Smokey has lymphoma

sjv · November 18, 2007, 09:48:00 PM

Hi folks, 1st time poster. My wife & I just got the results of a biopsy taken this past Tuesday and the results were our deepest fear...our beloved Smokey has lymphoma. He is a "tweeney" 17 pound, blue & tan neutered male Doxie who just made 5 last month. We are totally devastated as we are 66 & 67 y/o empty nesters and he is our "baby" with absolutely no health problems ever. Our plan was that Smokey would "bury" me and be the comforting companion for my wife to old age...but that wasn't God's plan.

We are getting into treatment with him this week with the best oncologist in this area, Dr. Andrew Daters, who was head of the LSU Dept. of Vet Oncology until he recently started his practice in our area. We are praying that the treatment regimen (whatever it takes) gives us a few more years and a good quality of life for our precious baby........we love him so much and the pain of our heartbreak is overwhelming.

Any words of encouragement and/or stories of success with this terrible diagnosis would certainly be appreciated by me and his "mom". Thanks.

Beth · November 19, 2007, 05:43:48 AM

I'm very sorry to hear the news about your Smokey. While I don't have a personal experience with this, there are people on this board who will be able to share their experiences and be with you as you go through this difficult ordeal. You have come to the right place for support; this board and everyone on it are wonderful, and we are all here to offer words of encouragement and comfort for you.

I am owned by a mini b/t silver dapple named Chilie. She just turned 6 on Friday. They certainly do become our "babies".

Sending rays and prayers to Smokey and you.

Beth

Kari · November 19, 2007, 08:03:42 AM

Welcome to the board! I'm so glad you found us.

I am so sorry to hear the news about your Smokey. Like Beth, I don't have specific experience with Cancer, but our Penny (almost 5 year old tweenie) has had a rough year with back surgery and immune system disorders (immune system attacked her spinal cord). I can understand how hard this is for you and your wife. We have a great group of people on the board and I know some have experience with cancer. Please keep us updated on how the treatments go and know that we are here to support you.

MyLittleBoo · November 19, 2007, 10:15:35 AM

So very sorry to hear about your Smokey... I have no experience with that type of Cancer, I did however lose my 12 year old Bridgette almost 4 years ago to another kind of Cancer that was caught too late... The outcome was very hard, but it was the best decision to let her go peacefully to the Bridge, as she was too far past any treatment... I hope that your treatments go well, for all three of you... It will be hard, but we are all here for you.... This is a wonderful family here... Rays, Prayers, and Love to all of you... And, give Smokey some special belly rubs... Be strong Smokey...

cheryl186 · November 19, 2007, 10:52:26 AM

I am so very sorry to hear about your baby Smokey also. I do not have any experience with that type of cancer either but I also lost my 15 year old Lhasa Apsa (Chelsey) to cancer which had progressed so far that by the time it was diagnosed, it was too late. Mega prayers and healing rays to Smokey

and you...I pray that his treatments go very well. We are all here for you and we welcome you with open arms to our board. Please keep us updated

Barb · November 19, 2007, 01:36:50 PM

I am so sorry to hear this - glad you found us - there are many doxie parents here - who think of our furkids as "our kids". Get all the information you can and in your heart - you will do what is best for Smokey. We are here for you and sending rays and prayers. Would love hear more about your little boy -

doxielady5569128 · November 19, 2007, 04:46:21 PM

I'm so sorry! I'll be praying for your Smokey.

DeeanDave · November 19, 2007, 07:14:18 PM

Rays to Smokey and you........

Sandishooligans · November 19, 2007, 10:19:20 PM

Don't have any medical advice but just to love and snuggle him and bless each day he is there with you. This news must be crushing, indeed, but try to live each day you have with your baby to the fullest.

Frankys_mom · November 20, 2007, 07:59:58 AM

Major hugs for Smokey and his family. I speak from experience when I say NEVER give up hope and learn as much as you can. Kudos to you for going to a certified oncologist. There are many cancer support groups such as canine cancer comfort, etc. They can offer advice and emotional support, although some really push a holistic approach. My Franky is in remission from both hemangiosarcoma (which is an agressive cancer) and an immune disorder and his "life expectancy" was less than 6 months. I am happy to say that Franky is approaching the 1 year mark!! We opted for chemo, high protein diet and a spleenectomy.
You all are in my thoughts and prayers!
:xfinger:
Dawn

sjv · November 20, 2007, 09:13:46 AM

Our deepest thanks to all for the support....we really need it.

There have been many tears shed in the past three days here

. I've noticed many comments about the importance of a high protein diet. What about carbohydrates? Should they be low or high? Is Hill's Prescription Diet Canine n/d (canned) a good recommended food. Their hype claims it's "for the nutritional management of dogs with cancer".

Smokey has been on Science Diet Sensitive Stomach (kibble) since we got him at 19 months old and has done very well on it. It has 21% protein and appears to be high in carbs. Should I change. For the past few days, we have been using Cesar Canine Cuisine mixed with his regular Science Diet S/S to entice him to eat. The oncologist said that Cesar was a good food and could be used alone or as a mix with his Science Diet S/S as it contains real meat and has a minimum of 8% crude protein (no mention of carbs).

We're a little overwhelmed at this point. He appears to feel a little better today after his 1st chemo treatment yesterday. It may be the prednisone the oncologist gave us....he has had one dose last night so far.

Again, thanks to all for the support.....we really need it.

Merion · November 20, 2007, 09:17:52 AM

We don't have any experience with this type of cancer either. Like Dawn said don't give up, these guys can surprise everyone. Sending you and Smokey HHHHH's & PPPPP's . We will be thinking of you.
Merion & the ZZ's

sjv · November 29, 2007, 06:33:21 AM

Smokey chemo update:
We could only hope & pray that our prayers have been answered for now. :pray: After the very first chemo treatment last Monday (11/19), on Tuesday and especially Wednesday...less than 48 hours after his 1st chemo treatment, Smokey's swollen lymph glands disappeared, he's eating like never before, his eyes are big and bright as before and he's playful as ever! :apls: :walk2: I know that part of it is due to the prednisone but the change was miraculous!

When we took him this past Monday (11/26) for his second chemo treatment, our oncologist said his blood levels for everything, including his liver, had returned to normal, his swollen liver & spleen were normal. The bone marrow results from the test taken the 1st Monday before any chemo began showed the presence of lymphoma but the oncologist said his response was "amazing" and he was actually optimistic. I realize it won't be permanent and it's very early in his 6 month regimen but thanks to everyone's prayers and good wishes, it looks like our baby may have a fighting chance at this and have an extremely good quality of life for many months to come until God sees fit to take him to the Rainbow Bridge. Who knows?? Maybe he'll be one of those the Drs. told us have lived 3,4,5 years or more into this thing. We can only keep up the treatments and prayers

and try to find what works (food, supplements,etc.).

Our sincerest thanks to all and we'll keep you posted.

BTW, has anyone had any experience with Hills Prescription Diet Canine n/d for dogs with cancer? Is it any good? Is it better for dogs w/cancer as claimed? We're reaching out for anything that will help. Thanks

Barb · November 29, 2007, 06:58:07 AM

Wow oh WOW - that is great news !!!! Smokey is so precious - smoochies all over !!! Sending rays that the meds continue to do their job !!! Keep us posted !

Kari · November 29, 2007, 07:53:33 AM

Wow! That is fabulous news!

PattyInAK · November 29, 2007, 12:29:35 PM

Sounds like you have some hope! Smokey is a very handsome little guy. I really hope the treatment works for him. I don't have any experience with cancer in dogs, but I am no stranger to loss. Last February we lost our little silver dapple Misty at the age of 6 due to a sort of brain aneurysm. It was sudden and devastating to us, as she was our "little girl." We rescued Misty thru Dachshund Rescue of North America when she was only 5 months old, and we are grateful for the time we had with her, even though it was cut short. She was such a silly and happy girl up until she passed away peacefully at home with us right by her side. We also have 9 year old Willy and Alex who are brothers. I've also had three other doxies, all of whom died of old age. So all in all, I have been very fortunate, but suffered losses nonetheless, as is inevitable since we usually outlive our pets.

If you do have to go through a loss, the folks on this board are a Godsend. I could not have made it through the losses I've suffered without their understanding and complete support. In a world that sometimes doesn't understand that losing a pet hurts, the folks here are wonderful. Please keep us posted on Smokey.

Beth · November 30, 2007, 07:15:43 AM

I'm so glad to hear that Smokey is responding so well to the treatment. Continued rays and prayers that he will do well with it.

BTW, Smokey is absolutely beautiful! I especially love the first picture you posted of him in the sunlight. What a sweet face!

cheryl186 · November 30, 2007, 09:10:58 AM

OH MY GOSH....GREAT...NO, FANTASTIC NEWS ABOUT SMOKEY'S PROGRESS!!!

I AM THRILLED TO HEAR HE IS DOING SOOOO WELL!!!! I WISH I COULD HELP YOU ABOUT THE DOG FOOD BUT UNFORTUNATELY I CAN NOT. CONTINUED PRAYERS FOR YOU AND BEAUTIFUL LITTLE SMOKEY....

Sadiesmom · November 30, 2007, 05:13:29 PM

He is a gorgeous dog. I love his coloring. And I too am happy to hear he is doing so well with is treatment.

Merion · November 30, 2007, 07:51:37 PM

I checked with a girl I know who was a vet tech. She told me that they had had some dogs on the Hill's N/D and it did seem to make the dogs eat better and they seemed to feel better while on it. I would say try it and see how it goes.

I am glad to hear the treatments are going well seem to be doing a great deal for Smokey.
Sending more HHH's & PPPP's that it continues to look good.
Merion & the ZZ's

Roberta · November 30, 2007, 11:58:45 PM

boy oh boy are you a handsome little man. So glad to hear all is going great. Most of us on this board have gone through a trauma at one time or other and you could never ever meet such a fantastic bunch of people, plus as a joint group we have healing powers with dachie rays.
Hugs to you both and to smokey. You must tell us something of what he gets up to.
Prayers and dachie rays
Roberta owned and devoted to Oliver and Amy

Frankys_mom · December 02, 2007, 10:27:26 PM

Way to go Smokey!! :apls: :apls:
.... and you are one gorgeous boy!!
Hugs,
Dawn, Franky, & Delilah

sjv · December 03, 2007, 11:05:54 PM

Hi to all you wonderful folks,

Smokey got his third chemo treatment today (Monday 12/3). Here's an excerpt from what his oncologist wrote today:

"Smokey was presented for his next dose of chemotherapy for lymphoma. He has been tolerating his treatments well at home. On physical exam all vitals were normal and he appears to be in complete remission (thank you, God). His CBC looked good and he received his chemotherapy without incident......"

Isn't this a great blessing? We're praying

that his young age (5) may help him to survive well past the given time of 12-18 months. :xfinger: We got the OK to start to transition him over a week to 10 days to Hill's Prescription Canine n/d food....so far he loves it!

Again, our thanks to all for your support.

Roberta · December 04, 2007, 12:28:57 AM

fantastic news, now Smokey tell your folks they gotta tell us all about you and what you get up to............like chase squirrels.
da gang

cheryl186 · December 04, 2007, 04:15:13 AM

Wonderful news!!! We are so glad to hear this

Can't wait to hear stories all about Smokey and his hooman family!

Smokey has lymphoma

Sandishooligans