We are facing our fear. Hope has lymphoma.

We brought her home yesterday afternoon. The surgical oncologist removed one tonsil and biopsied her soft palate Friday. She had a CT of her head and her nasal passages scoped.

Two enlarged lymph nodes were found in her throat. The biopsies confirmed the lymphoma.

Hope is on pain medicine and prednisone. She will need her stitches removed in 10 to 14 days. Yesterday she wanted a walk, but she is on restricted activity for the next two weeks.

We have an appointment Monday with an oncologist. Will we be able to slow this disease down? Is she too far gone? Would the attempt at intervening cause her suffering? We don’t know.

I never have had to fight a cancer battle with a dog. I don’t know what to expect. If any of you readers have fought this battle, please give me some advice.

Hope suffered for five years in an Amish puppy mill. I refuse to let her suffer more. If the treatment will not cause further suffering, and we can give her more time—or a remission—then we will do it.

The lymphoma will kill her.  I swing from anger and sorrow. I wanted more time to give her a normal life.