You can't choose whom you fall in love with. When those big brown eyes find yours and barrel through to your heart and those soft as silk ears slide across your cheek, you're done for! A goner! At least, I was! On July 2nd, this sweet little puppy came home with me and has since wormed her way into all of our hearts while simultaneously sprouted horns! Despite the horns, or maybe because of them, Phoebe fits right into my family and already loves her big sister, Bella.
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| "I'm sweet and innocent, I promise." Hah! |
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| "Pardon me, I need a nap. I'm a growing puppy, ya know." |
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| "What?" |
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| First night home and first picture together. |
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So small and sweet...
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| The horns are hiding under her ears. |
Four days after Phoebe blessed my life, Bella underwent a CT scan in which they found a large mass. They explained to me that whether it was malignant or benign it still acted malignant because of its location. A biopsy was done and three days later the results were in; Bella had a nasal adenocarcinoma. Basically a large cancerous tumor all along the left side of her snout and behind her left eye.
Devastation. Disbelief. Anger.
"Good news, it hasn't spread." Yes, that was phenominal news. Not so good news: surgery's not an option. Once again the location plays a major factor. More good news: we can fight it with radiation treatment. I'm told she's a great candidate and there's an 80 to 85% chance the radiation will get rid of the tumor, however, nothing can get rid of the cancer. It will eventually grow back, but it can take a very long time. I was in! If it could help her, add years to her life and, most importantly, improve the quality of her life, I would do anything in my power. And so, we began treatment the very next day.
Every single day has been an adventure! The treatments were done Monday through Friday at 8AM. Every morning I drove her to the vet for her treatment, then drove to work and then picked her up after work. When I picked her up after the first radiation treatment, I made a complete fool of myself in the waiting room. They had said they needed to shave her face but for some reason I had it in my head they would only shave the left side of her face. I was wrong. Her face and her neck were shaved and she had sharpie marks to show exactly where to direct the radiation. I was not prepared and I think reality hit me hard. When I finally gained my composure, everyone was either looking at me or had their head down, trying to decrease my embarrassment, I'm sure. Then a few days later there were white lines, too. I learned a new use for Whiteout. See the white lines on her nose? Yep, Whiteout.
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| Only a few days into her treatment regimen. No side-effects yet. |
Three and a half weeks and 18 treatments later, I am now dealing with the aftermath. Although the side-effects are temporary, they are awful! It has killed a small part of me not just seeing her this way, but hearing her cry. Thankfully the pain has substantially subsided and she's more itchy than anything else. I will post pictures when she's all healed up and hopefully feeling better than she has in a long time. She is incredibly strong and her spirit glows brighter than the sun.
Once her face, eyes and mouth are healed, the only lasting side effect, hopefully, will be aesthetic. She has always been beautiful to me and I have a bond with her that is hard to explain. After watching her fight this, how amazing she has been, how strong and sweet and lovely and patient she has been, I feel even more connected to her and I am inspired by her spirit.
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| Taken a few days before we got the results. Pretty girl. |
I'm also inspired by Phoebe's gentle and loving nature toward her big sister. Animals are amazing creatures; they enrich your life and make you a better person.
