Homer's Health Update

Woof everyone.

Here’s a quick update on my health condition. For those of you who are not aware, a few weeks ago I suffered a fracture on my right fore leg and my left fore elbow was diagnosed as being inflamed. So, ever since then, I have been strapped up with a plaster cast and have been taking medication to reduce the inflammation.

Anyway, I was back at the vet a week ago and had my X-rays taken again. My fracture showed signs of improvement and I was given the ‘green light’ to have my cast removed. My joint inflammation had subsided but the vet still prescribed medication just to keep the condition in check.

However, I do have some unpleasant news to share on my health condition:

- Whilst having my X-ray taken, the vet noticed that my neck was not moving properly and suspected that I might be in pain.

- Even though I have had my cast removed, the X-ray results showed that there was some bone proliferation on the fracture itself.

- Lastly, my humans found another lump located on my inner right fore leg armpit. The vet took an aspirate and the results indicated a Mast Cell Tumour. In other words, my cancer is back.

We will be heading to Bangkok to speak to the neurologist on my neck condition; the orthopaedist on my fracture and the oncologist on my Mast Cell Tumour.

I am still eating well; my toilet habits are excellent and I am in good spirits. However, I am not allowed to partake in strenuous exercises and I can’t spring around like a gazelle for the time being.

Anyway, here’s a photo of me taken a few weeks ago before the plaster cast was removed. I told the staff that I preferred any colour other than pink. Fortunately, they gave me blue. What a relief.

Love,

Homer

My Health Report

I’m so sorry that I haven’t kept everyone up-to-date on my health condition, as I promised I would do. (For those of you who were not aware, I have had a couple of scares with cancer issues and with a heart condition).

I am very happy to tell you all that, based upon the reviews from my cardiologist and my oncologist, my health report is excellent. However, I still have to go back for regular check-ups, just to make sure that everything is OK.

So, my friends, thank you very much for your good wishes and for your pawsitive vibes. It’s at times like these, that you appreciate the power of internet. To receive such support from, effectively, complete strangers, has been such an uplifting experience.

With much love,

Homer

Latest Update On My Tumour

Woof folks.

In a previous post, I told you that I had undergone surgery to remove a tumour on my front left paw. The earlier cytology on an aspirate sample suggested that it was a Round Cell Tumour.

Well, the results of the biopsy on the nodule itself revealed that it was, in fact, a Grade 2 Mast Cell Tumour. Of course my humans have been very concerned. After all, we lived through around ten months of surgery, chemotherapy and general ‘unpleasantness’ when I was battling through three other Mast Cell Tumours only last year.

Anyway, since the surgery, I have had various blood analyses, ultrasound scans, x-rays and other examinations to check whether the cancer was still a problem. Fortunately, up till now, everything appears to be clear. We are still monitoring the situation and it might be that chemotherapy or radiotherapy might be necessary/prudent.

I’ll keep you all informed on developments.

Love,

Homer

Post Surgery Report - Pattaya, Thailand

Woof folks!

I would like to take this opportunity to provide a quick update on my health status.

For the benefit of those who aren’t aware, I was recently diagnosed with a ‘Round Cell Tumour’. You can read more about it here.

There are 5 types of Round Cell Tumours: Mast Cell Tumours (Some of you may recall that I battled with this dreadful condition last year), Histiocytomas, Plasmascytomas, Transmissable Venereal Tumour and Cutaneous Lymphoma. The only way to get a proper diagnosis of the actual type of tumour that I had was to remove the nodule and to have it sent for biopsy.

So, a surgery was promptly scheduled and I am happy to report that all went well!

I woke up feeling groggy and disoriented but I recovered very quickly. As my vet wanted to monitor my wound closely, I had to spend the first night in the veterinary hospital. Because the Missus is such a ‘big worrier’, she decided to spend the night with me – just to keep me company. (I think more likely to keep a watchful eye on me – just to make sure that I didn’t feel stressed in such a strange environment.

Anyway, here are some photos which she took during our night together at the pet hospital.

This is me, wearing the ‘cone of shame’, heavily sedated from the anaesthetic and painkiller drugs.

The veterinary hospital gave us a room so that the Missus and I could spend the night together.

However, I wasn’t just cooped-up in the room all day. I did manage to get some fresh air and to explore the corridor.

Chilling on the nice cool tiles.

I slept pretty well, except for a few occasions when I woke up feeling a bit disorientated.

This photo was taken the day after my surgery. Can you notice how my left front leg was bandaged up heavily?

I shall leave you with a photo of me with my happy face. I will keep you posted on the biopsy results.

I’m always a happy boy!

Love,

Homer

Oh No! Another Tumour?

Woof folks.

I guess you should know that this is not going to be a happy post as the title speaks for itself.

On my ninth barkday, the Missus found a nodule located underneath my front left paw pad - the same foot where my mast cell tumour was located. I am also limping quite badly and we suspect it’s because of the nodule.

We went to the vet who did a fine-needle aspirate and sent it for cytology. The report came back and indicated a Round Cell Tumour.

We went to get a few more opinions. One vet said to leave it alone and observe, as he suspected that it might be a Squamous Cell Carcinoma which could metastasise when removed. Another said it’s unlikely to be a Squamous Cell Carcinoma or a Mast Cell Tumour and advised for it to be removed and sent it for biopsy.

So, after much deliberation, I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow (9th July) to have the nasty thing removed.

Other than limping around the house, I am in good spirits. ☺ My appetite is good; my toilet habits are excellent and I had a good swim over the weekend, which I will blog about later. I know I am behind blogging – there are too many things going on and I’ll try my best to catch up whenever time permits.

Here’s a happy picture of Yours Truly frolicking in the pool…

Below this, are three pictures of the nodule. For those who might be squeamish, no need to scroll down further.

Much love to you all and wish me luck.

Homer