Our journey is over....Oreo crossed the Bridge at 12:30m today, snuggled safely in my arms, getting kisses on his head. He's in my Dad's arms, whole and happy. We fought the good fight! 20 months! All at the vets said that's amazing. He was a fighter right until the end! He didn't want to leave but his little body couldn't do it anymore. My heart is broken, I've lost my baby. But he'll always be with me in spirit and I can't wait to see him again. Thank you all...you've meant a lot to my during this journey.

Shutterbug, I can't tell you in words how much I identify with what you have written. I'm a 31 year old male and my father passed when I was 25. I wish I could tell you that it gets easier but it doesn't it...but it's up to you how you internalize that. Whenever I start to cry (right now) as a result of the horrible images associated with my father's death, I do my best to remember that he is/was/always will be worth the tears. You get one father in this life and that crap will always f' you up if you were close but it's one of those things...is it better to have never loved or to have loved and lost? No right answer here - just telling you what works for me. What does not jive is cheaping your experience by taking an antidepressant. I started taking Paxil when my father was at a hopeless state of treatment (24yrs old) and still can't get off those sob's. Sure they help my mood but getting off them is like trying to quit heroine (not that I've ever tried). In short, I wish you all the best in your recovery. If you ever need a penpal regarding the subject, you've got one (joedam66@aol.com) Lots of love, Joe

(((KAT))) You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. (Methodist, BTW) The last MRI Glen had showed that it has spread to his lymph nodes. It must be the ones around his breast area. That is where he hurts a lot these days. The Nexavar doesn't seem to be as bad this time....at least not yet. He's only taken 4 pills. hugs, charlee

Dogs with lymphoma can live for a couple of years depending on what type of lymphoma (t cell or b cell), where it is, and the chemotherapy protocol used. Unfortunately since you vet already started your dog on prednisone, chemo won't work now. I hope your vet offered chemo prior to starting pred, or referral to an oncologist. With proper chemo, many dogs go into remission for months, again depending on the grade/type. Dogs with more aggressive types of lymphoma (T cell) with more tissue invasion generally live only a few months despite chemo. Cancer causes the body to go into a negative energy state- an animal (or person) simply cannot eat enough to counteract how much energy is spent fighting the disease. This can be worsened if the cancer is also in the GI tract, causing malaborption too. So yes, basically the dog will develop clinical starvation despite having a good appetite. As long as he feels good enough to eat and is doing the things he likes to do, I don't think he is suffering. But eventually he will not be able to do things he likes to do, and he will eventually stop eating. That will be your indication that it is his time. I'm very sorry your dog has lymphoma. I know you provided many good years to him, and that you will do the right thing when the time comes. I hope that time is still a long way off, and he has more good life with you.