Really bad news

I called my vet to check on biopsy reports on Levi's tumors.  I was, honestly, not expecting such horrible news.  The lab determined that Levi has a very aggressive form of Lymphoma under the dermis (I always thought lymphoma was only in the lymphs).  The lab said it has likely spread to other tissues (which it already has-vet removed another small lump about 2" over from the biggie).  Vet kind of implied that we are talking months.  Skin biopsy was not back yet, so that may add another whole element to this.  My poor boy.

As saddened as I am over this, I found out today that a most honorable, Christian man from my church had passed away this morning from a heart attack.  He was a high-school football coach, married, and has 3 boys.  He was coaching at the time.  He was only 39.  Life is precious.  We cannot take one day for granted.

Today has been a bit of a bummer.

"This is the day that the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Thank you for ten adventure-filled years.  Thank you that I know to love on Levi a bit more than normal.  Thank you for helping me hold my family a little closer tonight.

Poor Levi

While you may have seen him in pictures on the blog, my almost 10-yr-old Levi has never been the subject of a post.  Levi is a Blue Heeler/Jack Russell mix.  As can only be assumed with that combination of breeds, Levi is one naughty dog.  The average dog owner would likely have given up on him.  Levi has bitten kids, killed chickens & a rabbit, found himself at the animal shelter, among other things we won't mention.  He just *is* trouble.  I, of course, appreciate Levi for who he is.  He's my running buddy, and actually very sweet and comical, with good intentions.  His genetics just get in the way sometimes.  I always tell my husband that Levi will live to be 18, just because he is naughty.  Levi, too, has proven to be our most expensive dog when it comes to vet bills.  He gets crazy tears in his skin in the yard.  Don't ask me how.  We've spent hundreds on stitches for him, and have even resorted to some superglue repairs on a few occasions. And since it has been more than a year since he had any injury requiring veterinary attention, I guess it was due time...

Levi earlier this year.  He hates it when I make him stay for a picture!

Levi had surgery this week to remove a few growths of undetermined cause from his shoulders.  They are definitely NOT mast cell or of cyst material.  Levi also has extremely irritated skin.  My vet does not feel the two are necessarily related, and is puzzled as to what is going on.  The tumor popped up in 3 days time.  Not kidding.  Last Thursday, I gave him a bath with a special skin shampoo.  No lumps.  On Sunday, I noticed 2 pretty good sized hard lumps.  On Monday, they were connected as one.

Pre-surgery blood work showed all normal.  So the both the lump and a skin biopsy sample were sent into the lab to aid in the determination of what is going on.  Results by Monday.  I hope this is some bizarre thing easily resolved as this has been tough on the poor guy.

Here he is post surgery: