Sam2

Finding Lumps
It all began shortly after Sam's 9th Birthday . We found a lump under his front armpit not
thinking much of it. A Couple of days later we noticed very small lumps in his neck. I said to
my husband "Oh Look Sam has little glands in his neck like people" Still not thinking much
of them. Next day we went to our Local Vet and Sam went through some tests to see if he
had the disease. We had to wait 2 days for the results. When we got the phone call that your
dog has Canine Lymphoma we both cried thinking this was the end. We where sent to
Red Bank Animal Hospital 1 hour away from home.

Red Bank Animal Hospital
First visit at the animal Hospital was very overwhelming for us all. We saw an Oncology
Doctor in the room who was very optimistic about the treatment and outcome. Sam was
sent in the back for 1 hour of tests to see if the Cancer spread and thank god it didn't. We
were told that Chemo treatment was needed once a week for 19 week protocol. "What 19
weeks?" Would Sam get sick like people do? Most Dogs handle chemo very well and He
did. I think through his entire treatment of 2 1/2 years he was sick with Vomit 2 times.

To Our Suprise
Waking up the very next morning after our first visit to Red Bank I felt Sam's neck and armpit
and WOW the lumps were gone. Could this be? Before we knew it a week had passed and
we were on our way back for that hour car ride and Chemo again. I told the Doctor that the
lumps are Gone! and he said great he is in Remission but you still have to complete the
entire 19 week Protocol and we did. Sam went into remission for 1 1/2 years. After the long
treatment and not having to pile in the car was a welcome relief. We spent the next 1 1/2 just
as normal.

Lumps are Back
Over the next 18 months we almost forgot that he did have Canine Lymphoma while it is
easily treated its not gone forever. We always felt his neck for lumps and YES one day those
darn lumps where back. So back in the car for that long ride to Red Bank. Once there the
Doctor said "lets try to get him into remission again" this time the Protocol was shorter only
12 weeks. To our suprise yet again the very next day after treatment the lumps were gone.
This time remission only lasted 4 months. How can this be? The first one 1 1/2 and this
one only 4 months? Sometimes dogs build a resistance to the Chemo drugs and other
drugs are needed. Over the next 11 months Sam never went into remission. Sam was given
a protocol of chemo to keep him stable. He always had very small lumps but acted just fine.

Lumps are Getting Larger
Over the next 10 months the lumps were pretty small until they started getting very large.
Back to the Doctor. Sam was not responding to any Chemo treatments so sadly there is
nothing left we can do. We knew that this time would come. How will we know?? What will
happen?? Sam was able to have a nice Thanksgiving with us. Oh how he loved the Turkey
but after Thanksgiving things just went downhill. His neck lumps were huge and so were
the ones under his arms. He also started choking on water. The doctor said he would stop
eating but that never happened. Even the very last day he still wanted to eat.

It was Time to Say Good-bye
We were told you will know when its time to say goodbye and this is so true. On the
morning of December 11th 2006 we both knew that today would be the day. Although he
was still eating he could barely keep his eyes open and couldn't stand for long. So Sam
was put to sleep.

End Thoughts
We are so glad that we had an Extra 2 1/2 years with our friend despite 100's of trips to Red
Bank Vet for Chemo. We also appriciated every day, month & years that we got to spend
with our friend SAM.