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
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
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
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
Today was Toby’s second post-chemo vet visit. And, I’m happy to say his oncologist gave him two thumbs up! Although we didn’t do blood work this time, all of his lymphnodes were normal size and nothing was out of the ordinary. I can’t begin to explain how happy I am about this. I know one… Continue reading Toby’s Second Post-Chemo Vet Visit
Toby was playing like a puppy! Last night I took him outside and let him run around, and chase a ball, just like when he was a puppy. He was bouncing and happy, and, well, for those 15, or so, minutes, he was back to being my loving little dog without a care in the… Continue reading Canine Cancer Diaries: Let’s Play Ball
