I loved how Goblin would be lying on the floor at my feet, and how she would wag her tail when I'd look at her. She would wake me with a hundred kisses. I'd tease her and say "I shoulda named you Happy" because she was always happy. She loved French Vanilla Ice Cream. She slept with me every night, and I never worried about my safety when she was around.
Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder is incurable. The standard treatment is palliative, and consists of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory known as piroxicam. Piroxicam is generally given with Cytotec to avoid gastrointestinal problems, but Goblin tolerated Piroxicam quite well, and we didn't add the Cytotec until 3/25/99.
My research about this disease took me, by e-mail, to researchers across the USA, to Norway, Italy, and Japan. I got the most information from Carol Murphy, who was instrumental in helping Goblin live a longer life than anyone would have thought. With Carol's input about her Cancer Program and my own research, I began Goblin on a regimen of immune system boosters, and known tumor inhibitors.
Most dogs are dead within 5 months of diagnosis. Dogs who receive surgery or chemo (which does nothing) are dead within 4 months. GOBLIN LIVED FOR 10 MONTHS WITH EXCELLENT QUALITY OF LIFE! What a gift that was.
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