Pets are meant to bring joy to our lives and enhance our crappy experiences. They always love us and never judge. In a sense, they are the very well behaved children that we didn't give life to.
Haley is just that type of girl. She's brought so much joy to my family's life, and now her life is threatened by Cancer. This isn't something that she deserves; she's been too good of a girl for this to happen to her. Haley is barely 6 years old, and you couldn't tell it by looking at her because she is always up for a game of fetch or going for a meaningless ride in the car.
I haven't had the experience of dealing with the big C word in person. I mean some of my extended family members have passed on from the disease but not in my immediate family. Not someone that I consider to be my child, she's my furbaby.
We got the news last week after spending a few hours at an emergency vet clinic. Lymphoma. It's one of the most treatable types for dogs, but it's not curable. Remissions are possible, but they don't last forever. When Dr. De Lucia gave us the news, my fiance experienced shock. He has lost several people over the past 10 years and all very close together. For all intents and purposes, Haley is his daughter.
The news hit us like a ton of bricks. How? Why her? So many questions and no given answer. Lymphoma doesn't play by the rules, and it has no age discrimination. How do you have hope for a good outcome when the deck is stacked against you? Where do you turn for answers?
We've ordered books to read up on treatment and how to extend her time with us. I've researched for days on what to feed her and what supplements to give her. There has to be hope in a situation like this.
For the past week, I have been cooking her a special dinner with the things that are best for her. Haley hasn't complained and loves all the attention.
What have I learned?
-Sugar is bad for cancer patients, human or canine. Sugar feeds cancer cells.
-Omega 3s are mission critical.
-Cooking needs to be done on low heat. The hotter the cooking temp, the more carcinogens are released.
-Read and research as much as you possibly can. There is a load of information out there and the more you know, the better the chances of a better outcome.
-Conventional medicine is not the only place to look for answers. Homeopathic is important too. It treats the whole patient not just the disease.
I have tried to keep myself in a positive frame of mind and keep my spirits high around her and my son. After all, Haley is his sister, and he loves her more than life itself. I haven't explained to him about what's really wrong with Haley, just that she is a sick puppy and we have to be extra nice to her.
I have hope and faith that Haley will have a long life with us. She will be the inspiration for other cases because I believe that she will fight this horrid disease with all her might. She came from a difficult life before we adopted her and I don't think that she will just give up that easy.
For everyone reading this, please send your good vibes and prayers our way. Haley needs your support.
