After a very stressful past few weeks, I took the advice of the mailing list and insisted that the vet perform exploratory surgery on Vanilla rather than wait for the stupid lab to lose her blood test again. I dropped her off this morning (with a teary...hysterical is more like it...good-bye and kiss on her fuzzy head). I was afraid I wouldn't see my little girl again. Well, amidst the heart ache and fear, the surgery was performed SUCCESSFULLY! They removed a "large" tumor from her adrenal gland and said that they did not see any other signs of cancer. They are having it tested anyway. I think I scared the vet when I told him he'd have to deal with me if the surgery didn't go well. :-) The wrath of a ferret owner... I picked her up and she was so sleepy. She barely blinked her eyes at me (let a good yawn, too) and we came home. She's curled up in her cage, soundly sleeping after her ordeal (and looking awfully funny with her belly shaved). I owe it all to everyone who responded (especially the gentleman who posted this weekend about my problems with the vet). Thank you thank you thank you!!! Signed, Vanilla and me [Posted in FML issue 0824]