Jets Success Story

(As told by Jet Morningstar)

  My story begins quite a bit like some others, I suppose. March, 2006. I was lying in bed on my back with my dad scratching my belly (my favorite). He must have noticed something was wrong, because the next day he took me in to see my regular veterinarian. They looked at me real good, and noticed I had some lumps in my groin (along with some in other places too). Then I heard the bad news; cancer. Lymphoma, to be exact. My doctor told my dad not to expect too much- he would give my dad some steroids to give me and make me comfortable, but his prognosis was 3 months or so for me to live. Man, my mom and dad were upset. I was too, but I was even more upset because I could see how worried they were. My dad asked the doctor what else could be done, and the doctor did not have much else to add and said the best thing to do was make me comfortable and as happy as possible.

  Well, my dad did not take this news lying down. He got on the internet, did a lot of research into my cancer and found this great place to take me to called the Animal Cancer and Imaging Center. It was only in Rochester, and we made an appointment to go see them.

  At ACIC they confirmed my diagnosis. However, they had a great program for me to help get me better. It was a chemotherapy treatment, and the doctor said I would have to see them every couple of weeks for awhile. My dad said “no problem, whatever we need to do”. I’m sure glad they did. They got me started right away, and within a few treatments they got me into remission!

  ACIC also had a nutritionist to talk to. They gave a lot of information about food, vitamins and supplements that would be a great diet for me. Boy, I will say- that new food is GREAT!

  Throughout my treatment, I will say I did have a bit of a rough time. I didn’t always want to eat and my hair thinned out a bit. But it wasn’t too bad. After all, I was an 8 year old standard poodle and my breed has a tendency to do a lot worse than I was doing. So I considered myself lucky. The fact my mom and dad treated me special, gave me lots of good healthy snacks all the time and spoiled me rotten didn’t hurt my feelings, either.

  After about 6 months I finished my treatments. That was already longer than my regular doctor had given me to live. Eventually my hair grew and I gained all my weight back (and then some- boy, that new food is great- did I say that already?).

  It has now been a year and a half since I was first diagnosed. I am still in remission! We still go see those nice people at ACIC every few weeks. A little blood work and a check-up never hurt anyone, right? My prognosis is still pretty good, although we take it one day at a time. I have already had about a year and a half longer than I would have had. I really appreciate all the time and care I have had from ACIC and my parents. I am alive and as good as new!

   Parents note;