My sweet boy has lymphomna......

[RedsMamacita]

I just posted on the introduction site, and I am so sad to be posting on this forum. Red is 10 years old, and just diagnosed a couple of days ago with cancer. He has gone through his share of bumps and lumps, but it has never gone into anything major, until now. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a dry patch on his back leg, and I thought he had maybe laid on a rawhide bone, because it looked like dried rawhide. As more days went by, he developed multiple sites with these patches, as well as little bumps appearing on his coat. I took him in, and the vet was pretty sure it was cancer. She took a sample from one of the spots, as well as aspirating one of the lumps and it was deermined that it was cancer. She advised having a biopsy of one of the lumps, and originally I was against this. Poor Red gets so worked up getting anywhere near the vet, that I couldn't imagine taking him in for anymore poking and prodding. But she said that it probably would not be more than a month or two before he would need to be put down.

I am so torn!!!!!! I want to do whatever I can to help him and prolong his living, but only if it is of good quality. The vet said she cannot determine his longevity prognosis until the biopsy is done. Only then will a treatment plan be discussed. I have so many questions, so many concerns, I feel like I am drowning.

His biopsy is scheduled for Tuesday. I feel like I at least need to find out if I can help him at all.

Sorry for the long post......I'm going crazy here!!!!

 

[bremle]

We are vey sorry to hear about your news, if it were us we would give him all the love and attention we could as to make him feel more comfortble in his last months if the doctor is right. I cant imagine the pain you are going through but you are in our prayers and we hope that all turns out well.

 

[Motomom]

I am so completely sorry to hear that!! :( I feel for you right now. I have never had any experience with this issue, but I just want to let you know that we are here for you. Please keep us posted!

 

[Shakira's Ma]

I can certainly relate to your feelings as I am sure everyone else on this board can as well. It is always so sad when our babies get sick, especially with cancer. I know, because I lost a furbaby on Thanksgiving 2003 from cancer she was seven and had battled it since she was two years old. I am sending {{{{{{{healing}}}}}}}vibes your way to Red and hopefully he will be given a better diagnosis then what you are thinking. We are here to help you get through this so if you need to talk about anything or ask any questions just feel free to do so. We will all be sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

 

[RedsMamacita]

This is so what I needed. I am dying here. Although Red is acting fine and seems fine, I know otherwise and it is absolutely killing me. I have dreaded this for so long that it is almost surreal to be dealing with this.

 

[TheDuke]

Gosh I am so sorry! :( I cannot even begin to imagine the pain I will feel when my babies are that sick....... Try to stay positive and enjoy every minute you have to spend with your Red.

 

[Austin's Mom]

I'm so sorry about Red. Cancer just sucks, that's all there is to it.

 

[sweetboxer]

I'm so sorry to hear about Red. My Cadence was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma @ 18 months old and we had to put her down a month later. I know how hard it is to wait for biopsy results, so be prepared to panic every time the phone rings b/c you're afraid it's the vet. But don't worry...you'll get through it together. No matter what the diagnosis is, your baby will help you through. My advice to you is to see what the diagnosis is and how bad it is and then go from there. If it is indeed lymphoma, they may offer you chemo, and that is a very personal decision. For us, I had to at least give Cadence a fighting chance against her cancer, but she was only 18 months old. Some people thought I was crazy to spend that kind of money on a dog, but I think of my dogs as my children, and I would've paid any price to keep her healthy. It comes down to prognosis, and whether chemo will truly help or only prolong the inevitable. This will be a challenge for you, but believe me that your Red will help you through it. Cadence was my biggest source of strength, even though she was the one going through it all. She and I sat up all night when she was sick and we played when she felt better and stronger when the chemo was working. These babies are stronger and more courageous than most people I know. Lean on him as he leans on you. Although it was one of the most difficult times in my life, I will never forget the lessons Cadence taught me.
I am sending you many ((((hugs)))) and prayers. Please give Red a big kiss from Colby, Skye, and I.

 

[Donna1969]

I recently lost my first Boxer..my first love..to lymphoma. She had a huge tumor on a lymph node (I don't recall which one..the whole day of the diagnosis is still a blur). The specialist had said that this type of lymphoma is normally a secondary cancer and that the primary was probably in the colon, uterous, anal glands. The specialist wanted to do a biopsy to confirm what we already really knew. I thought there was no need to sedate Blizzy, and then poke and prode at her. I took her home and we had 6 wonderful playfilled love filled weeks. You'd never know she had a terminal illness. she was happy, eating doing everything as she always did. I chose not to do chemo or intervene. It was so advanced that they said it might prolong her life a few weeks..but she may be sick from the chemo. I chose to let her live out her life as healthy and happy as possible. We took lots of pictures, made lots more memories, shared many hugs and kisses. And 6 wks from the day she started displaying signs of illness that made me seek out the vets help, she let me know she was tired of the fight and sadly I had to let her go.

My fingers are crossed and sending out hopeful vibes that you get a diagnosis that is treatable. Please let us know what happens. There are so many here (sadly) that have dealth with their babies and lymphoma. We are here to help, and support you though anything you need. (((((hugs))))))

 

[Net45582]

I'm sorry. My Kiddo was diagnosed with advanced lymphoma just before Christmas.We had our diagnosis within mintues since they have the equipment in the office. We chose a modified chemo protocol of prednisone(shrinks the tumors) and cytoxan(chemo pill to slow the cancer growth). There are some more aggressive protocols. My vet and I chose this based on Kiddos history with mast cell tumors,her age and how advanced the cancer already was. We were given a 1 to 2 month time frame with this protocol. While something more aggressive may have added a month or two,the side effects and stress would probably have lessened her quality of life. We have stopped the cytoxan since she did develope some mast cell tumors while on it and she did have some side effects during the fourth week. We are probably in the final weeks or even days since she has a mass that is rapidly growing and she is having some very uncomfortable "spells". Be prepared for a very emotional time and ,yes,it does feel like a rollercoaster.There are several people here dealing with cancers and together we have a support group like no other. Feel free to share your emotions,fears,questions and good days. Take one day at atime........www.caninecancerawareness.org is a great site with lots of information.Hugs and wet sloppies
Wanda Kiddo & Chancey