Cancer Can Be Beaten
Contributed by Angie Lewis, President of Alaska Animal Advocates
A few months ago, I wrote a couple of articles about my 8.5-year-old Great Pyrenees Mix, Jerith, and the discovery that he had bladder cancer. Very serious and late term. I learned that there was not much positive with this diagnosis. Luckily, we found an oncologist at Tier One Vet Clinic. So, we fostered a relationship with this doctor, who recommended cancer fighting medications and supplements to boost his already devasted body. This was also a major cost for working on saving my big boy (167pounds). We had chemotherapy drugs in our arsenal, but not radiation, which was not available in Alaska.
After about six months or so, we learned that Jerith was now free of cancer. I was as shocked by this news as I was at first learning that he had cancer. I am still in shock, and I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop and learning that he still has some part of cancer remaining in his body.
We no longer give Jerith cancer medication, but we have continued giving him all the supplements that were recommended by his doctor. Jerith has to go back to the vet for rechecks to make sure that the cancer has not returned. Unfortunately, the oncologist that Jerith has been seeing has moved out of Alaska and as far as I know, there are no other oncologists in the area.
This has been a very expensive experience for us – thousands of dollars in fact. I don’t regret one dollar of what I have spent and will continue spending whatever cost arises. I am Jerith’s guardian and as such, will never put him on the back burner. I have been so fortunate to share my life and my heart with this sweet, gentle giant. So, when you are saying your prayers or focusing on the many needs in our community, please think of Jerith and hope for his continued good health. Thank you.