Final update
27 February 2023
Dear friends, 2 legged & 4. As our page closes tomorrow, I take this opportunity to give you all one last update about Shy's progress.. and I am extremely happy to be able to tell you that thus far, everything is looking wonderfully positive!! The histology came back saying "Toenail Squamous Cell Carcinoma" or cancer of the nailbed (rather than the bone) but which was eating the bone away. The margins of the amputated toe showed they were clear.. as did the x-rays of her chest!! Meaning that as far as we know, there has been no spread!! Woohoo! In saying that though.. typically, these types of cancer in a digit are very aggressive.. so there is no guarantee that sneaky cells haven't already moved further through her system, before surgery happened. We will be keeping a close eye on her Lymph glands from here on, for any potential signs down the track. Cross fingers & toes there won't be any!! We've seen Aunty Lisa (our fabulous vet nurse; fellow GH owner (Shy's darling cousin Libby) & friend, Lisa Jamieson) for check ups & bandage changes every couple of days this past week & she's very happy that the toe is looking really good!! The last change on Saturday showed there is no ooze at all & the pad on top looks to be being secured back down nicely by the granulating tissue.. meaning it's now highly unlikely any further surgery will be required to reattach it! Yay! Shy is walking on 4 legs around our wee house & lawn more & more now.. occasionally reverting back to bouncing around on three.. more out of habit than discomfort I think, lol! We've still got a wee way to go, re-checks & bandaging will carry on for a while longer yet, then once bandages are no longer required she'll wear a light sock to cover it.. mostly to keep her from licking!! & she'll also wear a special Greyhound boot for protection on visits back to our park. I can honestly say.. the past 6 weeks or so have been an absolute rollercoaster! I went from thinking I seriously might have to let my precious girl go, because there was no way for me to fund the surgery, which was utterly devastating to think that way.. to now, being out the other side & having such a positive outcome, with my precious girl being pretty much back to her darling pre-illness self.. it's jus mind boggling the difference a few weeks can make. It's been the best possible outcome we could have hoped for.. & Shy has been an absolute trooper throughout the whole ordeal (except taking her meds.. haha!) I couldn't be more proud of her!! I am so so grateful to each & every single one of you for your love & support, I wish I could give you all a big hug in person.. but I send you all a virtual one anyway!!! Setting this page up was the best thing ever!! (thanks for the push Leah, Sol & Archie xx) The difference every single donation made, no matter what amount.. took the absolute weight of the world off my shoulders.. allowing me to breathe & focus on tending to Shy, in helping her to get better. I've given donations to pages myself.. but now being on the receiving end, I truly understand just how much of a difference it makes to peoples lives.. and I am extremely grateful to you all!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Give your darling furbies an extra special hug from me tonight!! Much love to you all. Jen & Shy xxx
ps: tonight pic is taken of Shy in her most favourite of places there ever was.. her beloved couch.. & rocking a pretty 'green, with bones' ensemble!!
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thank you so much for this fab update....i often think of the hounds that are having health issues and wonder how they and their hoomans are doing.....may the force be with you....love and peace mary and coco xoxo
