There are two sites: one is for the babies that have crossed the bridge - the angels group - and those of us still fighting the good fight - that's just lymphomaheartdogs - no angels on the end. Don't worry too much about the name of the protocol; it seems they all pretty much use the same drugs. University of Penn has their own protocol but it consists of a combination of Pred, L-Spar, Vincristine, Cytoxan and Doxorubicin. Hammy is on week 10 and just went into partial remission last week. Be patient and be kind to yourself through all this! It is extremely overwhelming between all the information and mis-information out there. If you'd like to email me privately, feel free; my email is michj1004@comcast.net. Best of luck to you and Rex! Not today, not without a fight!
Michelle, Rufus (my other dog) & Hamlet

Hi Michelle. I did see it and I went to that site but it seems that all of them are Lymphomaheartdogangels now. I'm so overwhelmed too that I'm having trouble making sense of all this. Chemo is Rex's only chance because he is in stage 4 or 5. We did not check his bone marrow because that's a painful procedure and does not change the treatment protocol. It only pinpoints the prognosis more. Rex's is B cell also. I saw the vet today and his blood count is not coming up even though he is eating everything I give him. The vet feels that it's an indication of bone marrow involvement. So, we are going to proceed with the next round of chemo either tomorrow or Wed. It's the CHOP protocol. I just hope we can achieve a remission for a period of time even though he is in an advanced stage. I'll go back to that site and join. Bless you and Hamlet. Hope he goes into remission soon too. Mary Frances

Hi Mary Frances,
I responded to one of your other posts but wasn't sure if you would see it. I have a 9 year old chow/retriever mix, Hamlet, with lymphoma. We're in the Jersey burbs of Philly and go to the University of Penn Vet Hospital for chemo. He is stage V-a, B-cell. I like this site but it doesn't seem that a lot of members here opt to go the chemo route. So, I wanted to let you know about another support group I also belong to on yahoo - LymphomaHeartDogs - it's specifically for parents of pets with lymphoma who are undergoing chemo treatment. I've found it immensely helpful, informative, and supporting. Check it out if you get an opportunity. They do limit members again to folks with dogs who have lymphoma specifically AND must be undergoing chemo so you qualify. Best of luck to you and especially Rex as you go through your journey!
Michelle & Hamlet (dx 01/29/10 tx 02/01/10 partial remission 04/05/10)