[nagdu] progress update on Sugar Ray's cancer diagnosis/treatment

[Chantel Cuddemi]

Hi Bunny,

Motley and I send you and Sugar lots of love. 

May you be given strength to work through this. 

Chantel and Motley

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bunny Davidson
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2012 7:58 PM
To: National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] progress update on Sugar Ray's cancer diagnosis/treatment


figured i'd post a little update on Sugar-Ray's Cancer- 
The biopsy showed the lymphoma is 2ndary 
to some other kind of cancer-
last week i had him on prednasone to shrink tumors 
(and hopefully prolong his life)But i soon realized that was a major
mistake,
because it made him vomit big amounts of 
blood non stop for over 24 hours (after just 3 pills)...
I took him to church Sunday morning with me (as he usually goes) and a
couple of my friends came over to him
and laid hands on him and the minister and others prayed for him....after I
got him home he started vomiting blood even 
more frequent then before....

I was so 
depressed and thought he would die immediately from hemorrhaging....
I kept praying and thanking God for bringing Sugar into my life and for all
he has enabled me to do because of him.

I 
googled about steroid use w/canine cancer and it's pros and cons, also 
looked up in my Merk Vet manual @ it all....
I prayed about it some more and after what i read I 
decided no more steroids.
Prior to the biopsy and all the bloodwork Sugar didn't even 'know' he was
sick, but
once i felt the lumps and the vet started removing cysts and biopsy of this
and that...and 
giving him meds He started ACTING VERY SICK...and that was NOT why i took
him to vet.
I wanted him to get help and be cured...
I decided that I would rather have sugar a short time where 
he is able to enjoy each moment then have him a longer time where he is sick
from 
medication ...

So within 24 hours of 
stopping steroids he stopped all vomiting of blood- I began giving him 2
pepcid ac an hour before each meal
and  i have him on bland pureed baby 
food (high protein low carb)
 from the blender and his pain medicine; he is so much more himself 
now...
Wednsday afternoon he went in the car with me for fist time since church,
and when we got to my doctors 
office he almost flew up the driveway and up to the doors...his tail wagged
when he saw her and it was like
"hey mom, i'm back now...all's ok!"  I have slept on a cot mattress on the
floor with him for a couple weeks cause
i didn't want to leave him alone for a second...well, last night he climbed
the stairs and jumped up on my very high antique 
bed and we had our first nights sleep up there in some time and it was the
best!  I am so happy he is acting like himself again,
Yea he naps more, but it's way better then the 'medication' route....

I found roundworms in his stool yesterday and got him some wormer 
today...
will also worm the pet dog and the 5 foster cats who are 
currently being rehabilitated and awaiting spay/nueter and forever 
adoption...
(i volunteer as a foster mom to death row dogs, cats and 
feral cats)...)

So i want you all to know how very much we appreciate your thoughts and
prayers as we go through this adventure.
thanks...
Bunny & Sugar Ray in Vermont USA
photos attached of sugar and me on thanksgiving...