Week from hell with Rocky

[Alicia]

So exhausted from all of the ups and downs of the last week. Last Sunday while I was away my husband noticed Rock was peeing blood and stress breathing. Into the vet they went where they discovered abnormal kidney function and planned to do IV fluid challenge next morning. While lifting onto table they discovered his lymph nodes were swollen so it turned into a surgery to remove node for biopsy. During the week while home and waiting for biopsy results for suspected lymphoma Rocky deteriorated by not eating, extreme weakness and stress breathing. Rushed back to vet, transferred twice to vet hospitals where lymphoma was confirmed. Chemo started Sunday with hopes of giving him 6mths-1year of good quality of life. He is responding well so far, wagged his tail when we came in to see him today and ate some treats from home. Hoping he will be d/c'd tomorrow. We can't wait to get him home (Raven included) so that we can spoil him rotten with the time he has left.

Raven offering moral support to her best friend.

Rocky feeling much better.

 

[Kburnim07]

Oh no. So sorry for Rocky's diagnosis. Just give him all kinds of love and whatever he wants. He deserves it.

 

[Jeannie]

Drs are not always right. My friend has a Bernie with cancer. Told the dog would only live, at the most, 6 weeks if they didn't do chemo. Then they said maybe 3 months. They decided to do nothing. One year later he is still going strong and is a happy boy. I hope this is what happens with Rocky.

 

[mrs big dogs]

I am sorry for the prognosis, I will be praying

 

[clara_sophia]

Oh the baby! Sending you all good thoughts and prayers.

 

[Darwinsnewfie@1855]

So, not the best news, however, I had a BullMastiff who was diagnosed with lymphoma and also only given 6-12 months with treatment. She went into remission and then lived comfortably for 1 1/2 years. She barely suffered, and when things got bad again we knew it was time to let her go. It's never easy loosing a furry friend but having that 19 months of complete spoil time really helped and she lived a great life. I have high hopes for Rocky.

 

[mcme]

So sorry to hear this. I hope he responds well to treatment!

 

[lmfoltyn]

So sorry to read this about Rocky...lets pray he goes into remission and gets spoiled rotten for a long time in the future. Big hugs...I know it is hard.

 

[Carole Macomber]

So sorry to read this. Sending good thoughts your way.

 

[Bailey Boy]

I am so sorry for Rocky and his family, that you all have to go through this. Will keep him in our thoughts and prayers that he does well with treatment.

The vets told us the same thing with our Coleman he would only last 3 weeks or so if we didn't treat him with chemo. yet they said with the treatment we might only have him 6 months to a year at best. We opted not to put him through that and brought him home and had him with us for eight more months.

 

[Angela]

I hope you have lots more time with him, give him a big hug from me.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Oh no, so sorry to hear this about your sweet Rocky. I hope he responds to the treatment and feels better. Sending good thoughts.

 

[5PotatoChips]

I am so sorry. What devastating news! I will be thinking and praying for him.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

So very sorry for the diagnosis, but wishing you the most of your time left together...make every moment count! (I'm shedding tears but know that he will be happy the rest of his days)

 

[Kimkc]

So sorry to hear. He is lucky to have you on his side doing everything you can! Praying for better days ahead.

 

[Codes]

I'm s sorry to hear this. Sending lots of prayers and good thoughts for all:grouphug:

 

[Lori]

So sorry to hear about the diagnosis. My mom's dog has lymphoma too. She just finished the Madison WI chemo protocol and is doing well. Sending prayers for your sweet boy.

 

[Alicia]

update

Thanks for all the well wishes and kind words. Rocky is doing better but still a bit weak from his whole ordeal in the hospital for 5 days. He has lost a bunch of weight as well and didn't have any extra to lose so he looks pretty pathetic right now. He has always been a bit picky when it comes to food so that has been a bit of a challenge. I am hoping to put some weight back on him and have finally found something he will eat. We are feeding him 3 meals a day and giving him treats all the time. A bit of a challenge with Raven around, who LOVES to eat and could stand to lose ~ 5 lbs! I swear she notices the difference in the tiny treat bits I give her compared to Rocks full sized ones. Rocky did try to hump Raven yesterday which is always a good sign for him. lol He also insists again on carrying his leash at the end of his short walks which is again the usual for him. His eyes appear brighter and more engaged so we are hopeful that he continues to improve. We are taking it day by day and are spoiling him with pretty much anything he wants. (Chemo dose # 3 tomorrow)

 

[Jeannie]

Thanks for the update. I hope Rocky continues to improve. Please keep us posted.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Glad to hear Rocky is hanging in there and showing improvement! It is difficult feeding two dogs on different schedules and quantities so I empathize with that. Continued good thoughts.