Tough Decisions

The last few days have been especially trying. One of our Italian Greyhounds was recently diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (a cancerous tumor in the mouth). Over recent months, he suffered with pain, but our veterinarian thought it was due to problems with his teeth. It wasn’t until he had a few teeth removed and the pain continued that we finally learned there was another problem, a more serious problem — much more serious.

The fortunate part is that these tumors don’t typically spread. The bad news is that they are locally aggressive and deep rooted. The tumor was located on the upper jaw — a bad location.

Our options for treatment were limited, and none were ideal. The first involved removing the affected area on his jaw in the hopes that we could capture enough of the tumor to prevent it from growing back. He would also need to undergo radiation therapy. The second option was to remove the entire tip of his upper jaw including the nose.

We agonized over the decision and ultimately decided to go with the less radical course of treatment which would be less invasive and preserve his cosmetic appearance. He went under the knife yesterday, but when the surgeon saw the full extent of the tumor, he had no choice but to move forward with the more aggressive course of treatment. The tumor was too deeply rooted.

It’s been a tough couple of days, but Joss is back home with us now. He was released from the doggie hospital this evening. He looks very different now, and it’s sad to see how this cancer has affected him, but at the same time, I hope that this surgery will improve the quality of his life and extend the time he has left with us. It will be great to see a full return to health and a pain-free, happy dog again.

I hope the worst is over. We have to help him recover from the major surgery, but truly I believe that it will be worth it all in the end. He is a special dog with a sweet personality. And I’m reminded of the phrase that mothers around the world utter to their children, “Looks don’t matter. It’s what’s on the inside that counts.” In this case, it’s especially true.

I know he’s just a dog, but he has been part of our family for 12 years. I love the little guy. So, if you don’t feel strange about praying for a dog, I’d appreciate any prayers you might want to utter for his full recovery. A quick prayer for the emotional owners would be nice too.