Tate is “Fabulous”

Tate’s surgeon called and said he did “fabulous!”  She sounded really excited that things went so well.  All his vitals were stable throughout the whole procedure, no complications, and there was enough healthy muscle to construct sort of a “pad” at the top of the amputated hip so it looks a little more normal.  And she was able to use mainly top skin (as opposed to using skin from underneath) to cover things up, so the fur will look more normal when it grows back.

For the record, Tate had a hemipelvectomy (now I know that word) for suspected cancer in his hip joint.  When we met with her this morning, she said it is similar in a way to a triple pelvic ostectomy that they do for hip dysplasia, except they don’t replace the hip.  She took her time with us to make sure we were both okay with moving forward, especially since we’d asked for a second opinion on the pathology from CSU which hasn’t come in yet.  She explained that if whatever nasty is chewing up his bones is not cancer, like an infection of some type, they could do things to possibly rebuild the bone but it is complicated business and could take quite awhile.  That gave us pause but we decided to trust the doctors and go ahead with it.

They are sending the whole amputated part out for examination.  I don’t even want to think about how we’ll feel if it is not cancer; I think I should review the “No Regrets” forum again.

Our boy was a trooper.  The doctor left to give the nurses a heads-up and it was kind of a long wait.  When she came back, he hid behind my legs.  I went over next to the doctor and Tate headed for the door!  But he came to me when I called him, and I knelt down and he looked me right in the eyes while me and Dad pet him and told him what a good boy he is.  He didn’t flinch when she put the leash on him and walked right out like the brave little guy he is.

Sorry this is so long but I thought the details might be helpful to someone else some day.  Not that I’d wish a day like this on anyone.

Author: tatespeeps

Tate came to us in October 2007, was diagnosed with histiocytic sarcoma in February 2011, had a hemipelvectomy on March 15, 2011, and left us on November 28, 2011. He was 5 years old.

6 thoughts on “Tate is “Fabulous””

  1. No regrets!! You are doing the best you can for Tate.
    Good to hear he did so well with the surgery. Now- on with recovery!

    Karen and the pugapalooza

  2. YAY! for Tate. Im soooo glad everything went well. Scratch his ears for Bud and me. We wish him a speedy recovery!They cultured Bud’s femur bone after his surgery and it took 5 days. Noone called so I had to stay on it and call them.I think they forget how anxious we can be!!!!

  3. Such good news! The next few days will probably be the hard ones, and then Tate will start to find his new normal. And hopefully you’ll get your pathology report before long.

    Dakota says: Buy squishy dog food, buy Velveeta and don’t forget to clap for that first pee!

  4. Have been thinking and praying all day.

    Glad to hear he is doing well and I am sure you must feel relief that his surgery is over. As Dakota Dawg stated you can now begin a “new kind of normal”.

    Will be praying for easy recovery for him. Blessing to all of you.

    Much love!

  5. I don’t even want to think about how we’ll feel if it is not cancer…

    Then don’t! What’s done is done, and Tate will soon be free of the pain from that bum leg. That’s all that matters.

    Many have found the book Without Regret helpful in coping with these silly human emotions we all feel.

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