Cancer Update

Our girl is pretty stoned right now.  Her first visit to the oncologist went well and included a half-day stay with tests and mind/body altering substances.  She's also sporting a shaved tummy.  While we had originally thought her lymph node would be removed, the oncologist felt that was not needed.  A more in-depth type of fluid biopsy was taken, along with x-rays and an ultrasound happened instead.  The results are very encouraging, so thanks to all who were pulling and praying for her.

Teddy  has what is know as an indolent/low grade form of the cancer.  We were so eager to get the cancerous node out of her body but once the oncologist did an exam and explained the condition and how it's treated, I was glad we waited.

T-Zone lymphoma like this just needs to be monitored. Until the tumors really start to grow and her blood markers reach a certain point, all that needs to happen is a monthly exam and blood work.  If all stays the same after six months, the visits are spaced out.

If the cancer becomes more active, the next step is a one year course of at-home oral chemotherapy.  This form of chemo is very well tolerated and would have minimal side effects.  We would go back to monthly visits to monitor her blood work.

This kind of cancer is very common is Golden Retrievers and Shitz-shus around ten years old.  Often, these dogs end up passing of something other than the cancer as they age.

The lesson to be learned from Teddy, I guess, is to keep your dog healthy so they can fight these conditions when they arise.  Also, don't freak out at the first diagnosis.  Wait until all the tests and examinations are done.  We've had about ten sleepless nights, worrying because we didn't have all the facts.  Now that we know more, we feel a lot better.   The diagnosis was fairly expensive, but at least we know what we are dealing with.  The vet also confirmed that we are doing everything right.

Please continue to keep pulling for my girl, and thanks for the support so far. It's made us all feel a lot better!