Detours and Thank Yous

I was mentally prepared for the stress of today.  Chemotherapy treatment number one of eight for Foster.  I was feeling stress about the separation for the preliminary abdominal ultrasound, but hoped it would provide some easy, non-cancerous reasons for Foster's change in appetite and frequent intestinal bloat.  I voiced my anxiety about separation as Foster was led away from me, and my anxiety only increased when the oncology assistant told me I could come back with her about 30 minutes earlier than expected.  I knew that wasn't enough time for Foster to have an ultrasound, have it read, and have a chemotherapy infusion.

Foster was reportedly angelic during the ultrasound, licking the oncology assistant's face during the procedure.  Sadly, two masses were seen on his spleen.  They are unrelated to his mastocytoma.  Before any further mast cell treatment can be considered, Foster must have his spleen removed.  The incision will be neck to pelvis.  My Sweet Angel.  My Foster Dog.  Oh, man, buddy.

So, it could be really bad, and I initially felt devastation and defeat, but three hours later, I have hope.  My J said something that has given me peace.  He has once again made negativity and fear evaporate.  J said that Foster is lucky he had a mast cell tumor.  This is right.

Foster Dog knows how to Road Trip

We are all lucky Foster had a mast cell tumor, and we are lucky we have the aggressively healing attitude to treat it.  Most splenic tumors become known through slow bleeds or death from their rupture.  Due to Foster's mastocytoma, and seeking treatment, the preliminary abdominal ultrasound, looking for metastasis, showed these splenic tumors while they are intact.  Foster can live without his spleen.  He can live without it.  Without cancer, we may have learned of these splenic tumors only after it was too late to save him.  Because of cancer, Foster can actually live.

Today, we can thank cancer.

So the treatment plan has taken a detour.  Removal and biopsy of Foster's spleen is next.

Foster Dog, let's do this, buddy.

Oh Yeah, I'm Awesome!