more time

Dave had a chest x-ray this week, which showed improvement in his lungs. We're going to continue the antibiotic for a week, and then start the prednisone. He is still very active, very happy and very much Dave. They want to see him back at Penn in two weeks for another x-ray, and as long as he's still doing well, we'll bring him in. And, from what they're telling us as far as future visits, meds, etc., it sounds like he'll be okay for the next few weeks. Will we? Who knows? But the day-to-day has gotten easier. We get sad when we look at him playing, or jumping up and streching on us, among many other things, but most of the time it stays in the back of our minds.

huh

Well, I'm posting earlier than I thought I would. Dave's still Dave. No signs whatsoever of being sick. I'm doing my best to enjoy this time, but when I look at him running around with his squeaky octopus, or wagging his crooked tail when I come home, I can't help but cry. But most of the time, I'm putting on a good face and trying to be happy that he's okay for now.

We told the oncologist that we're definitely not doing the rescue protocol, and we're going for a chest x-ray next week to ensure that his lungs look better (hoping it's pneumonia). Once we find out what's going on in his lungs, we'll know what to do about the prednisone. If his lungs look better, and I'm hoping they do, since he isn't having breathing issues, and his coughing has improved, we can start. If they still look bad, they'll do a "wash" where they test whatever's in his lung for pneumonia. If it's negative, he can start the pred. If not, he'll have to try a different antibiotic, because the pred will lower his immune system, and with pneumonia, that's not a good thing.

Mike and I are doing pretty good, considering how important Dave is to us.

we tried

We didn't get good news today. Dave is out of remission. His lymph nodes felt concerning during his physical, and the aspiration showed that the cancer is back. They only did a chest x-ray, and that showed an abnormality as well. The vet said it could be either pneumonia or cancer, and we're treating with antibiotics. She couldn't say for sure, but said that with the breathing episodes starting in August, she would think that the cancer would have spread much more quickly. So we're hoping that the antibiotics work, and Dave will have some relief.

We have the option of doing a rescue protocol, which is 4-6 months of chemo, followed by every other week chemo, but at this point, we're not doing that. We talked about it months ago, and don't think that will change. We'll probably just treat with prednisone, which will delay the inevitable and provide some symptommatic relief. We're going to give it a couple days, and then finalize our decision.

I'm grateful for the last eight months. I'm sad and angry that we didn't even get the initial nine months that were estimated at diagnosis. Dave's still himself, for now, and I'm grateful for that. I don't know how long we'll have with him, but we're going to enjoy every minute.

I don't know how much I'll be updating, or when, but I'm making no promises. Thanks for the support...

another big day

What a weekend! Dave took a little trip to the emergency vet on Sunday morning. And by Sunday morning, I mean 3 am. His breathing issues returned. Because it was the third time and he seemed to be having some discomfort, we decided to take him, hoping that seeing it while it happened would allow the vets to give us insight. One thing that seems to help, however, is Dave getting up and moving around, so by the time we got to Penn, it had improved somewhat. They reported that his pulse-ox was good (98!), and while they did observe that rapid breathing, they couldn't diagnose it. They recommended a chest x-ray, which he's getting today (pre-planned). It could be anything from bronchitis, brachycephalic disease (smooshed face) or that the cancer has spread. I'm concerned, obviously.

Later in the day Sunday, we went to the Oncology Department's client appreciation party. I had mixed feelings on going, as it would be great to talk to other owners in the same situation, but not so great to talk to owners who had lost their pets. They had a slideshow of pictures from treatment days, a nice lunch and meet and greet with staff, most of whom we know. While eating, we spoke to a gentleman whose dog also had lymphoma. "Barney" was in the clinical trial as well, and has been in remission for two years!!! I immediately started crying when he told me that. He was so nice to talk to, adding a little bit hope after the scare I had in relation to the breathing. There were tours of the hospital, but we had to leave before getting to see it.

Today, Dave is being restaged, which includes the aforementioned chest x-ray, lymph node and bone marrow aspiration, bloodwork and an abdominal ultrasound.

whiskers

It's official - Dave's whiskers are growing back. He has a couple coming in on his chin, and one on each jowl. They are thin, short and don't resemble his old whiskers, but they're there!! I tried to get a picture, but my point and click doesn't cooperate with me zooming in that close.

Mike and I visited the Headhouse Square Farmer's Market in Philly today. Aside from having a fabulous selection of organic produce, heirloom tomatoes and other delicious offerings, they had a vendor who makes her own dog treats. Our 'home' market, Collingswood, also has one, but she doesn't have low/no grain options. Not only did we bring home salmon and flax seed treats for Dave, but we also met the proprietor's Boston, Gertrude. She was adorable, and probably the calmest BT I've ever met.

Dave's staging is going to be next Monday - fingers crossed for more good news!

weekly update

Dave's had another great week! There aren't any problems to report, and he's had few nice walks in the cooler weather. He's had some visitors in the past week, and spent some time with Mike's dad when the tropical storm rolled through last weekend. It's a pretty good time to be him, I think!

more good news

Dave's checkup today went well. He was done in record time - about 45 minutes! Unfortunately, we didn't wait for him. I think they're sick of the barking when he's in his run. He has a distinctive, high pitched bark, but only uses it when he's in a crate or cage. Since he's spoiled, that's not often.

He goes back in three weeks for another staging, and pending those results, he'll go back for monthly checkups.

He's doing great, but Wednesday night, he had another breathing/vomiting episode (I wrote about it in my August 12th post). It was the exact same thing - he was fine when we went to bed, we woke up to him vomiting and then he had breathing issues. The only connection between the two nights is that we cooked with hot peppers both times. He had no immediate reaction, however, and I would think that if he got a piece of pepper, he'd be drinking a lot, panting and/or licking. The good thing is that both mornings after, it improved, and that now he's A-okay.

almost fall!

I'm so surprised by this weather - who would have thought that it'd be 90 degrees in September after a cool and comfortable August?? I'm looking forward to the cooler weather, football and long walks with Dave.

We have a check up on Friday. Dave will get a physical and bloodwork, and hopefully we'll leave with a positive report. According to the info they gave us in June, he should be scheduled for another staging towards the end of the month. He's still looking good and seemingly feeling good.