Mass in Casey James's neck is back :( - Page 1

OMG  I am totally freaking out... My heart has dropped so much that its past my toes and has gone down to the center of the earth! Casey James had a mass in his neck when he came to me as a baby. The mass turned out to be calcinosis circumscripta, a calcification. It was the size of a golf ball and an MRI showed it was wrapped around his jugular and laying on the nerves to the cervical portion of his spine. There were no underlying problems, as he had all kinds of blood work done, so the specialist felt it was from an injury he had, that wasnt treated, before he came to me. He removed as much of the mass as he could-95%. The other 5 % was wrapped too tightly around the jugular and with its position on the nerves going to the cervical portion of his spine, he felt the risk was too great to try to remove it all. Casey James could have bled out or become paralyzed if he went for it all. He said hopefully the rest of the mass would dissolve.He said there was a possibility it could come back.. I brought him back for yearly check-ups, but the past week or two I thought I felt it. Today, as I was drying him, there was no doubt in my mind- I definitely feel it  Last time he had the surgery, CJ was slit from the bottom of his ear down to his collarbone. He could never be properly socialized as he couldnt wear a collar, a harness, or walk on a lead for a year. ( Shortly after that CJ was found to have 2 bad elbows, ununited anconeal process, and he had to have 2 more surgeries- and he was in the house again for another 6 months. His experiences with strangers was always painful  ) I am so stressed.. If I do nothing, chances are CJ will get paralyzed sooner rather than later. If I do the surgery, what happens if something happens during surgery... Joss had a MRI and developed SIRS and sepsis from it
(system inflammatory response syndrome) and he died from it. I am a total and complete wreck... I am so worried.... If CJ needs the surgery, his summer of swimming is over...we are back to no collar or lead for a year...Even the harness rubbed on the collarbone so he couldnt even wear that, only for the trip to the vet. I am terrified of what lies ahead. The specialist is away this week, so we have an appt next week, as soon as he returns. I am just beside myself. I am a total basket case... I dont want to put him through it again, but if I dont, the prognosis could be terrible. Last time they wanted the surgery to b e done ASAP. If I do the surgery, and something goes wrong, I will feel like I killed him, because he is happy and playful. Its like the salem witch trails- death by drowning or death by stoning.. I am beyond panicked...My heart is just racing out of my chest..:(

Marjorie:  sometimes we are better off to let nature take it's course;  with my older girl (almost 15 years old when she died) they found a mass in her sinus cavity/nose tumor or??  I knew that in the location where the tumor was that her time was limited and that I at this point in her life, 'COULD NOT PUT HER THRU ANY SURGERY IN THAT LOCATION"   right between her eyes at the base or bridge of her nose.  Otherwise she was great, had rehabilitated her back to getting her walks daily of l/2 mile give or take and she ate well and seemed very happy although "SHE" told me as time went by that she was starting to suffer with pain.  The monster tumor had broken thru the boney cavity of her skull and was creeping around in the nasal cavity putting pressure everywhere on her skull/brain.  Before she started to worsen I had to make he dreadful decision to let her go as I did not want her to suffer.  Yes it was painful, yes I still cry, but the comfort of knowing she is no longer in pain helps save me;  and when she left I put a little memorial up for her of a bright beautiful red rose that blooms daily.  Never to be forgotten.  And yes I still miss her as she taught me so much and was actually the hub's girl but we shared her.   

I hope this helps you as you know they are so stoic and thank you daily for their being.  Please take care of yourself as he is going to need you in the very near future.  Nan

PS:  just had a thought, rather than have something invasive done why not try to ultra sound the area first.  Also may show up on x-ray??  good luck  Nan

Sigh....... so sorry, Marj. Keep the faith for now, it may not be what you think it is. Let us know what happens.

Casey James is only 4 yrs old... 

Thats a good idea about an utlrasound or an xray instead of an MRI/ctscan. I will bring that up when I see the specialist. He mentioned that if the calcification was to grow again, after he removed it, if he did another mri/ct scan he could lay the results over the original one to compare. However, if an ultrasound will do the same thing, I would much prefer that! I will most definitely ask. Thanks :)

Marjorie, wishing you and Casey Jones all the best!

I am praying this is not nearly as serious as it sounds.

Marjorie, I am sorry to hear this about Casey James. I am not much help because I too become a basket case in situations that threaten my dog/s. You've had such a lot of sadness and tragedy, it's so unfair..  We love at great peril to our souls..

I am just going to send positive thoughts, and hope that this turns out well for you and CJ, it's all I have, I wish I could do more.  .

Abby X

Marjorie,  I went through the same emotions just last week, fearing decisions I would have to make when emergency vets stated they felt a mass in my female's upper abdomen-even more so when X-rays confirmed it-we were fortunate in that it resolved itself and the only explanation is a matter that can be managed-I pray you & Casey may be as fortunate-keep the faith.

Deb

3Shep2, I was actually thinking of your situation when I made my post!

Hoping the same good fortune for Casey and Marjorie... 

Oh, no Deb! Is everything ok? Did they find out what it was? I pray she will be ok!!! 

Thanks for the positive thoughts and prayers, all :) CJ is lucky he is a dog so he doesnt have to worry..