Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

I'm sorry if am being dense...is it too large or not? (the tumor)

So glad they called and straightened this out and the increase was small! Maybe think about the urine test that I just had Snuggles and Brando take at least it is not invasive. I am not sure which is better a CT Scan or MRI but it would show a lot more than an US, on the 4D US it didn't show vena cava invasion on Snuggles tumor but on the MRI with contrast it did, but they do need to be put under anesthesia for it.

Having a consult with a surgeon experienced in adrenal gland tumors might help you get more information to help you decide what to do. I know exactly how you are feeling its a horrible choice, to operate or not. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Tipper.

glad to read that the increase was not as bad as you thought it was.
maybe an operation is not necessary right now?
what a tough decission.
it seams she has so much energy, and loves to make long walks.
take a rest, and i hope those doctors will email you back soon.
did they give you anything to calm down tipper during the thunderstorms?

Hi Patti, I am very glad to hear that the increase was very small. So, that at least gives you some breathing room to find out information and think about things without as much pressure as it would be if it had increased a great deal.

It still isn't easy and I know you are still very worried, but it's better than it was earlier today.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

OH, sweetie! I am so glad, for once, to know a mistake was made and the tumor has NOT grown like first thought. ~~whew~~ That was my first reaction on reading that post. The second was GET IT OUT NOW before it does grow too large and this option is lost! :D This would be my reaction were this Squirt and there was any way I could pull it off financially. ;) A great deal of this response of mine comes from dealing with the tumors I have so far. Squirt's spleen tumor had to come out; it was too late for Tasha; then poor little Grace's "benign" tumors suddenly growing so massive; plus several others who have been here a very short time due to cancers. Tumors now scare the crap outta me and I want them REMOVED. :o I do realize this is not always an option but it is still an option for our Tipper. So find that surgeon you feel comfortable with, talk to them in depth, then make the decision you can best live with regardless of the eventual outcome.

But first, please take a day or two to rest and try to relax every now and then. Let your mind rest a bit so it is fresh and ready to tackle this issue without as many emotions clouding your thoughts (as if that is really possible to any degree ;)). Your health is not the best and getting worse with all this stress - you cannot help Tipper if you are going downhill physically and mentally. So please take a minute for yourself, honey.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Hi Everyone:
Please excuse me if I do not post on your threads today. This has made my Lupus in overdrive and I am not well today. When I got out of bed, I felt like I could vomit, and then did. I will give them credit at the hospital they owned up to the mistake, but it did little good for me. To make sure they were not covering something up I went to Tipper's file and got all her ultra sounds immediately. When I looked at the numbers the hospital was correct in that the IMS wrote the last number down wrong. This is a terrible mistake to make as if it were not for me catching it I could have made a different decision. I know she has a tuff job and is under a lot of pressure, but making a mistake on a tumor measurement is bad, especially when it is my Tipper. So that being said I am going to let go of that. Thank God I keep a meticulous file on Tipper and that I always recheck whatever anyone tells me. So the tumor did increase by .31 centimeters, but was smaller on the other measurement so could it have moved around making one measurement smaller than before and one larger? That does make sense to me. I still may opt for the ct scan to know where we stand. Dr Bruyette did get back to me and told me if this surgeon is the same one that trained with him, I have no worries and can trust her. That makes me feel a little better if I have to go that way. I have decided for now that I will go and talk to the surgeon, if she has done many of these operations but I will not take Tipper to the appointment as they want. She has had enough and I am putting my foot down. If I decide to go that route I will certainly take her there for the surgeon to evaluate her. For now she does not need the stress any more. Vicki I will ask the surgeon which I should have the ct or the MRI. I know the MRI is the gold standard for everything so it will probably be that. I must know all information before deciding what to do, I must protect my girl at all costs. I will fight to the death to keep this disease from taking her. I will post later, and I want to thank each and everyone of you for you concerns as I cannot do this without your help. I felt you all with me yesterday and it did bring a sense of comfort to me. Blessings
Patti

Dear Patti,

I'm praying for you and Tipper and it pains me to think what you must be going through right now. Tipper may not realize how lucky she is to have you as her mom but to me she is one of the luckiest pups I know. I know you by now that you will some how, some way make the best possible decision for Tipper after weighing everything in like what you've been doing it for a long time. As what Leslie said try to take care of yourself as Tipper needs your fighting spirit and energy to tackle whatever lies ahead, right by her side.

Hi Everyone:
Just a quick post. Dr. Bruyette just emailed me again and gave excellent references for the surgeon where Tipper goes. One thing he has not answered is if she has done any of these procedures, how many, and the outcome. Without those answers I am not seeing her. I hope I hear back from him. I have one thing going around in my mind and maybe one of you can answer for me. I know this is a question for the surgeon and IMS, but I want an unbiased answer so I am asking you. If this tumor is removed, it is on the left adrenal that only then leaves the right one, what are chances of a tumor then developing on one adrenal that will be overworked without the other? If that is a good possibility would I then be better off leaving the tumor on the left one, which is further away from the vena cava?? It has taken about a year for this tumor to grow .31 cm could she conceivably go on without this being removed at this rate? I need to ask the surgeon whoever it is how much time this operation would give her as opposed to leaving it in. I have trouble trusting a surgeon as their first rule is cut and remove and get it out, they are told that in training. I feel so bad and I have to go to the cardiologist Monday, I will be there all morning so I have to call the sitter for the babies. I do not really feel like another trip, I am really wanting to just rest, but I have to go and see if I have anything else I have to deal with. Blessings
Patti

Hi Patti,
Been off the board for a few days so just read your news and got a sinking feeling until I came to the post that says the increase is NOT a big one but a very small change in size..so that is great news!

I think getting opinions on leaving it alone as opposed to operating is a good idea. It actually did not grow much over the course of a year, is that correct?

Maybe doing the CAT scan or MRI, if you are able to, will give a more definite report on location, size etc...and that could help you know what to do, you may end up with clear decision that you feel is right if you have better information.
Hoping Tipper is having a good day today.

Barbara

Hi Everyone:
I guess I am just posting as things happen. The owner of the hospital called me. He said the IMS told him of Tipper's situation, and that I would only consider the most experienced surgeon if I did opt for surgery. He said the Dr.explained try that this dog is everything in the world to me. He said he would offer himself for her surgery and would like to talk to me. I told him after next week as I need to see how my own cardio appointment goes. He told me to call when I was ready and he will see me. I was kind of taken by surprise and really did not ask him anything as I still want it know how many of these his has done. In a way if this is what I opt for I thought I would want a woman as they understand emotions more than a man does, and let's face it I am very emotional when it comes to Tipper and that won't ever change. Just wanted to put this out there as I do want all your opinions. Barbara thank you for telling me why you would do, it does help me to know this. Blessings
Patti