Lymphoma-Please share your experiences w/ chemotherapy & experiences w/out treating

[shindig]

Way to go Bailey....such good news. I also give Bandit a Cerenia and Pepcid AC the morning of his chemo and the following day, and it seems to help. He is starting a new chemo drug called Elspar tomorrow. He was on doxurubicin (sp?) but had a bad reaction to it 3 weeks ago. He had to be hospitalized overnight due to elevated enzymes in his kidneys. Not sure it was the chemo or something else, but my oncologist is hesitant to try it again. Bandit has been on one form of chemo since November 2011, so it has been a draining process, not only emotionally but financially. He's still in good spirits and seems to be always hungry . I just wish I could snap my fingers and the cancer would be gone.

Kevin

 

[rbrianboyd]

Bailey has been taking Sota for two years prior to being diagnosed with t-cell lymphoma for her arrhythmic cardiomyopathy. Although she hasn't had a episode in two years, she collapsed a week or two ago shortly after having her third dose of doxorubicin. It was minor, relatively speaking from other episodes she had when 1st diagnosed. My cardiologist warned in advance the damage the drug could do to the heart but told me that it should have no effect on her arrhythmia. Since that time she fainted again, minor again, but I made an appointment with the cardiologist asap.

A sonogram was preformed and she was placed on an EKG for 30 minutes that revealed she had several major arrhythmias during this time (one VPC even up to 230 beats per minute for 10 seconds) and that she also has developed dilated cardiomyopathy. The cardiologist told me that it is common for boxers with an arrhythmic cardiomyopathy to develop dilated cardiomyopathy over time. I was told that the dilated cardiomyopathy will be managed well with medication and that it is secondary to both her arrhythmias and, of course the lymphoma. For the arrhythmic cardiomyopathy she is keeping bailey on the Sota and prescribing her an additional medication to take. The cardiologist said we should see definite improvement rather quickly, within the next day or two. Oh yeah, no more doxorubicin for bailey but she can continue with other chemotherapy drugs.

So any of your babies that have the arrhythmic cardiomyopathy watch out for developing dialated cardiomypoathy. Symptoms include becoming much less active, tiring easily, difficulty breathing when at rest, pale or grey colored gums along with fluid accumulation in the stomach and chest. But don't rely on me - read up on it.

 

[Albie]

I'm so sorry to hear of Bailey's heart troubles. As you know, Jack developed a heart arrhythmia from his lymphoma treatment with doxorubicin. Jack had a rough two weeks after his last chemo treatment and collapse from the arrhythmia, but he seems to finally be acting like himself again. I hope Bailey responds quickly and has no more scary collapses! It's so unfair that what you try to do to make them better can cause such other serious problems. I was really upset after Jack developed his heart problems but I keep telling myself he probably wouldn't be with me today if he didn't have chemotherapy.

We're sending Bailey healing vibes....

 

[rbrianboyd]

Bailey passed away last Thursday after a tough fight with T cell lymphoma, arrhythmic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy. She was the sweetest dog ever and will always be loved by us. The eight years I spent with her were wonderful and she was happy all the way till the end. We are heartbroken to say the least but at the same time are able to be a little bit happy for her knowing that she is no longer struggling with this fight and is running free.

All in all, if I had to do all over again, which I hope that I never will, I would opt for chemo treatment. I would caution all about chemo treatment that treatment with doxorubicin/adriamycin should be closely monitored in conjunction with a cardiologist. Our oncologist would do an EKG every time she went in, but nothing to the level that the cardiologist preformed. When we started chemo, Bailey's nodes were huge and the doxorubicin/adriamycin knocked the cancer right out. This is the medication Bailey responded best to, she was in complete remission and remained so until her death. After three or four treatments she had an episode where she collapsed and we saw a cardiologist who told us she had developed dilated cardiomyopathy. While the cardiologist could not tell us for sure that the doxorubicin/adriamycin caused this to develop, we were advised the medication certainly didn't help and should be discontinued immediately. Bailey was then placed on a series of medications and made it another month before suffering CHF.

To anyone out there reading this, I know your heart goes out to us and I've seen all the other posts offering condolences for all the other babies that are now running at the bridge. Instead of writing to tell us of the same we would ask that you take that time to tell your boxer that you love him/her (whether he/she is still here with your or is already at the bridge). Time is precious and it goes by quick.

Best,

Brian

 

[shindig]

Brian, I am really sorry (I know you requested no condolences), but I feel I need to offer it anyway. It hurts and I'm still sad over the loss of Bandit. It does get easier with time, but I still find myself breaking down at times. It makes it easier knowing that Bandit has a sweet girl with him at the bridge.

Kevin

Loving Bandit forever.

 

[rbrianboyd]

Kevin thank you and much appreciated. Its been a pleasure bonding with you over our loved ones treatment - your advice was always spot on and it was great to speak with someone going through the same thing.

You are right, Bailey and Bandit are in good company at the bridge.

Best,

Brian

 

[Albie]

I am so sorry for your loss Brian. I am shocked to learn of Bailey's passing since she seemed to be doing so well. We received the difficult news today that Jack is out of remission. Last week I started to feel one of the lymph nodes in his neck. At first it was small, maybe the size of a pea, but over the weekend it enlarged to the size of a plum. We saw the oncologist today, who confirmed that Jack is out of remission. We decided to start the rescue protocol CCNU. I am hopeful that he will respond well to this new drug. Jack experienced the same immediate results as Bailey did from his first treatment of doxorubicin, so we'll see what happens this time. Unlike Bailey, Jack did not have a heart condition prior to doxorubicin, but developed heart damage from this drug. He has been doing well on Sota and has had no further episodes of collapse. His oncologist assures us that CCNU is heart friendly, so I hope she is right.

You are so right Brian, time is precious. I never could have imagined going through this with my seven year old boy. I feel fortunate every day he is with me. Once again, I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[rbrianboyd]

Thank you Albie. Reading your post made me remember that last time I was in with the oncologist they told me of another drug in the same family as doxorubicin/adriamycin but that did not have the same bad effects on the heart - I believe it was called Mitoxantrone. We opted not to receive any further chemo at that time with the oncologists blessing as Bailey was in complete remission at the time. I never looked into this myself and realize your oncologist knows best for Jack but though I would share in case it helps.

Its been nice sharing with you and hearing about Jack. Wishing the best to both of you.

Brian

 

[Albie]

Brian - thanks for the information on the heart-friendly drug. Jack's oncologist said that CCNU or lomustine is her go-to "rescue protocol". It's only been a day since his treatment so it's probably too soon to tell, but I think his lymph nodes have reduced some in size. We go back in three weeks for his next treatment so I'll be sure to ask her about Mitoxantrone. One of the things she may add in the next time is prednisone. She wants to consult with his cardiologist before doing so since it will affect his heart. I'm not over anxious to use prednisone since he didn't do well on it the first time she tried it, but she thought a reduced dose might be beneficial if his heart can handle it.

It's been nice sharing with you too Brian. I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[Albie]

Hi everyone. I thought I would let you all know how Jack is doing. Jack had a treatment of CCNU on September 10 and we saw no improvement in response to this treatment. In fact, Jack's lymph nodes continued to get bigger and bigger even after the treatment. I was feeling very discouraged when I went to Jack's scheduled chemo treatment on Oct. 1. Since we saw no response to this drug, I had a very difficult discussion with Jack's oncologist about further treatment and quality of life. However, I was not yet willing to give up on my boy and we decided to try one more treatment of CCNU. The oncologist gave him a slightly larger dose of the medication and started him on a low dose of prednisone. Fortunately, Jack responded very well to this treatment. Within two days, all of his enlarged lymph nodes had returned to their normal size and I can't feel them at all any more. Needless to say, we have been on such an emotional roller coaster. But, happily, I feel like we've bought some time. As I write this, Jack is busily chewing a bully stick and enjoying a lazy Saturday afternoon!