The samples that were sent for biopsy have been retested with further stain, and now the vets say Rubi has lymphoma, not melanoma. Both will kill her, but she has a longer projected life span with lymphoma. We started treatment yesterday. The oncologist gave her a shot of l'asparaginase, which kills a non essential enzyme that the cancer cells can not make but need, so they die. The body starts making it again quickly, so there are no harmful side effects for Rubi, but I was advised that within 24 hours, the small tumors would be gone. Not forever, but just to level the playing field for the next rounds of treatment. See more below the kos orange storm cloud.
I was extremely skeptical since this situation has only become worse since she was diagnosed with some kind of cancer last week. (It is hard to imagine this all started 2/20. it has seemed like a lifetime.) Anyway, the tumors ARE gone this morning! I know it is not significant in the big scheme of things, but omg I needed some good news and this is it for today.
Her future treatment involves 9 different drugs in the next 9 weeks. They are trying now to determine if this cancer involves B cells or T cells. It will make a difference in what they give her. Neither type is curable but remissions are not uncommon for at least a few months in the first treatment. Secondary treatments tend to be less successful but we are not there yet.
This is all I know now. She will see the her own vet Sunday and the oncologist Thursday. More to come as I know more.