mixed feelings

It's week 11! This is the beginning of Dave's third and final 'cycle.' After this, he'll get chemo every other week for a total of seven weeks, taking us to June 24th. Then the vaccines will start for another nine weeks. I felt like the past five weeks flew by, which is where the mixed feelings come in. He's done well thus far, but we have a ways to go, and we don't know when (if, ideally) the cancer will come back.

According to Mike: he was in a rambunctious little mood today, trying to get to an English sheepdog in the waiting room. He also was very interested in a cat in a carrier who was meowing to let him know to keep his distance.

I received a call from a new doctor only an hour or so after Dave had been dropped off letting me know that his white blood count was low. Usually the lowered count is seen after they initially start chemo, but it can be a side effect throughout the treatment. It's potentially dangerous, but the vets were not overly concerned. His neutrophil count was "slightly low," according to his paperwork, and coming off of the stronger chemo could have contributed to it. This could be an explanation for the picky eating, and we'll be watching him for other symptoms that are indicative of illness - GI issues, lethargy, etc. Maybe I'll have to learn how to take his temperature??

The problem with the low blood count was that they usually won't give chemo so as not to make them sicker. Even though it was week one of the cycle and he has gotten Elspar, Dave was due for a different drug, methotrexate. After the vets consulted with the clinical trial director, they decided to give him Elspar again. This is allowable for the trial, and shouldn't affect his WBC negatively. The big concern I had was how the change would affect him long term, and I was assured that this was an acceptable substitution. Sure enough, when I checked his trial paperwork, it's right there in black and white. I was sad to read that they've closed new admissions to the trial. It makes me so grateful that we have this opportunity...

Dave's eye pressure was good again, and the opthalmologist was happy with how well it's turned around. His weight is stable, and he's otherwise healthy - the lymph nodes "feel great" according to the doctor. No sticker this week, as he didn't take home any meds, but his discharge paperwork does state that "Dave was a very good boy today and we loved seeing him." I love it!!