relate as we had a similar event with our dog. I'm sure you will do what is best for him. And I hope and pray your health news turns positive also. I like your word "lighten"...we could all use that in our lives. Prays being lifted up...

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  18. Oh, Linda I am so sorry you received the news about Hogan that you did. He is such a sweet dog, remember him fondly from my visits to your WDM home... I received similar news on NYE about Kato (Frank's cat, 10 yrs old) tho I opted not to have surgery to verify it, he likely has lymphoma. He's been stomach sick much of 2015, but his sweet disposition has never faltered. That will be a very sad goodbye when the time comes. Give Hogan an extra belly rub from me. And I'll be praying for you that your procedures go well and recovery comes quickly. Thinking of you (always!) my dear friend!

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  19. So sorry for the difficult news. That is a great scripture to hold onto though. God is every faithful.

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  20. Sorry about your news Linda. Your doggie will be missed but knows he is loved. I'll be thinking of you and will remember to pray when I do ; )

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  21. I'm sorry to hear your news isn't good on either front. Be still and know that HE is God.

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  22. Dear Linda, I am so sad to read the bad News about Hogan. But I am sure your decision is good for him. Hope he will have a comfortable life for quite a few more months.
    Sadly I also read about your legs. To both of you my best getting well wishes.
    Edith

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  23. Linda I'm so terribly sorry to read the news about Hogan. I know that there will be more tears in your future but also moments of joy as you treasure the remaining time you have with him. And I forgot to tell you that one of my brothers has over 30 stents now and he never got a toaster. I better tell him to ask for one. :) Some are in his legs but most are in his heart. blessings, marlene

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  24. I've just found your lovely blog. I do hope that the procedures you have will go well and make you feel much better. I also wanted to let you know that we too were told our dear cat Velvet had cancer, the vet specialist offered us very aggressive treatment that may have bought her time but not cured her. We too decided that the best thing was to let her enjoy the rest of her life being loved and comfortable at home. We were lucky to enjoy nearly another year with her and she was happy, we feel comforted by the fact that she didn't suffer. Sending you very best wishes for you, Hogan and all your family, Jo xx

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    1. Hello Jojo! You're a no-reply commenter, so I am unable to respond by email to your lovely comment. But I want to say, "thank you very much!" I appreciate your compliments, and what you said about your experience with your cat. We intend to do the same thing with Hogan. Though I doubt we will have a year, as the vet told us "weeks or months," we are still loving on him as much as we can. I appreciate your kind words.

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