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.

[Becka]

I am so very sad to hear this news, and so sorry that you are going through this. I cannot imagine having to make this kind of decision. I know that you will do what is best for Sophie--you are a wonderful doodle mom. All my best--you will be in my thoughts.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so very sorry to hear this news. This is just devastating for you and your husband.  My heart breaks.  I don't know what decision is best for you to make regarding treatment, but you will choose what is the best for this situation. Any choice you make will be so very hard.

When we were faced with a similar situation with our lab mix, we opted not to treat except for comfort, but he was 12. We didn't even get the two months that way, but it was the right decision for us at that time.

My whole family (humans and dogs) sends our love and support.

[Anna and Achilles]

oh my you poor thing. So sorry to hear this news. I send all our thoughts and prayers. good luck with everything.

[Adina P]

What sad news :-(  It's so hard to see our sweet doggies go through stuff like this.  Sweet Sophie...wishing her strength and tolerance for whatever treatment you decide to do. 

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Oh, Sherri, like all of those who posted before me, I am so sorry to hear this news about your beautiful Sophie! My heart aches for you and your DH as you face the days ahead and have to make decisions that none of us ever want to make! This post makes me so sad and just another reminder how fragile life is. I will keep you, your DH, and sweet Sophie in my prayers!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

What absolutely dreadful news.  I know you have decisions to make and I am sure that you will find it within you to make the right choices given this very worse possible diagnosis.  Just know that I, among countless others are sending you and your family and dear Sophie our wishes, hopes and prayers.   I'm wishing and praying for you to have the courage you need right now  am sending you the biggest possible 'virtual'  hug possible.

[BG and Gavin]

I was so hoping that things would turn out better for dear Sophie.  Once you have so quiet time to process this horrible news, you will know what to do.  Please take care of yourself Sherri - we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Words cannot express my sympathy for you.  Make the decision from your heart and it will be the right on.  Love each other and don't leave Lucy out.  Hugs, hugs and more hugs - you need a lot.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Thanks Maryann for thinking of Lucy as well.  We are trying to shower her with just as much love as we are Sophie.  She doesn't seem to understand why Sophie won't play with her and why Sophie is getting all these special foods.  It is really hard not to just hand her handfuls of treats but she was already on a diet because of her recent knee surgery.  The ortho wanted her to drop about 15 lbs, so we have to be very careful with that.  We will take good care of her though I promise.

[Sharon & Monty]

I'm so very sorry to hear this heart wrenching news.  Beautiful Sophie.  Sending all my positive thoughts and prayers.  I dont have a clue what I would do.  Listen to your heart, you will know what to do during this awful time.  Hugs to you, Sophie and your family. 

[Denise & Sophie]

Sherri, I am so sorry. My heart aches for all of you! I haven't been keeping up with posts and this is the first I have read that your Sophie was having problems. I know how much you love her and she is so lucky to have you. Sending prayers for all of you!! Denise

[Ann Kendig]

Sherri,
It was so nice to talk to you but I wish it would have been under happier conditions. I am thinking of all of you and you are all in my prayers. If anything should come up and you need a hand, call me. Give Sophie and Lucy a hug from me.
Hang in there!