Cathy O'Brien

Welcome to Cathyo's Caring Bridge Site.  My name is Gracie, I am Cathy's K-9 daughter and I will be your narrator during this journey.  Cathy has another K-9 daughter named Cricket but she is a punk and I like to ignore her as much as I can. Enough said about Cricket.

Maybe you know and maybe you don't but Cathyo has mantle cell lymphoma so it has been a bit rough for our family lately but we are dealing with it  and will come out the other side of this stronger.  Mantle Cell Lymphoma is very confusing, especially for a 12 year old dog like me, but I will try to explain it as best I can.  Lymphoma is a blood disease and MCL is a type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. It is cancer of B cells and MCL is named for the B cells from mantle zones within lymph nodes.  I warned you that this stuff is confusing! Cathyo's first sign that something might be wrong was a small bump she found on her jaw which was a bit odd since she is well beyond the acne years.  She had another symptom that was worrisome and visited her doctor. After that first visit it was full on tests, procedures, blood work and on and on until finally the doctors arrived at MCL. Her doctor at St. Charles Cancer Center seems top notch and even though he is new to Bend we have decided to let him stay for now. Todd Clover is his name and he likes to hike with his kids and wife so he must be a good guy.  I wonder if he likes dogs????  I hope he's not a cat lover!


So we take it day by day which has been working for all of us so far. We are in good spirits because we have all of you who inspire and support us. Its not a easy journey that we have been dealt but many have had a bumpier road and at least I have a full dog bowl twice a day and a owner (Cathyo) who loves to walk me every day! The two of us have had a lifetime of amazing hikes and many of you have traveled the trail with us. We will be out there again soon!! Love and a couple Bow Wow's to all of you! Gracie and the rest of the O'Brien-Petrich Family
Cathyo said she is okay if this is shared with others!!