I began pet blogging out of a simple love of animals and a desire to share my pets with the world. Certainly, pet blogging offers many benefits. As bloggers, we share our pets, network with like minded animal lovers, and perhaps even make a few extra dollars. What I did not know when I started pet blogging was that it would also directly produce the incredible benefit of prolonging and, perhaps even saving, my dog’s life. This is that story. I hope there is a lesson here not just for fellow bloggers, but for all pet parents. As difficult as it may be to publicly share the hard things that happen in life, hope and salvation can result from it.
Writing About The Good Things
It is easy to write about the good things. The things that make us happy. The things that are cute and that people will adorn with little heart comments on Facebook. But writing about the bad things is hard. Who wants to rehash the day that they learned that their dog has cancer, or the day that their cat was diagnosed with Feline Leukemia? The urge can be strong to hide from adversity, to suffer in silence, to simply follow the recommendations of the vet without question, all while hoping for the best. Anyone who has publicly shared adversity involving their pets will also tell you that it simply cannot be done without tears. Not just a few tears. Buckets of tears. Tears dripping onto the keyboard with a desktop full of tissues. I am not a particularity emotional person. Yet this story comes with a lot tears. Thus, it is not surprising that plenty of pet parents avoid sharing the bad and focus on the good. Putting on a positive face is often seen as a good thing. “Be positive and upbeat for your pet,” the experts will tell you. Wallowing in negativity is viewed as bad for our own health. Projecting positivity is indeed good advice. But something amazing can also come out of sharing adversity, especially if that sharing requires joining groups and conducting research. It can lead to hidden information that could change the entire outcome.
Diagnosis
On May 8, 2015, I sat on the floor quietly weeping and waiting for the phone to ring as my treasured corgi Ty, my heart dog, my best friend, that once in a lifetime extra special pet, lay weakly beside me, possibly dying. My husband left for work, feeling rather helpless, leaving me with a silent kiss on the head, my only response being more tears. At 9:00 am, the phone call with the terrifying confirmation came. Ty had stage Vb B-cell lymphoma, the worst stage there is. A few hours later, he was receiving his first dose of chemotherapy. After that, we would make eight weekly long drives for chemo, followed by another eight sessions every other week. I was told that, if remission was achieved, the average survival time was around 12 months. While I shared the news on Ty’s Facebook page, I waited for some time to write about it on the blog. I felt as if doing so would be profiting from my dog’s illness, and that it would further be an exercise in spilling needless tears.
Advocacy
I am a researcher by nature. I am also a researcher by profession. So it is not surprising that, from day one, I spent countless hours reading everything I could find, not only on canine lymphoma, but also on lymphoma in other animals and in humans. I went to Ty’s second chemo appointment armed with information and a lengthy list of questions generated from that research. I learned about diet, supplements, holistic care, and research studies. Endlessly I searched for anything I could find that might save my precious boy. After about a month, I decided that I had so much good information that it would be wrong not to share it. By then Ty was responding to treatment, and I set out to write the resources that I wished I had easily found when Ty was first diagnosed.
Writing About The Bad Things
When I wrote When Your Dog Has Lymphoma, the goal was to provide as much information as possible in one article about dealing with an initial lymphoma diagnosis. From there, I moved on to write about topics such as diet, supplements, and canine lymphoma resources. Doing so required additional research and fact checking. It was through making a list of resources for the blog that I came across additional information on alternative and adjunct treatments, several Facebook groups, and some obscure research studies that I would not likely have found otherwise. Little did I know at the time, but through writing, I found a goldmine. Little did I know that it would also later fundamentally change both Ty’s life and my own.
Entering the Unknown
On June 17, 2015, Ty was confirmed via ultrasound to be in remission. Like many others, we progressed through the chemotherapy protocol with various ups and downs. Sometimes Ty would not eat. Other times, he was tired. One by one, he lost his whiskers, often leaving them orphaned in his food bowl for me to find and tearfully discard. But he remained my sweet boy. Our bond was always strong, but cancer solidified it. Day to day activities take on more meaning when time is limited. I made the most of them. In October 2015, the protocol was finished, and the waiting began. Every night I would obsessively check Ty’s lymph nodes for signs of swelling. I lived in fear of the cancer’s inevitable return. That is a fear that will never go away.
It was nearing the anniversary of Ty’s diagnosis that I learned about experimental T-cell infusion therapy though a specialty Facebook group. I had previously come across an older study involving eight dogs that indicated that the isolation, expansion, and reinfusion of autologous cancer killing T cells could prolong remission time in dogs with B cell lymphoma who had undergone chemotherapy. T-cell infusion essentially uses the pet’s own immune system to target cancer. I was aware of various forms of T-cell infusion being studied in people, but had seen only the one study in dogs. That study did not grab my attention at the time, since it had reported data for only about a year after the treatment. What I was soon to learn was that there were dogs who received infusions who remained in remission for as long as five years. It turned out that a veterinarian in Washington State was establishing a new project and enrolling dogs to receive the treatment. After a lot of frustration and persistence, I arranged for Ty to be one of the initial 16 dogs enrolled. It was not easy. Communication was slow. We would need to take part long distance, and Ty’s oncologist, who was about to go on maternity leave, was not particularly interested. Fortunately, my local veterinarian was happy to help. A donation was arranged to the Perseus Foundation, who was funding the project, to help get Ty into the project. If accepted, Ty’s blood was to be sent to Washington via overnight express and the T cells sent back us in Illinois for infusion. Getting the OK to take part was slow and frustrating.
Then, on May 10, 2016, two days past the anniversary of Ty’s diagnosis, two things happened within a hour of one another: Ty was accepted for the T-cell project, and I learned that my article, When Your Dog Has Lymphoma, was a finalist for a Blogpaws Nose to Nose Award (a much more deserving article would actually go on to win). I sat on the floor with Ty and cried again that day. Good tears. The kind of tears that come from a release of stress. I cried again a month later, as I picked up a little box of cells at the FedEx office and drove it and Ty to the vet. To this day, I cannot write about that feeling of holding that box without intense emotion. It is impossible to accurately describe the feeling that you are possibly holding your dog’s life in your hands. An emotional mix of stress, terror, hope, and joy.
Running for T Cells
I am a distance runner and had previously toyed with running a 24-hour race. I was interested in trying longer distances, but did not think I could complete a 100 mile race within the time cut off of most races. A 24-hour race, however, is simpler. You just run as much as you want in that time frame. When it became clear that the Perseus Foundation needed more money to fund additional dogs, I decided to run the Christmas in July 24-hour race as a fundraiser. Through a combination of blogging, social media shares, press interviews, and a heck of a lot of networking at the Blogpaws conference, I raised $3000 for the Perseus Foundation, who also received an additional $3000 from an anonymous matching donor.
In July 2016, I ran 74 miles in 24 hours, raising a total of $6000. It was my first 50 mile distance and first 100k distance. I won second place master’s women when I had never won anything other than a minor age group award before. I learned a lot about myself and my capabilities in that 24 hours. I left the race joyful and amazed. Best of all, when I returned home, Ty was there.
20 Months and Counting
Ty is now at 20 months of remission. He has already beaten the odds by a significant amount and has been in remission long enough that he could redo the best chemo protocol should his cancer return. He eats a better diet aimed at cancer prevention than he would have had I not learned so much when he first got sick. He takes specific supplements uncovered through careful research. Through the blog articles and Ty’s Facebook page, I have met many other pet parents who are dealing with the disease. We learn from each other. While unfortunately many dogs in the T-cell project that were not in solid first post-chemo remission have not held lengthy remissions from the T cells, Ty’s remission is solid. Is it from the diet? The supplements? T cells? Plain old luck? No way to know. But researching and writing about his disease contributed to the things that could save him. It was, and still is, painful. It is also worth every single tear.
The point of all of this? I ask this of those who are reading: Share your adversity. Discuss it. Write about the hard things. It isn’t pleasant. It can be downright painful. But it can turn helplessness into hope. It might also save you.
Ty will be nine years old this fall, and I will be running my first 100-mile race.
Updates
November 2017 Update: I ran my first 100-mile race in September, 2017. Ty remains happy and healthy and is at 29 months’ remission.
October 2019 Update: Ty is still doing great and is at over 4 year’s remission. I have gone on to run my first 200-mile race.
June 17, 2020 Update: Ty reached five years’ remission today. He is still healthy and happy.
December 4, 2020 update: My beloved boy departed for the rainbow bridge on December 2, 2020 at 5.5 years’ remission and 12 years of age. Lymphoma did not take him, but another cancer, likely hemangiosarcoma, did. We are heartbroken.
For Further Information
The Some Pets Canine Lymphoma Archives
Supplements for Dogs With Lymphoma
Frankfort Station News Coverage
M. K. Clinton says
This post moved me to tears and cheers. You are an amazing person and TY is a testament to what a diligent loving pet parent can do to change the world. Congratulations on your successes with TY and with your running. Both are inspiring. ♥
Carleen says
Thank you! ♥
Rochelle says
You are amazing and so inspirational! I’m so glad to hear that Ty is doing well and in awe of the (literal) lengths you’ve gone to fundraise. Well done!
Carleen says
Thanks!
Melissa Lapierre says
What a beautiful post. I was a Finalist in the same category as you last year, for a post I wrote in the aftermath of the devastating loss of my 4 year old cat to a sudden saddle thrombus blood clot. Writing that post was incredibly therapeutic for my emotional state, so I completely understand what you’re saying. I pray that Ty’s remission continues for a very long time to come.
Carleen says
I remember your post. It was incredibly moving and emotional! I just went back and reread it with some tears.
Tenacious Little Terrier says
You put so much work and effort into Ty’s remission and I’m glad it’s paying off. Hope your race is successful too.
Carleen says
Thanks! I have a lot of training to do for it!
Pawesome Cats says
THANK YOU! This post was so moving but so important to share. Like you, I’m a researcher at heart too and whilst we weren’t dealing with cancer in a beloved pet, Charlie was diagnosed with IBD 2 years ago. He’s doing really well now, but only because I took the time to research and seek out the answers and pursue holistic options that our traditional vet either didn’t know about or didn’t recommend. I’ll be celebrating Ty’s 9th birthday with you this year and good luck on the 100 mile race.
Carleen says
I am happy to hear that Charlie is doing well! One of my dogs was suspected to have IBD, but ended up with an IBS diagnosis. I found blog posts on both topics to be very helpful.
Beth says
I remember reading about Ty’s diagnosis, it was very emotional. I’m so happy for you and Ty that he is in remission for so long! Good luck in your 100 mile race!
Carleen says
Thanks!
Carol Bryant says
This is phenomenal and I really enjoyed reading it. I totally agree with you to write and to share it to help one another as human beings. All my blessings and love to both you and your dog and that the cancer stays in remission and you have a long happy life together.
Carleen says
Thank you! ♥
Jane says
I’m in tears as I write this comment… what a moving post. Ty is such a beautiful soul, I’m so happy he has you as his Mom. You have done amazing things for your fur baby and are such a great resource and inspiration for other pet parents. Sending hugs for Ty ❤
Carleen says
Thanks! ♥
The Daily Pip says
This post is amazing and inspiring on so many levels and I’m going to save it in case I ever need some inspiration not to give up. I think as animal lovers we have all been on the floor crying with our heart dog. But that you were able to pick yourself up and keep fighting, researching and running for Ty is incredible!!!
I’m so glad he is doing well and will continue to send him good thoughts.
Thank you for your kind words about my post. it was an honor to be nominated with you. I’m pretty sure this post is destined for an award and recognition!!!
Carleen says
Thank You. ♥ I still think your post The One I Couldn’t Save is one of the best blog posts I have ever read. It too is an example of why writing about more difficult topics is important. You never know who will be changed by it.
Ruth and Layla says
Thank you for sharing this post, congratulations on all you have done, it is such an eye opener and lesson for others. I am glad Ty is doing well and sending prayers your way
Carleen says
Thanks!
Cathy Armato says
What a great post! Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. You’re so right sharing the bad stuff is hard, but it can help others so it’s worth doing. I’m thrilled for Ty that he’s had such wonderful results! I hope he continues to remain in remission for a long, long time. You’ve done such a fabulous job as a dog Mom and advocate for Ty.
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Carleen says
Thanks!
DashKitten says
We lost Sooty to lymphoma, we did not seem to have such options but medecine is racing forward at such a pace, we know there is hope.
Carleen says
Things are moving quickly, especially in terms of immunotherapy options. I’m so sorry that you lost your Sooty to this disease.
Lola The Rescued Cat says
I definitely needed tissues while reading this post. This is so beautifully written with your heart on your sleeve. I am so happy Ty is doing well now, thanks to all of your diligence.
Carleen says
Thank you! ♥
Pets Naturally (@dogtrainer4ever) says
Wonderful post! I do the same! My last dog had extreme phobias so I learned, learned, learned for his entire life. My current dog has a major medical condition, so the same. Except, now that I have a blog and social media, we share, share and share. <3
Carleen says
I’m glad you are sharing. You are almost certainly helping other pet parents who are facing the same problems. I think many people really appreciate finding information from other pet parents about issues since it adds such a more personal aspect to things. I searched and searched for personal blogs about lymphoma when Ty was diagnosed and read every word of the few that I found.
Rebecca at MattieDog says
I know these emotions only too well – having had 3 dogs with cancer. I cannot express how thankful I am to you for your willingness to share all that you have learned along your journey with Ty. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers and rejoice in your successes, what a wonderfully heartwarming piece!
Carleen says
I’m so sorry you have had to face cancer three times. I have too. I lost two previous dogs to other forms of cancer. Unfortunately cancer is on the rise in pets. I plan to write more on that topic soon as well.
Talent Hounds says
What an inspiring post- I had a few tears – I remember the posts about cancer and T-cells and I think many are grateful. So glad Ty is in remission.
Carleen says
Thanks!
Golden Daily Scoop says
What a touching and inspirational post! You are so right, sharing the hard stuff is tough but knowing that it could potentially help others makes it so rewarding. So glad to hear that Ty is in remission, we are keeping our paws crossed for you all! 🙂
Carleen Pruess Coulter says
Thanks!
mykidhaspawsblog says
WOW! I am so excited to hear that Ty is in remission! This is truly an amazing post that every pet parent should read. Lymphoma seems to affect more and more Corgis these days, I will definitely share with my community!
Carleen says
One of the lymphoma Facebook groups I am in has a lot of corgis. They aren’t listed anywhere that I know of as a particularly susceptible breed, but I am beginning to think that they actually might be.
Sweet Purrfections says
Wonderful post. So glad to hear Ty is in remission.
Carleen says
Thanks!
Kitty Cat Chronicles says
Wow, what an incredible story!!! Truly inspiring. You are absolutely right – sharing about adversity and the hard times is so difficult, but it could help another. As evidenced by yours and Ty’s story. Congratulations on your run and congratulations to Ty on beating the odds! You two are amazing!
Carleen says
Thank you!
Kim says
What a difficult post to have written. Thank you so much for sharing
Carleen says
Thanks!
agirlandherhusky says
Thank you for sharing this. I have a hard time writing about Gracie’s Epilepsy. I will openly say that she has it and that I do not let it limit her, but writing about her seizures and what it is like in those moments is much more difficult.
Carleen says
It is hard, but so helpful to others and perhaps even yourself. My previous dog Molly had seizures. They are so terrifying!
Ann Marie Hoff says
Everything starts in the emotional spiritual body and moves into the physical body. My dog Gracie had seizures a month after I first got her. They were bad, she quit breathing and spent 3 days in the hospital. I didnt want to keep her on medication her whole life, so I talked to her about what happened. I had asked her to do something that was above & beyond her ability. That had caused the seizures. I removed that request, and took her off the meds. She never had another seizure, and just died at 11 because of cancer.
spencerthegoldendoodle says
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story!
Carleen says
Glad I could do so. ♥
Robin says
Thank you for this message. I think that it is important as bloggers to be open and honest with our readers about our real life experiences with our pets. From my point of view, sharing our painful experiences has 2 important benefits: 1) it helps us to work through our experience, 2) it empowers other people who may be experiencing something similar. As I’ve had to learn, it isn’t crazy to feel pain when something bad happens. It is crazy when you don’t feel pain when bad things happen. I’m so happy that Ty has recovered so well from his Lymphoma! He is adorable and quite the inspiration.
Carleen says
I couldn’t agree more. It does so much both for others and for our own selves.
Annie Anderson says
Thank you for being open! I know sharing about adversity is hard but you are truly inspirational. Ty deserves so much better than this difficult times and I’m glad that he is in remission. God bless him.
Carleen Pruess Coulter says
Thanks!
Cammie Noel says
That is such wonderful news! So glad to hear that he is doing so well. 😀
Carleen Pruess Coulter says
Thanks!
Seville at Nerissa's Life says
CONGRATULATIONS! Congratulations on bein’ a finalist in the Nose-to-Nose Awards. purrs
Carleen says
Thanks!!!!
Chirpy Cats says
Congratulations on your nomination, very well deserved! I can relate to the reluctance of sharing one’s bad news, it can be too painful. But you are so right, we might just discover alternatives and new paths by sharing. When my cat was diagnosed with CKD last May I cried Niagara Falls and then through sharing on Facebook and research I discovered some gems of information about the disease and how to control it. So happy to hear that Ty is doing well now.
Valentine says
Your Ty is a very lucky to have such a devoted, loving Mom. Me & Bessie cross our paws that the “bad C” doesn’t come back! Thanks for telling this story.
Congratulations on being selected as a ‘Best New Pet Blog’ finalist!!
annhoff says
As a communicator, I have had success with dogs turning off the blood supply to the tumor. Dogs take on the illness of their humans, many times, but they are also the canary in the coal mine for environmenatly and posioning issues. OVer half the dogs over 10 now die from cancer. There is ALWAYS an emotional/spiritual component to illness. Dealing with that makes a difference many times.
I applaud your being an adovocate for your dog. More people should be as compassionate. Sending you both angels!
Eileen says
Oh, Carleen, I’m sitting here in my office in tears from reading this! Tears of joy, tears of “this truly sucks that our pets have to deal with this”, tears of “I’m NOT alone” afterall. Thanks so much for sharing your journey thus far! I will be delving into your diet and supplements posts next.
It’s interesting that you felt you shouldn’t blog about this experience for fear you were using such a sad situation for personal gain. I was the opposite. I thought that I needed to blog, Instagram, facebook, whatever I can reach out through, about this journey to let people know that there are things we can do to help prolong our pet’s life, in good quality too, when such a horrible diagnosis is presented. Not all dog owners know that chemo is available for our pets. And of the ones who do know of its existence, around here, anyway, most believe it would be too hard on their pet to put them through it, so they choose instead to give up and prepare themselves for the imminent goodbye. Now, I live in southern Ontario, Canada, so maybe we aren’t as advanced here in educating pet owners. Not sure. Anyway, I’m on a huge learning curve now to not only discover what’s the best I can do for our Tucker, but also how do I utilize these social media platforms to get the word out that there is hope for our pets. Whether it’s an added extra day of good quality time with them, or months, or a year, or two, I feel I need to share our journey to give others reason to hope and do the best they can for their furry loved-ones.
When I got the diagnosis of Tucker’s B-Cell Stage 4 Lymphoma Monday, January 7th, I immediately had our vet refer us for chemo treatments. The Ontario Veterinary College in nearby Guelph couldn’t get us in until January 31st. Through quick googles I knew we didn’t have that much time to wait so in the end we are going to a further clinic that could get us in on January 9th and Tucker’s chemo started that day. His protocol is similar to what Ty’s was back in 2015 it sounds like, 8 weekly treatments in a row, then another 8 treatments biweekly.
Sorry for this novel! I’m just so excited to have found this resource and all that you link to. I’ve been doing googles like crazy the last two weeks and somehow missed you until yesterday. Finally used a descent search engine I guess. Yahoo!!
Carleen says
I’m glad I could be of help to you! I see that you already have joined our T cell infusion Facebook group. There is a lot of great information there! I’ll be sending lots of best wishes to you and Tucker for a lengthy remission!!!
Luzanne Otte says
Less than 1 week after having to put down my 13 year old Labrador, my Pomeranian, Boo Boo, was diagnosed with canine lymphoma. Fear prevented me from emoting. I jumped online to research. The amount of information on canine lymphoma is overwhelming. I hoped a blog like yours, supported by citations to research, existed to help distill the best approach. On September 1st, this article was updated and appeared on the first page of my Google results. I don’t see any substantive updates which makes me believe I’m meant to learn something important for Boo Boo from your experience with Ty.
The pandemic has slowed life down, but lymphoma slows for nothing and no one. Every veterinary oncologist I tried couldn’t see Boo Boo until the middle of the month, which simply wouldn’t do. Boo had one swollen lymph node for awhile, misdiagnosed as a mass, before all peripheral lymph nodes were engaged. Once the others sprung up, they enlarged with terrifying speed. Over the course of a week, I was more frightened about Boo Boo’s airway being obstructed than the cancer.
Either I got lucky or one of the clinics I called pitied me and fit him in for a consultation yesterday. My research priority had been treatment and decided on CHOP protocol, praying the oncologist agreed. You never know. Thanks be to God, she did. Boo Boo received Vincristine and began Prednisone yesterday. Thirty six hours later, Boo Boo’s lymph nodes have already begun to decrease in size. Now that I have treatment under way, my research focus is on diet (so much conflicting information so I’ve now made the decision to stick to a trusted source – yours – and stop comparing/contrasting or I’ll never lock down a plan) and personally engaged in abundant prayers for remission.
As you note in this article, it’s important to share your struggle to aid others in their journey. I just wanted to let you know that in doing so, you’ve already lightened my burden. Please pray for Boo Boo as I will for Ty.
Gratefully Yours,
Luzanne Otte
Carleen says
I’m so sorry that you are dealing with a lymphoma diagnosis! I’m glad my article(s) were able to help and I’m glad that you were able to get Boo Boo in for treatment. I have been hearing similar stories where people are facing delays because of Covid. There are a couple of good Facebook groups for further support and information: Fighting Canine Lymphoma and Lymphoma Heart Dogs in Chemo. I also run a group for T cell infusion and Bone Marrow Transplant Support:
Canine T Cell Infusion and Bone Marrow Transplant Information and Support. Always have hope!
crystal white says
I am so sorry for your recent loss, but he will continue to live on through his mommy sharing his story and helping others fight this terrible disease! What a fighter he was!!!
I cannot thank you enough for this post and don’t know how I landed on your page as things are still a complete blur to me. My sweet baby was just diagnosed with lymphoma this past weekend. We are going to the Oncologist on Wednesday to see if its type B or T. Obviously praying for B and what stage he is. I am trying to arm myself with as much information before the appointment and so grateful I landed on your page. I know myself along with my baby are up for the fight! I have ordered all the supplements along with the diet you recommended. I am very interested in the Canine T Cell Infusion and Bone Marrow transplant. Could you send me information so I can start reaching out? I cant thank you enough for sharing your story and giving us hope!
Carleen says
I’m so sorry that you are dealing with a lymphoma diagnosis. I wrote more about Ty’s T cell infusion here: https://www.somepets.com/tys-canine-t-cell-infusion-therapy-for-lymphoma/. There are links there to Dr. Sullivan and Dr. O’Connor who are the two providers currently doing T-cell infusions. I also highly suggest joining our T cell support group on Facebook. That is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1260458577324887 There is a lot of good information in that group. Lymphoma Heart Dogs in Chemo and Fighting Canine Lymphoma are also good Facebook groups.