The following article appeared in the 2009 Guide Dogs for the Blind Fourth Quarterly Newsletter and I have been waiting for them to post that newsletter online before placing it here. While Fallbrook was not a TriPawd nor did he suffer from the Osteosarcoma that so commonly is the diagnosis within this community, his battle with cancer and the chemotherapy to treat that cancer can be an inspiration to all.

Remembering Fallbrook, A Cancer Story

By Jeffrey Williams, DVM

Fallbrook was sick, as in the proverbial “sick as a dog”.  He had been suffering from severe diarrhea and vomiting for two days and everyone was really wondering, was the chemotherapy worth it? He had been returned to GDB three weeks earlier, suddenly retired from active guidework at the age of 7 due to a diagnosis of Lymphosarcoma. We immediately began chemotherapy under the supervision of Dr. Carlos Rodriquez, an oncologist affiliated with the San Francisco Veterinary Specialty group. Side effects of this treatment are common and often very serious.

I called Dr. Rodriquez to tell him the treatment was not proceeding well. Over the phone he urged us to continue on, saying if we could just get him over this hump, he could have a long, happy remission period. He was right—with strong supportive care, Fallbrook improved. On August 24, 2009, Fallbrook celebrated his 13th birthday, and fifth year of remission, with his foster care provider Heidi Sanders.

Fallbrook was born at the Guide Dogs campus in California and raised in Washington State. He returned for formal training at our Oregon campus, graduated in 1998 and was in Michigan with his graduate when the diagnosis of lymphoma was made in 2004. His graduate could not provide care for him in retirement and it was decided that returning him to us in California gave him the best chance to recover.

Despite his initial severe reactions, his chemotherapy went well and he enjoyed a long remission from the deadly disease. He became a regular fixture around campus and at foster care meetings with Heidi over the years (along with her breeder dogs, Sorbet, Nessa and Ryka). He touched many hearts. His outgoing personality and hunger for attention (as well as cookies) was infectious to everyone he met. He was high maintenance, but highly loved! Mostly it was just a joy to see him happy and alive. He was spoiled, but after his battle to survive cancer, we felt he deserved no less.

On October 7th, Fallbrook suddenly became ill again. Heidi rushed him to our veterinary clinic and it was quickly determined that a tumor in his spleen was bleeding into his abdomen. This tumor was unrelated to his previous lymphoma. Upon further investigation, it was suspected that it had already spread to other parts of his body. Because of his poor prognosis and condition, the very difficult decision was made to perform euthanasia. With Heidi still at his side, he passed peacefully that afternoon.

Fallbrook’s life was a tribute to the strength of character of our dogs as well as the staff and volunteers in our organization. I have treated dozens of dogs for lymphosarcoma in my career and Fallbrook was only the second “cure.” The fact that he was so severely ill during the early stages of chemotherapy only made his triumph more remarkable.

Affectionately known as “FB,” I will never forget his enthusiasm whenever he came into the vet clinic and the love and great care Heidi gave him. Although his passing was very sad, we all knew he lived a truly great life and we were better for having met him.