Bear's Fight Against Lymphoma

by Valerie
(Michigan)

Hey Everyone,

I would like to tell my story of my 3 year old Newfie who was diagnosed with Lymphoma 2 weeks ago.

My story is so confusing that myself and my family are just not convinced. See, we took our newfie in for his 3-year rabies back one week before Christmas. Bear just turned 3 years old as of Dec. 6, 2011.

We knew he was having trouble with his ears as his breed always does. The vet checked him and said he felt a walnut sized lump (directly under the infected ear) and we were told to watch it for it can turn to Lymphoma Cancer. Nice thing to be told right before the holidays right? So we were handed some antibiotics along with an ear cream and sent home. Bear received his shot that day as well.

Within an hour of being home, Bear developed severe swollen lymph nodes on both sides of his jaw. I chalked it up as an reaction to the rabies shot and gave him benadryl.

We got through the holidays but a few weeks ago he started the swelling again. I rushed him to a different vet on a late Thursday evening. This vet said he had an upper respiratory infection and I remembered to have him check those swollen lymph nodes. His story changed and he insisted on we get the fine needle aspiration quickly. We did that right then and there.

We had a painful 4 day wait for results. They came in two weeks ago and we were told 30 days tops with our beloved pet because he had Lymphoma. I was devastated!! :(

Well it's been 30 days, my pup is still going, he eats, drinks and uses the bathroom on a regular basis. He does take prednisone which makes his breathing difficult but other than that he appears ok. I guess, he's fighting or I feel that it was a mistake with the test. No other tests have been performed, such as a CBC or any X-rays.

Is it possible this could be a mass infection and not cancer at all? We also have tried the "Budwig Diet". Bear doesn't like it much but it's suppose to fight the bad cancer cells and help restore healthy ones. It seems to keep him spunky.

Whatever it takes I have to fight this cancer that we were told he has. Chemo is not an option for us, we were told $4500.00 to even start and $300.00 a week for injections with a 8-11 month remission survial rate. I will not do that so I found another alternative.

I hope I can say that this is not at all right. I hope that God has listened and I was skeptical about it anyhow.

I wish you all well with your canines. I love mine with all my heart and soul.

May God be with you all! That is my sanity right now.