Max update

So, the lab work came back inconclusive.  Enlarged cells, likely cancer, but not exactly what they like to see in order to make a diagnosis.  The next step was a biopsy, but this was the week before we were leaving for the beach.  And you can't take a dog with a healing incision anywhere near sand.  So, Lori (my vet) and I agreed - let's go ahead and put Max on steroids and see how he does.  We started him on steroids that night and by the next day he was like a whole new dog.  The steroids continued to make him feel better, so we surmised that he has cancer.  If they'd make him feel better initially, but then feel worse, then it was an infection and the steroids we'd just put him on fried his immune system, making him feel worse.  But, he has continued to feel better.  So, cancer.

I finally talked to Lori today about doing a biopsy.  She checked with the pathologist, who said because we've put him on steroids, we've pretty much can't do a biopsy and have effectively eliminated our opportunity to get a diagnosis.  Ugh.  But, the pathologist and Lori both still feel like it's cancer.  His calcium was high in his blood work, he wasn't eating, lymph nodes were enlarged and prednisone made him feel better = cancer.  So, Lori and I decided we will leave him on the steroids and let him enjoy life as long as he can.  At some point she said he will start to feel worse again, stop eating... and at that point we will probably just put him to sleep.  So, we are just going to enjoy Max while we've got him.

Julia was gracious enough to do a photo session of me and Max the weekend after we found out it was most likely cancer.  I will post here when I can show you her images.

p.s.  Blog post about our trip to the beach & to a pumpkin patch this past weekend are coming later this week!