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.

I was just having this conversation with a friend the other day...Lymphoma is one of the few cancers I would treat for... while the chemo won't cure him, it can put him into long term remission and that is a good thing...

Good luck at the vets... keep us posted as to how he does
s

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Shalva and the Milbrose Retrievers and Irish Wolfhound
Milbrose Retrievers and Irish Wolfhounds

Many prayers and good wishes for Andy.

I've had four goldens since 2002 and they were all adults or seniors when I adopted them. There is nothing better than old gold, but it is sure a hard road to travel. When I lost Copper to cancer last year I couldn't go that route again.

We've had some good success stories about chemo and lymphoma. Check out Meggie's story - she gave/gives us all hope.

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Copper's Mom (always)
Gotcha 10/2004 - lost ya 10/2010

My prayers are with you and Andy. I wish I knew the right words to make it better and I would gladly say them.
My prayers and wishes of a good outcome to you and your precious boy are coming your way.

I light a candle in Andy's honor and my wish is for him to be in no pain and enjoy every day as his first.

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I am so very glad you found us and so glad that you adopted Andy.
I agree that adopting is wonderful!!
Praying for Andy and his lymphoma. You will get lots of support and love here.

I am so very, very, sorry, about you losing your sibling!

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[IMG]http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii215

Tonka & Tucker

SNOBEAR at the Bridge
Dec. 23, 1999-March 27, 2010


SMOOCH at the Bridge.
Feb. 14, 1999-Dec. 7, 2010

God bless you and your family for saving all these beautiful goldens. Sending you tons of prayers and good wishes for Andy.

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9 & half short years in my life but forever in my heart http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...-my-buddy.html
"He took my heart and ran with it, and I hope he's running still, fast and strong, a piece of my heart bound up with his forever" - Patricia McConnell

Charlie could watch birds for hours and I could watch Charlie for hours too http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...n-morning.html

So sorry to hear about your boy Andy. Sending him healing thought and strength to you all. Thank you for showing your other dogs much love.

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Cocasse
Golden Retriever X Collie
Born October 17, 2008 (?)
Adopted November 23, 2009

Sending many prayers and hugs for Andy and your family. I haven't had to deal with cancer; I can't imagine the pain and heartache for you all.

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Happily trained by Penny to be a good doggie mom

Bless you and especially Andy. I second the idea of reading Meggie's thread as she is one who beat lymphoma. I'm sure Cindy would be glad tohelp you (Meggie's mom). Please know that there are many from around the world that will be praying for you.

My son finished his residency at Monroe Carroll in 2010. How wonderful to share your Andy with those precious children.

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Betty and the Dallas crew


“Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” A. France

I've seen what the power of prayer can do-my thoughts and prayers are with your special boy Andy and to you and your family also.

Thank you for the love you've given these special goldens that have come into your life. I know first hand how special a Rescue dog is, both of mine are adopted, one through CFGRR and the other from my County Humane Society.

Keep us up to date on Andy's treatments and progress.