Zoë’s Story of Courage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On September 13, 2006, Zoë, at the age of 7, was diagnosed with lymphoma. We ended up at the vet because Zoë was playing baseball with us, and she misjudged a ground ball (she is a great infielder) and got hit in the cheek.  A week later she was still swollen and her lymph nodes were the size of golf balls. They immediately took x-rays and biopsied one of her lymph nodes. I was shocked when it came back as cancerous. We went in for what essentially was a black eye and came out with cancer. My vet said her getting hit with the baseball was probably the best thing that could have happened because it brought our attention to the cancer at an early stage.

My family and I are devastated, but are willing to do what we can to help her through.  If you were ever to meet her you would have no idea she had cancer. She is energetic, playful, and full of life. After the initial shock wore off we quickly turned our focus on her course of treatment. There were many factors involved in making our decision but ultimately we choose chemotherapy and to continue her raw diet and provide supplemental support as our course of treatment. The doctors and technicians at New England Veterinary Oncology Group have been wonderful. She was put on an 18-week treatment protocol, and reached complete remission around the 3rd treatment. Unfortunately her remission only lasted 7 weeks. 

She now goes in once a month for CCNU and Elspar and has been for 5 months.  It is now June 2007, 10 months from the initial diagnosis, and she is in partial remission, which means I can still feel some of her submandibular lymph nodes, but they are pea size and are not growing.  She is still leading a very normal, active life. I am truly thankful for all the healthy days we are given to enjoy.

As devastating as the situation is I consider my self lucky, Zoë's best friend Meg who was also a Rottweiler, died of bone cancer at the age of three. By the time Meg was diagnosed they gave her 2 weeks. Her Mom wasn't given any choice of treatment.

As for Zo, we cherish her each and everyday, take her everywhere, spoil her rotten, take tons of pictures, hope for the best and fight her cancer everyday!  Miss Zo we love you!