This can't be happening again...

[5PotatoChips]

Jorah, (just turned 5), may have a very rare form of lymphoma. We do not have a concrete diagnoses yet, but that is where our vet is really leaning at this point. (He is not the type of vet who would ever throw something like that out unless he really was convinced.) During our last appointment we did a bunch of tests including an ultrasound. He found a mass in her abdomen, (it was big enough he could physically feel it), that he believes is another swollen lymph node. (The other two are in her back right leg.)

She is on some wide spectrum antibiotics and benadryl through the weekend in the hopes that this some weird sort of infection. She is not acting sick, just the usual summer lethargy as it's 90's and humid here, eating well, and occasionally chasing bunnies out of the yard.

It's been barley two months since we lost Thea. It feels like we got punched in the gut. Again.

 

[lmfoltyn]

Oh my goodness...lots of prayers for your girl...hopefully this is just a scare and all will be well...totally not fair.

 

[Bailey Boy]

Will be keeping you and Jorah in our thoughts and prayers that the meds work for her.

 

[mcme]

So sorry to hear this. Praying she responds to the meds.

 

[estacey]

How is Joràh doing?

 

[5PotatoChips]

Jorah is the same today. We just talked to our regular vet and it was decided to take her to an oncologist. Her appointment is for tomorrow afternoon. Here's hoping that they look at her and it turns out not to be cancer! Thank you for the thoughts and prayers. This has been rough.

 

[Angela]

Sending hugs, prayers and all good thoughts that it isn't cancer.

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

Thinking of you today and hoping you get a good diagnosis for Jorah.

 

[Angela]

How did the visit go today?

 

[lmfoltyn]

Worried..please let us know what happened...

 

[5PotatoChips]

I'm sorry this has taken awhile. We didn't get home until late last night and then I had to leave for work early and this is the first time I have been able to sit down at my computer.

Jorah has Histioutic Sarcoma, (not sure I spelled that right). It is an auto-immune disease. There is no cure and the only treatment is iv chemo. IF she responds to the chemo she could have another couple of months to maybe a year. No treatment means she would have only weeks, not months. The disease is not localized to one part of the body so there isn't any surgical option. There is no sign of it in her lungs and none in her blood marrow. (That would have been really, really, bad.) The only "good" thing about this all is that it is not a painful disease. She will eventually get sick from it though once her organs are effected.

That's it in a nutshell. My sister and I knew it was going to be bad news, but hearing it confirmed is different. Jorah was a trooper through it all and behaved perfectly.

And while we do not doubt the expertise or knowledge of the vet we saw, the experience was not a good one. Practically the entire office was unfriendly and rude. My sister and I are generally laid back and and patient, but we left the office angry. And it was not because of the diagnoses. There was a complete lack of common courtesy and compassion. (Rant done for now.)

We are going to talk to our vet here tomorrow and try and figure out a plan going forward. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. We definitely still need them!

 

[Lori]

I'm so sorry, both for the diagnosis and the bad time withe the staff. Maybe your vet would be able to administer the treatments? Sending you hugs and prayers.

 

[Angela]

I am so so sorry about the diagnosis, and that the vet's place was so awful to you. Sending lots of hugs.

 

[lmfoltyn]

Sorry that the visit made everything worse...I don't understand why people can't be a bit more compassionate when it comes to our babies. Sending you big hugs and prayers...

 

[5PotatoChips]

Has anyone done intravenous chemo for their newfie before? How did it go? The vet said if we were able to do two treatments, (five days of chemo, three weeks off, repeat), at that point she would be able to tell if Jorah was responding and how well.

 

[Alicia]

We are currently going through all of this and Rocky is responding and tolerating fairly well. The only thing that really has been a bit of a pain is keeping him well fed and finding things he will eat. He has been a picky eater his whole life and now with chemo it is worse. He lost 10 pounds about 3 weeks ago when he almost died and he didn't have any weight to spare. He gets dose number 4 of chemo (IV) today. He has gained some weight back and is definitely feeling better! He has that spark back in his eyes and a decent amount of energy for an older Newf. Sorry you are having to deal with this, it is not easy for sure. We are monitoring him closely for quality of life issues because that is the most important to us and him.

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

I'm so sorry that you had a bad experience. That is just awful. And really shocking actually.

Where do you live? Perhaps we can recommend somewhere better should you decide to go forward with treatment?

And I'm very sorry about Jorah's diagnosis. I'll continue to keep you and her in our prayers.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

So sorry you guys are going through this, it's just awful and as for the vet, I suggest either a phone call or a review of the place to let them know your experience, especially if you still plan on using them for treatment. I do know that some who have chosen treatment have extended their time, and other's have not, so I do suppose it depends on how far along she is with it, but sounds like you found it kinda early stage. Wishing you guys Best of Luck and I'm sure your girl will live each day like it is her last, which is something we all should do!

 

[mcme]

I am so sorry, both for the diagnosis and the heartless treatment at the oncologist. I hope your vet is able to help with you with the best plan possible under the circumstances.

 

[5PotatoChips]

Thank you everyone! I keep rehashing what happened in my head and wondering if we overreacted, but I don't think so. My sister talked to the oncologist today and she mentioned that a particular aspect of Jorah's blood results were, "interesting." So my sister asked why, and she proceeded to tell Rachel it was too complicated to explain over the phone, but it shouldn't effect treatment. Are you kidding me?! And guess what? Our normal vet had no problem explaining it to us. (It seems that Jorah is continuing the trend of having odd symptoms for her illness, just like Thea.) It's not a huge thing, just another example of a lack of communicating. Ok, now I am really done ranting!
We are waiting for some more information from our vet which we should have tomorrow. It has been a long couple of days. I keep reminding myself of something I read on here from a different thread: they don't know they're sick unless you tell them. And right now she is her normal happy-go-lucky self. The newfie that always makes me smile.