Bud's oncologist appointment

Here's the low down on Bud's appointment with the oncologist yesterday...

Oral malignant melanomas - or melanoma, in general - is pretty much chemo resistant. After examination she thinks that the tumor may have spread farther back on his jaw bone, sort of behind the eye. Because of this, he is not a candidate for a mandibulectomy (removing part of the jaw bone & therefore, the whole tumor). We could do an aggressive course of radiation to try to shrink it but there are numerous possible side effects - the usual & then extras because of where it's located (damage to the eye, brain, etc.). He would also have to undergo a CT scan initially and then anesthesia every single time that he had radiation. The new melanoma vaccine only helps slow metastasis, so without removing or shrinking the tumor, she didn't seem to think that it would do much good.

There is also the option of trying some medicines that have shown some tumor inhibiting properties - Tagamet (yes, the human kind) and piroxicam (an NSAID). That is most likely the route that we are going to go. It may or may not buy him more time. All in all, he's got a year at best - probably less. She said that she's had about a 50/50 success rate with the meds but there aren't any studies to show it's efficacy. I've already got him on a homecooked cancer diet and I will probably talk to Buster's holistic vet to see if there's anything else that she can offer in the way of supplements, Chinese herbs, etc. He's 12 years old and not in the best of health to begin with so I can't see putting him thru a bunch of radiation & stuff that may or may not prolong his life. We will just love on him & keep him as comfortable as we can for as long as we can.

I'm sorry. I had hoped maybe they'd made more progress with oral melanoma, but sounds like they haven't.

I'd be doing the same thing you're doing.

Hugs to you and to Bud

So sorry you didn't get more encouraging news. Hoover was on Piroxicam and it definitely helped inhibit the growth of the tumor. With him it was easy to tell because if the tumor was on the smaller size, he could pee. Otherwise he couldn't. So for us, even if it wasn't "curing" anything it was helping his quality of life. Hugs to you and Bud! I know you'll make the best possible decisions for him.

Awww Brenda I'm so sorry to hear the news. I think that going the holistic route would be the best as well. Sending hugs to you and to Bud.

I'm sorry that the outcome wasn't more hopeful. He may surprise us all.

I'm sorry you didn't get better news, Brenda.
Hugs to you and Bud.

Brenda, I am sorry this is not better news... but, so glad you have a plan. I absolutely think you are doing the right thing.

I hope you have many, many more months with Bud.

Brenda, I am sorry the news wasn't better. Thinking of all of you.

I am so sorry that you didn't get better news but like everyone else, I totally agree with your plan to go the meds and holistic route. I know you will cherish every moment you have with him.

Bud is lucky to have such a caring family. Hugs to all of you. I hope he has many happy days left with you.

So sorry it's not better news. I think you are correct with not putting him thru too much. I hope the meds help.

I'm so sorry Brenda, I wish there had been better news. I hope you get a lot of quality time with your boy.

So sorry that it wasn't better news.
I would be doing the same, choosing quality of life while still trying as much non-invasive stuff as possible. Kudos to you for putting him first in every way.
Here's hoping he outlives the prognosis and does so with pizazz!

I'm so sorry to hear this. It does sound like you have a good plan in place. I hope that you have a lot more time with him.

I'm sorry the news wasn't better for you and Bud. I'm praying that you and Bud will have many more happy days together.

My thoughts are with you, Brenda. I hope Bud is happy and comfortable for a good long while.

Awww Brenda and Bud- I wish you had gotten better news.