Sophie Update -- Where To Even Begin?

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

As many of you already know, we have been working with the Vet for over a month now to try and figure out what was going on.  Many things were suggested, tested, and ruled out, to include Inflammatory Bladder Disease, Diabetes Insipidus, Addison’s, Cushings, Hyperparathyroidism, and I’m sure I’ve even missed something there.  Bottom line, the final test came back today and our worst fears have come true.  Sophie has been diagnosed with Lymphoma.  We have had a week to prepare ourselves for this diagnosis as Dr. Jenny told us when her calcium came back extremely high that she was going to be very surprised if it wasn’t lymphoma.  But, we wanted to wait for the tests, which I can say, take FOREVER!  It has been the longest week and a half of our lives.  For those who don’t know, which until last week I had no clue, in dogs, Lymphoma is an incurable, fatal disease.  We have been given basically three options.  One, we can opt against Chemo and just give her prednisone and expect maybe 2 months.  We can treat with chemo through our regular Vet or she will refer us to Cincinnati to Cancer specialists who will do further tests to pin point exactly what stage and where all it has spread, and then do chemo,  but the bottom line with chemo, whatever the mix,  or who does it,  it really doesn’t matter.  The best we can hope for is to get her into a remission; average time is 6 months before it appears again.  On the second go round you can hope for a remission of maybe ½ the length of the first one.  A small percentage of dogs make it for 2 years.  We have been making ourselves crazy the last week trying to remove our selfish motives from the equation and do what is best for Sophie.  We want her to have as many good days as absolutely possible, but we don’t want her to have them at the expense of an equal number of horribly sick days.    Right now I’m just so anxious to get the chemo and prednisone started as we are told pretty much as soon as it is started she will start to feel better.  The first round of Chemo will be once a week for 6 months, a combination of shots and pills.  Right now she is breaking my heart because she has no light in her eyes, she won’t eat, (in spite of all Karen’s wonderful suggestions for things to tempt her with) she just mainly sleeps.   I just want to see that spark in her eyes and happy little Sophie smile again.    Every time I have ever seen one of these awful posts I have always said to myself, I cannot even imagine being told this news.  There is just no way, how would I ever get through that.    I never dreamed that morning a month ago where she had peed on her bed that this is where we were going to end up.  It was supposed to just be a stupid UTI that some antibiotics were going to fix.  It has been a long, exhausting  month, but at least now we know and we just have to figure out how we are going to deal with it.   We will be meeting with Dr. Jenny tonight  to try and understand it all a little better and probably go ahead and start the chemo.   I thank all of you so much for continually asking about her and keeping her in your thoughts and prayers over the last month.   It means so much to us to know how much everyone cares about her.   I promise you that we will do everything we can to ensure the remainder of her time, whatever it may be, will be the best we can possibly give her.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I just read the update. I know how much we worry when they don't eat, so I hope her appetite increases a little each day. I am glad she is holding steady and I hope you see some improvement soon. Meanwhile, we are thinking about all of you!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Sherri, this is so sad and touches me deeply as our son just put his dear dog down this summer for acute lymphoma. He went downhill over the course of several weeks and it was torture for my son to watch. Chemo was an option, but only promising a few more weeks at best. Again it was what was best for Leroy and they decided to let him go with happy memories of him running and playing and to not suffer any longer.

Sounds like you have caught it early enough that your Vet feels chemo is worth a try and as long as you get your Sophie back and some quality of life for her, then I can see why you would try. 6 months to 2 yrs is great if the quality of life is good.

You will know what is best for her and what you can both endure. Enjoy each moment with her and know we are here for you

[Jennifer and Jack]

I hate the words I am sorry... I want better words.. more meaningful words.. words that will wrap themselves around you and make you feel all the love and prayers that are surrounding you. 

Sophie is such a beautiful girl.  At least if she had to get cancer she has amazing parents who are going to see to it that every one of her days that she has left this side of Heaven are as comfortable as possible. I pray with all my heart that your sweet girl has many, many days of pain free, happy tail wagging living. I pray for comfort for your hearts and for wisdom in making decisions.

Much love

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

My heart is hurting for Sophie, you and the entire family Sherri!  I am so sorry you have a challenge like this one and I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts continually.  Paw hugs and love to everyone!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I was so hoping that this was not going to be news.  I know you'll do what's best for Sophie but my heart just breaks for you. I'll continue to keep all of you in my prayers and hope that your remaining days are all good ones.

[Linda And Loo]

I just saw the update on Sophie. I hope and pray that the Chemo gives you guys some more quality time with Sophie. Hang in there! Many thoughts and prayers are with you!

[Katie and Sophie]

My heart is breaking for you.  I am so sorry that you, Sophie, Lucy, and the rest of your family have to go through this.  Your love for her is so apparent, and I hope that she responds well to treatment.  I am wishing the bast for you guys and sending prayers your way.  Hugs to you all.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

How are you and Sophie this morning. Has she started her chemo? What is the plan of treatment now? I am praying for her and you.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Morning Sue.  Thank you for checking in on Sophie.  Yes, we have the Chemo started.  We are doing it with our regular Vet.  She started it Monday evening when we went to sit down and talk with her.  It will be a 6 month process.  It involves a combination of shots and pills.  One or the other each week.  Once we get into the maintenance phase she will have a week off every 3 weeks.  She has also started her on Prednisone to hopefully increase her appetite.  The Chemo isn't supposed to have any bad side effects other than maybe a little vomiting or diarrhea the day after the treatments.  She sent us home with drugs for both in the event we need them.  So far we haven't seen much change.  She did eat maybe 2 Tblspoons of canned chicken yesterday and she has branched out a little on the treats she will eat so we will see what today brings.  It takes her a little while to get going in the morning as far as eating so we aren't pushing her to eat yet this morning.  There is a 3rd drug that can be added in at some point, but it is a much stronger, wicked med and we aren't sure we will go that route.  We will just have to see how it goes.  Anyway, she is no worse so that's a good thing and we are hoping to see some improvement in the next day or so.  Eating is what is really important right now as she is down about 9 lbs since this started.   Thanks again for checking on her!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I'm sure it feels good to be able to do something to help her and see her eating even a little. Standing by watching her be ill is such a helpless feeling. I hope she has a better day and you will have some good news to report to us later.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

You are right, it was so hard waiting on the results of the Cancer marker test to come back and not being able to give her anything to help her during that time in the event they had to rerun the test.  So, just being able to do something to try and make her feel better has given us a little boost. 

[Sue & Lily Grace]

God Bless, I am praying for you all and hoping that Sophie gathers some strength and starts eating a bit.  Love on her.  Hugs from us.