Again, thanks everyone for all your good thoughts, kind words and prayers.
Marie and I took Doc to the oncology vet office (Vince is just starting with a new department and can not get time off) today for Doc's evaluation and first treatment. The
Veterinary Specialty Center is a referral only animal veterinary hospital. We both were VERY impressed and pleased with our initial impressions of the center and feel fortunate such a facility as this is so close by, less than 10 minutes from home.
We are working with the
internal medicine group, Dr. John Hintermeister. He was good, seemed very knowledgeable, as would expect, and we both felt comfortable with his manner. The diagnosis was further confirmed as to Doc's lymphoma. The course of treatment suggested, and taken on, will be a rather aggressive 26 week protocol of chemo and adjunct therapy and care. Two of the medicines are the same as Marie took for her breast cancer 6 years ago. The long term prognosis, short of any real miracle, is, on the long side, maybe 2 years. Without treatment, it would be weeks.
So, ole Doc had his first treatment and is home, relaxing, enjoying life.