You're the one who keeps me strong; you're the one who keeps me sane

[lizblackdog]

I just found a lump on Spike's right inner thigh while I was giving him a belly rub. It's very small, hardish and moves around under the skin. Vet's appointment on Friday afternoon.

I know, rationally, that it's more likely to be something minor and harmless than not, but please send any good thoughts you can spare. The thought of anything happening to Spike leaves me unstrung.

Comments

[saintrobert.livejournal.com]

Dogs seem to get hard lumps like that all the time. My vet always dismisses them for various reasons and they eventually all go away.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

I'm sure, intellectually, that I have no reason at all to worry. The likeliest thing is it's a cyst or an ingrown hair lump.

...I just love him so much. I'm scared.

[orac-zen.livejournal.com]

He'll be okay, Liz. ;)

*** hugs for you and Spike ***

*** thinks good thoughts ***

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

thank you!

I'm sure he will. I'm just doing my usual anxious mother bit, you know? I'd trade a substantial chunk of my own life without hesitation to ensure his is happy and long and healthy...

[gwenhyffar.livejournal.com]

Fatty lump. Once you've felt a few, you'll be able to recognise them.

Vibes coming your way anyway, because I know how it feels to find an unidentifiable lump on a beastie!

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

It's harder and smaller than I'd expect a fatty lump to be. Spike and Squish have never had one but my old dog Scampi had many, as did previous dogs once they got older than seven or so.

My own guess is a cyst or ingrown hair. Am managing to keep the panic under control but not happy. Thank you very very much.

[johi36.livejournal.com]

*many, many good thoughts* :)

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

thank you, sweetheart :)

[il_mio_capitano]

Sending out good thoughts. I'm sure it will be nothing.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

So am I, really - at least in the rational part of my brain. Trouble is, the rational part's in the minority and the rest is panicking.

thank you!

[grimprime.livejournal.com]

*hugs for you and the evil bugger*

Hoping for the least serious outcome, unidentified lumps are never fun.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

thank you darling.

it's funny. being reminded of my own mortality never bothers me, but I can't handle being reminded of theirs, even with very small stuff...

[brendan-moody.livejournal.com]

Thinking good thoughts, not that you'll need 'em. :)

Such a cute doggy...

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

Thank you :)

He is the GREATEST. I love him so much.

[mandrakescreams.livejournal.com]

Sending big hugs and positive thoughts your way.
xx

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

thank you so much :)

[angriestangel.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Probably just an upset gland or something.

But I know the feeling all too well. So hoping for the best :)

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

It's probably just a ZIT. Part of my brain is laughing at me for being paranoid. The paranoid part is stronger, though.

Love that icon.

[auriocookie.livejournal.com]

*hugs and good thoughts* :)

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

thank you, darling :)

[ghost07.livejournal.com]

Here are my good thoughts on their way to you. Like everyone else, I think it's gonna be ok.

I definately understand the worry, though. Julius has his eye watering and it's half-closed...when I called the vet, they said it's probrably just that he got scratched while playing hard, and they told me to wait a couple weeks and see if it improves. Since it's turning pink around that eye, of course my emotions are telling me it's something a lot worse than just a scratch from playing, but we'll see.

Spike is so cute...hope he's ok...:D

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

The vet's probably right, especially since he's not exactly a quiet peaceful lapcat, is he? but I know how you feel.

*much love and kisses for Julius*

[kiramowett.livejournal.com]

Poor doggie. I'm sure he'll be okay.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure myself.. I just can't help worrying. he's the love of my life... thank you :)

[jeneration-why.livejournal.com]

I'll keep both of you in my thoughts. I know how scary that can be...we're dealing with it with Baylee and my first pet, my cat, had it too.

If it moves around under the skin it can probably be removed without any further harm. Even still my fingers are doubly crossed for him. *big hugs*

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

that's what I'm thinking - I know the dangerous lumps are usually the ones that you can't alide about. And this one's very small. But still. Thank you very very much.

how is beautiful Baylee doing? I thought I hadn't heard about her for a while. Hoping no news is good news...

[james-the-evil1.livejournal.com]

To paraphrase the Govenator, "Idz nadda duhhhmore"
It'll be ok ;-)

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

thank you, dear heart :)

[spac3cow6oy.livejournal.com]

I'll be sending out good thoughts for you and Spike too. :)

I'm sure it's nothing but I can understand how you'd be worried sick.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

thank you sweetheart :)

[metalkat.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*

Cancer lumps *rarely* move... FYI.
(and hopefully knowing that eases your mind a little)

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

I had read that, but it's good to hear it confirmed. Part of me is certain it's nothing - a sebaceous cyst, an ingrown hair, something like that - but the other part of me is screaming and crying like a little girl. I'm not entirely rational where Spike is concerned.

thank you very very much.

[christinuviel.livejournal.com]

Gahhhh - can understand how you'd be terrified, and am sending Force vibes to you and Spike because nothing is worse than that fear. It's reassuring to read the other comments suggesting that this is probably just a fatty lump and not anything serious, but still I know you must be scared! *big big big big big hugs* xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx =(

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

it's overwhelmingly likely to be nothing major, but you're right, I can't help worrying.

I just realised he's never actually had anything wrong wth him before. He's been to the vet a lot for damaging himself in various ways and being stitched up, and for vaccinations and regular health checks, but he's never actually been ill. So it makes me unhappy to break that record even if it IS something minor.

thank you :)

[seandc]

Sending along those good thoughts, may everything work out fine. :)

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

thank you, sweetheart! :)

[entorien.livejournal.com]

Oh, honey! He'll be fine, don't you worry too much, you'll see.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

Very likely, yes. I'm a bit less frantic than I was, but I'm still unhappy. He's never really had anything wrong with him before - injuries, yes, but never his body doing stuff it shouldn't. And just the reminder that he isn't going to be immortal is upsetting.

thank you :)

[ulva.livejournal.com]

*hugs to all in the black pack*

Best wishes...

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

thanks, my heart! :)

[mencc1701.livejournal.com]

I'm sure he'll be fine. :)

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

...I'm pretty sure myself, I just can't help freaking a bit. He's so precious to me. He's my man.

thank you :)

[kaestra.livejournal.com]

Spike's pics just scream of a healthy dog. He's going to be fine. :)

Thoughts and prayers. He's a kind-hearted soul.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

this is true. he's almost four now and he's never seen a vet for anything except routine maintenance and being stitched up when he hurts himself. I hate to break that record.

thank you :)

love your JRT! what a sweet face! Spike loves terriers.

[welshred.livejournal.com]

Sending love and hugs.

He will be fine hon, Rocky always had those ickle nodules.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

yeah... I'm sure he will be, really. I just can't help freaking a bit. I don't like anything that reminds me that he's only flesh and bone... at close quarters all you can see of him is his huge fiery soul. It's about thirty times the size you'd expect to fit in that little magpie-coloured body.

thank you, darling. I don't forget to pray for you and the dog that's meant to be yours. Love you.

[bites-the-sun.livejournal.com]

I bet you anything, from your description, that it's just a cyst. Try not to worry. :)

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure of it myself. I'm still fretting at the small chance that it could be anything worse - but also at the simple fact of anything going wrong with him, however small. I don't like to think he might be mortal. He's too big and dashing and special for that.

[staceface-08.livejournal.com]

Aw, poor Spike! I bet it's nothing to be worried about.
Good luck at the vet!

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

It probably isn't - but I had a hard time stopping myself worrying, all the same. Though I'm getting back into perspective now. LJ is great for that. :-D