This mornin’, Oscar had the barium thing done, and it showed more clearly the object in Oscars belly.

It’s roughly the size of a baseball, perhaps bigger, although the shape is somewhat elongated.

Looking at Oscars x-rays from last year, there is a remarkable resemblance, although it’s easy to miss without the barium, especially since that doc was lookin’ for problems with his spine anyway.

The current doc believes that Oscar has had this for quite some time, and that this is what has been causing him pain, intermittedly…not his spine, which hasn’t changed.

I believe it’s probably a tumor, since the mass is far to big for Oscar to have swallowed whole.

The question (if it is indeed a tumor) is, will it be benign or malignant?

Hopefully, I’m wrong, and it’s simply some foreign object that hasn’t perforated anything.

Oscar hasn’t had a fever, so probably no perforations.

Well, he needed surgery, and we decided to try that. Again, thankfully, the Chehalis Veterinary Hospital is willing to take payments of $100 bucks a month.

I can’t thank them enough for helping us out in that department. :^)

Oscar’s surgery started at 1800 today (6 pm) and we are waiting for the doc to call us with the results.

She said it could take up to three hours so maybe within the hour we’ll know.

I’ll be sure to update you guys ASAP, and O, btw, THANKS for all your prayers and well wishes here and via e-mail!!!

I love you guys!!!

Be back later to answer your outstanding, and very heartfelt comments.

Really…thanks. G-d bless y’all!!!

UPDATE!!!

Thank God the surgery is over! Oscar is doin’ okay, and we can pick him up tomorrow!

Here’s what was wrong, although it’s kinda sketchy for me because Patti was the one who talked to the doc, and she didn’t ask all the questions I would’ve asked, so tomorrow, when I see the doc, I’ll get more detailed info..

Anyway, there was no tumor! :^) What is wrong is, Oscars intestines work too slowly, so stuff can easily back up, causing all sorts of problems.

He will need medications for the rest of his life to deal with this problem.

Also, Oscar will hafta eat several small meals a day, instead of once a day, so that the amount of food he receives at one time is carefully controlled, and a small amount, making it easier for his intestines to work.

This also means no snacks, such as say a small milkbone, however, a small milkbone can count as a meal, so it won’t be too traumatic for Oscar. :^)

Last night, instead of surgery, the doc tried to flush everything out of Oscar’s digestion system, but it didn’t work, so she performed the surgery today at noon.

That’s all I know right now. I’m very relieved to know that Oscar is okay, and I can’t wait to get him home! Okay, I can wait, but I don’t like waiting. But that is overshadowed by the good news! :^)

Thanks for your prayers, y’all! I could sense them, and feel them, and I’m sure Oscar is very thankful and would be glad to give y’all a patented Oscar kiss to show his gratitude, if any of you Saints are in the area.

You’ll hafta settle for just a hug from me. :^)

UPDATE Part Two:

Dogoneit! I hafta wait ’til tomorrow mornin’ to pick up Oscar.

The doc says he’s doin’ well, and ate some food today.

Besides having a slow moving bowel, he’s also colic, which is why he can only eat small amounts of food at a time from now on.

Oscar eats too fast and swallows too much air as well. The doc also recommends a high fiber diet, but I already buy high fiber dog food. I will check to see if I can find higher fiber dog chow online, just to be sure.

Anyway, we’ll are all happy Oscar is doin’ alright, and we’ll be even happier when he gets home. :^)

Thanks again, my friends! I can’t possibly say that enough!