Rosie Blue's Cancer Fight Fund
Myself, Heather, & my husband, Alex, are humbly asking for donations for Rosie Blue's lymphoma chemotherapy to give her the best chance to live the most life!
Anything that you can give monetarily as well as taking the time to pass this page around would be a priceless gift & so very appreciated! Your help will allow us to focus on all possible treatments for our sweet baby girl to increase her quality of life to its highest potential, for however much blessed time we have with her! All donations will go towards Rosie Blue's medical charges including: office visits, diagnostic testing, cytology testing, chemotherapy protocols, ultrasounds, blood panels, medications, x-rays, etc.
Thank you for your time in reading this story and for holding space for it with open ears, eyes, and hearts.
When putting on Rosie Blue’s harness for an evening walk, it looked like she had suddenly swallowed golf balls since that afternoon's walk. So, the very next morning we went to see our incredible veterinarians whom we all adore, Dr. S & Dr. T. It was discovered that 5 out of the 6 sets of peripheral lymph nodes were swollen. This is a telltale sign of lymphoma. We didn't hesitate to consent to x-rays, an ultrasound, a fine needle aspiration on three sets of lymph nodes to send out for cytology, extensive labs to establish a baseline, & to get scheduled with an esteemed cancer clinic (which we're so very blessed is only 30 minutes from our home).
Rosie Blue (7yo) & Rocky (10yo), our other terrier mix seemingly holding hands as Dr. T lays out the full picture on diagnosis day.
Oncological testing with Dr. F revealed that Rosie Blue does indeed have B-cell lymphoma and a mass on her spleen. She needs a chemotherapy protocol called 'CHOP' (an acronym for the rotating cocktail of meds) for four cycles of 4 WEEKS ON + 1 WEEK OFF; so that's 16 chemo treatments over 19 weeks. If you’re wondering if chemo for animals is anything like it is for adults, the answer is a resounding no; the concentrations are substantially less. In minor occurrences, they may experience mild nausea for which there are anti-nausea meds. The veterinary goal of this is for them never to “feel sick” as a result of chemo, because you can’t explain the context of that to them like you can with humans.
Chemotherapy simply gives Rosie Blue more time with the people she loves most in the world!
From day one, when we adopted Rosie Blue a couple of years ago from our neighbor, she has been our lil' snuggle bug. Her sweet tender soul opened rooms in our hearts in a way that only animals can do. She fell in love with tummy rubs (three rounds, to be exact, before she's ready for her morning walk), clearing her throat in request of myself & hubby making space for her to snuggle right between us, sunbathing in the hammock, kneading blankets into the perfect pile of comfort, and cozying up on each couch pillow in equal rotation.
Her love & company has lifted us to our higher selves & we would love the chance to do the same for her.
Will you please help us to lift her up?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
