Max's Biospy Results....

It was day 7. We hadn't heard anything back from the vet yet about Max's results. We hadn't called either because we were too scared to.

We were still busy taking care of everyone and trying not to get sick ourselves. Unfortunately, Colin started not feeling well and within 24 hours, he had fallen ill, too.

I was feeling sick myself, but had to keep going. I had a throbbing pain in my right abdomen that I was convinced was stress induced and I honestly didn't have time entertain it. I had 4 people sick now and Max still needed a large amount of attention.

Max was needing to go outside about every 1/2 hour to pee. After his biopsy, we noticed that his poopy looked better; not being so ribbon-like and more like normal stool. He was still having to go to the bathroom a lot, not because he really needed to go, but because he felt the urge to go. This happens from the interference of the tumor and how it makes him feel like he always has to urinate. That, on top of him still drinking excessive water, I needed to take him out often.

We don't have a doggy door and in this situation, I am glad we don't. We need to monitor his urination and stools to make sure he doesn't get a blockage, because with this cancer, that is what could eventually happen, which is a life threatening issue.

I had 4 sick people in the house now, a pain in my side, bleeding and cracked hands, and the start of a sore throat and a dog that has to pee (or not pee) every 10 seconds it seemed.

By this point, we had so many people praying for us that I truly feel like God was keeping me strong. There is no other answer to why I hadn't completely freaked out. I was getting sleep with the help of ZQuil. I had the energy to take care of everyone and I was still standing on my own 2 feet. That certainly did not come from my own strength but His.

We decided it was time to face the truth so I went into our bedroom where Colin was resting and shut the door and we called the doctor to see if Max's results were in.

They were.

I had my phone on speaker so Colin could hear.

The doctor said that Max's test results came back and they showed "no signs of cancer".

His results showed that he indeed had a bad infection.

We were stunned.

We were in shock.

We were so happy.

We knew it!

The doctor had told us the day she diagnosed Max (last week) that cancer causes secondary infections so that is why he had a UTI. We were told we'd probably need to keep him on Baytril forever to help with ongoing infections.

Today, she said told us that maybe this was just an infection and maybe it wasn't cancer. She said that it did seem odd that he had a UTI, because cancer does NOT cause secondary infections so they have reason to believe now that it is just a UTI.

WHAT?!

This contradicted what she told us last week. We were very confused.

She went on to tell us that there is always a chance that she could have missed the cancer and instead, gotten a sample of good cells. That is always possible. She did say however, that she was CERTAIN that she hit the tumor and the right spot.

Again, WHAT?!

So there is a chance she only extracted good cells if she missed the tumor but she is certain she hit the right spot.

Well this is good news and gave us so much hope!

She went on to say that she thought it would be best that we do a surgical biopsy because that will give us the exact answers we'd need.

If it was cancer, we would for sure know.

If  it was a bad infection, it is important that we know what kind of infection so that we can make sure Max is being treated with the right medications.

We scheduled a day to go in for his surgery (7/3) and we were told we'd be bringing him home the same day since they are closed on the July 4th holiday (this is now the end of June).

Before we got off the phone with her after hearing all this news, the doctor said to us "We can be very cautiously optimistic but know there is a 90% chance this is still cancer".

We got off the phone and were elated. Confused. Happy. Confused. Excited. Confused.

And confused.

Did she hit the right spot with the needle or not?

Does cancer cause a secondary infection or not?

Does our boy have cancer or not?

So now, we wait.

We wait for his 2nd biopsy now which is a week away.

We process and over think everything the doctor said.

We research and research like crazy.

At this point, when I wasn't taking care of humans or 4-legged furry ones, I was researching.

I was on every site I could for TCC.

I was joining FB groups like crazy trying to talk to other people about their experiences.

I was researching foods and cancer diets that we'd need to switch Max over to.

I was researching treatments, radiation, chemo, immunotherapy, medications and whatever else I could think of.

Research.

Research.

Wash my hands.

Research.

Ouch my side still hurts.


Cost of this testing and biopsy:
Ultrasound: $440
Biopsy $850