DeltaBluez Tess Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Well, I found out that I had T-cell lymphoma in the nasal pharynx and neck lymph nodes in Oct. Had cancer surgery to remove the two cancerous lymph nodes in my neck that restricted eating and drinking. Found out it was stage three cancer, started in the nasal pharynx and neck lymph nodes and spread to spleen, leg groin, in front of heart, arm nodes. It is a very rare type of cancer and the chemo doctors never this before. So I was working with the top T Cell doctors and they decided to go with the toughest chemo session. I had less than 30% chance of beating it. The first two sessions did not show much reduction so they put me on double rounds….so in 5.5 months I had 14 rounds of chemo. It was reduced to the neck lymph nodes and nasal pharynx. I am now going through 25 sessions of radiation now and it looks like we got it beat. So during all of this, Maid was my cancer therapy dog. When I was crying, she licked the tears away. When I hurt so bad, she would stand over me and paw at my like a mama dog trying to get her pup and licking me and whining. She carried me thru the dark abyss of chemo. Then she died. She ate some rat poison that a neighbor (1/2 mile away) had put out and my resident owl ate the rat, then spit of the poison pellet which she ate. She died quickly. I cried and cried and didn’t know how I was going to make it thru chemo. Scott Glen was a godsend and listened to me cry about the loss of my beloved Maid and “how was I going to finish chemo without her?” Three days later he called and she he had a dog that would fill Maid’s shoes. He said he didn’t care if she ever ran in a trial but she was to be my cancer therapy dog. Bliss came into my life a couple of weeks later and walked into the house and fit right in. She went to work as the couch dog, snuggling up to me and licking my tears away. I held her tightly and she has been on the journey with me. Scott sold me one of his top Open dogs to help me in my journey. He wanted me to have a dog that would be there for me as Maid had been. He said if she was never to run in Open, he was fine as he didn’t sell her to me as an Open dog but a dog to save my life. She has. But Bliss is my Open dog and we are doing well. I changed her whistles and she tries on the field. I love her so much as she gave me a huge piece of her heart to heal me, then another piece to help me run her in trials. I am going thru radiation now and she snuggles with me as it is very hard. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and with Bliss at my side, we will emerge a victors when we leave the tunnel to the road of the new life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane allen Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 I'm sorry you have gone through all of this - but what a positive attitude and a wonderful friend you have. Well, two I guess: the two-legged and the four-legged kind! Carry on, and all the best to you and yours! diane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 All the best in your recovery! I'm so glad to read of your new 'nurse'. And happy to think of you having a ready source of Bliss in your life. Ruth and Gibbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Billadeau Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Good friends, human and dog, are always there when you need them most. I'm glad you have both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbc1963 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 It seems strange how our journey through life continues like a story, but the supporting characters change in the middle. I keep looking up as I do something, and thinking, "Last year at this time, Buddy was here." Glad to hear you're on your way to recovery, and that you have a new companion for this section of your story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 You have special friends (human and dog) that surround you. I am glad to hear that you see the light at the end of the tunnel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maja Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 Dear Diane, I see there are fewer replies to you post than many others, and I think that perhaps many people feel like I do - overwhelmed by your post. I read it a couple of days ago, and I just didn't now what to say, so many things were happening simultaneously, most of them being too big for me. My prayers are for you and your friends from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for writing this post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maralynn Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 Yes. That ^^^ I teared up reading this. So intense, heartbreaking and beautiful and the same time. Thank God for the friends and dogs who are there for us when we truly need them and support us through the dark times in life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 Maja said it so well. I wanted to wait, to say something profound. But how do you respond profoundly to something that just sucks, that's so unfair? What's happening isn't fair, and to loose Maid so tragically in the midst of it is perhaps the cruelest blow of all. But to read of how you're transforming this challenge and the way you've welcomed Bliss into your life to continue with you on your journey speaks to your courage and fortitude. My heart goes out to you. . . in your struggle, in your loss and in your ability to perceive the light at the end of the tunnel through it all. I wish you well. roxanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alchemist Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 Late to the party - my laptop has been on the fritz, and I've been out of town. I'm so sorry to hear about your health woes! And losing Maid in this horrible way, just when you needed her so much, would have sent me over the edge. So glad that you have great friends like the Glens. They've just secured their places in my personal fan club. And now to offer you my sincerest wishes for a complete, and speedy, recovery! I've enjoyed your blog, and almost feel as if I know you personally. I think you're due for a run of good luck, now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gideon's girl Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 Border Collie people are amazing!! You are so amazing to go through all of this with such a great attitude and the Glens are amazing to be so generous to a fellow BC lover in such need. My prayers are with you through your final stage of treatment and recovery and I hope you and Bliss can show everyone what a wonderful team you have become. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaBluez Tess Posted August 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 My favorite pix of Maid and me, right after our run at LaCamas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjones Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 Thoughts and prayers for you. Border collies are good for the soul, and it sounds like Bliss more than fits that saying. Samantha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody & Duchess Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 So sorry for everything you have gone through and will go through. I am glad Bliss came into your life but so sorry Maid left way to soon. Please take care of yourself....your journey is long and hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaBluez Tess Posted September 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2015 Five more sessions of radiation and this nightmare should be over.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 Love your photo of you and Maid together. I know you will many with Bliss at your side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beach BCs Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 Thinking only the best thoughts for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaBluez Tess Posted September 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 Bliss and me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildFlower Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 I echo what Maja and many others have said far more eloquently than I could myself. Healing thoughts to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maja Posted September 5, 2015 Report Share Posted September 5, 2015 Diane, you and Bliss look great together, and two-long and short range-whistles - my, that's preparedness! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tea Posted September 7, 2015 Report Share Posted September 7, 2015 I want everyone to know something about Diane. During her treatment while she was exhausted and throwing up- fighting for her life- she started the gofundme page to help me and pete during the kettle complex wildfires. This fund not only helped me, but also over $2500 was donated to firefighters relief, and ranchers relief funds. Diane is the picture of courage, compassion and strength. Hugs, Diane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geonni banner Posted September 7, 2015 Report Share Posted September 7, 2015 I want everyone to know something about Diane. During her treatment while she was exhausted and throwing up- fighting for her life- she started the gofundme page to help me and pete during the kettle complex wildfires. This fund not only helped me, but also over $2500 was donated to firefighters relief, and ranchers relief funds. Diane is the picture of courage, compassion and strength. Hugs, Diane. 's'true! And you might not know it, but she dotes on cookies, pralines and fudge. Jus' sayin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaBluez Tess Posted September 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2015 Geonni..... I love the butter cookies, pralines and fudge and they sure helped me with my weight gain. You are my rock star to send me such thoughtful gifts!much thanks- diane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geonni banner Posted September 9, 2015 Report Share Posted September 9, 2015 Yeah, but see... You earned 'em. And how! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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