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MOLLY'S STORY
Background:
I am 100 percent certain the lump hadn't been on Molly's jaw the previous day. But here it was, Labor Day of 2003,
and my nine-year-old Scottish Terrier had a two-inch, rock-hard lump on her jaw. Having no idea what it
was, I immediately put Molly in the car for the short drive to the emergency and specialty veterinary hospital
about ten miles away. The veterinarian suspected a Mast Cell Carcinoma. The needle aspirate biopsy confirmed
her diagnosis. The blood work showed the cancer had already metastasized. The surgeon recommended immediate
surgery, followed by chemotherapy. In order to obtain clear margins, part of Molly's jaw would have to be removed.
The doctor said the surgery would give her about five months of life.
Decision time:
Molly had come into my life in the summer of 2001. Her owner had died. This sweet little gal was my third
rescue Scottie. Although she had never lived with other dogs, she fit into my home perfectly and was soon sharing
the chair with my two other dogs, Emmitt and Sushi. Molly is sweet and gentle -- until it comes time for food or
a treat. This Scottie lives to eat and chew Greenies, bully sticks and stuffed Kongs. She has never met an edible
morsel she doesn't like. That's why I decided that the quality of Molly's life was more important than the quantity.
The tumor was causing her no pain and I knew Molly would be miserable if she couldn't chew, chew.
Enter Poly MVA:
My own veterinarian, Sue Buxton, DVM, concurred with my decision. She said she had just received some literature
on a new food supplement that was said to slow the growth of cancer. However, she knew
nothing about it. I said it was worth a try. In late September of last year Molly started taking
Poly MVA. Within three months, the tumor literally disappeared. A blood test
two months ago revealed that Molly's red blood count was actually a bit higher than normal. A low count would have
indicated the cancer was spreading. So, today, nine months after Molly's cancer was diagnosed,
she looks and acts like a totally normal, healthy dog. In fact, we had initially put her on a high-calorie
prescription diet for cancer patients, but she gained so much weight that she was put back on her regular food.
Molly currently receives 2.5mls twice daily. I pour it on her food and she gobbles it up.
The future:
The cancer is probably still somewhere in Molly's body. Because dogs live so totally "in the moment",
that doesn't matter. What does matter to both Molly and me is that she can still happily devour treats and chewies
with those big Scottie teeth and jaws.
I would be happy to hear from other pet owners.
My email address is falaterrier@comcast.net.
Nancee Tavares
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