New To Tcc

Hi,

I've jsut spend the last several hours pouring through all of the info available in these postings.  My sweet little boy Cory was jsut diagnosed with TCC.  We've cought it in the very first of earliest stages (less than a month old).  he had a n ultrasound Feb 26 (for another issue) and it was clean, but by March 14th a tumor on his bladder was there.  Dr. ordered an FNA and result were mixed.  A second FNA was performed on 3/24 but again result were nebulous.  So we opted for surgery (4/12) to get a better pahtology on the mass.  Yup, it's TCC.

Cory turned 16 yesterday (we held a sweet 16 party for him) and he's still very active (taking the stairs and going on a mile walk day after surgery).  We go back to the Dr.s tomorrow to have the staples removed.  Vet says he's in great shape adn if we start him on piroxicam right away Cory'll have another couple of years.  I must admit though after reading these postings, with a few exceptions like Ryle, most do not survive must past 6 months. So I'm a bit faithless in the outlook presented by the vet. 

My question is for those of you that have successful longevity, were you diagnosed as early as Cory? Or on the filp side, for those that did not experience logevity, how progressed was the TCC at diaganosis?

I love my little guy, and the tought of losing him is unimaginable.  The very thought causes me to breakdown and cry.  I've taken notes on the plethora of information found here (it's quite overwhelming in fact) and plan on discussing it when we see the vet tomorrow.  Any additional information, resources, guidance etc is welcomed.

A qucik note for those who have lost a loved one and posted here, I'd like to offer my heart felt thoughts and prayers.  I can not say I know what you are going through, only that it must be unbearable.

I'm in the same boat as you and sympathize, the waiting is the worse I have been for weeks now and finally getting to see someone tomorrow who may be able to help us more, we have been treating Pippy for cystites for weeks, received a inconclusive result of a cytology when she had an ultrasound and Urinalysis.  But she has a large mass and the new vet said its fairly certain that it is TCC.

 I read all the messages some 500 of them and the info was invaluable and have a chance to compare all the opinions here are some good sites

www.labbies.com/cancer3.htm good

www.vetcancersociety.org

www.rainbowbridge.com sad but good

www.tartanscottie.com  really good

www.vetcontact.com

www.herbal-treatments.com.au

www.vsso.org/education/canine_bladder_tumors.htm

I also picked out the medicines and entered them in separatly in the google search and then read them ie one site said Prednisone and Piroxicam never be used together as it has shown increased ulcers but some on the site are using this combination so its good to ask the vet about that one to check.

The other thing is that a lot of dogs have lived past the diagnosis of the vet and who knows it may our dogs that are one of those thats something, no one knows for sure so I am now being very optimistic. Good luck and look forward to seeing your updates on your dog, and everyone elses

The other advice I took was look for a holistice vet and get an opinion as well.................and graviola well that seems to be a favourite.

for Pippy

Thank you so much for the info and support.  We see the vet today and I'll ask him for a holistic refereal.  I know he's open to herbs and such, because he had me put Cory on Kefir (probiotic liquid) to help with a sensitive stomach.  My huge concern at this time is whether Cory can withstand the piroxicam (one of those the cure is worse than the disease issues).

I'll go and check out the websites you've listed.  I can't tell you how much it helps to know that others experienced the same confusion and fear.  Oh, and you are correct, I wanted to know everything all at once.  I needed to have information so I could wrap my head around it and come up with a plan.  But I'm learning that this cancer, TCC, is one where you have to take it day by day and change your approach as you go.

I will keep posting, in the general forum, Cory's progress.