You may remember a little while I told you the story of Star a Lurcher that we have the pleasure of sharing our home with after she'd been found as a stray and totally emaciated. She's been part of my family for about 6 years now, but a couple of months ago she was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in her bottom jaw.
She initially went through surgery to try and remove the tumour without causing her too much discomfort. Unfortunately the tumour wasn't playing and came back even more aggressively. All we could do for her was to put her back under the knife but this time all the vets could do was remove part of her bottom jaw.
Star has responded to the surgery brilliantly. She has been so brave. Eating wasn't an issue and she even started pinching the other dogs food.
Then just a short while ago, in the middle of the horrific spell where we had to say goodbye to so many of our wonderful pals, I got a phone call with Star's biopsy reports. They were a bit of a mixed bag..... the bone had come back clear, but the skin biopsy had shown, despite taking a fair amount, what is medically known as a 'dirty margin.' This meant that right to the edge of the skin that had been taken away, there was cancerous cells. It also meant she had to face the surgeon again.....
Yesterday I took her down to the vets again. They needed to take even more skin away, with the hope that this time all the cancerous cells had been removed. Knowing what she wants about to go through again broke my heart. I'd say her treatment has been the most difficult to accept that I have ever faced.
Star has been so brave though, and after this cuddle she has enjoyed a second helping of chicken soup and is now snoring in front of the fire..... such an inspiration and a picture of so much strength. I really want you all to pray that this time they have caught it all.....
In all of this Moorview Vets have once again been amazing. The love Star has received when she has been in has been incredible, you can see that by the reaction she gets when she goes in. However the heartbreaking events of the last few weeks has left an already massive vets bill even bigger. Despite everything that's been done she is the only one who has come out the other side. Such amazing bravery and desire to live. We are all so proud of her.
We desperately need your help to assist us with the cost of those few weeks. I know it's asking a lot this time of year, but any amount, no matter how small is greatly appreciated. You can donate via PayPal to shak@shak.org.uk or by sending a cheque made payable to SHAK to SHAK HQ. Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB.
Thank you in advance for such fantastic support.
She initially went through surgery to try and remove the tumour without causing her too much discomfort. Unfortunately the tumour wasn't playing and came back even more aggressively. All we could do for her was to put her back under the knife but this time all the vets could do was remove part of her bottom jaw.
Star has responded to the surgery brilliantly. She has been so brave. Eating wasn't an issue and she even started pinching the other dogs food.
Then just a short while ago, in the middle of the horrific spell where we had to say goodbye to so many of our wonderful pals, I got a phone call with Star's biopsy reports. They were a bit of a mixed bag..... the bone had come back clear, but the skin biopsy had shown, despite taking a fair amount, what is medically known as a 'dirty margin.' This meant that right to the edge of the skin that had been taken away, there was cancerous cells. It also meant she had to face the surgeon again.....
Yesterday I took her down to the vets again. They needed to take even more skin away, with the hope that this time all the cancerous cells had been removed. Knowing what she wants about to go through again broke my heart. I'd say her treatment has been the most difficult to accept that I have ever faced.
Star has been so brave though, and after this cuddle she has enjoyed a second helping of chicken soup and is now snoring in front of the fire..... such an inspiration and a picture of so much strength. I really want you all to pray that this time they have caught it all.....
In all of this Moorview Vets have once again been amazing. The love Star has received when she has been in has been incredible, you can see that by the reaction she gets when she goes in. However the heartbreaking events of the last few weeks has left an already massive vets bill even bigger. Despite everything that's been done she is the only one who has come out the other side. Such amazing bravery and desire to live. We are all so proud of her.
We desperately need your help to assist us with the cost of those few weeks. I know it's asking a lot this time of year, but any amount, no matter how small is greatly appreciated. You can donate via PayPal to shak@shak.org.uk or by sending a cheque made payable to SHAK to SHAK HQ. Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB.
Thank you in advance for such fantastic support.
