MEET GRESSA from Minnesota!

I'm sharing this news with the heaviest of hearts. Gorgeous Gressa from Minnesota was laid to rest on Saturday, 9/23/11. Gressa crossed the bridge peacefully at home, her favorite place in the whole world.  She was surrounded by the love of her Mother Vicki & her Brother Hershey. Gressa's life inspired the masses.  She became a certified therapy dog in 2007 and regularly participated in the public libraries Sit, Stay and Read program for children.

Gressa also leaves behind a legacy.  She was the 35th dog to receive a Canine Bone Marrow Transplant @ NC State University, and she will go down in history as a Canine Cancer Hero.  Gressa battled lymphoma with a fierce determination & unshakable desire to win.  Gressa was a brave, beautiful girl that was loved by all who knew her.   She was a pioneer for all of us who have battled canine cancer with our pups -- receiving cutting-edge treatments so that others will benefit someday.

Thank you Gressa, for showing us what true strength and beauty looks like.  You will always be a treasured member of the Save-An-Angel's BMT Pack, and it's our honor to keep your legacy alive.  Rest In Peace beautiful girl.  You will be loved forever and remembered always.

Below is a video of Gressa that was recorded just a couple of weeks before she passed away. She's enjoying time in the backyard with her brother Hershey. This is how we will always remember our gorgeous girl. :)

Hello everyone,

Meet Gressa from Minnesota! Gressa was diagnosed with Stage III Lymphoma and is a patient at North Carolina State University. Gressa just received a life-saving canine bone marrow transplant and is in complete remission!!! Gressa's Mom Vicki is going to pick Gressa up her SURVIVOR on Wednesday 12/1/10!!!

Gressa's Mom wrote a bio about Gressa's family, friends and interests. Now, it's our pleasure to share it with you. We are excited for you to meet this beautiful girl! We know that once you do you'll love her as much as we do :) We promise to keep you updated on Gressa's progress as she gets closer to the end of her protocol, and as always we'll make sure that you get a front seat as we watch Gressa make her journey to the cure!

What breed of dog is Gressa?

She is a Doberman Pinscher

How old is Gressa?

She is 5 years old. She was born May 31, 2005.

How big is she, how much does she weigh?

She is a big dog. She currently weighs 85 pounds.  Her weight has been as high as 97 pounds.  She was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and has since trimmed off a few extra pounds.

When did Gressa join your family?

I brought Gressa home on August 13, 2005 when she was a very small puppy.

What was Gressa like as a puppy?

Gressa had a rough start in life. She was the runt of the litter and was half the size of her littermates. I recognized she was not a healthy appearing puppy but something about her forced me to take her home.  She had persistent vomiting and poor appetite for the first few days after coming home and required hospitalization to treat an intestinal infection that was likely the reason she was so small.  Although I acquired Gressa from a breeder I consider her a rescue dog given the condition she was in when I got her. She recovered from her slow start and quickly gained weight and proceeded to carry on the usual puppy shenanigans. 

What activities does Gressa enjoy?

Gressa’s favorite activity is begging for food, especially pig ears and peanut butter laced Kong toys.  She quickly learns new tricks and can close the kitchen cabinets and refrigerator door, say her prayers, say she’s sorry, go hide, knows her left leg from her right leg, and fetch a Kleenex for you. She became a certified therapy dog in 2007 and regularly participates in the public libraries Sit, Stay and Read program for children.

Tell us about Gressa's 4 legged family.

I adopted Hershey in December of 2009 as a companion for Gressa. Hershey is thought to be a lab mix and was found with his litter mates in a cardboard box in a ditch.  He was born with severe front limb deformities. He was taken in by a woman but abandoned again when she was evicted from a rented farmhouse. He was left in the farmyard alone for 1-2 weeks before being found again.

Hershey found his way to a local animal rescue coordinator who dedicated herself to raising money for Hershey to have corrective surgery at the University of Minnesota in October of 2009. His right front leg was amputated and his left front leg was straightened and lengthened allowing him to walk on three legs. He now has a prosthesis for his right front leg but he has been slow to adapt to using it. Hershey is a very happy dog and life is all about having fun to him. He seems to not have a care in the world. Gressa and Hershey get along very well.

Tell us about some of Gressa's funny or endearing personality traits.

She likes to sing to Billy Joel’s “The Piano Man”.  When that song plays on the radio Gressa can be counted on to start howling away! Gressa will sing most anytime with the proper cues. My Grandmother was delighted when she was serenaded by Gressa over the phone on her 91st birthday.
When was Gressa diagnosed?

I found a mass in Gressa’s neck on June 8, 2010 as I was giving her the nightly scratch on the neck before climbing into bed. Initially I thought her thyroid was enlarged as she was found to be hypothyroid a few months earlier. But when I found other enlarged lymph nodes in her chest I immediately had a terrible sinking feeling and knew that it was something serious.  It was a long night with little sleep before I was able to contact her Vet in the morning to schedule an appointment for her two days later. A biopsy confirmed that she had lymphoma.

What was the diagnosis?

She was diagnosed with Stage IIIA B-cell lymphoma.

When did Gressa start chemo?

I took Gressa to a Veterinary Oncologist at the University Of Minnesota School Of Veterinary Medicine.  We discussed treatment options and I decided to start chemotherapy immediately.  She started the Wisconsin protocol on June 17, 2010. She is tolerating chemotherapy well and has had no apparent side effects.

When does chemo end?

Her last dose of chemotherapy is scheduled for October 28, 2010. There will likely be some adjustment made to the current schedule as this is also the day she is to start the chemotherapy prior to her bone marrow transplant.

When did you decide to admit Gressa into the bone marrow transplant unit at NC State, and when does she check in?

The University of Minnesota veterinarians mentioned the Canine Bone Marrow Transplant program at North Carolina State University. I didn’t think about it too much until Gressa completed her first 2 weeks of chemotherapy. When it was clear that she was tolerating the chemo well I started to look for more information about the NC State program. I learned the vet student that evaluated Gressa at the University of Minnesota was a native of North Carolina and was familiar with the program. He was able to give me additional information and contacts to the program.

I also discovered my employer, the Mayo Clinic, donated the aphaeresis equipment used to start the NC State program a few years ago. It seems that a transplant for Gressa was meant to be! Gressa checks in to NC State on November 10, 2010. If all goes as planned she will be discharged on December 3, 2010.

Please share your thoughts, feelings, ideas or fears.  Feel free to include as much or as little as you want.  This is your opportunity to tell everyone how you feel and maybe share something that you've learned along the way.  

At the time of diagnosis I had feelings of utter disappointment and sadness. I was fearful of what may lie ahead for Gressa in terms of managing the disease and the treatment. Those feelings have eased somewhat now that Gressa is into her chemotherapy regimen and is doing so well. I will continue to be apprehensive about her future well being. I am hopeful with regard to the bone marrow transplant. It will be difficult for me to leave her for three weeks.  Gressa may have some days of not feeling her best while she is going through the process. It will be a small price to pay, however, for the chance of a longer and healthier life and a greater possibility of a cure. I can’t wait to get her down there so I can bring her home with renewed hope!

Most Sincerely,

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

20th UPDATE August 31, 2011

Copied from Vicki's facebook:

"Thank you everyone for your prayers and words of support. Although Gressa is now fighting two life threatening diseases, my goal is to keep her comfortable and happy at home as long as possible. As long as she keeps begging for (demanding really!) pigs ears I know she feels okay. She had a good day today- getting 3 pig ears out of me! She gets a little winded walking around the yard but that settles down with rest. We will take it one day at a time. My girl will let me know when it's time to go. "

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

19th UPDATE August 28, 2011

Copied from Vicki's facebook:

My girl is finally back home after 3 long nights in the emergency Vet hospital and a trip to the University of Minnesota this morning. It is almost unbelievable, but she now has dilated cardiomyopathy. Her prognosis is six months. This is on top of the lymphoma we are battling with chemotherapy. Dogs with this type of cardiomyopathy often die of sudden death. That may be a blessing given the relapse of lymphoma. She has spent her last night away from her home- I promise.

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

18th UPDATE

Copied from Vicki's facebook:

" It is with great sadness that I share Gressa's lymphoma has returned. Biopsies done two weeks ago confirmed my fear that she had relapsed. She has resumed chemotherapy and is back in remission. Unfortunately, 2nd remissions last about half the duration of the first. I was very hopeful that she was either cured or would enjoy a long remission once she reached the 4 and 6 months post-transplant mark without a relapse. But at 8.5 months post-tansplant this monster is back and a cure is not meant to be. I am committed to helping her battle this as long as she feels good and is not sufferring. She gets adored with hugs, kisses, belly rubs, car rides, and pig ears whenever she wants them. My gorgeous girl-we are not done fighting this yet."

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

17th UPDATE Thursday May 26, 2011

Copied from Vicki's facebook:

" Memorial Day 2009- had to put my first dog and buddy for nearly 17 years to sleep.....Memorial Day 2010- my beautiful Gressa was diagnosed with lymphoma.....two very sad times. Memorial Day 2011- Gressa is declared cancer free at her 6 month post BMT follow appt!! Next appointment with the Vet is in 6 months. WOO HOO! It's going to be a great holiday weekend this year!! "

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

16th UPDATE Wed. Feb 16, 2011

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

15th UPDATE Thursday Jan. 13, 2011

Gressa just had her 2 month check up at the vet. No sign of lymphoma! WOO HOO!! GO GRESSA!!

No hair? No problem. Gressa 2 months post BMT.

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

14th UPDATE Sat. Dec. 25, 2010

Gressa lived to see another Christmas with her family!

Gressa holding all of her toys in her mouth on Christmas day!	Hershey just discovered Rudolph on the mantle.

13th UPDATE Thursday Dec. 16, 2010

Gressa is doing fantastic.  It has been almost 2 weeks since she was dismissed from NC State.  She was very weak in her hind legs for the first week she was home but things are just about back to normal now. Her appetite is good and she has gained a little weight since coming home. If it were not for the areas shaved of hair you would not know she had just gone through a bone marrow transplant. I am amazed at her quick recovery. For the most part the same old Gressa is back!

She had a blood count done today as she needs her platelet count monitored weekly until it is over 100,000. Her platelet count jumped from 68,000 last week to 260,000 today. So- she is cleared to start playing with Hershey again and is not at risk for bleeding. I no longer need to separate them when they try to get something started!

The best news yet is that given her excellent blood count and normal lymph node exam she does not need to return to the Vet for 1 MONTH.  She has been to the Vet for chemotherapy, labs, or other tests every week since she was diagnosed with lymphoma in June. This is a welcomed break and I can just allow her to further recover from the transplant and be a normal dog.

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

12th UPDATE Monday Dec. 6, 2010

Gressa is doing great. I am taking her to the eye doc at the U of MN this afternoon. So - hoping for good news !!

Vicki recorded Gressa's reunion with her pack! :) Watch how fast that little nubbin moves!!

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

11th UPDATE Thursday Dec. 2, 2010

Gressa is on her way home! She is doing very well but she is weak as expected. The BMT team said it can take 4-6 weeks for this to improve and I will keep her very quiet until then. Her appetite is good and she ate as if nothing has even happened tonight. She then threw a tantrum for a pig ear which is typical for her.

She is sleeping on a king size bed in Beckley, West Virginia tonight. We will take the drive home a bit slow as it sounds like a snowstorm will hit Minnesota about the time we will get home. Thanks to everyone for the encouraging words and support through all of this. There is no doubt that for Gressa this was the right thing to do and is the only way she would have any chance for a cure from lymphoma. The NC State Canine BMT team are wonderful people that are very dedicated to these animals with a serious illness.

I cannot thank Dr Suter, Dr Willcox, and Nurse Kristen enough for everything they did for Gressa (and me!) during her transplant!!

Vicki gave Dr. Suter a Minnesota Hockey Jersey w/Gressa's name on the back, alongside her number in the program! Gressa was the 35th dog to receive the transplant :)

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

10th UPDATE Monday Nov. 29, 2010

Copied from Vicki's Facebook this morning:

" Great news from North Carolina!!! Dr Suter called and said Gressa is out of the woods and can go home Wednesday or Thursday. She is jumping up and down and the tail is wagging. My tail is wagging too!! I am so happy she survived the transplant!!!!!"

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

9th UPDATE Wed. Nov. 24, 2010

The stem cell transplant worked!! Gressa's neutrophil count is on the rebound and is up to 46 today from 4 yesterday. When it is up to 1000 she can get out of isolation. Her appetite remains poor but that is expected to improve with her neutrophil count. Her platelet count continues to drop and she was moved to the ICU today so she could be watched for bleeding. Shortly after arriving in the ICU she had a nosebleed so she received 1 unit of blood this afternoon to boost the platelet count up and protect her from more bleeding in the next few days.

Transfusions are common as about half of the dogs going through this procedure require one at some point. I am hoping for a big jump in her neutrophil count tomorrow. As long as she does not have additional problems with bleeding she will be home free very soon.

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

8th UPDATE Monday Nov. 22, 2010

Gressa continues to do well. Her neutrophil count has bottomed out today as expected. The platelet count is beginning to drop. We hope to see stem cell engraftment and evidence of new cells within the next few days. She is still protesting isolation and tries to push her way out the kennel door when she has a chance. She will be a happy girl when she is out of isolation.

Her appetite is good and she is even eating dry dog food. She won't even do that at home without something added to perk it up a bit!! The major hurdles that remain at this point are stem cell engraftment and getting through the period of the low platelet count without complications.

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

7th UPDATE Saturday Nov. 20, 2010

Everything continues to go as expected today.  Gressa is not too interested in food. Her neutrophil count has dropped to 300.  She is in isolation and will remain there until the neutrophil count returns to greater then 1000. She is not too happy about being in isolation as it is not in an area that is the center of activity. She remains bright and swats at staff with her paw or nudges them with her nose when she wants attention.

Only when her neutrophils drop to zero (expected in the next 1-2 days) and begin to increase again will we know if the stem cells have engrafted and her bone marrow will recover. This is obviously a critical point in this procedure. Without bone marrow engraftment this is a fatal procedure. Her platelet count will soon begin to fall and there will be some risk of bleeding until they recover as well.

For now, I am very pleased that things are going as planned.

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

6th UPDATE Wed. Nov. 17, 2010

Today was the day we have been waiting for since June when Gressa was diagnosed with lymphoma. She received her stem cell transplant which provides her the best chance at a cure! Overall, she has tolerated the procedures well over the past few days. She is not eating that well but that could be due to 4 rounds of anesthesia she has received since Monday. Dr Willcox mentioned she carried her stuffed animal in her mouth all the way to radiation this morning. She LOVES these stuffed animals and will often carry them around when she wants to play. That is a very good sign given what she is going through.

Now we are on to the next hurdles which are managing radiation side effects and preventing complications. Her white blood count is excepted to drop in the next 3-5 days and she will likely require isolation to protect her from infection.

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

5th UPDATE Monday Nov. 15, 2010

After receiving several days of Neupogen to stimulate white blood cell production Gressa's cell counts were high enough for apheresis today. She is doing fine and was begging for food before the procedure started this morning. It takes a lot before she will refuse to eat. The apheresis produced more then enough stem cells for transplantation.

She will undergo 2 rounds of radiation tomorrow and a final round on Wednesday morning. The stem cell transplant will occur shortly after radiation on Wednesday morning.

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

4th UPDATE Thursday Nov. 11, 2010

Gressa checked in to NC State yesterday. There was a bit of a surprise for me as I waited to meet with Dr Suter, Dr Willcox , and Kristine- the BMT nurse. We were put in a very nice room to wait for the team and review the transplant process.

Before meeting with the team in walked a face familiar to me. It was Brandon, the veterinary student who saw Gressa at the University of Minnesota in June just 2 days after she was diagnosed with lymphoma. He just happens to be doing a rotation at NC State and knew Gressa was checking in. See my reference to him in the first write up about Gressa.

I did a double take as I certainly was not expecting to see him so far from Minnesota! Brandon was instrumental in helping me get connected with this program. Thank you Brandon!!

Gressa went through a few tests including labs, abdominal ultrasound, and bone marrow biopsy. So far everything looks good. I was able to have Gressa at the hotel last night which was very nice. I was fortunate to meet Leann and Taylor, Bingo's Mom and Dad as Bingo was being dismissed at the same time I picked up Gressa. Yeah Bingo!!

Most Sincerely,

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

3rd UPDATE Tuesday Nov. 9, 2010

After a few false starts leaving home on Sunday we arrived in Raleigh Monday evening.  The first time we left home we went 1 mile and I realized I left Gressa’s dish so we turned around and got it.  Then we got about 10 miles down the road and I realized I had forgotten her medication.  She has to have the medication given her low white count.  So we turned around again. We finally got out of Minnesota on the third try.  We then stopped at a rest area in Wisconsin and drove away without Gressa’ water dish (yes- the one I already went back to retrieve once!).  The rest of the trip was without incident. It was a LONG 1352 miles. The drive through Tennessee and North Carolina was very pretty with the fall colors in the Smokey Mountains.

	Today is a lazy day hanging out with Gressa. We drove down to the Vet School to check it out.  The weather is beautiful and Gressa enjoyed a nice walk in the park. Gressa will check in to NC State and undergo several tests tomorrow.

Most Sincerely,

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

2nd UPDATE Thursday Nov. 4, 2010

We will soon leave Minnesota and head to North Carolina State for “the cure”. All arrangements for the drive and stay in Raleigh have been made. It was a bit challenging to find a hotel now days as not only did I need to find one that allowed a big dog but I needed to review the “bedbug reports” as I really do not want to bring home any bugs. Thank goodness for bedbugregistry.com!!

Gressa is doing fantastic. She continues to act as if there is absolutely nothing going on. She had one day after the high dose Cytoxan last week when she appeared somewhat fatigued but that resolved. She continues to pester her little brother, Hershey, to play every evening.

She went to see Dr Wenner today for a blood count.  Her white count is very low but this is expected after the Cytoxan she received last week.  We will be watching her closely for any signs of infection. So far she has handled this entire ordeal better then I have. It is amazing how resilient animals can be.

Most Sincerely,

Vicki - Gressa's Mom

1st UPDATE Friday October 29, 2010

Vicki - Gressa's Mom