We found out some new news about Winnie. After the biopsies last week after learning she did have cancer I thought that was the end of it. Apparently Dr. Ho sent the samples off to be examined by a specialist. We learned today that she does have cancer, but its not the bone cancer we had initially thought it was. The cancer she has is called Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Its an oral tissue cancer, but it has in fact spread to her jaw bone. There are treatments, surgical removal of the jaw and tumors, etc., radiation, and/or chemotherapy. However, we are unwilling to do this to Winnie. Surgery would be terribly invasive and in her case it would also most likely be much more than her upper jaw being removed. Then there would be radiation and/or chemo treatments, reconstructive surgery, and pain management. Its just way too much and she would be hospitalized for lengthy periods of time. Her life expectancy is longer with this cancer, even without treatment. Her pain level is also lower. I dont know how they calculate that, but thats what Dr. Ho explained to us. It looks like its possible she can be treated with anti-inflammatory medication that will help if she has discomfort. We still feel that if she needs pain medication it will be time to make THE decision. She looks a mess with the tumor protruding under her eye, but she seems to be pretty much her normal self, minus the inability to play with her toys. She pesters me at dinner-time. She begs for food. She runs around outside and jumps in and out of the truck like she always has. For right now she is still Winnie-the-Pooh.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 03:53:21 +0000
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