Chip Chick
However, after a physical checkup in January 2022, B was diagnosed with B-Cell Lymphoma and had already received his chemotherapy treatment during the same month.
With the diagnosis, B will have to follow the CHOP protocol of chemotherapy. He would undergo weekly therapies for four weeks with a week break and repeat for four cycles.
“This would entail continuous routine visits for chemotherapy treatments after his initial four cycles are complete to give him the chance of an extended life until his body becomes resistant to the chemotherapy medicines,” Amy explained.
However, there is only a 0-2% chance for B to cure Lymphoma completely with the chemotherapy treatment alone.
But there is another chance, as stated by Amy, that a program of bone marrow transplants could increase the cure rate up to 35%. “For the procedure to be most effective, dogs should complete chemotherapy and be in remission before the transplant,” she wrote.
B has just started with the CHOP protocol, and the Sainsbury family will take his treatment one step at a time, as B’s condition could change at any time. But if he continues to do well, they will prepare him for the bone marrow transplant.
“He is bravely fighting cancer, and we will continue to support him every day,” Amy stated. “He deserves the world, and I could never repay him for the countless memories we have made.”
Amy’s family has also gotten in touch with North Carolina State University and their leading doctors on the Stem Cell Transplant procedure.
The procedure is available for dogs with Lymphoma. With an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant by using B’s own stem cell, combined with the Adoptive T-Cell Infusion Therapy, B’s cure rate could further increase to over 35%.
Despite the hype and excitement the Sainsbury family has for B’s opportunity, they will also have to face the harshness of high medical expenses.
Amy explained the chemotherapy itself is $6000, the stem cell transplant with NC State is $21,000 to $27,000, and the T-Cell infusion is another $10,000.
