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Yesterday Dr Simpson called. I stood by the kitchen sink and concentrated on breathing as she said hello and asked me how Indi was doing. I was prepared to hear the worst. See, along with the leg Dr Simpson also removed a swolen lymphnode and all week I’ve been waiting to hear how the biopsy went. Turns out I had nothing to fear. The lymphnode was clear. No cancerous cells were found. I exhaled.
About an hour later she called me back. Oh, god, I thought. She made a mistake. Read me the wrong report. Got Indi’s lab results mixed up with another dog’s. I prepared for another heart break. But it was good news again! The margins were clear. For those of you who are new to cancer terminology (as I am) this means that the soft tissue around the top of the leg where it was removed From Indi’s body is clear of cancer. Clear margins paired with a clear lymphnode equal AWESOME news. It means the difference between having Indi with me for a few more months versus a couple years.
Now, cancer, being the beast that it is, can still be there in her body. It could be so small we can’t see it. Or it could be somewhere we have not looked. That said, not seeing any right after surgery is a huge deal and I’m happy. Let the healing continue.
Awesome news Indi! Great news all around. We are so happy for you. Now get out there with mom and enjoy that beautiful coastline and all the splendor that Oregon has to offer. Oh, tell mom to relax! Sending lots of positive thoughts your way from the Lone Star State.
Fortis and Brett (Dad)
Hi Fortis and Brett, What a great name for a big sturdy dog. Lone Star State, huh? Indi’s human friend Jerry is in Austin right now. He says it is rainy! It is rainy up here in the pacific North West, too. No shocker. I am relaxing more as I see Indi turning back to her old self. I’m going to check out your blog right now. Thanks for saying hi, Fortis. Raina, Indi’s Mom.
indi, you are full of great news!!! clean margins are wonderful – and good results on the lymph nodes…geesh girl, you are really kickin’ cancer’s butt!!! celebrate – ice cream and cheese for everybody!!
gayle & charon
Ice cream and cheese! Great idea, Gayle. Indi will love that. I bought some wild salmon this week and Indi has been loving the salmon skin. She sure eats well these days. She is off kibble and onto Mom’s home made. But that’s the next post, so I won’t tell you too much! Raina, Indi’s Mom.
Yea Indi!! Congrats on the Great Newses!! Make your moms take you somewhere special so you can party down! Keep kickin butt an takin namses!
Luvs, Rosie
Yay for Negative biopsy on the lymph nodes!! This was also a time of celebration for my dog Chloe who had her amputation, then lymphnode biopsy which too came back negative! Congrats and keep thriving!
-Chloe’s mom
Yahoo, Chloe! As we know, a clear lymphnode is a huge deal. I’m going to check out your blog right now. Thanks for saying hi 🙂 Raina, Indi’s Mom.
Welcome to the Good News Club, Indie!! Glad to hear that all your lymph nodes are clear 🙂
Here’s a toast (with french fries and ice cream) to you and beating that awful “c” word!!
XOXO
Ginger
Thanks sweet, white faced Ginger 🙂
This is such great news!! Yea the Good News Club! Way to go Indie! This definitely calls for lots of ice cream, cheese and salmon celebration! A very happy day – isn’t it so wonderful when you get great news like this?? Pawesome!!
Congratulations to Indi and Raina–we love to hear good news. We are also enjoying your blog. Maile wants to remind Indi that they are “sisters”!
That’s right, Maile! We are glad you are enjoying the blog. Another post is coming soon. And actually, since Maile is my mother’s dogger, she is Indi’s aunt.