(Adrenal tumor) desperately want info - my sweet little boy has passed

[Fellasmom]

Hope I'm not quoting him wrong..he said that it was a large, most likely aggressive adrenal tumor and that would explain why his symptoms came on so rapidly. He said it had spread to his collateral circulation.He acted as if he KNEW it was one of the rare adrenal tumors that you mentioned. There was no question that this was a malignancy. I was stunned,asked alot of questions and he did admit he was somewhat of a rookie and suggested I contact an internal med specialist. I do have appt tomorrow with internal med and an appt on Monday with a holistic vet who was a huge source of comfort and treated my Golden before she passed a few years ago. Your response was the first sliver of hope I've felt since he told me. When I asked how long he would have,he said "maybe a month or so".I live in the Boston area and would be open to any suggestions you may have. I'm not that internet savvy so yes,please move this to my original thread if you don't mind. The thing that troubles me the most is the size of the tumor and the fact that he said it has metastised! I do plan on reading all I can and will do all I can for him. He's a little fighter and I love him so much. My mind is all over the place right now. He basically said I can treat with meds to ease the symptoms but that the tumor will continue to grow. Since this looks as though it has spread, would it be the rare tumor that you spoke of? To be able to have the possibility of having more than a month or two left would be the best news I've heard all day! I have been reading about Cushings vs Addisons with benign tumors and thought I understood it but this "malignancy"has be back at square one trying to put the pieces together. Thanks for sharing Annie's story-I intend on reading it once I get my head straight!

[frijole]

I would take deep breaths and find a great specialist. They are not all great. Most vet clinics do not have the high resolution equipment needed to distinguish what type of tumors, exact size etc. Going to the specialist is the next logical step.

If you can, post their name and clinic name so we can google and read up on them ok? Obviously there should be many good specialists in the Boston area.

Kim

[molly muffin]

Oh dear, I am so sorry that you got this diagnosis. However, deep breaths and lets see where we are at. I do wish Trish were here now too, as her dog Flynn just went through a surgery to remove a pheo and of course Kim here has plenty of experience with pheo tumors too, if that is what this is.
Definitely a good internal medicine speacialist is needed at this point. You need to find out if this is operable, how much has it actually spread, what are the risks of surgery. If you do consider surgery as an option then you need to know how many of these surgeries has the specialist done and what were the outcomes of those surgeries.
If the tumor is is not operable, then lets look at medicines and see what can be done to possible shrink the tumor or at least slow it down.
We don't know till we find out as they say and we NEVER give up here. We've just seen too much. We do have one dog currently with an adrenal tumor who due to age is not having an operation and I believe that one is being treated with trilostane. So, there will be options.
I know it sounds bad right this second and of course it isn't what any of us want to ever hear, but when these things happen, we rally around the bandwagon and get to researching and finding out what can be done. You aren't alone, you will never be alone as long as you are with us.
Okay? So great big virtual hugs and lets to get to finding out what we can.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Fellasmom]

Tomorrow I have an appt with a specialist at VCA Weymouth.I don't remember her name but sounds like Finichecko(something like that).I was desperate for an appt ASAP and they are closeby.After hearing the news today and seeing that his symptoms did come on so rapidly,I panicked and just called the closest place that had the earliest appt.I But I do know that the same ultrasound tech from today also goes to that facility as well so not sure the quality would be any different?Unless I absolutely love them tomorrow,not sure that I will stick with them but was really desperate to hear more information about options,etc and feel this sense of urgency/race against time.Tufts Animal Hospital in Grafton MA is supposed to be wonderful-have you heard anything about them?I also am anxious to see the holistic vet as she is so calm and supportive and may be able to recommend someone as well.The vet today was really compassionate but I'm left with the feeling that if I don't do something quickly,he very well may suffer from a blood clot which just put one more huge worry on my plate.Trying to take deep breaths-he is curled up beside me snoring and I'm the one having a heart attack! Thanks for all your help-it is soooo appreciated-more than you know!

[frijole]

I googled and found this page.. no name like that and only one board certified specialist that I could see. You want someone who is schooled in endocrinology. Kim

http://www.vcahospitals.com/south-sh.../veterinarians

[frijole]

Go here and if you type in Mass you'll get a list in your state. I think I found your person in there.

http://www.acvim.org/PetOwners/FindaSpecialist.aspx

I don't know that clinic could be good but I really like teaching hospitals like Tufts because they tend to have the latest technology and in my case I spent LESS there than at my regular vet for MRIs and other tests. I'd also think they'd have done more of this type of surgery but I could be way wrong. Kim

[lulusmom]

For some reason, Jeanne Ficociello is not showing as being staff at VCA but I found her on the ACVIM site. I googled her name and found her bio on the VCA Weymouth site. Very confusing. She did her internship under Dr. Bruyette at VCA West Los Angeles so that is a really good thing. Her bio sounds great so I think this may be a very good appointment for you and Fella. Here's Dr. Ficociello's bio.

http://www.vcaspecialtyvets.com/sout...cociello/11139

[frijole]

You rock Glenda! I found her on the site but not her full bio. Way to go. Thanks!! Kim

[molly muffin]

Oh glad you found her Glynda I didn't see her on the list either and the only one I saw that wasn't an associate was Michael Berstein. So, very glad you found our elusive Dr. Ficociello and one of her interests is endocrinology. Lets see what she says. She looks nice, as in has a nice smile.

Sharlene

[Fellasmom]

I just pulled up the page and her name is Jeannie Ficociello.VCA has a good reputation but in my opinion,is extremely expensive and feels like a business the moment you walk thru the door.I agree with you as well,I think teaching hospitals are great and I do find them a bit less expensive.Since I have the appt tomorrow and am SO anxious to have things furthur explained to me,I may keep the appt tomorrow in hopes that I will gain a better understanding of what we are up against.I do have time,right?Ideally,I would like to have a specialist from Tufts see him but couldn't get an appt for tomorrow.Thanks so much to all of you for comforting me and making me not feel so alone!I was blown away by the news but I will NEVER give up on my little boy!