Careli Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 As some of you may recall, Bruno underwent abdominal surgery for a suspected blocked/twisted gut. During the operation and just because they were in, a Biopsy was taken on an inflamed lymph node which was thought, at the time, just to be associated with the blockage. Bruno recovered well from the operation and was very quickly back to his normal, bouncy self. On 21st Dec Bruno had his sutures removed. My vet (Lyndon) was very pleased with his progress and recovery and then pulled up the Biopsy results (everything's computerised at my vets). He was absolutely gob-smacked to read that the Biopsy report had come back as Lymphosarcoma. This was the first time I have seen him lost for words! He immediately checked to see if any other biopsies had been taken on the same afternoon as Bruno had undergone surgery in the slim hope that if there had been, that the samples had inadvertently got mixed up, but there hadn’t been. He requested a second opinion on the tissue sample but unfortunately this has come back confirmed as Lymphosarcom. Bruno was immediately put on Prednisilone until Oncology advice could be sought. The Oncologist wanted to whack him straight onto the Winconsin-Maddison chemo regime. However, the problem we have at present is that only this one lymph node appears to be affected, and this is deep in the abdomen, so obviously not visible or palpable. Normally, with Lymphosarcoma/Lymphoma, the first clinical signs noted by owners is swelling of the superficial lymph nodes. Remission from the disease following chemo is usually determined by achieving reduction in the size of these lymph nodes. We have been told that it is nigh on impossible to ‘stage’ the cancer without opening him up again and taking further samples and seeing as the treatment is likely to be the same, we do not feel this is an option. He has undergone ultra sound and it appears that no other organs are affected as yet and the lymph node is normal size. His blood values are all fine and within normal values. Basically, Bruno is fit, well and appears very healthy, apart from this one cancerous node. We wouldn’t even know he had cancer, if he hadn’t undergone surgery. Taking everything into consideration, Lyndon is not happy about starting chemo just yet as there is no way to gauge its effectiveness. In addition to this, Bruno has quite severe EPI and malabsorption syndrome and one of the major effects of chemo is disruption and inflammation of the digestive tract. We have had an appointment with the Homeopathic vet who has prescribed remedies to help build up his immune system, aid his digestion and help fight the cancer. At the moment we are playing a waiting game. Bruno will have appointments every 4 weeks where he will be seen by the homeopathic vet. He will then be kept in, sedated and have a further ultrasound in order to monitor any changes in the node. Luckily, both the homeopathic vet and the ultrasound specialist are at the practice on the same day, so that helps a bit. Further blood tests will also be taken to keep an eye on his immune system. As you can imagine, this has come as a complete shock and has really knocked us off our feet. He is only 4 years old. It feels that we have a big black cloud hanging over us. But we are trying to remain positive. We are under no illusion that Bruno will eventually succumb to this dreaded disease. When that will be we have no idea, it could 3 months, 6 months, 12 months or perhaps, God willing even longer. We just don’t know. In the meantime, we will do everything we possibly can to support him through this disease. Obviously, has no idea he has the disease, and at the moment, is enjoying life to the full. I know that some of you reading this have gone/are going through what we are now. Any help, advice, tips would be very appreciated, especially regarding supplements, diet etc. There is a lot of information out there, but a lot of it contradicts each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkle Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 I'm so sorry I've not gone through this but lots of good thoughts and 's are on the way to you all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nettie Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 What an awful shock for you. Glad that Bruno is feeling well though, I'm sure there will be someone along shortly to advise you on feeding and supplements. I'm pretty sure there are a couple of people on the board who's dogs have been living with cancer for a very long time, even years. Wishing Bruno loads more time feeling well and enjoying life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eileenalana Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 What devastating news for you all. I am sure that at all times you will keep Bruno's best interest at heart Please keep us in touch with his progress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmb3971 Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 What an awful shock for you all. No experience of this sort of cancer to offer any advice I'm sorry but.... thinking of you Kisses to Bruno xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ingipops Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Senidng lots of good thoughts for Bruno Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacobean Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 I haven't experience of this type either. It's a dreadful shock, especially with him being so young. Will be thinking of him and wishing him well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celeste Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 I lost my six yr old dog to Ademacarcinoma a few yrs ago, and although she did die, she lived twice as long as the Oncologist thought she would, sadly there was no option for Chemo as her type of cancer didn't respond well to it, so I went for the homeopathy/supplement option, I also changed her diet to a high protein high fat home made diet, I did this by swapping half of her normal kibble with good quality muscle meat and green veg (all lightly cooked) cancer cells don't grow as quickly on a high fat/protein diet, but do grow on a carb diet, so I was also careful to cut down on high carb foods. I also used Hemp Oil and Omega 3, 6 and 9 oil, use the fish omega oils as these are absorbed better by dogs, Grape Seed extract was also used, this is a very strong anti-oxident and has been shown to be much more effective than vitamin anti-oxidents, alot of people recommend Essiac Tea, but after my own research into it I found information which suggested it was ineffective in the control of cancer Essiac if you scroll down near the bottom it states trials done on animals proved it was ineffective, what I did come across was a product called Ellagic Acid, which is currently being trialed to test it's usefullness in the treatment of cancer Ellagic acid you can buy it here hwise, one of my present dogs is on this, he dosn't have cancer but my dog who died was his mother so I'm being a bit paranoid and taking action now Good luck to Bruno, I know only too well how it feels to have this diagnosis hanging over you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yantan Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Marion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redditchlady Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 No experience of this type of cancer. I am so very sorry though. Kazz xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacqui d Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 my favorite boy for you both as i know how much this must be hurting you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tegk68 Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 So sorry to hear this . Sending you all lots of 's and I sincerely hope you find you have lots of time on you side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendbert Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 First of all, big 's for you and the lovely Bruno. Bumpy had a lump removed in November and the results came back as cancer. The lump was in his Lymphnode but unfortunately I can't remember the name given to the cancer. Thankfully though, it seems that the lump removed contained all the nasty cells and Bumpy made a full recovery from his operation. After discussing with the vet at length, I have deciced against chemo for Bumpy. He's 12 years old now and to look at him, you wouldn't think there was anything wrong. He is his normal happy self and despite having a large area shaved for the lump to be removed, the hair has grown back quickly and you can't even see the scar. In December he wounded his elbow after walking into a thorny bush and after anti-biotics and painkillers, recovered fine. The fact that he has recovered from both the operation and the injury makes me feel that his body can't be too bad. When Poppy was having the scans and fluid drains for her heart problem, her hair never grew back properly after being shaved, almost as if her body wasn't able to cope with growing the fur back, whereas Bumpy's body seems to be coping, if that makes sense. Although Bumpy could see and oncologist and have chemo as a preventative measure, I decided against it as he is happy and waggy and being his usual self. I know there are potentially side effects from chemo and I didn't want to put him through those unnecessarily. He may get more lumps, but for now will be checked regularly and of course I keep an eye on any changes in appetite, toileting etc. What has been hardest is to see Bumpy looking so normal and apparently healthy yet not knowing if he will get more lumps. The more research I did, the more confusing it all became. Sorry, this has probably been no help at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranirottie Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 no experience or advice to offer but I am so sorry that this is happening. for you both. x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissa Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 No experience of this cancer but wish you well & sending positive thoughts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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