We found out yesterday evening that blind Callie does indeed have a brain tumor. A large one. In this vertical view of her head from the CAT scan image, it's the bright glowing thing at the base of her brain at the front end. (The dark area in the center of her brain is the cerebral fluid.)
That's the bad news. The good news is that our internal medicine specialist, Dr. Dave Bostwick, believes radiation therapy offers some real hope. When I drove back into Missoula late yesterday to pick up Callie after the scan, Dave told me, "Her blood work is perfect, she's in otherwise excellent health, and given her breed, she could easily live another three years. So I think she's an excellent candidate for radiation therapy." (We don't know how old she is, but our working assumption is that she may be around 12.)
Dave said that her tumor is most likely a meningioma, which are generally benign -- and if you can shrink it down with radiation, you relieve the pressure inside the brain that is triggering the seizures. He said that oncologists generally have a high success rate treating these kinds of brain tumors with radiation.
So Dave has a call into the oncologist at Washington State University's veterinary teaching hospital this morning to find out about the cost and other details of the treatment. We'll keep you posted.
In the meantime, after I got home last night with Callie, she ate her dinner and then methodically began going around the house, grooming her "clients" like blind Briggs. She was a little put-out with us because she had all these grooming appointments scheduled for yesterday but spent the day in the clinic instead. She tried to make up for it after dinner with some "speed grooming." (I think that's like speed-dating, just different.)
To see a larger version of the scan, click on the image.
My 12-year-old poodle has this exact type of tumor. She first showed symptoms about 14 months ago. After the MRI last July, I elected not to do radiation and continue on palliative. Things have been good. I feel like I did the right thing, but it neither option sounded great to me. It's a very personal decision, and I hope that Callie does well and does live for many more years.
Posted by: Poodle | March 29, 2009 at 08:01 PM
There is good news amongst the bad and with the good Dr. Dave's suggestions, I'm certain Callie will have the best care available and lots of love and belly rubs as she enters into treatment.
We're sending Callie lots of care, love and hope.
Posted by: Boundforglory | March 23, 2009 at 09:19 AM
Oh I hope the treatment is succesful & Callie can keep up with her grooming schedule. Love the pictures of her, she seems like such a little character. Good thoughts & prayers coming her way.
Posted by: Kathy | March 22, 2009 at 03:20 PM
So sad to hear that it's a tumour but happy to hear it is treatable!!
Great blog ending with Callie's speed grooming sessions..Steve, you have a great sense of humour!
Posted by: Nina | March 22, 2009 at 01:51 PM
Good thoughts sent your way, I had the most wonderful mini schnauzer who had cancer, had one chemo treatment. He had such a hard time with that we said no more.. we were told we would loose him in three months.. We had this boy for another 5 fabulous years. There is always hope.. thanks for keeping us all informed.
Posted by: Cathy Chambers | March 21, 2009 at 07:06 PM
I am sending tummy rubs and happy thoughts her way! She obviously won't let this setback keep her from grooming and upside-down sleeping...Atta girl!
Posted by: Libby | March 21, 2009 at 06:29 PM
Let's hope the treatment will help. She's such a sweet dog. And where would the others be without her grooming?? I'm praying that the radiation will help her and that you'll stay strong to help her through this. Bless you.
Posted by: Barbara Ribinski | March 21, 2009 at 11:38 AM
We will keep praying for little, plump Callie... we love her so! It sure does sound very hopeful that they can treat this, so that was very good to hear.
Thanks for the laugh at the end of the post about her "scheduled grooming appt.'s" she couldn't keep. That just cracked me up!
~Barbara
Author & Mom to Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog
www.frankiethewalknrolldog.blogspot.com
Posted by: Barbara | March 21, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Hang in there Callie, I hope your treatment does great for you, hugs and kisses from all my dachshunds to you. God bless her. Vicky
Posted by: vicky humbarger | March 21, 2009 at 03:13 AM
We're glad there is some hopeful news along with the sad news regarding the large tumor. Our 10 year old husky had cancer and we were able to remove it and had him three more wonderful years, and he was a big breed dog. Let the wellness begin! Love to all of you at RDR!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | March 21, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Well, bitter sweet news. Erin & I are crossing all fingers, toes & paws that she will be around for many years to come. I know this is hard & I admire you all and at least there is HOPE! I'm also glad to hear she felt well enough to get caught up w/ her clients. I hope they are tipping her extra after the busy day she had.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | March 20, 2009 at 08:50 PM
I'm so glad there is hope and lots of good thoughts are flying from our house to sweet Callie
Posted by: Sandra Beardsley | March 20, 2009 at 07:30 PM
Sending Callie a donation, it isn't much, but knowing dachshunds, she won't hold it against me :)
Posted by: A Arsenault | March 20, 2009 at 06:32 PM
I think this calls for a special gift request to pay for Callie's treatment. Count me in. 2-3 years is a lifetime of joy. Let's support Callie and give her that chance.
Posted by: Curtis Tomlin | March 20, 2009 at 06:23 PM
I am so relieved that Callie's tumor is treatable! I want to see many more pictures of her sleeping and grooming for the next several years. *hugs* Get well, fluffy-boned Callie!
Posted by: Billie | March 20, 2009 at 06:00 PM
Steve, thank you for keeping us posted with all that is on your mind! I just tried the blog to see if there was any news because she was in my mind all day and here you are with an update and picture and all. Wishing Callie and you two all the best and a speedy recovery as far as that is a possibility. (What would radiation to the brain do to the tissue around the tumor?)
Great to hear that she kept her "Callie-spa" clientele happy!
Posted by: Jessica, NL | March 20, 2009 at 05:55 PM
Sweet Little Girl! Keeping you in prayers and hoping the treatment is successful. Please give her kisses~~
Posted by: sharon | March 20, 2009 at 05:24 PM
I'm so glad there is some good news with the bad news. Callie is just a little punkin', and I adore her. Please pat that belly for us.
Posted by: Vickie | March 20, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Steve and Alayne,
My 11 yr. old blind Boston Terrier probably has a brain tumor also. She started cluster seizures about two months ago. She was turned into the shelter because she was blind and 11 yrs. old so of course, I took her home :)
I can't afford the catscan to be sure but she is responding to medication very well and has not had another seizure.
So hang in there Callie, Maggie is just as bossy as ever!
vicki
@BRHA
Posted by: vicmt | March 20, 2009 at 05:01 PM
I'm so glad to read that there is a good chance that this tumor can be shrunken with radiation therapy. Hang in there Callie, help is on the way! I think it's a great sign that she was feeling much better, as she went around to her missed grooming appts. when she returned home. Seems Callie knows that she is going to soon be better!
Big warm hugs & emotional support to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | March 20, 2009 at 04:55 PM
I have a feeling everything is going to be okay.
Thanks for the little bit of humor Steve (missed grooming appointments indeed!!)
Posted by: Lynn | March 20, 2009 at 04:44 PM
Sweet little pudge - hope all goes well. Isn't this a rather drastic way to loose weight??
Posted by: Peggy S | March 20, 2009 at 04:28 PM
I'm so glad to hear that there is a such a good chance of successful treatment!
Posted by: Darcie | March 20, 2009 at 04:10 PM
Hope.......that is the key word!
My thoughts & prayers continue for You, Alayne, and the adorable Callie. Happy to hear she went about her "grooming rounds." Callie has so much spunk!!
Posted by: Doe George | March 20, 2009 at 03:57 PM
The Fates heard us! It's treatable. Yea!! Continued good wishes and thoughts sent your way.
Hugs,
Posted by: Miranda Brooks | March 20, 2009 at 03:45 PM
Dear RDR folks, what a tough piece of news this must be, but the prognosis sounds bright. I'll keep you and dear, sweet Callie in my prayers for all the best.
Posted by: Moon Rani | March 20, 2009 at 03:24 PM
Good Afternoon,
I have been thinking about Callie all day. I LOVED to hear that she went through her grooming schedule when she got back home. Please tell Callie she is in our thoughts in NH. I am glad to hear that the treatment looks good. Take care, Mary and Marble
Posted by: Mary and Marble | March 20, 2009 at 03:15 PM
Love and Prayers are going Callie's way from our house to yours. I'm so sorry Callie has the tumor but also very happy to know that it's treatable. I'm asking St. Francis and St. Roch to watch over her while she undergoes her treatment. God Bless,
MaryJane
Posted by: MaryJane Cooper | March 20, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Sorry to hear about cutie Callie but so relieved it sounds like there is hope! I hope she responds to treatment and is all better soon!!
Posted by: Christie | March 20, 2009 at 03:01 PM
Oh no. I have been following Callie's and am sorry to hear about the brain tumour. I sincerely hope the treatments are successful. She looks like a sweet little dog.
Posted by: Claire | March 20, 2009 at 02:33 PM
I am so glad there is hope! This is a dog with a ton of personality. That picture of her after her seizures was so sad, kind of subdued and woebegone. I am happy for her.
Posted by: Nancy Kelly | March 20, 2009 at 02:27 PM
oh sweet Callie. Fingers and paws crossed that treatment will be successful. I know how awful it is to see a dog having seizures. Bless you all.
Posted by: Kristi Gross | March 20, 2009 at 02:02 PM
That's a pretty large tumor....but I have every faith that she can handle the treatment to shrink it. Lots of prayers headed her way ... lots of hope, and lots of faith in her circle of doctors.
Posted by: Debbie | March 20, 2009 at 01:45 PM