Hi Valerie,
I hope that you will do a consult with an oncologist. They will have
so much to offer, and if they concur than you won't have to second
guess yourself.
The other thing you may not know is that there is another option to
doing an invasive exploratory surgery. In fact doing an invasive
surgery to get a biopsy to find out what kind of lymphoma is only
used in the minority of cases. Usually, an endoscope is done. They
use a little scope with a camera and go down the throat. They are
able to take biopsies without any incisions. It does require an
anesthia, and I don't know if Emily is strong enough for that. We
had noticed that Winter had lost some weight and did an ultrasound.
It showed a thickening of her intestine. We then had an endoscope
done. That is how we were able to confirm that it was lymphoma, and
that it was small cell.
wishing you and little Emily the best
Karen & Winter
p.s I don't know what Emily is eating, but have you tried a/d? It's a
post surgical food that is high in calories and nutrients. You can
also add water to feed by syringe if needed. It's a food that all of
our guys love to eat. You have to purchase it at a vet 's office.
>Thank you all for writing.
>
>I have spoken to the vet about the treatment he chose: leukeran/pred, and he
>said that without a biopsy, that their best guess is small cell lymphoma and
>this is the best treatment. On to the biopsy: Emily can't have one right now
>due to her fragile state and compromised condition, they would have to do
>exploratory surgery to see what's happening in her intestines and a full
>thicknes biopsy, she would need to be hospitalized and no one (me included)
>beleives she is strong enough to survive the invasive surgery.
>IF there is a mass, they can do a needel aspirate, however on the x-rays,
>they can't find anything because she is so aneorexic, there is no contrast
>to see density.
>
>It sort of makes sense to me. Should I see an oncologist? or internist? I am
>in Los Angeles so if anyone has a reccomendation, I would greatly appreciate
>it. I have been studying the different protocols and this particular one has
>a 69% survival rate for an average of 20 months. I just hope I am not making
>things worse by giving her the wrong drugs.
>
>We haven't seen any change with the pred/leukeran yet. But I've only given
>her one dose of the leukeran so far. The pred makes her glued to the water
>bowl and increased trips to the litter box. I am giving her subq fluids
>daily and feeding Trader Joes tuna and store bought roasted chicken. So far
>no change in the diarrhea except that the odor is so horrible it wakes me
>up!! You can smell it down the street! (maybe I am exaggerating a little : )
>But it is very putrid and she has a lot of gas, however no vomiting in 4
>days.
>
>Thank you for the help, I appreciate this board and the knowledge and
>support it offers, it definitely beats sitting on the floor reading outdated
>vet books for info!
>
>Valerie
>
><<<<<Would Emily be able to at least tolerate a needle biopsy to determine
>the type of lymphoma she has? In addition to what I sent to you in a
>separate email, I agree with the suggestions posted thus far. Unless
>you know the type of lymphoma she has, the chemo drug being
>administered might not be effective. What part of the country do you
>live in? Depending upon where you are located, perhaps someone in
>this group can recommend a vet oncologist.
>
>My Orion was diagnosed with high grade lymphoma and the first chemo
>given was Elspar and Vincristine as described in the Wisconsin-
>Madison protocol. It did the trick and he started improving
>immediately>>>>>
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>Yahoo! Groups Links
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