It's been a tough week. After a battery of tests on Thursday, we learned our Queen Bee, blind Widget, has lymphoma. We had taken her in to see specialists for a full work-up because she needs a dental, but we were worried about her heart condition and the resulting anesthesia risks. Our previous internist, Dr. Tanya Donovan, recently left for another position in Oregon, so I took Widget to see the excellent team of specialists at Peak Veterinary Referral Center in Burlington. This is the same clinic where our ophthalmologist, Dr. Sarah Hoy, has her practice.
The cardiologist at Peak, Dr. Don Brown, did another echocardiogram and found that Widget's heart condition had deteriorated quite a bit since Tanya last saw her in the spring. Dr. Brown added new heart meds and adjusted her currrent dosages, but said Widget was definitely not a candidate for a dental. It was during Widget's intake exam that one of our new internists, Dr. Marielle Goossens, noted enlarged lymph nodes and sent aspirates in for analysis.
After the shock wore off and the tears dried up, we pulled ourselves together and started researching lymphoma over the weekend. It's been many years since we had a lymphoma case (one of our last episodes was actually an equine duo, our blind horse Chance and our elderly mule Lonesome George), so we wanted to refresh our knowledge of treatment protocols and find out if there were any new advances.
Fortunately, Peak has a board-certified veterinary oncologist on staff, Dr. Kendra Knapik, so Marielle scheduled us to see her first thing Tuesday morning. Early yesterday I bundled Widget into the van and headed to Burlington. In the photo above, Dr. Knapik is feeling Widget's lymph nodes (lymph nodes are in many different areas of the body), while her vet tech Bethany holds Widget.After reviewing all the options with Dr. Knapik, we decided to pursue chemotherapy for Widget. This will be a 20-week regimen using an alternating roster of different chemo drugs that work in tandem over the course of the treatment period. We've had many cancer cases over the years, and in our experience, we've found that dogs tend to tolerate chemotherapy much better than humans do; indeed, we've been surprised over and over again how well dogs do with chemo.
With Widget, if you watched her bounding across the yard or scampering down the hallway to the dog room in the morning to search for hidden treats (someone must have left some dinner in their crate overnight!), you'd have no idea she has a heart condition, let alone cancer. She acts like she feels great, she looks great, and we think trying to knock her lymphoma into remission is worth doing. We are determined to give her as much quality time as possible.
Of course, Widget's heart condition makes this more challenging, and Dr. Knapik may have to change some of the drugs as a result. But with a cardiologist, internist and oncologist all on her team, we think Widget is in the best possible hands.
Widget had her first chemo early yesterday afternoon, and we got back to the farm in time for dinner. She ate well, had a long, comfortable sleep overnight, and today is her usual self. We'll keep you posted on her progress, but in the meantime, please keep her in your thoughts.
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New Shelter Challenge Begins
The latest round of the Shelter Challenge is underway and runs until October 13. You can vote every day here. To search for us, type in our name, Rolling Dog Farm, and Lancaster, NH 03584.
They have redesigned the contest site and made other changes. Please note that I cannot help with technical or voting problems. I also do not have an "inside track" to anyone at the Shelter Challenge, and I don't know any more about the contest than anyone else does. So if you find yourself having issues, please consult their FAQ page here and their Rules page, which is a pop-up you can find linked on this page.
Thanks for your votes!
Prayers going out for Widget! I, too, am dealing with canine cancer right now. My girl is 14 and is untreatable; but she's not in any pain, so we just take it one day at a time. I hope Widget responds to her chemo and becomes cancer free. It's such an ugly disease, for both man and beast. God bless you, Steve and Alayne, and Widget, too!
Posted by: patty c | October 15, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Steve and Alyane: My dog, Jack, had heart disease and lymphoma as well. I didn't think we could do chemo, but his cardiologist thought he could handle it and he did! He was about 12 or 13 years old when we started, and he lived another 13 months after diagnosis (the vest said without chemo, 6-8 weeks). We had our ups and downs, but it was worth it and we went through it together as a team. We even had a website for him with updates on his treatments and progress. He died 3 years ago but the website is still there if you (or anyone else) are interested. www.leaningdog.com. Our prayers for you and Widget. The only upside to lymphoma is that they get very tired but it isn't particularly painful like other cancers. Best of luck to all of you. Hang in there.
Posted by: Linda | September 28, 2013 at 03:17 PM
I have been offline while on a vacation so just saw this. We lost a cat to lymphoma five years ago. He had already lost one kidney so we couldn't use one of the three chemo drugs for cats. He had a rough time and unfortunately it didn't work for him. I sure hope Widget has a much better outcome. Good luck to all.
Posted by: Karla | September 26, 2013 at 07:16 PM
Aw, precious Widget. Do well, sweetheart. I'll say a prayer for you.
Posted by: Lisa K. - San Diego | September 24, 2013 at 09:09 PM
ONE DAY AT A TIME WIDGET. HANG IN THERE ALL OF YOU.
Posted by: FELICIA | September 23, 2013 at 03:10 PM
Sending good thoughts, hugs and love your way.
Posted by: Karen | September 20, 2013 at 08:38 AM
Sending positive and healing thoughts your way! Widget is strong in spirit and that will go a long way in this new battle.
Posted by: Shelli Smith | September 19, 2013 at 09:04 PM
Sending Widget a bunch of belly rubs! Well, I guess I can't do that via the computer. Steve & Alayne, could you give our girl some extra belly rubs for me please? Thinking good thoughts for Widget!!!
Posted by: Penny | September 19, 2013 at 05:38 PM
Thinking of you Steve and Alayne and sending our love to the Queen Bee. RDF is a very good place for any dog needing special care.
Posted by: Jan in Winnipeg | September 19, 2013 at 02:15 PM
Prayers for Widget! We love you!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | September 19, 2013 at 01:37 PM
Sending healing thoughts to you every day dear strong Widget.
Posted by: Chloe | September 19, 2013 at 11:35 AM
I am so sorry to hear about Widget's lymphoma. So thankful you are near such good care for her. I am sure her care from you will help her tremendously. She is such a strong force! I will continue to think positively for you all.
Posted by: Dawn | September 19, 2013 at 11:08 AM
Sending healing thoughts and energy to you all. Widget is such a special being. I'm sure you made the right decision to proceed with treatment. If she had been in on the discussion, I'm quite sure she would have said, "NO question, let's fight this thing!"
Posted by: Diane Borden, Chehalis, WA | September 19, 2013 at 10:59 AM
Okay Widget---you show all those doctors that you are made of extra strong 'stuff'. You are soooo loved:-)
Posted by: Colleen & Wes | September 19, 2013 at 08:48 AM
Love, love and more love.
Believing in Widget and embracing her with all the love, enjoying every second of her, and praying for her and your family!
Posted by: Glenda | September 19, 2013 at 06:50 AM
"With a cardiologist, internist and oncologist all on her team, we think Widget is in the best possible hands": that's for sure (and I'm not just talking about the doctors' hands...)!
I'll be keeping you and Widget in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | September 19, 2013 at 04:23 AM
I am sorry about this bad news. I will be sending positive thoughts your way! And Widget, keep enjoying life!
Posted by: Sandra | September 19, 2013 at 03:43 AM
Will be praying for her daily, as well as for the both of you. One thing I learned a long time ago was to never give up. God has his plan
Posted by: MaryGrace Brown | September 19, 2013 at 02:31 AM
Get better soon, Widget. You can do it!!
Posted by: Julie and her Three Doxies | September 19, 2013 at 12:18 AM
Sending many prayers for darling Widget from me and my dogs Angel and Radar. She is in the best hands and I'll bet she'll come through her chemo with flying colors.
I recently returned from a monthlong trip back to my home state of NJ for the birth of my first grandchild (a sweet girl!) and I'm just getting caught up reading the blog. So much going on at RDF! So glad to see some of the lighthearted stories as well.
All our love to Widget!
Posted by: Ann | September 18, 2013 at 11:53 PM
:( thanks for your optimistic decision on this. Vet medicine has improved on this particular cancer and results. :)
Posted by: Lisa | September 18, 2013 at 10:26 PM
I am so very sorry to hear this current news. It always breaks my heart to hear of sad news about any of the dogs. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers
Posted by: Betsy | September 18, 2013 at 08:32 PM
I have to admit that Widget has been on my mind a lot lately, weeks before your post today. I have felt like something was wrong or would happen. I am very sorry to learn about her cancer.
I believe you're making a good decision with the chemo because as you said, she looks and acts like nothing is wrong so let's give the chemo a try and be positive. Let's all make a pack together! Positive...positive thinking and intentions, whatever is in the best interest of Widget must be done.
Posted by: boundforglory | September 18, 2013 at 07:55 PM
There are lots of reasons I like RDF but the Widget is number one. I hope she has as much time with us as possible and as always I know you have her best interests at heart. She has had a great run at RDR and RDF and we all hope she has some good times left in her. Watch her or she'll be running Peak Vets in a few weeks.
Posted by: Bob | September 18, 2013 at 06:04 PM
Prayers for Widget girl and both of you. Also wisdom for those attending to her medical needs. Hugs to you all!
Posted by: Leila K. - Belfair, WA | September 18, 2013 at 05:57 PM
Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear this. It does sound as if you caught it early... I'll be thinking about her and keeping my fingers crossed for a complete recovery.
Posted by: Tonya Allen | September 18, 2013 at 05:12 PM
Lots of love and prayers from here to Widget and you folks!
Posted by: Moon Rani | September 18, 2013 at 03:48 PM
Widget I will be praying for you my dear but I have no doubt whatsoever you are in the best hands. I also know you are well loved and that to me is all that counts!! Hang in there girl!
Posted by: toni ezell | September 18, 2013 at 02:53 PM
I've just said the first of many prayers for Widget and for the both of you. God sent her to you all those years ago for a reason and it is to see her thru this next chapter in her life.
Posted by: Kathy Hertzel | September 18, 2013 at 02:25 PM
Widget is in the very best hands, between the doctors and yourselves. It certainly has been a very tough week, and there are many many of us sending thoughts and prayers for wellness and strength. Everyone, please KEEP VOTING so RDF can move up in the Shelter Challenge!!
Posted by: Linda | September 18, 2013 at 01:11 PM
I will be praying that Widget gets all better and soon - with a cute name and personality like that she has to pull through!! Best wishes from Katy!
Posted by: Katy | September 18, 2013 at 12:48 PM
You are all in my prayers.
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | September 18, 2013 at 12:18 PM
I send you all *very LOVING HUGS* this morning...you certainly do need them......MUCH LOVE to our dear Widget xxx
Posted by: Valerie | September 18, 2013 at 11:31 AM
Ah Widget...my thoughts and prays are with you!!!
Posted by: Laura, Levi & Timmy | September 18, 2013 at 11:26 AM
Thank you for letting us know so we can all keep Widget in our thoughts. Perhaps she will somehow know she has so many fans rooting for her! In the meantime she'll continue to enjoy each day in her wonderful home, with her wonderful family.
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | September 18, 2013 at 10:59 AM