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Please Pray For Andy - Lymphoma

672K views 5K replies 211 participants last post by  dborgers 
#1 ·
Hi there.

Andy is my 4th golden retriever. My first, Buddy, was pulling a stake on the end of a chain with his eyes swollen shut when he wandered up to my wife at her office. He was about 5 then, and we had him for 10 more years. He was the first therapy dog in Nashville and worked every week with pediatric trauma patients at Vanderbilt Hospital here in Nashville.

We were deep in sadness. One day I said to my wife, "Honey, there's another golden who needs us. Let's get an older dog who isn't being adopted", so we found a wonderful golden rescue group - Tennessee Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (TVGRR.com) and adopted Trevor, who was about 10 or 11. His coat was dry like straw and he'd evidently been tied up his entire life somewhere. He didn't know how to have fun. He learned to play ball and loved to swim at the lake. When his energy suddenly dropped about 2 months after we adopted him, we spent thousands of dollars on diagnostic tests (too many vets don't know what they're doing, sadly). He had leukemia. We spoiled him with pot roast and love. I petted and talked with him all night the night he died with a beautiful shiny coat and a waggy tail, finally knowing what it's like to be loved.

Next came Henry, also about 10 or 11. Someone opened a door at a vet office and let him in. That's how he ended up with the great people at TVGRR. He vomited one night 5 months after we adopted him and the next day as well. We took him to the vet. Darn it! He had an inoperable huge cancerous tumor in his belly and we held him as he went to the Rainbow Bridge.

Andy came next. We've had him for 8 years. He was about 1 or 2 when we adopted him. Like our first, Buddy, Andy's been a therapy dog for long term pediatric patients.

Well, I felt two small lumps in his neck last week. He had an operation where they removed one but left the larger one (about half the size of an egg) because it was attached to lymphatic tissue. The biopsy results came in today. Early stage Lymphoma. Needless to say, we're devastated. The economic downturn has hit us pretty hard and we don't have extra money, but we'll get him the chemo and hope it gives him more time. I just lost my sibling to cancer not too long ago. Another loss of a very loved one would be very hard right now.

Tomorrow we'll be taking him to the oncologist to start the chemo process.

Reading a lot about others experiences with lymphoma in their goldens we know chemo will only give him an extension, not a cure.

Any experiences and/or advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. We're very open to holistic avenues in addition to chemo. Also, any experience you can share about anything from generic chemo drugs to holistic/diet ideas would be very welcome.

Hope and helpful information would be a blessing right about now.

Thanks so much.

PS I recommend adopting from a golden retriever rescue. So many like Andy were simply dumped off at kill shelters when they got 'big' and weren't puppies anymore.
 
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#4,309 ·
Andy would be glad, for sure. It helps me more than it helps them. TY guys :)
 
#4,316 ·
Rusty is Burt's boy. He adopted Rusty in 2007. :) Typically great golden boy love sponge.

Ollie resumed puppy training class tonight. He did better than our first class a month ago. Cousin and Andy causing a pause in training. By the time our ride home came he sat/laid down on the passenger's seat most of the time instead of crying and wanting in my lap. Progress.
 
#4,318 ·
Really glad you a good time with Rusty!, and good news that sweet Ollie is doing well at his class, Hugs!
 
#4,321 · (Edited)
TY :D

I'm spending extra time with Ollie and Katie, giving them both extra lovin', and Ollie extra walks and training time. Now that Andy's gone, there's time on my hands, and it helps all of us.

Ollie was essentially a feral dog when we caught him last December. He's trusting more, getting more confident about his place in our family, and is doing better and better with his training. Adjusting very well.

By the time we welcome another golden boy or girl into our family, Ollie should be completely at ease with that. Katie only exhibits tail wags and curiosity when someone comes over.
 
#4,323 ·
I'm pretty sure it'll be a few months before we adopt another golden boy or girl, but no doubt when the time comes Andy will be very happy another golden will have a 2nd chance at good life. I'll feel we'll be honoring his life by adopting another rescue :)
 
#4,328 · (Edited)
Thank you :)

I couldn't agree more. In the past, the opportunity to bring another golden into our lives has presented itself at just the right time, or God has shown our doorstep to dogs on the streets who needed fostering and a 2nd shot at a good life. We've been lucky to place several who just showed up that way. This time, little Ollie is providing a channel for love, time, and energy.

Andy left a big void in our house. As they say, 'when you have a void, fill it with quality.' For now, volunteering with golden rescue and getting Ollie through puppy and adult training classes and 100% confident is a good way to channel the time, love, and energy we were putting into Andy's care. Katie and Ollie are enjoying the extra attention and play/snuggle time too.

Though we miss him something fierce, we also know he's having a wonderful time and feels like a million bucks. When the time comes for another golden to join our family, we'll feel he had a hand in it. :)

You're just the best people on the planet :D
 
#4,329 ·
I wanted to remind everyone that thanks to GRF angel, Claire's Friend, all proceeds from book sales of "Pure Gold" purchased at author Holli Pfau's website this month will go to the golden rescue organization Andy was adopted from - TVGRR, here in Tennessee.

It's a great book. When you buy one from the website this month, you not only receive a copy signed by the author, Holli Pfau, but you're helping golden rescue in Andy's name. TVGRR rescues, fosters, and finds forever homes for over 200 goldens a year, providing medical care and permanently fostering the 'unadoptable' goldens with serious issues.

Please take a moment to visit Pure Gold - Adventures With Six Rescued Golden Retrievers to buy a signed copy, or if you'd prefer, make a tax deductible donation in Andy's name at TVGRR's website.

In the Rainbow Bridge section at TVGRR's website, Andy's posting is up, as well as Trevor and Henry, the other two we adopted through them.

Thank you all so much for being such special people.

Danny and Jane :)
 
#4,333 · (Edited)
Andy's Chemo Records, etc

Nashville Veterinary Specialists just called to let me know Andy's records have been copied and are ready for pickup. I have thank you cards and treats for Drs Wang, Vancil, Regan,and Flood and their techs.

That call brought on a 'moment'. Part of the grieving process, something I think I'll post some about as time goes on. You're cruising along and something triggers the old tear ducts. Something, sadly, too many of us know about. But, we don't hurt unless we've loved that much. And boy, did I love and still love Andy.

I'll be doing a final video or two when I finish writing a song to use in the video celebration of Andy's life. Not ready to finish it yet.

Sometime in the coming weeks I'll post links to all of Andy's records in one post, including notes about bumps along the way for those that come later so they don't have to plow through all the posts to get a good outline of Andy's lymphoma journey.

Ohhhhh ..... :--sad:
 
#4,338 ·
Danny

Nashville Veterinary Specialists just called to let me know Andy's records have been copied and are ready for pickup. I have thank you cards and treats for Drs Wang, Vancil, Regan,and Flood and their techs.

That call brought on a 'moment'. Part of the grieving process, something I think I'll post some about as time goes on. You're cruising along and something triggers the old tear ducts. Something, sadly, too many of us know about. But, we don't hurt unless we've loved that much. And boy, did I love and still love Andy.

I'll be doing a final video or two when I finish writing a song to use in the video celebration of Andy's life. Not ready to finish it yet.

Sometime in the coming weeks I'll post links to all of Andy's records in one post, including notes about bumps along the way for those that come later so they don't have to plow through all the posts to get a good outline of Andy's lymphoma journey.

Ohhhhh ..... :--sad:
Danny: My thoughts are with you and my heart is with you. I know exactly what you mean about the tear ducts opening suddenly!!
 
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#4,335 ·
Things like this bring it all back to reality and opens up the ever present wound. This is not such a bad thing as you say it is all part of the process. Tears help with cleansing.

I came across an image yesterday of a guardian angel dog (ghost) coming to visit a little girl and offering comfort. The image itself could be too much for some to see but the intent in the picture is just beautiful. The look in the dogs eyes says, I am here for you and I wish you well and great comfort as I always have done. Just magic. I imagine that Andy makes the time to do the same for you when you miss each other the most. :)

Thank you for sharing yourself and Andy's records with us. By doing this always remember that you help so many including lurkers. Some people are going though this heart break right now, some people don't know it yet but they are about to go through it, eventually people will gain benefit from your wisdom in the archives. On behalf of these people I thank you:)
 
#4,339 · (Edited)
TVGRR in running for double donation from "Pure Gold" author

A little bird just told me that Holli has offered to double the donation to the golden retriever rescue organization who is responsible for buying the most books this year.

TVGRR, who rescued Andy, is currently tied for first.

When you buy a copy of "Pure Gold" through Holli Pfau's site through the end of the year, simply type in "TVGRR" in the space for a "Business Name" at author Holli Pfau's site when purchasing "Pure Gold" at her website, and that will be credited towards TVGRR possibly winning double donations.

Pure Gold (Book) (don't forget to type "TVGRR" in the space for Business Name.

Thanks! :D:D
 
#4,340 ·
hey danny,

I just got a notification about the thread. and I am so sorry I'm one of the last to console you. I haven't been on this forum for quite awhile because it brings about sad memories. I scrolled back at all the precious post and read what happen to andy. I have to say I heartbroken. I'm so sad that it happened...

Andy is lucky to have you. you were his angel and you changed his life. you are the greatest dad he can ever ask for. this must be a rough time for you. but like what you said- it only hurts so much because you love that much and I agree with you about that. I miss gino more than anything and still cry and tear. like you I know you miss Andy and how it is hurting. but you are so much stronger than me and than so many people I know.

he's at the rainbow bridge playing with gino now and they are sharing chicken nuggets!! :) they are snatching tennis balls and seeing who runs faster! my boy loves food so much haha I think Andy will lose to him! lets see who is faster :D hahaha!

as you walk a figure follows you closely nearby guiding you and just being with you making sure everything is going fine :)

thanks danny for giving Andy such a great and wonderful journey. I still remember watching the videos and him going for flying! he's doing that now at the rainbow bridge.
 
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