How Sheridan has faired since his surgery...

[Greylyn58]

It has been thirteen days since my beloved Sheridan had his mouth surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. My poor boy had to have the front part of his mouth (lower canines, little front teeth and a piece of his lower jaw) removed because of it. His new look isn’t as bad as I feared. I told a friend of mine that when I look at him, he reminds me of a little old man missing his lower partials.

I’ve run the gamut of emotions since learning Sheridan has cancer. I knew it was a possibility since he is a Golden Retriever and unfortunately, his breed is prone to that sort of thing. I also knew that at 12 years of age, there was an even stronger chance of it popping up. If there is an upside to all he has been through, it is that the kind of cancer he had does not spread once the tumor is removed. The vet did some tests, checking for cancer signs in his lungs, abdomen, and elsewhere and it all came back negative. Thank God! I haven’t given any updates since his surgery, as it has been full time job caring for him. It’s like having a baby in the house as I have to help him eat, drink, and prevent him from running into everything and hurting his mouth.

During this time, he has had to wear an e-collar. I’m sure anyone who has ever owned a pet knows what these are, but for those that don’t I will describe it. It is a big, plastic tube that is worn around the animal’s head to keep them from chewing or otherwise hurting themselves. So for the last 13 days, my poor boy (and I) have suffered through the presence of the cone. He has had a hard time adjusting to it. For the first few days he looked at me like I was punishing him for something. I felt so bad, but thankfully, he will be seeing his normal Vet on Thursday to have the stitches in his mouth removed and hopefully have the cone removed.

Since I have to hand feed Sheridan, sometimes the food falls out of him mouth and into the cone. I constantly have to clean his face and fur. Yep...he needs a good bath, but I still love my boy and am so happy to have him healthy again. All the Vets who had seen him said that he looked really good for a 12 year old dog, so I hope that continues to be the case.

He are some pictures I took of Sheridan a couple of days after his surgery. He was on some pain medication at the time and was sleeping a lot.

[CC]

1. Glad to hear he is doing good

and he is as handsome as he ever was. It will be an adjustment for him but I notice that dogs seem to be pretty good at adjusting. I have a feeling as long as he feels ok and adjust to doing things in a new way his mommy will too. :hug:s to both and a spoon of pureed chicken to Sheridan.

[GigiMommy]

2. Much much love to Sheridan

and you. Sheridan is so sweet. He reminds me so much of my Golden, Sophie. I just realized she past away a year ago, May 20. Stay strong Sheridan and be well. Take care.:hug:

[Botany]

3. I am so happy for the both of you.

I would tell you to give him extra love but I am sure you are doing that already.

[Berry Cool]

4. Thanks for the update, Grey.

We have missed you and Sheridan and giving him woofs. Give him a big hug and a WOOF from us all for being such a good boy through all he's had to deal with.

Keep taking good care of him as you surely will, and keep us posted. Surely he will enjoy having the collar off eventually, but until then you can try to persuade him that he's a sixteenth-century king, right? King Sheridan the First? After all, he's being waited on hand and foot! :-)

:hug: to you and hope things just get better for both of you.

[RevCheesehead]

5. Aww - he's still stunningly handsome!!

And I agree w/Berry: King Sheridan I is quite fitting.

While you're caring for him, be sure to also care for yourself. :hug::hug: to you and your boy!

[Greylyn58]

6. Further update on Sheridan

I received a call today from Sheridan's cancer vet. Dr McFadden called to see how he was doing and also to give me the results of the histopathy that was taken after his surgery.

It seems the tumor had some ragged margins and there is the possibility that all of the cancer cells were not removed. She did say that it might or might not return. So I have to keep a good eye on his mouth and let them know of any changes. She said I should take him to the vet every few months for a check-up. If the tumor does return, I will need to take him back to Carolina Vet Specials for possibly more surgery and/or radiation treatments.

Damn....when it rains it pours. I'm trying to remain positive, keep good thoughts that they did indeed get all of the cancer, leaving nothing behind. Well, he gets his stitches removed tomorrow and the dreaded cone removed(Thank God) and we will go forward from there.

I still have my boy and he is happy and for right now, that is all that matters to me.

I want to thank everyone for all their good wishes for my boy. If Sheridan could type he would say "Thank you" too. :grouphug:

[RevCheesehead]

7. He will be so happy to have that collar off!

Give him another pretty bandana instead.

You're still in my thoughts and prayers, Grey. :hug:

[Greylyn58]

8. Thanks Rev

I know I don't come around the KOEB that much these days, but I always stop in and read the threads. I just finished reading about your current problems. I'm sorry you are having to go through this. :hug:

This has been a year of endurances for so many people. Over this last year, I've had health scares with my Mom and then the two surgeries Sheridan has had to endure. I've lost one cousin in Dec 2007, another earlier this year to brain cancer (they were sisters) and just this month on May 5th(my Dad's birthday) my Aunt Garnet(one of his older sisters) died of lung cancer. While it wasn't a surprise, we knew she had cancer, she had been doing better-health wise, she went downhill on Sunday evening and passed away the next day.

The end of this year can't come too soon for me. I just don't want any more bad news. I do find it hard sometimes to stay optimistic.

[CC]

9. Hoping they did get it all

and you have many more years with Sheridan. Hope you post pics after the stitches are out and collar is off. Bet he will be smiling.

:hug:s on all you have been through and hope thing start looking way up from here on out.

[RevCheesehead]

10. Oh, hon!! What a year!

Forgive the homespun philosophy, but: when you're in a shitstorm, eventually it's gonna stop shitting and start raining. And when the rain ends, look for the rainbow. It'll be there. :hug::hug::hug: