This thread hit a little close to home. Luckily my cancer was not lymphoma but I will soon be on post-surgery chemo. Not soon enough to relate my experience as an aid to you - what a blessing that you could afford all Dixie’s medical needs - but honestly I dread it more than any other treatment. If I hadn’t expectations of recovery afterwards & then *finally* getting on w/ my damn life, I would not even consider poisoning myself by degrees in the hopes that the cancer dies more quickly than the rest of me... much less would I ever subject my innocent dog to it.
I’m no medical professional at all, nor yet a very experienced cancer patient. But I admit to being pleased w/ the choice you have made for your beloved friend.
Three or four years ago, I managed to extend my kitty Pearl’s life by restraining her & forcing pills down her throat several times a day. Contact w/ me became a time of dread for her & little pleasures of life remained in her weakened state. Soon as the appetite enhancement pills ran out, so did her appetite (kidney or liver failure).
You know what? Soon as I promised her no more pills, that I would no longer force myself upon her, she *knew* & relaxed in my presence from then on. Was purring right up until the time I pulled the trigger. (She *hated* the crate & vet handling too, so I refused to make her last hour of life one of misery.)
Whatever life is left for your Dixie, you judge best. Such a pretty girl, I am sorry for her suffering & your agony of knowledge. You have blessed her w/ a GOOD life. Please know that.
It is different for dogs (and other pets) because they give it in lower dosages. The goal with a pet is not to obtain a cure, as with a human, but to gain some extra time through remission. Because the dosage is low, the cancer will eventually develop a tolerance and come roaring back. The explanation my oncologist gave me was the reason they take this approach is that pets cannot understand, as a human would, the side effects of full chemotherapy and that they would be miserable and unhappy.
I decided against this method for Dixie because at best, her remission would last 12-18 months and I'd be back to square one. So the focus is on making her as happy and healthy as possible and hoping that the "holistic" diet approach gains her some extra time that way. And I can tell you that she loves her new diet and eats ravenously! As expensive as this diet is, I may never go back to dog food again with future pets.
Thank you again for the kind words and I wish you the best with your own challenge.