Ron and Delia's Ilsa

Dee Dee and Hallie · January 24, 2009, 09:34:54 PM

I can hardly see to type this, a week ago today Ron found some lumps on Ilsa's neck which have since been confirmed as lymphoma. Shock is an understatement, this little girl just turned 9 and acts and looks like a puppy (everyone who meets her thinks she is a puppy). It was just in September Delia and Ilsa went to Montana with Hallie and me. She is the sweetest most joyful little girl, it is impossible to believe the vet has given her only 3-6 months. And d*** unfair. At this point she is feeling normal. They of course are giving her the time of her life as best they can right now (not that they didn't always do that) but are having a very hard time, she and Gretchen are their children. They could use any prayers and rays to help them through this hideous time.

Brekkesmom · January 24, 2009, 09:39:51 PM

What? Not Ilsa! I am in shock too! I have been in their home, and Ilsa and Gretchen "hosted" Brekke, Sorcha, baby Mocha, and me when we went through in 2003! Naturally all the rays and prayers we can muster are on the way to Ron, Delia, and Ilsa, and will continue coming at them from the left coastal regions...

:rayz:

papbouv · January 24, 2009, 10:00:18 PM

Mega Rays and Hugs to Ilsa and her family.
Patches Buddy & Papbouv

Madderoos Mom · January 24, 2009, 10:20:39 PM

Oh no! Don't tell me this. Oh Delia and Ron, I'm so sorry! Well, we have a great example in Stormy. He beat the thing for a long time so maybe Ilsa with her youthful exuberance will race ahead of this awful thing too.

Roberta · January 25, 2009, 04:00:42 AM

I am half a world away and just had BIG arguement with my mum, and this is more important............oh my G................ Tears will not help, but rays will..........maybe tears will help as thats what flowing..........if thats they say JUST LOVE HER for all the time you have Delia and Ron. It is not fair, but just love her our wee bonnie girl.
Roberta

AnnieofNJ · January 25, 2009, 06:49:46 AM

This is just awful news. Mega rays heading to Ilsa and hugs to Ron & Delia.

Annie & the New Jersey Doxie Gang

David C. · January 25, 2009, 07:13:57 AM

Rays and prayers headed Ron & Delia's way for Ilsa. Miracles can happen, and if there is any breed of dog that can bring one about, it's going to be a dachshund.

DeeanDave · January 25, 2009, 09:47:08 AM

I feel as though I just had the wind knocked out of me......mega rays and prayers are heading to Texas for Ilsa, Ron, Delia, and Gretchen. Words just can't express what I am feeling right now. Hugs to all, you are in our thoughts. Dee, Dave, Sarge & Duggie

Rich · January 25, 2009, 10:51:42 AM

What awful news. But you can never count a dachsie out - we have all read miracle stories on this board and some of us have experienced them. Rays and prayers on the way from Iowa for Ilsa, Ron and Delia.

Doxherding Karen · January 25, 2009, 11:00:24 AM

:thumb: Washington State University has very good info.

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/deptsOncology/owners/lsa.aspx

and it sounds like she can gain some time, up to a year, with treatment. We're sending rays of encouragement to our doxie version of Marlene Dietrich - you hang in there, dahlink!

Auntie Karen, the Herd, and the Bunny Stalkers

Merion · January 25, 2009, 05:12:16 PM

Sending HHHHHH's & PPPPP's for Ilsa.

Sending HHH's & PPPP's for Delia and Ron to help you cope with this.

She might just surprise us all like Stormy did for so long.

Mewrion & the ZZ's

Barb · January 25, 2009, 05:24:11 PM

Oh no - oh no, I can't believe it. I am so sadden by this - breaks my heart. Sending mega rays and many prayers that they are able to help her in some way. DeeDee - thank you for posting and please let both Ron and Delia know we are here for them. They are both so in tune to their kids, this had to have come up so fast.

Kari · January 25, 2009, 06:34:00 PM

What sad news! My heart breaks for Ron and Delia! Please know that we are all praying for your family.

doxielady5569128 · January 26, 2009, 05:28:33 AM

I'm so sorry to hear about this!! We're praying for Isla.

scootersmom · January 26, 2009, 12:40:40 PM

Oh NO...I am sitting here crying at work now, reading this...poor Ron and Delia...they don't deserve this...Ilsa doesn't deserve this...my thoughts and prayers are with them...

Kathleen · January 26, 2009, 01:35:01 PM

Oh no! I am so sorry to hear this terrible news. Poor baby girl-and her poor mommy and daddy. My thoughts will be with you in this very difficult time.

cheryl186 · January 26, 2009, 01:51:46 PM

Oh my God....I am so saddened by this terrible news. Mega prayers to Don, Delia and Ilsa....this is so unfair!! Praying for you so much

I just can't believe it!!

Deb G. · January 27, 2009, 02:05:55 PM

Oh no! This is tragic news! Our hearts go out to you. Do whatever you can for your girl. For us, the drug piroxicam worked wonders and gave Stormy a few more years, you may want to research if that can be of any use. In the meantime, our prayers and rays are coming at you!

Dianne · January 27, 2009, 09:18:45 PM

I am so sorry to hear this! Sweet little Ilsa is one of my favorites. She always seems so happy. To Ron and Delia, be strong. Enjoy Ilsa as the gift you have been granted for the past 9 years. There are no words to soften your grief...

TerriL · January 28, 2009, 09:17:20 AM

I just don't know what to say. My heart breaks for Ron and Delia. I do know though that they will continue to make Ilsa's life just as wonderful as they always have. Rays and many many prayers will be said for our friends. We are here for you guys!

Ruth in MT · January 29, 2009, 09:46:46 AM

love rays to Ilsa

Delia and girls · January 30, 2009, 03:27:05 PM

Thank you so much for the understanding and the kind words. Some of you know, others have no idea what a difference they make. It really is nice to have friends like you guys at a time like this, even though most of us have never met.

She has no idea that anything is happening and that's my hope for her - that she'll feel a little 'off' and then go to sleep, as we help her cross the bridge. Some friends of ours have 2 acres, fenced, and let us come over to let the girls run free. We just went there today and she ran and hunted for critters and you wouldn't know she was sick. I am so grateful to our friends. She absolutely LOVES their back yard. We've been told it will hit all at once.

As for the humans, it's a totally different story. I had no idea a body could hold so many tears. I'm getting better. I can now hold her and talk to her without bawling. Both her and Gretchen know something is up. Gretchen has gotten very cuddly, which is not like her. Ilsa has always been rather clingy, but she will NOT let us out of her sight. Poor baby is trying to make things better, no knowing she's the reason things are not right. Ron went through total denial and is now facing it. Although we know very bad days are ahead, we are determined to enjoy her and give her the best time of what she has left. I still look at her and can't believe my sweet, little perpetual puppy will be gone in 3 to 6 months!

DeeDee, thank you for posting for me. I couldn't even come to this board back then and didn't realize how much better the replies would make me feel.

m2low · January 30, 2009, 03:44:13 PM

its hard, there is no words to make that any easier I know... but you can look on the life that you gave her, and the good times, and remember what you have done for her. make the last of her days the most memorable with her, - laugh run and play and do not let on that anything is wrong - if she doesnt know maybe she can pull a while longer... my sympathies are with you in this time, its the hardest thing to know your going to loose someone (I dont think they know they are dogs) this close to you. I think she needs a steak dinner!!

janetleej · January 30, 2009, 05:07:05 PM

My heart breaks - be grateful and make the most of whatever time is left.

doxielady5569128 · January 30, 2009, 06:44:37 PM

Its so nice to see you post. I'm glad she isn't feeling any ill effects from this horrible disease yet. I have been crying for days about this and I've never even met the sweet girl! You are stronger than I am, I don't think I would be able to post at all for a long time. Enjoy your time with your sweet baby girl.

We're praying her last days will be easy on her.

Ron and Delia's Ilsa

Madderoos Mom