#doglymphoma

[crarchitect]

My little Indigo here when he was a puppy 12 years ago has been diagnosed w lymphoma. Good news is dogs really respond well to treatment. While we are awaiting more test results but he is getting his first treatment today. Then six months of chemotherapy. #doglymphoma #indigopooch #charlestondog #docksidesc #docksidepooch #docksidedog (at Veterinary Specialty Care - SC) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsbbW8eBYDd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1f2lo2g6i2qi6

[allthingsmoose-blog]

Week 0: Discovery

I wish I could say this was my first go-round with cancer and pets. Unfortunately, my family dog, Pepper, passed away due to lymphoma just a few years back. So when I walked in the door last Tuesday and gave Mason the usual neck scratch as he welcomed me home, I recognized right away what the golf ball-sized lymph nodes under his throat signaled.

Initially I didn’t want to believe what I already knew. Part of me thought if I avoided the vet that Mason’s symptoms would simply go away with time. But, given how quickly the swelling appeared, I knew we didn’t have the time to sit around a wait. So off we went.

Being that it was Halloween, Dr. Scher cheerfully greeted us in the waiting room dressed as a witch (or was it a pirate... I guess I had a lot on my mind at the time). She quickly confirmed my suspicion and began briefing me on Mason’s prognosis and next steps. As I watched Dr. Scher speak to me, inside I was lost in my own thoughts. I thought I had been prepared, knowing full well why I scheduled the appointment that day; however, in that moment it was like water overflowing a dam and I found that emotion had gotten the better of me.

I left Ballston Animal Hospital with some literature, a veterinarian oncology referral, and a whole lot to think about.