I certainly feel for your situation.  Steve is 
going to take some very close observation, as 
abdominal tumors are difficult to clean out 
altogether.  He is special to you, as our animals 
are to me and my wife ... and sadly, like even 
human relationships, this special bond is one not 
designed to last forever, at least in this world.

Hopefully the growth is benign, and the surgery 
will put him back on track.  But (sadly) my 
experience with our beloved Magnolia B. 
Thunderkitty is that it only gave us six months 
extra time to appreciate how special we were to 
each other.

Yes, give them the best care possible, and 
cherish your relationship, which will, I hope, 
last many more years.