Thursday, August 6, 2009

An Important Message From Meeka


Hi Everybuddy -

This is Mom speaking - Echo was kind enough to lend his blog to me for what we feel is a very important post.
As per our last entry, we've been busy. What I didn't share was the situation we've been coping with regarding our beloved Meeka. It's time to share his story.

A few months ago we discovered - quite by accident - a small mass on his upper gum. It was tucked away from sight so was easily missed upon quick inspections of his teeth and gums which we all routinely do from time to time. We have no idea how long it was there, nor had we ever seen anything quite like it. The next day we were in our vet's office. Meeka patiently let techs and 2 vets pull and tug at his muzzle, tilting his head one way then another. He seemed to know this was important. No one was really able to draw any conclusions as to what it was for sure. It could be a benign epulus....or perhaps something worse however all agreed they'd never seen a malignancy look like that. Several options were presented and we went home - our brains spinning, searching for the right thing to do. Unfortunately any mass in the oral area presents quite a challenge for getting clean margins. The only hope of doing that would be to remove significant bone mass in his upper jaw which would then require reconstruction. To even find a surgeon qualified to do that would be difficult. That meant our best hope would be to reduce the mass, then have it biopsied. The procedure was scheduled. Days later Meeka had a severe allergic reaction. His face quickly swelled and it moved dangerously lower, towards the throat region. This happened twice and despite my best efforts with Benadryl, Prednisone, and some major prayers I could not reverse the reaction. That meant 2 emergency trips to the vet to have an injection to reverse it. We had no clue what was causing this however none of them felt it was related to the mass. Unfortunately this made anesthesia extremely risky for him. We concluded that we need to wait several week to be sure we wouldn't be facing any more of these mysterious episodes. After an extensive blood panel and a chest xray, Meeka had his surgery yesterday morning. We opted for laser surgery since that was our best chance to remove the most tissue. He is recovering here by my side as we wait that painstaking wait for the biopsy results. I look at him and choke back the tears as he stares back at me with those soulful eyes. He's telling me he's okay for now and that I need to be brave. We always knew Meeka had an important job to do in this world. He's been a wonderful ambassador to the rescue world. Countless people have admired him at Meet and Greets and he sent the message that rescue dogs aren't just castaways with baggage. He became the Alpha of his pack. Always mindful of what the others are doing, scolding as needed and making sure they all stay safe. It came to mind that his work is not yet done. As I pray every moment that the biopsy won't indicate a very aggressive Sarcoma, even willing to settle for a malignancy....just please God, let it be a slow growing one - I realize this is yet another task for our proud Prince. He needs to let others know the importance of checking the mouths of your babies very carefully on a regular basis. Our vets have indicated they're seeing more oral malignancies now. Don't just quickly scan the lower gumline when you admire their healthy teeth. Pull up those lips and really look! Look for color changes, texture changes, swellings - and if you see a change, take them in to be checked. This is the message Meeka sends.
We ask that you keep Meeka in your prayers.

26 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Woo made my mom all leaky...

We've got my paws AND her human digits khrossed fur Meeka and the rest of woo!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

One Little Birdie said...

We just know everything will be alright. Meeka is very brave. We are sending all the good sibe vibes and some shepherd vibes too.

The Army of Four said...

As you and your mom know, Meeka, I've had one removed, too. My prayer is that yours is NOTHING, just like mine!
Tail wags,
Storms

Jack & Moo said...

uatPaws crossed and sending sibe vibes for Meeka. Gotta go get mom some kleenex, she's leaking all over the keyboard.

Storm's words are furry encouraging, we'll be praying its nothing serious.

Loving woos,
Star & Jack a-roo

DKMaialetti said...

We have our paws, fingers and toes crossed and we will say our prayers that everyting turns out OK.
-Georgie

The Daily Echo said...

Storms - we are SO encouraged by your outcome and hope and pray that ours is the same. It really makes us wonder what's going on in everyone's mouths.

The Brat Pack said...

We have everything crossed here too...we just know things will be ok.

Thor said...

We send tons of vibes and love to you all!

Woos,
Thor, Smoky, Bandit, and Mama

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

You know all our thoughts and prayers and crossed paws and sibe vibes are with you and Meeka. We truly understand how you are feeling.

Hugs, the OP Pack

-The Mullin Clan's Mommy- said...

Oh-Wooo,

We R sending very heavy SIBE VIBES & keeping R paws & fingers crossed fur Meeka!!!

Da boyz, Cosmos & Juneau, & Mommy-Marlene

P.S. On a horsie note since we are playin catch-up - the picture of yur girl on Logan is soo good. Glad the 2 of them bonded. R mommy's butt is still very sore frum her wild bucking rodeo ride & fall off of Charlie (& you shuld see how funny she is walkin still - kind of slow & lopsided)cuz of stupid ground bees 1 week ago Tuesday night.

D.K. Wall said...

Lots and lots of paws crossed here for good outcomes. Guess we should not nibble on our hu-dad's finger while he is inspecting our mouth, huh?

Lady Kaos said...

All our paws and fingers are crossed here!! We're sending lots of good vibes your way, too. Mom is definately going to start opening our mouths wider and stretch our jowls out more now.
Love
Kaos

the magic sleigh said...

Wooo! Poor Meeka. We have our paws and hearts crossed for a good outcome.
~puppy kisses~
--Kira The BeaWootiful

Teddy Westlife said...

My mum is all leaky too. I am purring my very hardest for Meeka.

Huffle Mawson

♥♥♥♥Team Husky♥♥♥♥ said...

We are so sorry to hear Meeka has not been well. We have all of our fingers, toes and paws crossed that the test results are good.

Husky hugs and kisses on yur snooter
Team Husky
xxxx

Biloxi and Siber-sibs said...

We is sending woo lots and lots of sibe vibes Meeka. Keepin' da paws crossed too fur a positive outcome.
Woo send a furry important message.

Husky kisses,
Biloxi

Princess Eva and Brice said...

We've got our paws crossed too - hoping for good results.

And Momma has added our mouths to our inspection list.

♥♥♥♥Team Husky♥♥♥♥ said...

Visit our bloggie Meeka ~ http://teamhusky-princesummer.blogspot.com/2009/08/sibe-vibes-needed-for-meeka.html

Team Husky
xxxx

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you Meeka, and hoping for the best!

diane

Anonymous said...

Sending lost of good thoughts and prayers your way!

Hugs & Paws!
Alicia, Mike, Tyco (our Malamute)and Kelsey(our Golden Girl)

Yas said...

Sending pawsitive sibe vibes your way! Will keep the paws crossed for you!! Stay positive Meeka!!

Cheers,
Maxx

Steve, Kat, & Wilbur said...

Aye, aye, Mom! We will definitely let our humans inspect us.

Steve

Anonymous said...

Meeka,

My family is pulling for you, and we know you'll be just fine.

Tela

(Echo - happy belated birthday brother!)

Sibergirl said...

Thoughts and prayers are going out to you Meeka from here in rainy Des Plaines Il. We are sending good sibe vibes for a good result and recovery.

Lorenza said...

Meeka! I have my paws crossed and my mom is praying for you!
I hope everything is going to be ok!
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Kelsey and Smokey said...

This is Kelsey's mommy and I can tell you that I know exactly what you're going through. Kelsey just had his operation today (after we got the diagnosis of malignant nerve sheath tumor). and we're hoping for good results.

I know that the anxiety, sadness, stress, and all of the emotions you're feelings are awful. There's a lot to worry about and the anxiety doesn't go away.

I am here if you ever need to talk about how you're feeling. I know how important that is. I have been surrounded by people who just don't understand and think I'm crazy for coming to Colorado for treatment.

I'm more than happy to add Meeka to my prayers. I think prayer is a very powerful thing, and is very comforting.

I've also found that keeping a journal helps me cope. It's the one part of cancer and the waiting game that I can control. Educate yourself, remember that you love Meeka very much, and remember that taking care of yourself is as important as taking care of Meeka.

Hugs and prayers,

Cody (Kelsey's mommy)