Skippy has passed; 12 y/o Yorkie with likely pituitary tumor (Trilostane)

I have no wisdom to share either, I just wanted you to know that you both are in my thoughts and prayers. (((((Hugs)))))

Annie and Lori, I am pretty much without words too so I will just keep putting my bank card and one foot in front of another, although at times it is feeling like a B movie version of a Bataan Death March. Skippy had more x rays this morning and his nodule aspirated again. He remains on Clavamox as the pneumonia has not completely cleared. Again, the nodule bled and while three vets who examined the discharge could not completely rule out lymphoma, they are fairly certain that it's not. Because they feel that he is clinically stable (relatively speaking) we will proceed with the CT Scan next Monday. They will thoroughly scan his abdomen and lower body to search for lymphoma or anything else. If they find nothing, they will proceed with radiation the following week.

Except for the incident after x rays last week, Skippy is tolerating all of these vet trips incredibly well. I just gave him fresh chicken and meds including Tramadol to try to head off another event. I am so grateful that he is eating. He rides in my lap to and from Purdue which I know is illegal and now my driver's license just expired and I can't renew until I get back to Maryland. But if this is as close as we get to living on the edge, no worries. Thanks for your support.

In spite of my worst fears, Skippy tolerated the CT scan well today, although, it was a long recovery which they say is typical with Macro's. They scanned his abdomen and then did an ultrasound to check his liver, which is enlarged from the Cushing's. They will compare the ultrasound with the one done in December 2016 but they are not alarmed. Radiation will begin next Monday. No Lymphoma on CT or ultrasound. All of this is a gift, for a moment - to Skippy and me...

Carole,

This is wonderful news - so happy to hear that Skippy's CT did not show anything alarming.

These doggies are such troopers ... looking back now, I am amazed at how brave and strong my Mojo was while battling this awful disease. He just took it all in stride as much as he could and with the exception of being totally obstinate when I gave him pills he was a perfect patient.

This is truly a gift we are given when we get a reprieve from all of the bad news that comes with this illness. Enjoy the next few days with Skippy doing all the things you love to do together!

Sending positive thoughts for radiation on Monday and praying it brings some much needed relief to both you and Skippy.

Oh I am so glad nothing untoward was found on the US! Now all you have to do is hold on til Monday. Do that one breath at a time if need be and love on that sweet boy every second you can. We are here anytime you need or want to chat but we also understand Skippy is your priority right now...as he should be. ;)

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Beaming all my positive thoughts and well wishes your way, too! Skippy is such a trooper and you have been working tirelessly, Carole, to grant him the best possible care. I surely will be hoping for the best possible result on Monday!

Sending gentle hugs to you both,
Marianne

Liltara, Leslie and Marianne, thank you for posting, your comments are so kind, supportive and thoughtful. I have avoided this site all week as I've been trying to stay focused on the task ahead and not be emotional about it all. Skippy remains stable, but weak, mostly quiet and very much into himself. His appetite is steady and all of his Cushing's symptoms are in full flower. He now has his own personal small floor fan that he parks himself in front of. His belly is gnormous and I think he has gained three or more lbs. in the past several months, either bloat or food.

If I understand what Purdue vet is saying, there hope is that radiation will at least sustain the tumor at its current size, possibly shrink it and reduce the swelling around the tumor so as to diminish the neurological symptoms, until it starts to grow again. Mostly, I'm pretty stoic at this point as it is his only viable shot for an improved quality of life. I don't know how I'll feel if he doesn't survive this or if it has no effect but I'm trying hard to move to a point of acceptance. While I have often called Skippy "Flower" over the years because he has such fine features and at times appears so delicate, in reality he was a very tough boy. I hope that toughness is still in there somewhere. I'll let folks know how he does and thanks again for your many kind and helpful thoughts.

Carole

I can't help it- I'm laughing out loud at the thought of Skippy in front of his fan. So so cute, I can just picture it. Such a little trooper he is. Thinking of you & sending hugs.

Thanks Annie and I hope you are doing okay and getting ready for Italy. If I can figure it out, I'll post a photo of Skippy with his chubby belly and his fan. He is a sight!

Carole - oh, my heart is breaking for you. I felt the same during Mojo's journey and it is soul crushing.

They are so much stronger than we ever think - Skippy is a little warrior and I wish you both the best outcome possible from his radiation treatment. I hope it brings him some much needed relief.

You are in my thoughts.