u/Aloyisious91

Hi, new to the sub, but i live in Australia. Pupper is a 7.5 year old staffy x (likely x bull arab) and loves the sun. As a disclaimer we have tried sunscreen, sun shirts and keeping her in shade, none very successful.

2 years ago she had a lumpectomy from her belly, histo confirmed slow growing haemangiosarcoma. Spleen, liver and lungs all clear for mets. We had more cancers removed 1 year ago as they grew back, but didnt scan again. The reason being is that if she develops mets, we will be giving her comfort care and pain relief, not doing extensive surgeries or chemo. She is an incredibly anxious dog that needs to be sedated for vet visits and has bitten previously (although not for many years and has had extensive training since then). For this reason we are reluctant to do more vet visits than necessary, and home visits are not an option where we live.

Currently she has more growths as well as what I suspect are lipomas popping up, and a lesion that looks different to the others. What we are trying to figure out is how slow is the cancer going to be? Is there any point to getting them chopped out every year or should we just let her be and monitor symptoms? She is so well otherwise and happy, it is difficult to know what to expect. I dont mind taking her in to our vet but it is a teaching one with students and we get a different opinion each time and I just feel like no one gives me a full explanation and hard honest truths. We want to do the best by our girl but also money is so tight right now and I dont want to be throwing cash at a situation that isn't actually helping her.

I do have photos of the current belly situation (including weird new lesion) but not sure how to pop them on the post! Thanks for all advice in advance.

I have 2 girls and have spent a huge amount of time researching and gathering opinions on how to raise them safely in a not-so-safe world, to be strong and confident, body positivity and bodily autonomy etc. You get the drift! I feel like as a woman I can relate to a lot of what they will grow up to experience and the gaps in my childhood that I'm trying to fix this time around.

However I am now pregnant with our 3rd baby, a son! Super excited to welcome him, but feeling really unprepared to do his childhood justice the same way I am doing for my girls. Obviously self respect and bodily autonomy are also fantastic things to teach, but what else is everyone else focusing on to keep their boys safe (safe themselves but also safe for women as they grow into young men) and confident? Any book or article recommendations?