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
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
“Best I’ve seen him.” Those were the words of Toby’s oncologist today during our third chemo visit since his lymphoma returned. I was beyond happy to hear those four words! His doctor also said none of his lymphnodes were swollen, all his blood tests were perfect and that he was going great. Toby was so… Continue reading The Day of Chemo Treatment
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
I couldn’t have gotten through Toby’s cancer diagnosis without Maddux. I should probably change that tense, because we are still going through it. Maddux has been both a comfort and a much need distraction, especially when Toby was first diagnosed. I love to take my dogs with me places. Toby wasn’t allowed to do much,… Continue reading I Couldn’t Have Gotten Through Toby’s Cancer Diagnosis Without Maddux
I don’t know if dogs can get survivor’s guilt, but I’m pretty sure their owners can. Next month, on April 22, it will be exactly one year since Toby was diagnosed with canine lymphoma. Sometimes, I can’t remember what I had for dinner the night before, but I remember that day like it was yesterday.… Continue reading Survivor’s Guilt
My love/hate relationship with chemo is simple. I hate it, because poor Toby gets sleepy and little lethargic the first few days after his treatment. I love it, because it’s keeping the lymphoma controlled, and giving my dog more quality time on this Earth. Actually, it’s not chemo I hate, it’s more the prednisone that… Continue reading My Love/Hate Relationship with Chemo
When I wrote our last post about Toby’s lymphoma returning, I apparently didn’t understand everything very well. The key thing I didn’t totally grasp was that unlike last time when Toby was taken off the chemo, this time, he will be on it for as long as it is working for him/he is tolerating it.… Continue reading Chemotherapy Is Now a Regular Part of Our Life
Lymphoma. It was the dreaded “L” word I knew I would likely hear again, but was hoping it wouldn’t be for a very, very long time. But, as life would have it, I heard it again on Thursday. To be very honest, I didn’t need any test to tell me Toby’s cancer was back. As… Continue reading The Dreaded “L” Word
Yesterday was Toby’s 9th birthday. When he was diagnosed with canine lymphoma in April, yesterday, was a day I didn’t think I would see. I have never in my life been so happy to be so wrong. There is nothing more in this world that I love more than Toby (and Maddux). He has been… Continue reading My Dog’s Birthday I Never Thought We’d Celebrate
