My First Update

Hi! I'm Finnegan. Ryan and Amy have built a blog about me to keep my family and friends up to date on my journey to the ultimate goal of getting in remission from lymphoma.

On Sept. 20, 2011, I was going about enjoying my wonderful life of working 5 days a week at three elementary schools in Marshall as a certified therapy dog alongside my owner, school counselor, Pam. I have important work to do at the start of the school year. I calm down anxious kids who are missing their moms, kids can earn a visit with me for good behavior, I meet the new crop of kindergarteners (man do they give great hugs and soft kisses on my head!),and I wag my tail and look handsome as I visit all 43 classrooms of 1,000 kids. But today I was feeling weird. My Dad had found 2 unusual bumps on my back plus the beginning of a hot spot the night before. I didn't feel well at school so my Mom took me to the vet. Dr. Randy didn't like the look of the bumps and scheduled surgery for a week later to take them out. By the day of my surgery, I had three more about the size of a pencil eraser.  The Veterinary Lab at Michigan State University after 2 rounds of tests diagnosed me with cutaneous lymphoma. The type I have is RARELY seen in dogs.

Well, I have to tell you, my Mom and Dad were so sad. They told me they would take care of me.  I now had about 10 more bumps under my ears and on my shoulders. We then took a trip to MSU to meet with an oncologist. Of course, she saw what a sweetheart I was and said that I had three things going for me since my parents caught it early, I am young, and I wasn't currently acting sick. Then the bad news, it can't be cured. If we can get it into remission, it will at some point come back again.

An hour later the doctor gave me a meatball with 4 chemo pills hidden inside and my battle had begun. I felt tired and nauseous for about 6 days and lost 2 pounds when I went for my blood test a week later. Mom figured out when to give me my nausea medicine so that helped after about day 3. Now for some good news, I felt better than ever for the two weeks after that and my local vet Dr. Randy (the nicest, most caring vet ever!) has agreed to give me my chemo locally every three weeks so we don't have to drive to MSU. I see him for a blood test a week after chemo and the day of my treatment. I don't even get nervous going there because everyone is so nice and they talk to me!