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We strive very hard to keep this blog light-hearted. Our goal is to give you a chuckle and brighten your day with the antics of a Herd of Siberian Huskies.
Today, however, is a serious post. We will be waiting and hoping as our beautiful Queen Natasha undergoes exploratory surgery.
As a senior in The Herd, Natasha sees our veterinarian every few months. Monday was a full physical exam. During the exam, our vet discovered a mass inside Natasha’s abdomen. Within minutes, she was receiving x-rays and an ultrasound.
The pictures show a sizeable mass involving the spleen. The most hopeful news is that the images do not show it metastasizing into other organs, though blood results do show an irregularity in the liver. That irregularity could be caused by an infection, a trauma, or, well, the Big C. We just will not know until we can test.
We made the decision late yesterday to attempt to remove the mass and the spleen, get a biopsy on the liver, and determine whether anything else has been compromised.
With the decision made, we scheduled surgery for this morning.
For now, we are just waiting and hoping.
4:30 pm –
Quick update on Queen Natasha.
Surgery today was more complex than we had hoped, though outcomes are still reasonably good so far. A mass roughly the size of a small cantaloupe was removed. The liver was involved and roughly 30% of her liver was removed. She is sedated and resting comfortably.
From here, everything is in steps. First, get through the night without any complications from the surgery. Second, see if the remaining 70% of the liver is healthy and functions properly. Third, determine whether the mass was benign or malignant.
Thank you everyone for all of the good thoughts.
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I am late in visiting and so very sorry to hear that you and Natasha are dealing with some really tough stuff right now. Hoping with all my heart that she is going to pull through this. Gentle hugs from South Africa.
my angle wisher,s are with you all may you sweet baby recover fast and safe my son has his girl i carn,t even start to think what he would do if this was his miss bella love to all from the lopes family .sydney australia……….prayes are with you all love mum lopes
Prayers for all of you during this journey. Sending positive healing thoughts your way.
Pacific coast wishes and prayers for good news and a speedy recovery to the Queen,
Hugs to everyone in the pack!
Sending extra-strength rottie POTP to The Queen…
-Ruby and Otto
We are hoping right along with you.
I posted on FB but I can’t find it. Here’s the short version of a hopeful story. Our yellow lab, S, had emergency surgery for intestinal blockage. While removing the blockage, the surgeons found a big growth on the spleen and a smaller one on the liver. Thinking hemangio, they called us wanting to know if they should euthanize him on the table. We said “no” so they removed the spleen and the bad part of the liver. Pathology showed it was a very rare kind of non-aggressive cancer that is completely cured in 99% of cases by removing the primary tumors. Indeed, S fell in that 99%. He was 12 at the time and lived to 14 (old for a Lab). I hope that you get similarly great news. It is possible, even if the vets are trying to dampen your expectations.
For what it’s worth: Kia had a mass described as about the size of a cantaloupe. It was not malignant. That was2.5 years ago.
I’m sorry about your girl and I hope she will be okay. ~hugs~
We are praying for Queen Natasha, today and hoping for good news for the Herd, and the Hu-parents.
My heart is heavy knowing what you are going thru . I hope everything comes out wonderful for all. May Natasha’s health and love continues to grow. Natasha is in my prayers. ? ?
Praying for a good report for Queen Natasha.
Praying Queen hikes through her procedures with no bumps along the trail.
Love to all, Moe & Jackie
We are adding our prayers and healing thoughts for the lovely lady’s speedy recovery
Sending our love and hoping for the best. We’ll be thinking of you all.
All the best hopeful wishes from here as well. May it be correctable and survivable. The Queen hasn’t finished training guard skills to Kiska .. nor manners to the little hurricane. Prayers from the mini herd here for the best outcome.
And your friends wait and hope with you. We do hope all will go well for her!
All fingers and paws crossed!
Our very best to the Queen. My huskies are sending special claws and woooooos to make the Queen well.
We are sending Natasha our prayers and hugs. All the Piappies got their paws crossed for her.
Love,
Piappies – Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Max, Wai-Pai & Forgie
We are praying for Natasha! Hope to hear some good news soon!
Cammie!
My heart just lurched so hard. Huge loving thoughts for you guys and the Queen.
we are sending purrs
Wishing you the best outcome.
Paws crossed and positive vibes for the Queen.
Loki and is Hu-Parents are praying for good news and a fast recovery! God Bless!
Sending positive energy to the Queen.
So sorry to hear this news this morning. Sending you prayers and positive thoughts your way for a quick recovery for the beautiful Queen.❤️
So very sorry to hear this. Prayers for all.
We’re sending prayers, good wishes, and plain old luck your way. You’re not alone in your vigil; many of us are with you in spirit. Many hugs and face licks. ~ Beth and Winter
Praying for you all!
Sending some prayers and good vibes to Natasha as she undergoes the surgery and healing. I’m hoping for good news for the outcome and probably a big, tasty special treat for her when she’s home!
I am thinking about you and your beautiful Natasha.
We will be waiting, hoping and praying that it’s not the big c and that all is well as soon as this surgery is over today. Hugs sweet Natasha, just for today we can skip the evil part lol. But tomorrow, you’re expected to be right back to QNTE status.
Sending well wishes to the queen.
We are so sorry. Praying really hard that the Queen will come through this with flying colors and that it is not anything as serious as the Big C.
Sherri and the Painter Pack
Prayers for your lovely lady.
Prayers for all of you and we pray for a quick recovery for Natasha
I will be praying for her. I truly hope she will ok. Give her a big hug and kiss for me. Hugs and kisses to the herd.
Sending love and good healing thoughts to Queen Natasha and hoping for good news ❤️
Sending best wishes and healing thoughts.
Waiting and hoping along with you! Hope it is nothing serious or if it is, that you caught it early!
Aww hope the Queen ces through this ok. Thinking of you all here in Scotland. XX
Sending good thoughts. I hope everything turns out okay.
Natasha is in my prayers and thoughts! Please keep us updated!
We are praying.
We send healing energy
I lost a dog to this cancer it is quick and deadly if not caught
There are no overt signs until it is too late
I was not as fortunate as you
And I watched my heart dog bleed out in front of my eyes
Her vet check has been in January with no mass she died in April
May the hand of the surgeon be true
May your heart dog come through strong and with more time to share her journey
We pray for strength for your family as you travel this journey
with your heart dog
Remember you did catch this in time to try
And whatever happens she knows you will always do what is in her best interest even if it goes against your own
Because that is the greatest gift she shares with you, her trust and mutual respect, that you will look after her always putting her interst first and speaking when she has no voice
Please keep us updated
Mom sez: Ice ‘n Ebby and I are all sending prayers your way for Natasha.
My Sibes and I wish a good outcome and rapid recovery from the operation.