MEET POTTER from Florida!
It is with great sadness that we share Potter's final update. Potter received a canine bone marrow transplant in February of this year. Sometimes even the best technology isn't enough to beat this beast we call cancer. Potter fought bravely for over 1 year, and he crossed the rainbow bridge on 6/16/11, surrounded by the love of his family.
The following message was copied from Potter's Mom's facebook on 6/16/11:
"Lost my best friend yesterday to his battle with lymphoma. RIP Potter, you were the best dog a girl could ever wish for. I will always love you."
Please consider donating in Potter's memory to help his family offset the cost of his treatment. Please note "In Memory of Potter" in the memo line. Thank you.
The Gibson Pack
Hello everyone,
Meet Potter from Florida! Potter was diagnosed with Lymphoma and he's received a life-saving Canine Bone Marrow Transplant at North Carolina State University in February 2010! CONGRATULATIONS TO POTTER & HIS FAMILY for meeting their goal of $16,000 to save Potter's life!
FIND POTTER ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/pottershope
CHECK OUT POTTER'S LATEST NEWS STORY: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/12/24/880009_dog-owners-find-hope.html
Potter's family wrote a bio about Potter's family, friends and interests. Now, it's our pleasure to share it with you. We are excited for you to meet this handsome boy! We know that once you do you'll love him as much as we do :) We promise to keep you updated on Potter's progress as he gets closer to the end of h protocol, and as always we'll make sure that you get a front seat as we watch Potter make his journey to the cure!
What breed of dog is Potter?
We believe Potter is pit bull mixed with about ten other different dog breeds. At one point we were going to have genetic testing done on him so we knew exactly what he was mixed with because so many people come up to us and ask.
How old is Potter?
We believe Potter is 4 ½ years old. He was about 6 months old when we adopted him the week before Thanksgiving in 2006. We guesstimated his birthday was May 15, 2006.
How big is he, how much does he weigh?
Potter weighs about 50 pounds, however due to his increased appetite due to the prednisone he may pack a few more on.
When did Potter join your family?
We adopted Potter from Miami-Dade Animal Services in November of 2006. It was literally love at first sight as he was the very first dog we came across as we entered the endless maze of dogs that are housed at Animal Services on any given day.
He was tan with a white nose, paws, and belly. His ears would have made Dumbo blush. He had no note on his cage, but we were informed that two other people had already reserved the dog for adoption. Did we want to be put third on the list, for the outside chance that two other people relinquished their claim? Sure, why not?
Neither person before us on the list showed up for the young dog, but his allotted time before euthanization was running out. Were we still interested, and could we be there before 6 p.m.? Yes, and YES! I left work early to make the long rush hour drive to the shelter and arrived minutes before they closed. I signed a few papers and handed them a check for $60, they in return handed me the leash to a newly neutered scared pup.
What was Potter like as a puppy?
I would like to say he was a perfect little angel, but his was naughty. When we would go to work we would keep him locked in our bathroom, thinking it would keep him out of trouble, it didn’t. On one occasion he somehow opened the closet door and took out a new 32-roll package of toilet paper. He proceeded to gnaw on each roll and when he was satisfied he did enough damage he stacked each one behind his bed forming a toilet paper pyramid. I guess he thought we would be able to see them behind his bed!
What activities does Potter enjoy?
Potter enjoys going for walks, trips to the beach, laying in the sun, cuddling with mom and dad, traveling (he has visited more places than most people) and eating.
Tell us about Potter's 4 legged family members.
Potter’s dad, Albert, is a practicing attorney in Orlando, Florida. Potter’s mom, Rebecca, trains and rides horses professionally. Potter looks to dad for rough-housing and relies on mom for his constant supply of food.
Tell us about some of Potter's funny or endearing personality traits.
He HATES grass, which is funny because we bought the house we did because it had the biggest yard for him. He prefers to do his business in a bush or woodchips. Whenever he lies down, he has to be on a pillow or a pillow substitute (our legs, chests, faces, etc.), because, well, what's he going to do, lay on the floor like a common dog? He sleeps in our bed, or I should say, we sleep in his.
When was Potter diagnosed?
Potter was diagnosed on October 18, 2010.
What was the diagnosis?
T-cell lymphoma.
When did Potter start chemo?
October 19, 2010 at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists in Maitland, Florida.
When does chemo end?
April 2011.
When did you decide to admit Potter into the bone marrow transplant unit at NC State, and when does he check in?
We contacted NC State following Potter’s first chemotherapy treatment and he is tentatively scheduled for to check-in for his bone marrow transplant on February 2, 2011.
Most Sincerely,
The Gibson Pack
Thursday June 16, 2011
It is with great sadness that we share Potter's final update. The following was copied from his Mom's facebook:
"Lost my best friend yesterday to his battle with lymphoma. RIP Potter, you were the best dog a girl could ever wish for. I will always love you."
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Please consider donating in Potter's memory to help his family offset the cost of his treatment. Please note "In Memory of Potter" in the memo line. Thank you.
The Gibson Pack
June 2011
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Saturday April 9, 2011
It is with heavy hearts that we report that Potter's lymphoma has returned. We have already started him on chemotherapy, and he is responding well to the treatment. We are keeping our fingers crossed that his cancer goes back into remission. Eventhough the bone marrow transplant did not work for Potter we believe that one day it will be a cure for this terrible disease.The Gibson Pack
Sunday March 6, 2011
Yay Potter's platelet count was 125,000 this morning which means he can go back to his normal activities!!The Gibson Pack
Friday March 2, 2011
Potter is settling back into his normal routine and happy to have his sister back. He is on bed-rest for 4 to 6 weeks though which is not the easiest of things to do with a dog :) |
The Gibson Pack
Friday February 25, 2011
Potter is home safe and sound...what a long day of traveling though!!
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The Gibson Pack
Tuesday February 22, 2011
Potter is coming home on Friday!!!!!!!
The Gibson Pack
Tuesday February 15, 2011
We are anxiously awaiting more news on Potter. His team says he is doing very well in recovery and has had very few of the normal complications they encounter. When we were last updated, Potter was in the ICU, but this was expected as his neutrophils (most abundant white blood cell) were at or near 0, another normal occurrence. Now he has to fight to bring his body back to normal again! (we know he will)
The Gibson Pack
Wednesday February 9, 2011
Via Potter's Hope:We spoke to Dr. Wilcox today and Potter received his last dose of radiation and the stem cells were transplanted back into his system.Now we just have to cross our fingers and wait for the cells engraft in his marrow. |
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The Gibson Pack
Sunday February 6, 2011
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Update Via Potter's Hope:Potter's PARR test came back negative today, which means no lymphoma cells at the microscopic level in his bone marrow or blood!! |
The Gibson Pack
Saturday February 5, 2011
We heard from Dr. Wilcox today and Potter is doing great after his round of chemo today. His white blood count is holding steady. She said he didn't want to go out in the rain this morning to go to the bathroom, typical Potter behavior. Fox News Orlando is going to do a story on Potter as soon as he gets home!
The Gibson Pack
Thursday February 3, 2011
Potter had a cardiac echo and a bone marrow biopsy yesterday. He is currently receiving injections to stimulate his body's stem cell production so the cells can be harvested. We leave him here tomorrow to go back home :(
The Gibson Pack
Sunday January 30, 2011
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| Stressful day...Potter woke us up at 5am with a fever. We took him to the ER where he spent the whole day. He is home now and resting comfortably. |
The Gibson Pack
Monday January 24, 2011
So far so good after Potter's strong dose of chemo on Friday. He is in good spirits and back to fighting with his little sister already. Next stop NC State!!
The Gibson Pack
Interview!