Tumor Removal Tomorrow

Surgery is tomorrow morning.  The lump is on the top of my head right on the edge of my spot.  That sort of darkish area halfway between the bottom of the picture and the base of my ear.

Because it is a mast cell tumor, my vet has to cut about an inch around it.  Specifically a 2-3 cm margin.  That's a lot of skin off my head.  I hope my spot doesn't get all messed up!

I had my last meal before surgery.  Apparently, I can't eat before the anesthesia so I don't vomit and inhale it.  This can cause serious problems.  I'm already hungry thinking about not eating for such a long time.  Then, tonight before we go to bed, I get my last drinks of water.

Mom and I have to go in early so they can do some pre-operative bloodwork, check the other lumps that mom found on me, and give me a sedative so I can relax.  I think mom will need that last one more than me.  I can tell she's a bit (very) nervous.  My vet is going to cut the whole tumor out and get good margins - I think everything is going to go very well.  She's a pessimist though - she's all stressed out.

Mom gave me a bath and cleaned my ears today.  I hate getting all "clean".  It takes me a long time afterwards to get smelling again the way I like to smell.  Obviously, dog shampoo is not what I want to smell like.  My hair's all wild and wavy after a bath.  I have to tame it back into place.

I had some good moments with my big orange bone followed by a massage from mom.  Overall, not a bad way to spend my surgery-eve.  Now, we get to sleep on the couch for a while before we go to bed.  There is nothing like a nap before bedtime.

I'll update you after the surgery - You'll be able to see how much of my spot I had to lose.  Cross your paws!  Love, Heidi