Rubys Success Story

       On Halloween in 2004 we found large lump on her neck. We thought maybe she had an ear infection or something so we brought her to the 24-hour vet clinic hoping to get some antibiotics. The veterinarian looked at her very quickly and came to the conclusion that she had Stage Four Lymphoma. We were shocked and devastated when he told us the news. She was five and had her whole life ahead of her. We just couldn’t believe it. The doctor was very cold and didn’t offer us much help. He said she had only two weeks.

      Ruby is a part of the family, a child to us, and we just couldn’t take that as an answer. After we got past the shock, we decided to do some research for ourselves. Frantically we searched the Internet and one of the first sites we came across was the Animal Cancer and Imaging Center. We called that very next day and we had an appointment! They got us right in. The three of us drove to Rochester and met with the staff a few hours later. I felt better as soon as I walked in the door.

      As we waited in the waiting room, we read letters, cards and looked at pictures of all the animals that had been there before Ruby. It was comforting. The staff makes you feel at home. They treated Ruby like a queen. They ran tests and Ruby wasn’t even that scared! The diagnosis was the same but ACIC gave us hope. That meant a lot to us. They gave us a treatment plan and promised that they wouldn’t put Ruby through anything that would change her quality of life. After one week of chemotherapy, Ruby was in remission!!

     Week after week, we traveled to ACIC for her chemotherapy treatments. The more we went, the more it felt like home. Ruby actually got to the point where she liked to go. They treat her with kindness and she loves them back. The staff was so wonderful. She finished her treatments never once getting sick or losing a whisker!

       It has now been over three years since Ruby was first diagnosed with Lymphoma. She came out of remission once about a year ago, but after a few more treatments she was right back in. She is now eight and living life to the fullest! We are thankful everyday for Dr. Obradovich and the ACIC staff for giving us a few more years with Ruby. She isn’t your average dog; ask anyone who knows her. You just can’t put a price on that kind of companionship. She truly is part of our family and part of the ACIC family. When I tell Ruby’s story, people are amazed that she is still here! I have to chalk it up to prayer and a wonderful place called The Animal Cancer and Imaging Center. I only wish that our “human” doctors could only be as caring and compassionate as they are.