Friday afternoon the oncologist called to let us know the findings from Gracie's second lump removal. We knew it was cancerous before the surgery, but we needed the lab results to know what our next steps would be for Gracie's care.
The lump was inside a lymph node. This was very hard to hear, because we don't know if there are or are not any rogue cancer cells left in Gracie's lymph system or bloodstream. The fact that the cells made it to a lymph node and created a tumor there is not a good sign. Even though this is not the news we wanted, we are still very hopeful that our chosen treatment will be effective in ridding Gracie's system of any remaining cancer cells. The oncologist was very hopeful as well; that alone made me feel much better. She told me that while we cannot be sure of anything, the cancer could be gone or may not reappear at all.
The treatment we will be doing is a preventative, and much safer than traditional chemo drugs or even radiation. It is a chemo-type pill that we will be able to administer to Gracie at home. We (us, our primary vet, and the university vet) will be watching Gracie's reaction to this drug very closely. The plan is to have Gracie on this med for approximately one year and re-evaluate at that time.
Our vet has taught me how to check for new lumps, and we will be making regular visits to the "puppy doctor" as M calls him, to have Gracie checked out there as well.
Thank you for your prayers for Gracie. We are thankful for each of you who have kept us in your prayers. "The Girls" as we call them are so incredibly precious to us...they are our first children. :)
Please continue to pray for Gracie, especially that any remaining cancer cells will be wiped out by this treatment. Thank you for praying!
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Psalm 91:2
