Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Hi Everyone:
Well this is not the news I wanted to report. Tipper's tumor has increased almost one centimeter. The IMS actually made a comparison to her last numbers, and used the wrong ones, which made it seem a much smaller increase where as she said she was not worried. I of course am worried and just got home and emailed Dr. Bruyette. He already answered my first email, and said to get a CT scan done of her abdomen to see if she is a good for surgery. The surgeon at this hospital can from Dr. Bruyettes hospital. I asked him how many of these surgeries she has done and the outcomes. He has not answered that part yet, which scares me. This was a nasty trip nothing but blinding rain and partial darkness when we started out. Tipper was not wanting to be in the car and was really having anxiety. I felt so bad for her. At least no traffic from accidents. I am just kind of sick right now. I called my regular vet, and the IMS about the descrepency and we will see who calls back. Tipper and I are resting on the bed. She has some conjunctivitis from seasonal allergies in her eyes, so I had to stop at the pharmacy and get her eye drops. That is why there is the mucous in her eyes in the morning a lot of the time. He said her eyes are good with no changes from the previous visit. We talked about the storms and broken blood vessels, and I told him the vet and the IMS would not give her anything, so it is probably best as that tells me something. I need to work on that problem quickly.It is still pouring here and Tipper is sleeping. Early this morning at 1am the ice maker started up again, I had to get up and fix it. I could not go back to sleep and Tipper was up at 4am. I am tired and very upset so I am going to rest and post later. The roads are horrendous with pending everywhere. Glad we are back and out of that mess. I simply will not let this disease take my baby. Blessings
Patti

I am so sorry the tumor is growing so fast. :( We know the meds will not make adrenal tumors go away but always hope they can hold it at bay for a little while at least. Please let us know what the docs think and what direction you are thinking of going based on their feedback. The growing tumor may account for some of the behavioral changes in her, too.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Well, excuse me for saying, but dang it that is not what any of us where hoping for and I am just positive you are feeling sick to your stomach at the news. I sincerely feel just awful for this news. :( Was the last ultrasound 3 months ago?

I am glad you all made it home safe and sound. I wish it were a better day.

Okay, so here is a question for you.. What prognosis without surgery? Do they feel that it is a functional tumor? Has it invaded the vena cava? Do they think it could be a pheo?

Get some rest Patti and regroup. Do something none related and clear the mind. This hopefully will help to give you clarity of thought when you come back to it. I've had to do this myself several times, it feels impossible to do but if you can, it Does help. It doesn't have to be for very long, but it does have to be entirely clearing.

Sending you hugs and prayers
Sharlene and molly muffin

Oh Patti, I am so sorry to hear that Tipper's tumor has grown :( and will be keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.

I have heard that when a dog is afraid of a certain noise, like thunder and/or rain storm, that the noise should be taped and replayed back when the dog is not stressed and is doing something that the dog enjoys, starting with a very low sound and building the sound up until it is at the normal volume of a thunderstorm etc..and only turning the volume up when the dog gets used to that sound and shows no distress.

Hugs, Lori

Oh Patti!
Not good news but hopefully it is something that can be dealt with and hasn't become too invasive.

Tipper and you will be in my prayers!

Oh Patti I am so sorry to hear that Tipper's tumor has grown ;( Have they given you any idea what type of tumor it is? from what you posted it does not seem that it metastasized which is great and I have about the same questions as Sharlenes has, is it invading the vena cava? What size is it now? Do they think it is benign, a pheo, functioning or non?
Leslie has a good point maybe the behavior changes are due to the tumor growing?
I am sure you are devastated, I hope they have some answers for you so you can make a decision about having surgery or not that you feel comfortable. with.

Hi Patti,

I'll keep you and Tipper in our prayers as well! I know that's not good news about Tipper's tumor at all. I guess all we can do right now is stay healthy ourselves to fight for our babies. Get some rest. <sigh>

Hi Everyone:
I did not get to talk with the IMS today, the hospital was crazy with emergencies etc. She has never given me an opinion on what type of tumor this is only to say after seeing it repeatedly that pheos look different. I am not making a long post as I am too upset right now. I will however go back to my first feeling of this being a pheo because of the things Tipper does ikn her sleep etc. When I was researching tremors, they came up as a symptom of pheos. I have worried about this for a long time and many do not feel it is a pheo. The IMS said that nothing had metastasized anywhere I think the last two time she said that. Also she said
from an ultrasonic view the vena cava was not invaded. The fact that she made a paper error of the size of the tumor in January led her to believe this increase was miniscule. But, when I found the US from January that is not the case, she used the wrong number meaning the increase was much more than miniscule. Dr. Bruyette said to get a CT scan of the abdomen. Do not even know what that would cost. My mind is going on me, it has been a long day. I do know this Tipper is going to be 13 in October, she has tracheal issues, a heart murmur, vestibular disease, & Cushing's. The Dr.s that see her think she is in great shape. I could never live with myself, if my girl lost her life getting this tumor out, but I know what can happen from here and part of me says get rid of it. Do I have the right to put her through this when she has already had so much?? How much time would this buy her, is it worth the misery she would go thru? I have to watch this money and do not want to throw it away on a surgeon I am not confident in, and that is why I asked Dr. Bruyette about this surgeon, as she can from his hospital. I am wondering if this is why Tipper's tremors were getting worse, because this tumor was growing? My vet never even called me, I should not feel let down, because I should expect it! Blessings
Patti

Of course you are a wreck Patti. I think that is perfectly normal reaction to this news.
I think you have to have as many facts as possible and cannot even think of making a decision without them.
Money is an issue and so are all the factors involved in Tippers health.

hugs and love
Sharlene and molly muffin

Hi Everyone:
The hospital called and apologized for the mistake in the numbers. The report I looked at in January was typed in wrong by the IMS so Tipper's tumor increase was miniscule. That does give me some relief, but I am still worried. I wish this mistake had not happened as it made me awfully sick, and does change things. They want me to talk to a surgeon. I said unless it is someone who has done this procedure oodles of times forget it, as it will be a waste of money. If I am going to spend the money, it needs to be on a surgeon I would use. Blessings
Patti