Help Swashbuckler Sink Cancer!
Donation protected
Update 6/30/2015
It’s been awhile since our last update on Swasbuckler. We’ve been in and out of the oncologist’s office more often than we can tally up. What was supposed to be a 13-week round of chemotherapy starting in January has turned into six months of treatment. Wash’s hair has fallen out and grown back in; he’s lost and gained back (some) weight; his lymph nodes shrunken, swelled, shrunken, and swelled again. It feels like we’re watching a very close tennis match.
We are very fortunate that with this type of cancer, Washy doesn’t even know that he’s sick. He’s still playing, running around, tearing up his toys, and cuddling. Some days he’s more tired than others. Some days he’s more cuddly and clingy. Some days he just sits and looks into our eyes like he knows something is wrong but he just can’t quite put his paw on what that is. But through all of this, he hasn’t given up; and neither have we.
We don’t know how much longer we can afford to keep this up but we are going to keep fighting as much as we possibly can. We’ve all been taking odd jobs, selling off our collectables on eBay, and doing whatever we can to raise funds. He’s only 5 years old, only a third of the way through what should be a long, happy, healthy life. Please continue to spread the word so we can get add another decade to this tough little guy’s life.
Thank you - from us and the Pirate Pups.
Update 4/16/2015
Yesterday was the 5th anniversary of “Gotcha Day.” It’s the day we first brought the boys home, the first time they were called “Swashbuckler” and “Scallywag,” and the day we took complete responsibility for their well being.
It’s been a rough week. Swashbuckler has just a few more visits to the oncologist left but he’s become very weary of the doctor’s office. Up until last week, he’d been happy to go for a car ride and run inside to see the veterinary technicians who administer his chemo. On Monday, he became very nervous and shook and shuddered in my arms waiting for his appointment. It wasn’t until the calm, smiling tech came to say hello that Washy finally relaxed. After his treatment, he came back excited and full of energy but we were back there on Wednesday for an EKG and he was back to shaking and only wanting to be in my arms. I quietly sang to him and he put his head on my shoulder while we waited. The Tuesday in between consisted of a very long car ride to visit his acupuncturist and another long car ride home. We’re nearing the end of this cycle of treatment and I know he can’t wait for it to be over.
Luckily, the doctors all say he’s doing well. And besides his normal lethargy the evening after treatments when he takes plenty of time to rest (while Scallywag sticks close by), he’s been eating very well, running, playing, barking, tearing apart his toys, and generally just being much more Swashbuckler-ish. The diagnostic tests will be run in the first week of May and we are looking forward to measurable good news.
We’ve still got piles of vet bills to pay as well as continuing medication and speciality food to buy, so thank you for your donations and please keep spreading the word!
Update 2/5/15
We can’t thank you enough for all of your donations! We’re very nearly a quarter of the way to our goal and just about a quarter of the way through Swashbuckler’s treatments. I have to mention a special shoutout to Sandra’s incredibly WONDERFUL castmates in Jesus Christ Superstar at DOMA Theatre for raising $500(!) dollars for our cause. #TeamJesus + #TeamJudas = #TeamSwashbuckler!
This week, Swashbuckler had a difficult day. The oral chemo that we had to administer was hard on him. Between adverse reactions, he spent most of the day in bed, with Scallywag always at his heels making sure his brother was okay. Two days later, however, he’s back to his happy, energetic self. Our big boy bounces back quickly! We’re hoping the same goes for Monday, when he has his most extensive round of chemo yet. It’s more than a bit nerveracking when an echocardiogram is required to make sure that his body can handle the treatment. But we know Washy will be surrounded with love and light and that his alternative treatments will help him recover that much quicker.
For those fellow motorsports lovers out there, we’ve got a donation contest going on at Matt’s virtual racing league: http://www.xtrememotorsports99.com/. He’s been driving a truck with Swashbuckler’s GFM logo to get the word out about his battle with cancer.
Please continue to spread the word and remember that every donation helps, even if it’s just $5. Spare a latte, save a puppy!
Update 1/25/15
Excellent news: after just the initial treatment, Swashbuckler’s initial tumor has shrunk from the size of a golf ball to the size of a pea! He’s not out of the woods yet but once his treatment is complete (12 to go) he is expected to make a full recovery and live a very long and happy life. That’s an amazing prognosis considering that just last week they only gave him two months to live. With your help, we can make sure he sinks this cancer for good!
Alongside the traditional Western medicine (chemo) we’re applying Eastern medicinal practices as well with visits to an acupuncturist for animals (she’s also a certified Western veterinarian), herbal remedies, and naturotherapy. Chemotherapy destroys the cancerous cells in the body but it also breaks down the immune system. By applying both schools of medicine, we’ll be able to get this cancer out of his body and keep his immune system intact so that when he finishes his 13-week treatment, he’ll be healthier than ever before!
We’re about 1/10 of the way to our goal to cover all of these therapies to bring about the highest and best good for our little guy. Thank you and big hugs to everyone who has contributed thus far and to everyone who will in the future!
**********
Original Post 1/19/2015
Swashbuckler.
Wash.
Washy.
Washy-kins.
Swash.
Swashimodo.
Yorkzilla.
Big Boy.
Biggie.
Bubba.
A dog by any other name would be just as sweet.
Swashbuckler, our beautiful 5-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, was diagnosed with Malignant Lymphoma earlier this week. Only two weeks ago, we discovered a large lump near his clavicle. It seemed to have popped up overnight, without warning. He shows no symptoms associated with other diseases, but the vet said that’s normal with Lymphoma patients, which is why it can go undetected for so long. The doctor also said that the type of cancer he has is fast-moving and without treatment sweet little Washy would only have about 10 weeks left to live. We had no choice but to take action right away.
Our Big Boy is surrounded by love from his twin brother Scallywag, his new sister Venezia, his feathered brother Monkee, Mama (Sandra Diana), Dada (Matthew Welzenbach), and his step-fur-parents Chris and Kris. Our parents call the pirate pups their “grand-puppies” and the boys are always over the moon to see their Tia Tati and Uncle Dan. Even his extended family, from Connecticut to Iowa to Mexico and everywhere in between, is sending love, light, and prayers from across the timezones. If you’ve ever been to our homes, you know how loving, adoring, playful, sensitive, and sweet Swashbuckler is. (And you’ve probably ended up with a tennis ball in your lap.) He’s a barker, that’s true, and he’ll defend his home with all the bravery his little voice can muster. But once you’re welcomed into our home, you’re family.
While we’ve surrounded Swashbuckler with all the light and love he truly deserves, there’s one area in which we are lacking. We were able to acquire a bit of Care Credit to pay for Swashbuckler’s initial chemotherapy and vet visits, but it’s only enough to last the first few weeks of treatment. This is where you come in.
If you have ever been touched by this little dog’s love, if you’ve ever experienced a connection with an animal that is beyond that of a pet and owner, if you’ve ever wished you could do something to help a furry friend in need, please donate whatever amount you can. Every dollar will help us get closer to saving our Swashbuckler. With treatment, with love, and with light, we can all ensure that Wash lives a long, happy, healthy life alongside his family.
Long live the Pirate Pups.
It’s been awhile since our last update on Swasbuckler. We’ve been in and out of the oncologist’s office more often than we can tally up. What was supposed to be a 13-week round of chemotherapy starting in January has turned into six months of treatment. Wash’s hair has fallen out and grown back in; he’s lost and gained back (some) weight; his lymph nodes shrunken, swelled, shrunken, and swelled again. It feels like we’re watching a very close tennis match.
We are very fortunate that with this type of cancer, Washy doesn’t even know that he’s sick. He’s still playing, running around, tearing up his toys, and cuddling. Some days he’s more tired than others. Some days he’s more cuddly and clingy. Some days he just sits and looks into our eyes like he knows something is wrong but he just can’t quite put his paw on what that is. But through all of this, he hasn’t given up; and neither have we.
We don’t know how much longer we can afford to keep this up but we are going to keep fighting as much as we possibly can. We’ve all been taking odd jobs, selling off our collectables on eBay, and doing whatever we can to raise funds. He’s only 5 years old, only a third of the way through what should be a long, happy, healthy life. Please continue to spread the word so we can get add another decade to this tough little guy’s life.
Thank you - from us and the Pirate Pups.
Update 4/16/2015
Yesterday was the 5th anniversary of “Gotcha Day.” It’s the day we first brought the boys home, the first time they were called “Swashbuckler” and “Scallywag,” and the day we took complete responsibility for their well being.
It’s been a rough week. Swashbuckler has just a few more visits to the oncologist left but he’s become very weary of the doctor’s office. Up until last week, he’d been happy to go for a car ride and run inside to see the veterinary technicians who administer his chemo. On Monday, he became very nervous and shook and shuddered in my arms waiting for his appointment. It wasn’t until the calm, smiling tech came to say hello that Washy finally relaxed. After his treatment, he came back excited and full of energy but we were back there on Wednesday for an EKG and he was back to shaking and only wanting to be in my arms. I quietly sang to him and he put his head on my shoulder while we waited. The Tuesday in between consisted of a very long car ride to visit his acupuncturist and another long car ride home. We’re nearing the end of this cycle of treatment and I know he can’t wait for it to be over.
Luckily, the doctors all say he’s doing well. And besides his normal lethargy the evening after treatments when he takes plenty of time to rest (while Scallywag sticks close by), he’s been eating very well, running, playing, barking, tearing apart his toys, and generally just being much more Swashbuckler-ish. The diagnostic tests will be run in the first week of May and we are looking forward to measurable good news.
We’ve still got piles of vet bills to pay as well as continuing medication and speciality food to buy, so thank you for your donations and please keep spreading the word!
Update 2/5/15
We can’t thank you enough for all of your donations! We’re very nearly a quarter of the way to our goal and just about a quarter of the way through Swashbuckler’s treatments. I have to mention a special shoutout to Sandra’s incredibly WONDERFUL castmates in Jesus Christ Superstar at DOMA Theatre for raising $500(!) dollars for our cause. #TeamJesus + #TeamJudas = #TeamSwashbuckler!
This week, Swashbuckler had a difficult day. The oral chemo that we had to administer was hard on him. Between adverse reactions, he spent most of the day in bed, with Scallywag always at his heels making sure his brother was okay. Two days later, however, he’s back to his happy, energetic self. Our big boy bounces back quickly! We’re hoping the same goes for Monday, when he has his most extensive round of chemo yet. It’s more than a bit nerveracking when an echocardiogram is required to make sure that his body can handle the treatment. But we know Washy will be surrounded with love and light and that his alternative treatments will help him recover that much quicker.
For those fellow motorsports lovers out there, we’ve got a donation contest going on at Matt’s virtual racing league: http://www.xtrememotorsports99.com/. He’s been driving a truck with Swashbuckler’s GFM logo to get the word out about his battle with cancer.
Please continue to spread the word and remember that every donation helps, even if it’s just $5. Spare a latte, save a puppy!
Update 1/25/15
Excellent news: after just the initial treatment, Swashbuckler’s initial tumor has shrunk from the size of a golf ball to the size of a pea! He’s not out of the woods yet but once his treatment is complete (12 to go) he is expected to make a full recovery and live a very long and happy life. That’s an amazing prognosis considering that just last week they only gave him two months to live. With your help, we can make sure he sinks this cancer for good!
Alongside the traditional Western medicine (chemo) we’re applying Eastern medicinal practices as well with visits to an acupuncturist for animals (she’s also a certified Western veterinarian), herbal remedies, and naturotherapy. Chemotherapy destroys the cancerous cells in the body but it also breaks down the immune system. By applying both schools of medicine, we’ll be able to get this cancer out of his body and keep his immune system intact so that when he finishes his 13-week treatment, he’ll be healthier than ever before!
We’re about 1/10 of the way to our goal to cover all of these therapies to bring about the highest and best good for our little guy. Thank you and big hugs to everyone who has contributed thus far and to everyone who will in the future!
**********
Original Post 1/19/2015
Swashbuckler.
Wash.
Washy.
Washy-kins.
Swash.
Swashimodo.
Yorkzilla.
Big Boy.
Biggie.
Bubba.
A dog by any other name would be just as sweet.
Swashbuckler, our beautiful 5-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, was diagnosed with Malignant Lymphoma earlier this week. Only two weeks ago, we discovered a large lump near his clavicle. It seemed to have popped up overnight, without warning. He shows no symptoms associated with other diseases, but the vet said that’s normal with Lymphoma patients, which is why it can go undetected for so long. The doctor also said that the type of cancer he has is fast-moving and without treatment sweet little Washy would only have about 10 weeks left to live. We had no choice but to take action right away.
Our Big Boy is surrounded by love from his twin brother Scallywag, his new sister Venezia, his feathered brother Monkee, Mama (Sandra Diana), Dada (Matthew Welzenbach), and his step-fur-parents Chris and Kris. Our parents call the pirate pups their “grand-puppies” and the boys are always over the moon to see their Tia Tati and Uncle Dan. Even his extended family, from Connecticut to Iowa to Mexico and everywhere in between, is sending love, light, and prayers from across the timezones. If you’ve ever been to our homes, you know how loving, adoring, playful, sensitive, and sweet Swashbuckler is. (And you’ve probably ended up with a tennis ball in your lap.) He’s a barker, that’s true, and he’ll defend his home with all the bravery his little voice can muster. But once you’re welcomed into our home, you’re family.
While we’ve surrounded Swashbuckler with all the light and love he truly deserves, there’s one area in which we are lacking. We were able to acquire a bit of Care Credit to pay for Swashbuckler’s initial chemotherapy and vet visits, but it’s only enough to last the first few weeks of treatment. This is where you come in.
If you have ever been touched by this little dog’s love, if you’ve ever experienced a connection with an animal that is beyond that of a pet and owner, if you’ve ever wished you could do something to help a furry friend in need, please donate whatever amount you can. Every dollar will help us get closer to saving our Swashbuckler. With treatment, with love, and with light, we can all ensure that Wash lives a long, happy, healthy life alongside his family.
Long live the Pirate Pups.
Organizer
Matthew Welzenbach
Organizer
Santa Clarita, CA