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.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I, too, was so hoping this would not be the diagnosis. Please know that you and Sophie are in our hearts, and I hope you can feel our virtual arms around you in the biggest hug ever. We are sending all of our positive energy for Sophie to have the easiest and longest remission possible. Hang in there kid, and know that we are here for you.

 

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I am so so sorry to read this about Sophie. So very sad. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[Carol and Banjo]

Sherri,   I'm so very sorry to hear about your darling Sophie.  I know your heart is breaking.  I hope in some small way you can feel the outpouring of love and prayers from your friends here.   I'll be thinking of you all and praying for you.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I am sitting here absolutely speechless.  There's nothing to say, really, besides that I this is so totally unfair -- to Sophie and to you.  I learned yesterday that a good friend was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  When such devastating medical challenges strike those we love (human and canine), it seems so random and impossible to understand.  Please know that I am thinking about you and your beautiful girl.  

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am more sorry than I can even begin to express to you about Sophie's cancer. May God hold you in his arms of love and peace as you care for your sweet girl through this impossible time. I hope that as time passes you and your vets will have the discernment and wisdom to provide the best possible treatments for Sophie. Much love to all of you.

[Audra Hicks]

I am so sorry to hear about your little girl, Sophie!  She is a beautiful girl and I just hope she will get "that spark" back in her little eyes again soon.  :(  I will keep you all in my thoughts and pray all goes well with whatever you decide is best for the quality of life she deserves!  (((HUGS)))

[Mary Woolf]

I am so sorry to hear about your awful news. I had one of my girls get Leukemia 2 years ago after the same experience you had. Just a simple peed bed. When you expect to treat a simple uti and end up putting her down one week later it is heartbreaking. Prayers for you all as chemo is a hard road. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Gail and Bailey]

We are so sorry to hear of Sophie's illness.  You are in our prayers!  Sending hugs and positive energy and hoping Sophie has a long remission. 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I am SO sorry to hear this news.  Just months before my daughter's wedding, her beloved dog Dixie was diagnosed with Lymphoma.  Even though they were dirt poor, they opted to go forward with the chemo, hoping to give Dixie as many good months as possible - partly because she couldn't bear to lose her and partly because she didn't want losing Dixie to dampen the happiness of the wedding.  Dixie responded beautifully to the treatment and had a wonderful two years.  

We'll pray that Sophie responds equally well - sending you strength and positive thoughts...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is so encouraging, Deanna. Thank you for sharing it.

 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This would be wonderful outcome. I will keep this in my heart for Sophie.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Deanna, thanks so much for this very hopeful and encouraging post.....of course there are miracles and I'm hoping and praying that Sophie is one of them just like Dixie.