Lymphoma

[PitFriend]

Pipersmom - In terms of diet, when you're dealing with lymphoma and other cancers I learned it's very important to reduce sugars (complex carbohydrates). So at first I stopped feeding kibble altogether and switched to a home cooked diet high in protein and low in carbs. We fed Downie a lot of egg, ground beef, and turkey, with small amounts of fish (she loved sardines!), cottage cheese, and pureed veggies for variety. No grains at all. We supplemented with fatty acids, Omegas 3 & 9, and antioxidants. Later I ended up doing a mix of home cooked and high quality, grain-free kibble.

I didn't know about The Honest Kitchen at the time, but their Embark formula looks great.

[Kingsgurl]

I'm so sorry. I pray that Piper responds well to the treatment

[Nickdawg]

I am SO sorry. You have done all the right things for your sweet girl and continue to do so. Good thoughts to you and Piper and family. I know how shocking it is.

big hug... I remember the canine cancer group being on yahoo forums...

[jamielvsaustin]

Just checking in on you an Piper, hope you're doing well.

[LuckyLeo]

Hope the treatment works, I wish you all the best! Don't think it's the food since my dog was raised on Pedigree, he was 13 1/2 yrs old when I had to put him down...he was too weak for treatment.

[pipersmom]

Just checking in on you an Piper, hope you're doing well.

Thanks for thinking of us! Piper goes for her second chemo treatment tomorrow. We are both holding up ok. She tolerated her 1st round of chemo well so we hope that it stays that way.

[Shoshana]

Sending more healing thoughts!

[pipersmom]

Picture the Oncology Tech took of Piper during her 2nd chemo treatment

She's rocking her Cali Girl Collar she won in the auction to help Zoey. It's her good luck charm.

[mtlu]

Many good wishes for Piper!

[patty]

AWWW she is beautiful! My thoughts and prayers are with you and Piper. I will be thinking of you both.

[Ilovethepits]

Piper looks good.Continued good wishes and prayers for you both.

[pipersmom]

Feeling a little depressed and overwhelmed after Piper's second visit to the oncologist. At the first visit, they gave Piper Elspar. At this visit, she suggested we continue treatment with the CCNU protocol instead of the Wisconson protocol because some of her symptoms point to the lymphoma being in her Central Nervous System. She said the CCNU crosses the blood/brain barrier better which is needed if the lymphoma is in the CNS. All my research tells me that CCNU(which is just a single chemo drug and not a cocktail like the Wisconson Protocol is) is not as effective and the remisssion rates are shorter. BUT if it is in the CNS, the Wisconson Protocol won't do much. I'm just so confused about what is the best for my girl. 4 days after her second treatment, she is back to acting like herself which she hasn't been for weeks. I just want the most time and best quality of life for Piper.

[Ilovethepits]

It sounds terribly overwhelming. I'm so sorry you are going through this with your beautiful Piper. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

[Misskiwi67]

Feeling a little depressed and overwhelmed after Piper's second visit to the oncologist. At the first visit, they gave Piper Elspar. At this visit, she suggested we continue treatment with the CCNU protocol instead of the Wisconson protocol because some of her symptoms point to the lymphoma being in her Central Nervous System. She said the CCNU crosses the blood/brain barrier better which is needed if the lymphoma is in the CNS. All my research tells me that CCNU(which is just a single chemo drug and not a cocktail like the Wisconson Protocol is) is not as effective and the remisssion rates are shorter. BUT if it is in the CNS, the Wisconson Protocol won't do much. I'm just so confused about what is the best for my girl. 4 days after her second treatment, she is back to acting like herself which she hasn't been for weeks. I just want the most time and best quality of life for Piper.

Start with CCNU, and if its not effective, transition to Wisconsin. Trust your oncologist, they do this every day.

[pipersmom]

Update on Piper. After a couple of talks with my regualr vet and our onco we decided to switch chemo protocols to the Madison Wisconson CHOP. The hubby and I feel better about this than the original plan of just a single chemo drug. She had her 3rd chemo treatment on Thursday. So far she is doing great. Her bloodwork was normal and her lymphnodes are back down to normal range. The chemo seems to be doing it's job. No side effects so far. Her energy may be a little less than before cancer but she is still playing, eating, and enjoying life with a spark in her eyes!