Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Tessy's 2 Year Anniversary

Just thought I'd share the great news with you all that Tessy marks 2 years since being diagnosed today (Valentines day). Two years ago it seemed like everything came crashing down on us and I thought all hope was gone! Thankfully this site was found! The supports and advise here was by all means THE BEST!!! I can still remember the doctors telling me she had Auto-immune Hemolytic Anemia and her PCV was really low! I thought to myself...."PCV"...what does a television station have to do with this. LOL I had NO IDEA what any of the terminology meant only that my little sweetheart was really really sick! A transfusion, 3 different immune suppressors, THOUSANDS of dollars, and months later she finally started to show improvement!! This was after her first vet said there was nothing that could be done!!! I guess we proved them wrong! Patrice must've thought I was insane all the technical questions I was asking her in the months to follow! Trust me...there were LOTS! I can only imagine what her new doctors thought of me....each time I took Tessy in for a checkup I had a printed out sheet filled with questions for them! Now that I look back I know lots of them were pretty silly. LOL But they helped to calm my nerves to ask them so ask them I did. Within a year she was basically cured of the AIHA but was still on low doses of pred. I took the weaning portion of treatment very seriously cause as we all know...relapses are not a good thing! Tessy had one near the beginning but that was it! Fastforward a year and a half and that's when things started going downhill for us again. I woke one morning to find lumps on Tessy's throat area (lymph nodes)! I feared the moment I saw them that it might be Lymphoma and sure enough...weeks later the diagnosis via biopsy confirmed my fears! Money was tight so I had to take Tessy to a new vet to have the biopsy done..a vet that would alow me to charge part of the bill. Well, this vet turned out to be just like the first one we saw...even worse!!! She said there was NOTHING that could be done to treat this cancer and to take Tessy home, spoil her and enjoy the remaining time I had with her...which she said might only be weeks! I was DEVASTATED!!! Words couldn't explain how I felt after all the fighting we did to get her through and beat the AIHA only to get Cancer! I can only speculate as to the cause of the cancer but my VERY STRONG belief is that it was the prolonged usage of cyclosporine that was the cause. I may be wrong but this is the most logical explanation as Tessy was on large doses for quite a long time. I took Tessy home with a heavy heart with not much hope left. BUT, those who know me know I'll exhaust every avenue I can to find a treatment or at the very least something that can help to prolong the inevitable. I went to the trusty computer and started researching this new evil disease and what I found SHOCKED me!!! Come to find out this form of lymphoma was one of the most easily treated cancers there is and there were literally loads of different routes I could have taken with treatment!!! AGAIN, another vet was wrong! Two vets now that had I listened to them Tessy would have been gone...twice. All while this was going on my other sweetheart (Tessy's sister) Sadie was diagnosed with AIHA!!! Now I'm here dealing with Tessy's lymphoma and now Sadies AIHA! I thought maybe if I light the fuse on the back of my head the skull might explode faster! :) Those who know me know that Sadie was my heartdog! She followed me EVERYWHERE! When I sat down she'd sit down and if she could it would be with her head on my lap. She was my shadow and best friend! trying to figure out treatments for two very different disease is a battle in itself! Anywho, now I had to decide what treatment route I'd take with Tessy to treat and battle this new threat. Time was of great importance so I went the chemotherapy avenue and chose the Wisconsin protocol for treating canine lymphoma. Apparently this is the gold standard for canine lymphoma treatment so the following week I set up her first treatment. By then she was post Stage 3 and likely Stage 4 (stage 5 being worse). The lumps were affecting her breathing and all outter lymph nodes were now affected. The first treatment went exceptionally well with absolutely no side effects. I assumed that her body was already use to drugs from being treated for AIHA. Within days ALL the lumps went down and by the second treatment were back to normal!!! Her doctor and I were speechless and amazed at this! She goes for another treatment tomorrow and then another in a couple weeks and that'll be it for this protocol! So far she is doing SO GREAT! I couldn't ask for a healthier furkid! She's spoiled absolutely rotten and is basically the boss of me! :) Have hope everyone who's battling AIHA or a similar disease. Dogs DO and CAN beat this and go on to live happy normal lives. Learn all you can and ask as many questions as possible. Get second opinions if need be and try try try to include a specialist in the treatment. Tessy and I love this place!!! Thanks for providing it for us Joanne! (sorry for the length) Hugs from... Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Johnny and Tessy, I am so happy for you and your girl. I remember when you first started coming on this board and the many trips you made in the snow to get Tessy the care she needed. :) I know it was so difficult for you to lose your Sadie while fighting Tessy's cancer but I am sure Sadie watches over both of you now. One thing we have all learned the hard way is we often know more about our fur kids than the paid professionals do or at least we are willing to explore all the possibilities. You have become a near expert ( once again the hard way) and are a valued contributor to this board. I am thrilled to hear how well Tessy is doing. Canine kisses from my California dogs to yours. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Congratulations Tessy and Johnny too!!! We have been here with you every step of your way, during the good and bad days and today we celebrate with you one of those very GOOD days. I will never forget how you drove Tessy several hours away and had stay in hotel for a few days while she was receiving treatment for her AIHA. You are a tremendous asset to this forum and I just wanted to say thank-you for taking the time to help so many others. I am sure Angel Sadie, Tessy and the rest of your crew are so very proud of you. We wish you and Tessy the very best and will continue to keep you in our prayers. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pinevile PA

Dear Johnny and Tessy, What a great success story! You truly are an inspiration to so many of us. You knew nothing about AIHA or Lymphoma, you learned and now you can help so many others. Tessy is sure lucky to have you and so are we! Thanks to Tessy we all have learned a lot too. And then there is Sadie.... I am sure she is looking at you being so proud of what you have done for her sister. I know you have done it all for her too, but I know just all to well sometimes it is out of our hands. Congratulations to you and Tessy and thanks for always being here with all your good advice. Best wishes from the other coast to you and your Cocker crew, Brigitte & the poodle boys

Brigitte BC Canada

Congrats Tessy and Johnny!!!!!!!!! We never know why we are placed in certain situations. But AIHA has touched your and Tessy's lives. And because of that you have become an expert in fighting against this horrible disease. And you have been an encourager to many a visitor to this site. We thank you for that. Gods blessings, Sue & Ren

Susie Delaware

Congratulations to Johnny and Tessy, Two years on, wow. Archie is doing so well and I have you to thank so much for guiding me through those very dark days. I am sure you drove my vet bonkers with your endless range of questions I should ask and did! I read your post and cannot believe you didn't know about this beforehand as you are so knowledgeable. I hope that Tessy continues to do well and good luck with the treatment. Our thoughts are with you as you share the joy of her achievement with the reflection on Sadies life. What a special owner these dogs have. Sue and Archie

Sue and Archie Cambridgeshire UK

Johnny, Congratulations to you and Tessy. One very good thing has come out of your pain and Tessy and Sadie's hard luck, it brought you to all of us. Thanks for being who you are, and for always offering a helping hand to us in need. Ronda and Buster

Ronda Illinois

Glad to hear Tessy is doing well, I cant believe you have both had to go through so much - it is so unfair.. I know Tessy will do great. Sam & Madison

Samantha Perth

Congrats.... thanks for all the time and effort you put into helping us other IMHA dogs and all our questions.

Pam IL

Yay! A big CONGRATS to you and Tessy. You two are an unstoppable force. Tessy is one tough little girl and an inspiration to so many. Hi paws and an ear scratch to Miss Tessy and a big ol hug to her awesome dad! Teresa

Teresa va

Dear Johnny, Your story about Tessy and Sadie brought tears to my eyes. It sounds like it has been an extremely tough two years. I am so glad that Tessy is still with you and doing great! She seems like a real fighter. I can't imagine how tough it was for you to be battling AIHA with Sadie after fighting it with Tessy... and then the lymphoma with Tessy. You have been so helpful and supportive to me and Gracie along with Patrice and her diet advice as have many others on this board. I don't think I could have gotten through those initial weeks without all your help and others here. Don't apologize for the length of your post. I loved hearing your story since I wasn't around when all of these things happened.I had only put bits and pieces together. You wrote with heart that only a true dog lover can!!! God Bless you, Tessy and Sadie in dog heaven! hugs, Gracie and Gwen

Gwen Rhinebeck

Dear Johnny and Tessy, Congratulations on your 2 year anniversary! You have both been through so much, and to hear that Tessy is still going strong is such wonderful news! Johnny, you are always willing to help others on this forum and FaceBook with your knowledge and sound advice, as well as the other tips you give (such as the ear drops) that have helped keep my Harry's yeast infection at bay! I am sure Angel Sadie is very proud of you both. Thank-you for all the help you have given Millie and I. Hugs to you both, Sam & Millie.

Samantha Geelong Australia

Johnny~ Congrats to the 2 year anniversary! Tessy is an inspiration to us all. Thank you, Johnny for helping the rest of us on this journey with or furbabies! Rejoicing with you, Cindi & Tori

Cindi PCB

Cheers to you and Tessy! What a journey! Your story is an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for continuing to share your story with us. Hooray! Henri sends lots of terrier kisses! Furhugs, Ella and Henri

Ella Seattle

Johnny, You are a real life hero. Congrats on the two years...what a true inspirational story. You should write a book or something. Not a lot of people 1. love their dogs like you do 2. Are resourceful enough to keep searching for answers 3. Have the courage to keep fighting even during the toughest of times 4. Can convey their emotions through writing the way you can. Awesome.... -Darren

Darren CA

Happy Anniversary Johnny and Tessy, you guys have been wonderful to everyone and we're happy to celebrate this milestone with you both! And serendipitously, that is Tiggs' bday (well, he's adopted, so that's his made up bday) :) He turned Lucky 7 this year. Melissa and Tiggs

melissa slc

Johnny, Congratulations to you and Tessy! Thank you for all the help you have provided to all of us on this site. Your comments were of immense help when Tootsie was very ill. Barb & Tootsie

Barb Ohio

Johnny and Tessy, thank you for giving us so much information and HOPE! It has made this journey so much easier to bear. Carrie and Summer

Carrie DFW

Wonderful news on Tessy's anniversary. Tessy has been a fantastic inspiration for so many of us here and YOU have been as well. Ron& Cooper

Ron L'land

Johnny - congratulations to you and to Tessy. It's always so wonderful to hear the success stories. I concur 100% with Ron -- you and Tessy have been so inspirational and so generous in giving your time to help others based on your experiences. Take care and celebrate!

Brenda VA

Thank you Johnny and Tessy for all the help and support you have given to myself and Clyde. If not for the unselfish time and energy you and all the other have put into helping us with our furchildren...we would be lost. Lots of hugs, treats and loves for both Clyde and I.

Kathy

Hi Johnny, I haven't been on the board for a while, but I just had to add my congratulations to you and Tessie, for a battle fought hard and well-won!!! You are truly an inspiration to all of us. You have done such a great job for Tessie, but also for so many of us who came onto this board knowing nothing!! You have helped us to deal with this deadly disease (and our vets) with a great deal more knowlege. We all know that knowlege has been our power!! So along with our congratulations I want to say to you----THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! Warmest Wishes Maureen and Mercedes

Maureen Southern Interior

This thread was discussed between 14/02/2011 and 21/03/2011

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