Veterinary Update: Lucas Tests Benign, Emmett Diagnosed with Aggressive Hemangiosarcoma

Even though it’s out of order, let’s start with the good news: Lucas’ pathology came back benign! Thank goodness!

Coincidentally, the pathology on Lucas came in while we were sitting in the vet’s lobby, anxiously awaiting the results of Emmett’s x-rays.

The positive news gave our heavy hearts a slight lift.

Emmett’s results are not good. He was diagnosed with an insidious, aggressive form of cancer called hemangiosarcoma, which affects the lining of his blood cells. As soon as we received the pathology results, the vet had him right back in to x-ray his heart, liver, and spleen, and to look for fluid build-ups. Because the cancer is so aggressive, often the first sign is far too late and the organs are riddled with tumors. Thankfully, in Emmett’s case, there weren’t any visible tumors, though – she cautioned – x-rays would only show large tumors. We need ultrasounds next.

We head up to an oncologist on Wednesday. They’ll do an exam, look at his test results and x-rays, and help us figure out both a prognosis and a course of action.

I’m sticking with just the facts, ma’am, because anything else and I dissolve into a puddle. Truthfully, I think I’ve cried more over this diagnosis than I did the entire 15 months I was going through cancer treatment. Emmett is my light and my love, and my heart is aching.

We spent the weekend spoiling him: naps in the sun, a bowl of popcorn, his very own turkey burger, and an afternoon at the park – without his brothers. We will continue to do so because it helps us feel like we’re doing something. John snapped this pic during our marathon of relaxing in the sun:

I have a couple posts already scheduled for the week, but I’ll be back to update on Emmett either Wednesday or Thursday. In the meantime, hug your pups and think happy thoughts for Emmett, pretty please!