June 2, 2025 – Surgery Scheduled!

@haleyandthedane

The days are blurring together. We have our initial in-person consult with the vet at Main Street tomorrow morning to schedule surgery and finalize Dior’s treatment plan. By the end of next week we will have a tri-pawd 🥲 The thing I’m most nervous about is how he will 💩 with only one hind leg, but he is strong and resilient and I know he will figure it out effortlessly like he does with everything else. Please continue to pray for our family if you’re capable. Updates + OSA resources can be found in my bio ❤️🐾🫶🏼

♬ original sound – haley

This morning we had our initial appointment at Main Street Veterinary Clinic—and I left feeling more at peace than I have in weeks.

I already felt reassured after speaking with Dr. Hunter on the phone last week, but after meeting her, Dr. Ford (the orthopedic surgeon), and the rest of the MSVC staff in person, I feel overwhelmingly confident in our decision to trust them with Dior’s care.

Dr. Hunter walked us through the full treatment plan and what to expect leading up to surgery, while Dr. Ford gave a detailed explanation of the amputation procedure, including the structural adjustments he’ll be making post-dissection. He also did an in-depth exam of Dior’s opposite hind leg to ensure it’s strong enough to bear more weight. (Fun fact: Great Danes carry about 60% of their body weight on their front legs!) Thankfully, everything looked good externally and Dior appears to be a solid surgical candidate.

Of course, Dolce came along too—and while two Danes in a small exam room is always a bit chaotic, she stayed at Brandon’s side like the good girl she is. 🥹

We also ran pre-surgical blood work, a urinalysis, and a fecal test to make sure Dior’s internal systems are functioning well. We should have those results in the next day or two.

A few other updates from today:

• Ardent does require the entire hind limb for the immunotherapy vaccine, so the team has been figuring out logistics (like finding a cooler big enough 😳).
• They’ll also be removing his popliteal (behind the knee) and inguinal (groin) lymph nodes during surgery for further testing.
• The treatment schedule has shifted slightly—originally, we were told the vaccine and chemo could be done together, but we’ve since learned that the vaccine will be administered first, followed by chemo to avoid interference between the two.

We’ve received updated estimates for everything, and I’ve started reflecting those in the Expense & Donation Tracker for anyone following along.

And finally, the news we’ve been waiting for…

👉 Dior’s surgery is officially scheduled for June 10th.

We’re hoping all his lab results come back clear so we can move forward without hesitation. Please keep the prayers, shares, and good energy coming—we’re getting closer every day. 💛

— Haley, Dior & Family 🐾

• June 2, 2025 – Surgery Scheduled!
• May 29, 2025 – Dallas, Detours & Decisions
• The Dior Files: What We’ve Used (and Why) to Support His Body
• May 28, 2025 – Still Waiting, Still Hopeful
• May 22–23, 2025 – A Conversation That Brought Peace