Hello all,

K9 Titan has pulled through the surgery and is stable. Dr. Coon did a fantastic job (hard to believe he has never done this surgery before) and Titan is resting. We are calling him “Frankendog” because of the staples in his head. I will be posting pictures for those of you who have the stomach.

The surgery revealed a large tumor in the left sinus cavity of the head. Dr Coon said it was massive and extended upwards toward the brain. The majority of it appears to be removed and the sample was sent off for a biopsy.

The results of the biopsy will determine the future for Titan. As we stand now, with no further treatment, Dr Coon gave a 3-4 month prognosis. This is much longer than without the surgery. The aggressiveness of the tumor will determine if further treatment is warranted.

As of 3:40 pm today, Titan still has trouble breathing through his nose, but only because of the clotting blood there. Once that is cleared he will be able to breathe normally again. He is HEAVILY medicated and not quite sure what happened to him. He is home now and resting in his favorite “spot”.

We have been receiving donations at Haven Lake Animal Hospital since the surgery began at 7:30 this morning. To all who have donated, the Russell family will forever be in your debt. To anyone interested in making a donation, you can do so right over the phone by calling Haven Lake Animal Hospital at (302) 422-8100.

We want to thank everyone who has helped us, even if it was just saying a prayer. Your emails and calls have been uplifting and very much appreciated.

We will keep you posted!!!!!!!


http://www.clubtitan.org/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/10045/normal_10-5-04%20Titan%20waking%20up%20from%20surgery.jpg
http://www.clubtitan.org/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/10045/normal_The%20Russell%20family%20poses%20for%20port rait%20moments%20before%20Titans%20surgery.jpg
http://www.clubtitan.org/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/10045/normal_Titans%20staples%20up%20close%21%21%21%21%2 1.jpg

Wow looks like he had a really rough day. Glad to hear he is doing good. Maybe they will have good news after the tests. Sure hope all goes well. Pet him once for me and my wife. You guys stay strong cause animals sense things you know.
M4ck

Glad to hear the surgery went well. Hope the results come back well. Meaning, treatment then growing old with you just riding around in the other Titan!

Keeping a strong and positive attitude will help him tremendously!

Just to let everyone know, Titan is doing well. He is eating well and enjoying himself. He is still soar, but the morphine patch he is on helps!!! :P

I am shocked by how well he has recovered. If you look at the pictures, you will see that this was MAJOR surgery. He just keeps on truckn'! (no pun intended LOL)

He has made the news and been the subject of a local morning radio show. He has become a celebrity and I think he kinda likes being spoiled!!! :D

To those of you who have donated and prayed for Titan, we are forever in your debt. THANK YOU!!!

Glad to hear all is going well!

I was very concerned after reading your original post about K9's prognosis. Glad to hear his recovery is going well and I hope that it continues that way. Thanks for keeping us posted.

I hope things turn out well for Titan. Please give him a hug and pet for me.

How bout an update havent heard anything in a while.

How bout an update havent heard anything in a while.

Thanks for asking about Titan. There has been a lot going on here in the last few weeks.

Titan is doing well. He has gained all his weight back (plus some extra). He is breathing much better, but still has some blockage up there. We have been consulting with a specialist in Gaithersburg, MD and he is optimistic for Titans recovery.

We have not started any treatment yet because Titan is the first dog to have this kind of tumor. The tumor is “benign but locally invasive.” It has only recently been found in humans, so the specialist has been consulting with both veterinarians and human doctors across the country trying to come up with a treatment plan.

We were just advised last week that Titans name will appear in the veterinary medical journals as being the first dog diagnosed and treated for this cancer. He has become quite the local celebrity. We have been on the local news 3 times and in 2 newspapers. Even made the front page of one.

The animal hospital that set up the donation fund has raised almost $4,000 for Titans treatment. We have been blessed by the generosity of the community. One couple here in town donated $1,000 themselves and the local school district has started a drive for Titan in the schools.

We have been overwhelmed by the response in the community. We have spent several nights just getting thank you cards written out. There is no way we can express how we feel. It has just been amazing.

The tentative plan is to have Titan in radiation treatment by second week of December. We need to get another CAT scan by end of November and once I go out on paternity leave in Dec. I will start taking him for treatment.

The doctor estimates treatments will be every day, Mon – Fri, for 18 days. It is a 2 ˝ hour trip each way so I will be on the road a lot with this. The doctor offered to keep Titan for the 3 ˝ weeks he will be in treatment, but the wife and I don’t want him to go through this alone, so I will make the trip every day.

We are very optimistic for Titans recovery. There are some side effects that concern us such as blindness or the loss of some teeth, but the doctor does not believe the risk to be high. We are waiting for the doctor to complete his research and then we will make a decision.


Here is a link to one of the news stories done on us.
http://www.newszap.com/articles/2004/10/13/dm/central_delaware/mc05.txt

Thanks again for thinking of us,

The Russell Family

Here is the link to the news report that aired a few weekends ago.
http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?s=2413229

Thanks for the update. I will keep you in my prayers.

That is awesome news man. I am very happy for your family. I know Titan loves you very much and I'm sure he shows it in his own way. Good luck and give him a pat from M4ck