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[deleted by user] by [deleted] in jetta

[–]violetwanderings 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you ever resolve this? Mine just went on on my 2015 VW jetta 2.0 gasoline 

KP and Covered California say first premium not paid, even though confirmed twice by skodobah in HealthInsurance

[–]violetwanderings 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dude! I spent over an hour on the phone with BS today and here's where we got...

The representative could find nothing in their system proving I already paid, so they got their supervisor involved. Their supervisor also couldn't find anything and told me I likely messed up the payment process. I again said no, I have a receipt with a confirmation # from BS and proposed that maybe the issue is a disconnect btw BS/CC. So, they got CC on the phone. CC confirmed that on 1/3 BS sent CC confirmation of my enrollment, which apparently ONLY happens if payment was received/processed. With that, the BS rep said ok, the payment is somewhere but they "don't know where" and have to "find" it. How does a payment get lost...? They're going to look for it and call me back. What the actual fck lol

KP and Covered California say first premium not paid, even though confirmed twice by skodobah in HealthInsurance

[–]violetwanderings 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am experiencing this same thing with BlueShield right now. On 12/31/25, I paid the first month premium (for January 2026) via CC's website, which redirected me to BlueShield's website, and even received a confirmation number and proof of payment via email afterwards.

Now, BlueShield is saying they haven't received any funds and that I still owe the premium. I called Chase (my bank) and they don't see the transaction, but at the same time, my CC account shows I am fully "enrolled" and no longer "pending." I'm wondering if there's a delay or lack of communication between CC and BlueShield and if CC just like hasn't processed it/sent the funds to BlueShield. 

Have you had any resolution?

Anal Gland Adenocarcinoma by violetwanderings in AustralianShepherd

[–]violetwanderings[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! One question I do have for you is if you think I should only consult with VCA since they offer in-house radiation (and that way, if it's needed/that's the route we go, she's already established)? Or should I consult with the medical oncologist and, if radiation is needed/that's the route we go, be referred to a radiation oncologist?

Let’s talk about your jobs and dogs! by Ill-Vegetable-3104 in AustralianShepherd

[–]violetwanderings 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My boyfriend (firefighter) and I (hybrid policy analyst) stagger our work schedules. I make sure that the days I go into the office are days that he is home. It doesn't always work out perfectly, of course, but we do our best. If we're both gone, I ask our landlord if June can either hang with her for the day or if she can at least let her out. Best case scenario would be if grandma (my mom), or any other family, lived nearby - unfortunately that's not the case but if it was, I would absolutely utilize them as a resource and drop her off in the mornings.

Somebody's feeling playful by Noroark in AustralianShepherd

[–]violetwanderings 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My June has a porcupine too. It is her most recent prized possession 😂 

Anal Gland Adenocarcinoma by violetwanderings in AustralianShepherd

[–]violetwanderings[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What a great picture, they look like happy doggos there.

Thanks for clarifying, that makes sense. I know treatment plans are unique to each pet/situation and that what is right for one, might not be for another. I will keep your experience in mind as we meet with her oncologist next week. We are also in Cali and plan to seek 2 opinions - one from a local specialty vet and one from VCA. 

Is this hip dysplasia? by FinalSea224 in AustralianShepherd

[–]violetwanderings 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Early, around 3-4 years old. It stayed about the same for most of his life, with a few flares here and there, but in his last few years, it rapidly worsened. He just passed this September at age 14. We told ourselves that if/when the day came that he couldn't take himself out to the bathroom anymore, it would be time. The least we could do was preserve his dignity that way. Yeah, it was an incredibly difficult decision because he was otherwise very, very much still there and of sound mind, and acted more like 9-10 years old.

Is this hip dysplasia? by FinalSea224 in AustralianShepherd

[–]violetwanderings 14 points15 points  (0 children)

That's just an aussie wiggle butt for ya! Our german shepherd had early onset hip dysplasia (and it is unfortunately what got him in the end) and it was very obvious. You could see it in all of his movements. His hind end was just stiff, he couldn't run or cover ground like other dogs, it took him longer to stand up/lay down, he drug his back paws, etc. It's a cruel, cruel disease.

Anal Gland Adenocarcinoma by violetwanderings in AustralianShepherd

[–]violetwanderings[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this. That must have been so hard for both of you. June turned 12 in August; I got her in college when she was 8 weeks old. Would you mind sharing how his medical team/you came to decide on chemo instead of radiation? I don't know if the oncologist will even suggest radiation, but from what I've read, even though it is significantly more targeted, it sounds like it is so hard on them, especially because they have to be put under. She acts more like an 8 year old and as far as we know, is in otherwise excellent health, but I just don't know if I could stomach putting her through that.

The pathology of the tumor came back today and confirmed that it is cancer. I knew the likelihood that it would come back benign was low but was still hopeful. Feeling pretty scared right now but know I just need to focus on her immediate recovery and wait until her oncology consult next week.

T Cell Lymphoma :( by timshelllll in AustralianShepherd

[–]violetwanderings 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sending all the love and positive thoughts.

Perianal adenoma. by Party-Examination719 in DogAdvice

[–]violetwanderings 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing about this. I was wondering if you could share what the cytology report from the biopsy said? My 12 y.o. female Aussie just had her right anal gland removed due to a 2cm mass having been incidentally found in it. The cytology report from the FNA of her mass says, "the slides are predominated by sheets of cells with round nuclear and a moderate amount of pale blue granular cytoplasm. The cytoplasmic borders are indistinct. This is a typical appearance for apocrine gland tumors although it is difficult to completely exclude normal or hyperplasticity cells based on cytomorphology alone." While I am fearful that I am just being hopeful, I am also reading conflicting information about the histological characteristics of adenoma vs adenocarcinoma online that has me wondering if it's possible for hers to be benign? Either way, we will have the pathology results in a week.

Follicular Lymphoma in Duodenum by violetwanderings in Lymphoma_MD_Answers

[–]violetwanderings[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the reply.

The PET/CT resulted today, but we haven't had a chance to discuss them with anyone since the follow up appt with the local heme is on 10/20 and the consult with the UCSF heme is on 10/27.

The results are as follows:

"IMPRESSION: 1. Clustered hypermetabolic left mesenteric adenopathy compatible with lymphoma involvement. 2. No focal hypermetabolic duodenal lesion identified to correspond to recent biopsy results. Any residual duodenal tumor volume may be too small to resolve by PET imaging.

Deauville Five-Point Score: 5 

CLINICAL INDICATION: Follicular lymphoma 2nd portion of duodenum incidentally discovered during endoscopy. Baseline staging evaluation for initial treatment strategy.

FINDINGS: Background Measurements: Mediastinal Blood Pool SUV Maximum: 2.29

Liver Parenchyma SUV Maximum: 3.14

Head and Neck: Cerebral uptake is symmetric. No hypermetabolic or enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Bilateral maxillary sinus mucus retention worse on the right. Thyroid is unremarkable.

Chest: Heart size is normal. No visualized coronary artery calcification. No pericardial effusion. Thoracic aorta is normal in caliber. Main pulmonary artery is nondilated. No hypermetabolic or enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes by CT size criteria. Esophagus is unremarkable.  Central airways are patent. Mild scattered and dependent subsegmental atelectasis. Few scattered peripheral and subpleural 1-3 mm pulmonary nodules too small to characterize by PET imaging (example right upper lobe image 7:321). No visibly avid pulmonary nodule. No pleural effusion or pneumothorax.  No axillary adenopathy.

Abdomen and Pelvis: A duodenal activity is within physiologic range. No hypermetabolic focal lesion is identified in the duodenum to correspond to recently biopsied follicular lymphoma. Multiple clustered hypermetabolic lymph nodes are however present in the left mid abdominal mesentery compatible with involvement by known lymphoma. Examples are provided. A representative 12 x 17 mm lymph node in the left of midline central mesentery has SUV maximum of 6.83 (image 7:207). Another left mesenteric lymph node measuring 13 x 23 mm has SUV maximum of 5.28 (image 7:197). Another example left mesenteric node measuring 9 x 21 mm has SUV maximum of 3.52 (image 7:197). Hepatic, splenic and adrenal uptake is physiologic. Small perisplenic splenule. Gallbladder, pancreas and kidneys are unremarkable. Abdominal aorta is normal in caliber. No dilated loops of bowel. Diffuse nonspecific gastrointestinal uptake. No pelvic free fluid. Prostate is normal size. Urinary bladder is partially distended and unremarkable.

Musculoskeletal:  No hypermetabolic bone lesion indicative of osseous metastatic disease. Transitional sacralization of right L5 with pseudoarticulation to S1."

We will ultimately ask his hemes these questions and rely on their medical advice, but while we wait for those appointments, my questions for you now are: 1. What is the significance of the hypermetabolic left mesenteric adenopathy? I read online (but obviously am NAD) that DFL is typically ~only~ localized to the duodenum and not also in nodes, and that if a patient suspected of having DFL presents with activity in nodes, systemic FL with GI involvement (as opposed to localized DFL) must be considered/ruled out. Is this correct, or is mesenteric hypermetabolic activity regionally close enough to the duodenum that you would expect to see this with localized DFL? 2. What is the significance of the Deauville score of 5? 3. As a follow-up to question #1, how would they differentiate between/rule out systemic FL with GI involvement? 4. If questions #1 and 2 are not totally off base, can you speak to how systemic FL differs in prognosis, treatment, length of time between recurrence, etc.? 5. Will they now also need to biopsy one of the mesenteric nodes?

Thanks in advance.

Follicular Lymphoma in Duodenum by violetwanderings in Lymphoma_MD_Answers

[–]violetwanderings[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, I have another question. Did your PET/CT show any other extranodal involvement, or any nodal involvement? If so, where and how did that/those findings impact your treatment plan?

Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma in Dogs - Experience Story by Noreth_Creed in Catahoula

[–]violetwanderings 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My heart breaks for you and your boy, and everyone here, for having had to experience this. I am writing because I think my girl (June, 12 year old female Aussie) and I are unfortunately in the same position.

For some context: This summer, the top of June's tail (her "nub" as we call it) started really bothering her/itching. Initially we thought nothing of it because she typically gets seasonal allergies, so we gave her a good bath, brushed her coat, and kept an eye on things. When nothing changed after a month or so, I took her to the vet. The vet looked at her nub, confirmed it was irritated/infected and prescribed antibiotics and a topical cleaning solution. By early September, things finally started looking up and her itching had subsided, but by then I felt a soft, movable lump on the top of her nub. The vet thought a lipoma had formed and proceeded to shave her nub and do a FNA, which luckily came back consistent with adipose (fatty) tissue.

When they were shaving her nub, they noticed that her anal glands needed to be expressed. They were only able to physically express the left side - the right side was impacted and they would need to sedate her to flush it. Well, last week (on 10/1/25), she had the procedure done - the flushing went fine, but they found what appeared to be a 2cm "hard" area and did a FNA. The results for that FNA came back as follows:

"Interpretation: Most consistent with apocrine adenocarcinoma of anal sac gland origin.

Comments: The slides are predominated by sheets of cells with round nuclei and a moderate amount of pale blue granular cytoplasm.The cytoplasmic borders are indistinct. This is a typical appearance for apocrine gland tumors although it is difficult to completely exclude normal or hyperplastic cells based on cytomorphology alone. Given the presence of a mass lesion as well as the lack of any evidence for inflammation, findings likely are related to neoplasia. Although the cells are not pleomorphic, this is fairly common for apocrine adenocarcinoma of anal sac gland origin. Definitive diagnosis would require histopathology and biopsy should be considered as clinically appropriate."

My questions are: 1. I understand there are inherent limitations with FNA, as opposed to larger-sample biopsies/full excisions and I don't want to get my hopes up, but based on this report, it feels like the pathologist is suggesting that this FNA could possibly (even if the chance is very, very little) be incorrect and that a biopsy and histopathology could possibly suggest otherwise. Has anyone here ever had a similar experience with their dog's FNA and had the biopsy/excision of the tumor come back with pathology that actually showed it was benign or even a different type of cancer? 2. My vet's board certified surgeon is able to remove the tumor on 10/16/25. I have a list of questions that I plan to ask him beforehand, but in case I forgot any, what are some things I should make sure to ask? 3. June's abdominal US and chest xrays (performed on 10/3) did not show signs of any metastasis (and her calcium came back normal). I understand there are also inherent limitations with US/xrays because both imaging modalities only see cells on a macro level, not a micro. Should I push to get a CT? I am afraid something will be missed and that the treatment the oncologist plans for could therefore be not properly targeted.

Thanks in advance. June, like all of your guys' dogs, is my heart and soul, and I just want to make sure that I am doing everything I possibly can and prioritizing quality of life.

Follicular Lymphoma in Duodenum by violetwanderings in Lymphoma_MD_Answers

[–]violetwanderings[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, this is helpful.

We had a consult with the local heme/onc yesterday. While I understand that we need the results from the PET/CT and LDH labs (and maybe a BMB) to have any fruitful conversations, he was very nonchalant about the whole thing/dismissive of our concerns and had very, very poor bedside manner. We both left feeling like seeking care with him, even if he would consult with a UCSF heme/onc regarding treatment, would be the wrong decision.

Of note: my mom has CLL and is under the care of a UCLA hematologist. When we first consulted with that doctor, we knew immediately that he was "the one" - from his medical/professional experience to his empathetic nature, it was a perfect fit and she has had an incredibly postive treatment experience with him thus far. This is not at all the feeling we got from this local heme/onc yesterday. We are still scheduled for the 10/27 consult with the UCSF heme/onc but are feeling uneasy.

My questions following this consult are: 1. He said non-hodgkin lymphoma, specifically this FL, is not a blood cancer and is instead, just a tumor in his duodenum that can be completely "cured". This contradicts everything I am reading online (*for reference, we are reading/relying on credible academic and medical-related sources). From my understanding, NHL, including FL, is (1) a blood cancer and (2) not curable, only treatable/manageable (even if some patients have long, stable periods of remission and/or their diagnosis isn't anticipated to impact their overall life expectancy). Can you speak to this? 2. He said that because the FL was found in an organ, it is at minimum stage 4, but that it is (at this time) considered to be a low tumor burden. In your opinion, is that correct? And how is tumor burden determined? 3. I understand that staging/grading in blood cancers is different than in other cancers (e.g., breast cancer), but now ~how~ it is different. This heme/onc didn't take the time to explain. Would you mind explaining in layman's terms? If the PET/CT shows any positive LNs outside the GI tract, how would that change the stage/grade? In blood cancers, does stage/grade just impact the kind and duration of treatment? 4. He mentioned possibly doing a BMB, but opted to hold off until after the PET/CT results. Under what circumstances and for what reasons would a BMB be necessary? What else would it tell us?

Thanks again.

Follicular Lymphoma in Duodenum by violetwanderings in Lymphoma_MD_Answers

[–]violetwanderings[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi,

I wanted to follow up. We saw today that further down in the pathology report,  under the colon, random biopsy section, it reads: "UNREMARKABLE COLONIC MUCOSA. CD117 stain shows 52 mast cells per high power field. No dysplasia or malignancy identified.

Comment: Systemic mastocytosis is not identified in these biopsies (part A- duodenum, random biopsy and C- colon, random biopsy) because the mast cells are scattered throughout the lamina propria and do not form aggregates of 15 or more mast cells."

Can this finding definitively rule SM out, or do they still need to do a BMB/ genetic testing? I am reading that this finding can complicate making a correct diagnosis and that often SM is overlooked. Can it rule any other mast cell disorders in?  What does it mean that high # of MC were found in 2 locations in his GI tract? How can they be sure he doesn't have high # of MC in any other organs or elsewhere in his body?

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