January 2002 ~ Most recent entries first.
Thursday, January 31, 2002 - I've been doing some research (at the urging of Ash...thanks sweetie!!!!) and I'm looking into starting to make my own organic, high protein dog food. There's a TON of information out there on the subject, recipes, etc. etc. I'm also gathering information on nutrition for dogs with cancer. and I'll tell ya, the stuff I've been reading about commercial pet foods and the garbage they put in it is pretty damn scary!!! I will discuss this with Dr. Hooper at Boofy's next appointment. I will also post useful nutritional information here once I get it all organized, etc.
Wednesday, January 30, 2002 - I again checked out Boof's lymphs and they've reduced to nothing...not a one!!!!! I don't know what to say...I'm so happy, words cannot even describe it!!!!! *HUGE SMILES*
Monday, January 28, 2002 - I spoke at great length with Dr. Hooper (I tell ya, she's an amazing vet!!!) about the Boof and there's quite a few options available...all depending on how he responds to the Prednisone and for the fact he's in such good health otherwise. Since I've already started him on Prednisone, he has to stay on that for 21 days and we can't start anything else until he's done that. We'll see if it reduces the lymphs or not...it should start to work in about a week. It has no major side effects other than it boosts his appetite (oh, great!!!) and his thirst...hence he's peeing a whole lot more than usual...he had me up 3 times in the night last night to go out...but I didn't mind at all...I'm just glad he's here with me *smile*
He also seems to be napping even more
than usual!!! as if beagles don't sleep enough!!! *smiles* 
After that, there's the option of chemo or radiation. Chemo can
put him into total remission, depending on how well he responds to the Prednisone. The
Oncology Department at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph
has some "experimental" treatments Dr. Hooper is going to check on using
different chemos and half-body radiation. With half-body radiation (treat one side
of the body; let the bone marrow replenish, then do the other side), as opposed to full
body (the full body just completely kills the bone marrow and he'd get real sick), they've
had incredible results with remissions and some total cures. His treatments will
depend on how he responds to the Prednisone; if it puts him in remission, then we do
nothing else until it comes back...the rest depends on what Guelph has available at the
time. Dr. Hooper can do the chemo treatments here as opposed to having to drive to
Guelph once a week.
I've put him on special cancer prescription diet food...this food has proven it can double life expectancy...one example she gave was from 200 to 400 days. It's high in protein, very high in fat & Omega 3's...and very low in carbs. The only downfall, this schtuff costs $80 for a case of 24 cans!!! I don't even spend that on myself in groceries!!! but I want to do everything I can for him and if I have to eat ground beef instead of steak for a while, I'll do it! *smile* Apparently, this type of cancer feeds on carbs but starves on fat, protein and Omega 3's. Guess that means I won't be spoiling him as much as I have been...I've had to get him special liver treats too...no more meatballs and gravy!!!!! He's not gonna be happy with this!!! *smiles*
Update - Tonight I checked out Boof's lymphs to see if they've reduced any and they are almost gone!!!! I'm ecstatic!!!!! He must be a fighter for sure!!! The Prednisone usually takes a week or two to start working and it started in only 3 doses!!! YIPPEE!!!
His next appointment is on the 7th of February to see how things are progressing...let's keep our fingers crossed!
Friday, January 25, 2002 - I got the results and it was as we had suspected. They were so "positive" that they're not going to even bother doing any more tests on him...he's at Stage III. He's got more lumps already...this stuff apparently is fast and very invasive! I was devastated! Other than the symptoms he's showing, he's showing no signs of being sick whatsoever. He still wants to play all the time, still as silly as ever, and still has his big beagle appetite. I'm still kind of numb...I can't believe I'm going to lose my little angel. Needless to say I'm a wreck...I've done nothing but cry for a week.
Difficult Choices - Fortunately, a number of therapy options exist that can postpone the inevitable by forcing the cancer into remission. However, before I could decide on one, I needed to answer two questions - How much would it cost and how long would the remission last?
The first option was no treatment of any kind, instead relying on a hope and a prayer. Because lymphoma is very aggressive, Boofy would die within several months if left untreated. He means too much to me to consider this option, so I quickly discarded it and moved on.
I started Boofy on Prednisone. He's to have one pill a day for 21 days. Prednisone is a low-cost drug that's easily given at home. Unfortunately, it only slows the growth of lymphoma.
Friday, January 18/Saturday, January 19, 2002 - I first noticed a lumps similar to swollen glands like you or I would get, on Boofy's neck...they weren't there in the morning when I left for work. I just knew when I felt those lumps...I got that sinking feeling in my stomach. The next day, we were at the Kincardine Veterinary Clinic and the vet on call that day gave him a thorough check up. All his peripheral lymphs (see diagram below) were enlarged.
She suspected the worst as I did...canine lymphoma. She told me I was very "in tune" with my pet as most owners wouldn't have found it so quickly. She also told me this type of cancer has no cure and would eventually claim my dog's life. A histology was taken and sent away to the Department of Pathology at the Ontario Veterinary College for analysis. I was told I wouldn't get the results for about a week. It was the week from hell...constant worrying and a whole lotta crying.
