Miles for Shadow: A Dog’s Journey in a Fight Against Cancer

After discovering lumps developing in her throat in early February I brought Shadow to the vet on the 7th where they let me know it was likely she had lymphoma. They did a fine needle aspirate and sent it off to a lab for testing. Two days later on Super Bowl Sunday, we were playing fetch when she experienced a collapsing episode and stumbled into the snow briefly losing consciousness. This is also the day I found out that every single one of her lymph nodes were swollen. Which is often indicative of stage three lymphoma. About mid week I spoke with the vet and found out she has anaplasmosis, a tick borne disease. After doing some research and consulting with the vet I discovered this disease can sometimes cause lymph nodes to swell. For the next three days I was hopeful. After a long week of waiting the lab results finally came in. The hopefulness I had held during the previous days was shattered. On Valentines day Shadow was diagnosed with stage three large cell lymphoma. I was informed that if I didn’t act soon she wouldn’t have long. I immediately contacted the VCA Animal Hospital in Weymouth Massachusetts and was able to consult with an oncologist the following Monday. We went over our options and I was faced with one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. Ultimately I opted for chemotherapy. Her chances of achieving remission stand at 80-90%. She’ll be in C.H.O.P protocol for at least 15 weeks with each treatment cost averaging $700-$900. We won’t know whether it’s B cell or T cell lymphoma since the cost of the cytology test was basically that of one treatment and wouldn’t alter the treatment plan. If it’s B cell her life expectancy is approximately 10-12 months. If it’s T cell her life expectancy is approximately 6-9 months. She’s a fighter so I’m hopeful she surpasses those numbers. A less expensive form of treatment was available but only had a 60-80% chance with no guarantee of reaching remission. The other option was to let it run its course and say goodbye to her in less than one months time.

For anyone who’s ever met her you know how much life and love runs in this dog’s veins. She’s touched the hearts of everyone she’s come across from the White Mountains of New Hampshire to the campgrounds and trails of Massachusetts all the way to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Shadow is nine and a half years young and still embodies the spirit of a playful puppy with a deeply ingrained enthusiasm for life, adventure and exploration.

I’m not expecting much from this fundraiser, let alone reaching the goal, but every little bit will help and be greatly appreciated. As a result of any donations I’m pledging to run one mile per donation which I’ll document via my Strava profile as well as a Facebook page I’ll be making for her in the near future. Thank you!