Lena, Teacup Poodle w/ adrenal tumor - Lena is now an angel

Yep, I have all of Lee's, too, Kathy...I'm going to get a little trunk or suitcase and put all of her things in it.

Hello, my precious. Yesterday was 15 months since you left me. I was so busy at work that I couldn't write, but you know I was thinking of you all day, crying, smiling, missing you so much. Dad came home early and we sat in the gazebo looking at the sky, hoping we would see you in a cloud formation, but you weren't there.

After I picked up Sibbie, I had to go to Aunt Gerry's to drop some papers off and as I was stopped at a light on Plandome Road, a robin landed in the road next to me and skipped over to the car and just stared at me...I knew it was a sign from you. Then the light changed and all the cars were heading towards him and I told him to move and he did. Would've been a terrible sign if he got run over, Lee.

There are still days I can't accept that you're gone...I never thought you would leave me. I know that sounds silly, but I just would never think about it. Even as panic stricken as I got when you got sicker, I still thought you would be alright.

I miss your sweet, little face. I miss picking you up and holding you in front of me and kissing your belly. I miss the way you would turn around and face away from me so I could pick you up...I wonder how you learned that. None of the others do that. I miss the way you used to go down the stairs, lifting your left back leg up and skipping every few steps...

You were my joy, Lena, and I still miss you terribly and I've been having Lena days all week. The rest of them are all asleep on the couch with me, except for Gabe, who is sleeping on the ottoman. I dread the days that I'm going to lose them too, but I know you'll be there to greet them and I know they will be so happy to see you again, especially Gable.

I love you with all my heart, Lena...I always will. Now and forever, my precious, little angel child...Mommy loves you.

Sending tons of loving hugs...

Hugs from us too. It hurts. So terribly.

I know Joan. I still have a hard time accepting my baby is gone. Like you I never thought my baby would leave me, even when she got real bad. Maybe we don`t see what we choose not to see. But you loved her, she was your everything. Its normal to have many Lena days. Thinking of you.

Yes, some days are harder than others...and we've all been there, we all know the heartache. Hugs to us all...

Oh Joan, we all understand the pain and I am sending you love and kindness across the miles.

Oh Joan, 15 month, 24 months I think we will just always miss our soul dogs.
They are super special to us and to our hearts. They teach us and share so much with us.

Sending you great big hugs

I know, Sharlene...some days are harder than others. Bad week...so many reasons, which I won't go into just yet.

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Originally Posted by labblab

Hi again, Joan. I just want to assure you that you have plenty of company on the "guilt train." :o :o

In retrospect, I now believe my own Cushpup was suffering from observable symptoms for probably two years prior to diagnosis. But taken in isolation, none of them made any particular sense to me since I was totally unfamiliar with the disease. So I didn't even know to mention some of the subtle changes to my vet, and then after I did, it still took a trip to a specialist to confirm the diagnosis. Cushing's is such an insidious, tough disease to diagnose.

Anyway, moving on...! :)

Thanks so much for typing out all the test results. And yes, it now makes much more sense as to why Lena's dose has been increased, and it will be very interesting to see how this upcoming monitoring ACTH turns out. There is one thing, though, that I want to mention about Lena's diagnostic LDDS test.



Taken alone, this test result actually would be thought to be consistent with the pituitary form of Cushing's rather than the adrenal form. This is because Lena exhibited cortisol suppression at the four-hour mark, such that her Sample 2 result was less than 50% of her initial baseline reading. However, through the benefit of the imaging, we know that she does indeed have an adrenal tumor. Plus, another of our members just reminded us of a 2006 paper in which a leading Cushing's researcher noted that some dogs with adrenal tumors do indeed exhibit that suppression pattern. So, more than anything else, I am just offering this as additional information. I suppose it is remotely possible that Lena might have both a pituitary and adrenal tumor, but even if so, I don't believe that would alter her treatment regimen. So basically, I just wanted to make note of her interesting test result.

Bottom line, I'll definitely be watching for those new test results. And I am certainly wishing you two well!

Marianne

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Marianne,

I know this is old, but as of this date, I have not been able to get the ultrasound report from my vet. They can't find it...I have been asking for about a year now. I know it won't matter, but it makes me very suspicious and afraid that there was no tumor.