What's going on ...

We decided to start this blog to keep family and friends updated on Tucker's health issues. He is scheduled to have his spleen (along with the softball-sized mass residing in or on his spleen) removed on Monday, 7/14. Our vet, Dr. Halliday, told us that this is a relatively easy surgery (in the grand scheme of surgeries), and he doesn't anticipate any complications (knock on wood). Dr. Halliday will also be looking at Tucker's liver for any signs of metastasis. He is also going to check out Tucker's pancreas, as there is a tumor called insulinoma that exhibits symptoms that are similar to the ones Tucker has been experiencing. Based on the appearance of the splenic tumor, liver, and surrounding tissues, Dr. Halliday will probably have a good idea on Monday whether the splenic mass is malignant (cancerous) or benign. Our biggest fear is a diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma, which is a very aggressive canine cancer. We won't have a definitive answer until the pathology reports come back in a couple weeks. Click here for some good information on splenic masses. Rochelle Lesser, founder of Land of Pure Gold Foundation and fellow golden retriever lover, posted some information about Tucker on her blog.

Please think good thoughts for our boy as he goes into surgery on Monday. I will post an update sometime on Monday evening.