Aggressive cancers in dogs move faster than we anticipate
By Phyllis DeGioia
July 7, 2009
Scooter will be euthanized today or tomorrow, depending on Shirley’s schedule and the vet’s. One week ago Shirley had a bit of hope that Scooter could be around for her 14th birthday in early August. The speed with which Scooter’s malignant melanoma has moved has taken my breath away. I now fully understand what it means to have an aggressive cancer. I know aggressive means fast, of course, but I never really understood just how fast it can move: it can be like a tornado seen in the distance and is suddenly in front of your house. With a highly visible tumor on her lip, now well over an inch on this tiny 8 pound dog, you can literally see the speed an aggressive cancer has.
Four and a half days after I last saw Scooter, the change in the tumor on her lower lip was huge. Not only had it grown in size, but it went from a shiny pink to being mostly covered by a brownish yellowish crust. The tumor is growing so rapidly that Shirley has wisely chosen the “better a day too early than a day too late” path because of the pain that would be involved. It will be one of the hardest things she’s ever done and one of the kindest.
When cancer – cells gone mad in an orderly manner – is described as aggressive, we brace ourselves for what we hope is not an inevitable outcome. Inevitably, some of the outcomes are exactly what we fear, occasionally worse – and sometimes far, far better. My own heart dog, Fred, had anal sac cancer, another aggressive type. Diagnosed at 11, he was treated and lived to be 15.5 without a single recurrence. You just don’t know, so never let your heart sink into hopelessness because a cancer is described as aggressive. Choosing not to treat is an entirely different matter than hopelessness: Scooter was diagnosed too late for the expensive treatment, and was over 13.5 at diagnosis.
Scooter has been slowing down in the past few days, although at my house on Sunday she was romping around in the sunshine in the back yard and in the house, clearly feeling pretty good. Ginger and Dodger continued to have unusual reactions. This time Ginger acted as a sort of protector, and followed Scooter around constantly without interfering with Scooter’s movement. Dodger wasn’t as afraid as he had been, but he still walked around her in a wide semi-circle. He steered clear of what he was afraid of. Thank goodness Shirley has not.
Hugs to all involved. Courage to Shirley when she has to act on her wise but hard decision.
Comment by Original Lori — July 7, 2009 @ 11:56 am
Aaahhhh…..this brings tears to my eyes. Euthanizing a well loved pet is very hard no matter what the circumstances.
Give your friend a hug from me.
Comment by Liz Palika — July 7, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
My thoughts are with you Shirley and Scooter.
Comment by Jason Merrihew — July 7, 2009 @ 12:51 pm
Difficult—to lose a pet at any age is traumatic—my thoughts are also with you, Shirley, and Scooter.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — July 7, 2009 @ 1:52 pm
Shirley and Scooter - bless you as you both take this journey together - I lost my beloved border collie, Harry, almost one year ago to cancer - my other two dogs and one cat slept around him almost in a circle, until I had to make the decision for my dear boy - prayers for you both.
Comment by francis — July 7, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
To Shirley…My thoughts are with you and my prayers to Scooter..I too found out how fast aggressive cancer is.. My 2yr old golden Harry passed away last year after what we thought was a successful treatment with Chemo and radiation and two surgeries…We did double his life so in that we feel good…but when we found it back one year later it was uglier and faster than we thought…We did try to enjoy his last days with us but there is a sadness knowing we have to prepare to say goodbye…I know the stress of knowing when to say when…it is a hard place to be…
Comment by Carol V — July 7, 2009 @ 2:51 pm
My deepest sympathy and prayers to you and Scooter, Shirley. Saying goodbye hurts no matter
what.
Comment by VJ — July 7, 2009 @ 5:42 pm
I am sorry Shirley and Scooter that your ending together didn’t go as you hoped. However, speaking for myself, as much as it hurts, holding my beloved pet in my arms as he or she goes to the Bridge gives me a closure and a sense of peace I wouldn’t otherwise have. Even though it hurts like hell.
Comment by Anne T — July 7, 2009 @ 6:17 pm
I’m just so very, very sorry for your loss. Godspeed Scooter.
Comment by The OTHER Pat — July 7, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
Im so very sorry Shirley, I know how fast these tumors grow. The greatest gift of love you can give Scooter is to set her free.
Hugs
Lori and Diesel (dx oral melanoma April ‘07)
Comment by Lori — July 8, 2009 @ 5:03 am
RIP Scooter.. knowing that you had and gave all of the love there is to give.. and a HUGE thank you to the Canine Health Foundation who funded research that is helping find cures for cancers in dogs. mast cell tumors now.. melanonas later..the work they do is amazing… and well worth a donation.. perhpas in Scooters name…what better way to show a tribute to a dog wlell loved
Comment by bestuvall — July 8, 2009 @ 6:40 pm