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I'm up at the veterinary hospital. Marble's ultrasound was inconclusive. The vet was lovely, but she kept using the word "lymphoma." Marble went right back in for some needle aspirations. I'm going to wander the mall for two hours while I wait.

At least Marble has the virtue of not knowing what's going on. Or maybe that's not a virtue.

I don't feel so well.

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From:

mortie12.livejournal.com

*hug*

From:

ravenskye8.livejournal.com

:(

*hugs*

From:

celtic_maenad

Didn't want to put this on FB, but wanted to speak up with what thoughts I had. Which actually may not be particularly linear or coherent, but I still wanted to say something more than sending ether hugs (which I do).

Marble has enlarged lymph nodes? Can't remember what you said about symptoms... I work for a veterinary internist, we see lymphoma with moderate frequency.
Things I've learned in my 2.5 years here: Needle aspiration is not the most diagnostic of tests, though it's usually the most affordable & least invasive. (aside: my boss says until you have a firm diagnosis, prednisone/steroids is not necessarily advisable, as there is a resistance issue for later possible treatments) Although there's no "good" cancer to get, lymphoma is the most responsive to treatment.

Good luck, here's hoping it's not *any* kind of cancer, and is instead something minor and easily treatable.

From:

ysobelle.livejournal.com

I can't remember now if Dr. Radbill said yes or no on the steroids. But yes, Dr. Reetz said needle aspiration wasn't the most definitive, but we agreed it was the best option for now. Dr. Radbill doesn't seem to think there's any hope if it's lymphoma, but Dr. Reetz did, and she said it's more likely to be a less-aggressive kind if this does turn out to be cancer. So in that case, I'll go somewhere else for chemo, since I don't think Dr. Radbill can do that. And he's really good with sending me elsewhere if necessary, so I'm not that worried. We'll cross that bridge if we get to it.

Also? Thank you. I really, really appreciate the advice.

From:

celtic_maenad

Just... FYI - if the aspirate comes back non-diagnostic, there is an in-between procedure that my boss does - it's called a needle biopsy. There's sedation but not the full general anesthesia, and it doesn't require a full surgical explore - just a nick in the skin with a scalpel, then the biopty gun with its needle is used to gather a sample of tissue. Your family vet may know of a specialist who does this. If not, Leesburg is a LONG way to come, but we'd be happy to try to help you and Marble. (I will say we're not cheap tho)

Bless.

From:

ysobelle.livejournal.com

I just got the drugs, and Dr. Radbill did indeed prescribe steroids. I just left him a message asking him about the resistance issues. Thank you again-- so, so much. I should know more soon.