Lymphoma

"I'm just trying to ignore everything and pretend that life is better than it really is."

You are so right to take this perspective. My heart just goes out to you and dear sweet Annabelle. With this new found focus you can reflect on the present and not the past or future. Isn't that what our dogs teach us? Blessings to you and Annabelle. Virtual hugs to you.
 
One of the best things I have done is take trips with Gavin after his cancer diagnosis.
He was diagnosed with sarcoma in late 2015, had surgery Dec 2015, and radiation dec-Jan 2015/6.
In march 2016 we took a week and drove up the coast of CA to OR, stopping at beaches. Amazing :)
That Christmas we drove to Arizona to see family and went to the Grand Canyon.

https://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AcuGjVw1bNmL4w&cid=SHAR-PBAPP

I made a book for my memories. He had his injury Thanksgiving 2017, was on crate rest on and off until February, and still limps as badly as ever. He will most likely always be partially disabled.
I am so glad I have those pictures and videos now. I only wish we had more trips in 2017; the last was a short backpacking trip in September.

So go out and make happy memories with Annabelle.

I bought a dog wheelchair so Gavin can go on walks with me again (OK..not cheap), and a dog stroller (not terribly expensive but big) and a foldable costco cart ($50 and can be used for other things as well) so I can take him places he wouldn't be able to make it to on his own and help when he gets tired.

I know you are worried about money, but we are all here to help you figure out how to you can spend your time with your sweet girl.
 

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I can relate to the emotional tug of war about spending money on dog medical expenses. After 7 dog surgeries this year, most of them well over four figures, it's hard to figure out where more money will come from. The good thing about this is that as you've found, you realize that spending time with your precious pup is what counts. Taking time to enjoy her and love her is what's important. She doesn't know she's sick, and is happy just being with you. Go with that.

And you never know. Miracles do happen. Even serious illnesses can heal, or regress. Don't give up hope. Sending you hugs and prayers! :hugs
 
Om gosh. My heart goes out to you, you're really going through the wars. I do hope the time you have with her is filled with lots of joy. Will be waiting to her the results.
 
I am going to give the latest update on this. My ordinary vet did not do a pathology to prove it was lymphoma vs some other thing. So, the specialist took her off the steroids so a pathology can be done if the lymph nodes swell back up. Everything was great for a few weeks. They swelled back up over the weekend.

Unfortunately, chemo just is not in our budget right now. My company was recently purchased and there is far too much "We don't know". So, we are paying off as many bills as we can to be prepared if I lose my job. I also have a hospital bill for me that hit the 6 grand deductible we have. So, it looks like I will be saying Goodbye to my sweet Annabelle soon. And right now, I'm just trying to ignore everything and pretend that life is better than it really is.
I'm so sorry!!
 
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