In memory of Toby, and all of the pets – canine and feline – we know who were taken by cancer earlier than they should have, we traveled to northern Virginia this weekend to participate in the Two by Four Race Against Childhood & Canine Cancer. The race, which consisted of a timed 5K, a… Continue reading Two By Four Race: Walking in Memory of all the Pets Cancer Took Too Soon
This is a post never wanted to write, but knew that some day I would have to. Toby passed away naturally in his bed at home with me by his side, Sept. 11, 2017, after a 17-month battle with stage 3 lymphoma. Thanks to the wonderful staff at Woodbridge Veterinary Hospital in Woodbridge, N.J.,… Continue reading Goodbye Sweet Toby
This is a box I never want to have to open. When it first arrived, a sense of relief came over me. It was finally here and it was one less thing I had to worry about. But then, my feelings about the box turned a bit to hatred. It sat on the dining room… Continue reading The Box I Never Want to Open
Maybe I should rename this blog, “Toby’s Chemo Diaries”? Seriously though, yesterday today had his latest chemo visit and I’m happy to report his oncologist said his lymphnodes were there same size if not smaller, again. This is very good news, because as long as they stay the same size, it means the chemo is… Continue reading The 10 Day Chemo Visit
If you read my previous post, “Can I Donate My Dog’s Body to Cancer Research? Part I,” you know it’s my goal to try and do this with Toby. You also might know, it has been a lot harder than I thought it would be in terms of finding a place as well as the… Continue reading Preparing to Donate My Dog’s Body to Cancer Research
This was the question I sought out to answer a few months ago. The simple answer is, yes. The complicated, much more accurate, answer is, maybe. Let’s start with a little background. Having an interest in veterinary medicine since I was a little kid, I’ve always wondered if you could donate an animal’s body to… Continue reading Can I Donate My Dog’s Body to Cancer Research? (Part I)
We didn’t get the best of news this week during Toby’s oncologist visit on Wednesday. In a nutshell, he is not sure the lymphoma is responding to the chemo anymore, as Toby’s right lymphnode under his jaw was 20 percent larger than last time and now lymphnodes in his knees and shoulders are also enlarged. … Continue reading Not the Best of News
Just a quick little update on Toby’s lymphoma. This is a tricky one, so hopefully I explain it well. After the last treatment, which was a new-to-us chemotherapy, Toby’s lymphnodes went down, which means it was working. However, a week later they were enlarged again, and they were slightly bigger than they were before, which… Continue reading Toby Cancer Update
Toby always likes to keep things interesting. He is not only going to depleate my bank account, but also give me a heart attack. This was the scene at about 3 a.m. this morning. Toby in his bed, acting very much unlike himself and me sleeping on the floor next to him using their large… Continue reading A Little Lymphoma Scare
The night before Toby’s chemo, I’m always a bit sick to my stomach. “Will tomorrow be the day they tell me the treatment is no longer working? Are they going to say his lymphnodes are swollen again? Will the blood test show his liver enzymes are elevated because of the treatment? Are we going to… Continue reading The Night Before Chemo
