In 1984, the word CANCER was inducted into my vocabulary for the first time and without warning. My dad, who was a beast of a man, a boxer in the former Soviet Union and the epitome of physical fitness, was now diagnosed with leukemia. The oncologist immediately initiated an aggressive chemotherapy protocol. Six months after starting treatment, despite losing half his body weight and his coveted semitic afro, my dad was in remission and was kicking cancer’s arse. With help and support from my mom, the traditional Chinese herbalist she found (years before the internet) and chemotherapy, my dad eventually defeated his leukemia. By that point at the age of 11, I had a healthy fear and comprehension of cancer and chemotherapy. I knew without a doubt that, without chemo and the adjunctive Chinese herbs, my dad would have died. Ultimately he lived for another 12+ years cancer free.
When I began working in the veterinary field in 2002, I knew I found my career path. It wasn’t until 2007 when I transferred into the oncology department of a specialty hospital that I knew I found my “calling.” I had a tendency to gravitate towards the older or more fragile patients who needed more TLC so it was no surprise I ended up in oncology for 9 years. Many clients have asked me, “how can you work in the oncology?” My answer: it’s the hardest job I’ve ever loved and hated. I loved my patients and cherished the bonds we had. I wanted all my patients to think they were at doggy day care not at the hospital getting treated for cancer. One of my favorite patients was a Boxer named Stella who was diagnosed with lymphoma. On her first visit, Stella was so nervous that she refused to leave the car. Eventually her dad got her out but she was still adamant about not coming into the hospital. When I went into the lobby to introduce myself, I saw a man standing at the reception counter with a full grown boxer dog in his arms and wrapped around his neck like a scarf. Stella’s reluctance was short lived, and every subsequent visit involved Stella running full speed towards the hospital entrance while her dad trailed behind a completely extended leash.
My approach with patients was to treat them as if they were my own while they were at the hospital. Like other pet parents, I want to know that my fur kids are well taken care of while they are not with me. Veterinary hospitals can be extremely scary for our pets and they pick up on things like smells and sounds that may not register to us humans.
The diagnosis of Cancer in our pets is devastating and overwhelming. There are many options available these days, and with the help of a veterinary oncologist, finding the right treatment plan may be easier than expected.
Tune in next week as we kick off our new “Pet Mic Monday” series!
"Pet Mic Monday" is a new Dogvocates series based on an "open mic concept" where pet parents take over our blog to raise cancer awareness by discussing their pets diagnosis, treatment, and outcome with a worldwide pet community .
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