week four

Another week down, eighteen to go...

Dave received a new type of chemo yesterday, and it is supposed to have more side effects than the others. He had to have a baseline echocardiogram so they can monitor his heart for possible damage. He also saw the opthamologist again, making Tuesday's visit very long. Even though Mike was off and available to get him, we didn't end up getting to Philly until six. Dave needs a bath, as he smells like hospital.

He's still doing well, and we received mixed news. Yesterday, talking to the oncology vet, she said the "R" word - remission! She said several times how happy she is with his progress, and remarked that he responded very well very quickly. Good stuff. However, I spoke with her today, and she and the opthamologist are not in agreement on his eye. She said that lymphoma usually presents in both eyes, and considering that his lymph nodes are back to normal, she doesn't think it's lymphoma in his eye. The opthamologist feels that it is, based on the pressure on his eye not responding too well to the meds - it's still up and down. Another option could be a tick-borne disease, but because he's consistently been on flea and tick preventative, that he was just on a long course of antibiotics, and that he has no other symptoms, it's doubtful. So we still don't know. Week five was supposed to be a break week, with only bloodwork done by our regular vet, but we have to go back for an opthamology appointment. It's good considering we haven't actually spoken to an opthamologist, despite requesting it several times. I think they have banker's hours or some other sweet deal.

In what's becoming the norm, Dave is fine. Active, eating normally, and not showing any side effects. TMI alert!!! The chemo this week was supposed to make him have diarrhea and/or vomit. He's had two soft stools, but not diarrhea (the word explosive is in the paperwork). It also lowers his white blood count, making him more susceptible to infection.

His meds:
Doxoruicin IV (chemo administered at Penn)
Metoclopramide 5mg - 1/2 tablet 3x a day for nausea
Prednisone 5 mg every other day (last week on the Pred)
Trimethoprim/Sulfa 480 mg - 1/2 tablet 2x a day starting on Saturday (antibiotic)
Cosopt eye drops 3x a day
Xalatan eye drops 2x a day