December 26, 2013
We had a wonderful Christmas and I posted some pictures of Audrey on Christmas Day. She participated fully in all the fun; especially the FOOD!! She still is ravenous and extremely thirsty. I fail miserably when it comes to her "asking" for food...fail, fail, fail!!! The Prednisone is still making her thirsty and I again feel like I have a newborn in the house....three and four times a night I reluctantly climb out of my warm bed, put on socks, shoes and a coat and head outdoors in a sleepy stupor! I do love my baby and will do all I can for her.
The day after Christmas we take off for a 10:45 appointment. Audrey was given Cytoxan and Lasix orally. Cytoxan is eliminated in the urine and can be irritating to the bladder lining. We are to watch for blood in the urine, straining to urinate, frequent posturing, excessive genital licking or constipation and always watch for lethargy and check her temp.
So far none of the above symptoms have been observed....still drinking like crazy and peeing, peeing, peeing...constipation....the opposite....
HAVE PEPTO BISMOL ON HAND!!!
One night I got up SEVEN times with her!!
After this visit we are to reduce the Prednisone to 1.5 tablets instead of two; I'm hoping for less thirst and peeing, but I believe the Lasix also increases urine production.
Next appointment is scheduled for January 2, 2014. If all goes as scheduled, Audrey's last appointment will be June 5, 2014.
Cost of this visit: $197.95
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Audrey's First Chemotherapy Treatment
December 19, 2013
The first chemotherapy visit. Chemotherapy, Chemotherapy...I hate this word...I hate this word.
Audrey was given Vincristine IV in her right front leg. After this treatment, you are to monitor the leg for swelling, redness, lack of use, excessive licking, or limping. None of these happened.
We were to also watch for decreased appetite, lethargy, etc. and if you felt she was not well, take her temperature rectally -- contact theVet if temperature is over 103.5. Normal dog temp is around 101.
NOTE; Before starting this type of therapy....PURCHASE A THERMOMETER THAT YOU USE ONLY FOR YOUR DOG....
Decreased appetite---NOPE, lethargy - some but not a lot. Never felt she had a fever. The only usual thing we noticed was that she really did not want to be outside; potty break and then right back in the house. Really did not want to take a walk which is very unusual for her. My son has just earned his Pharmacist license and he said that in humans a side-effect of Vincristine is a lack of feeling in your feet. Perhaps this could be an animal side effect as well....only speculation on my part.
I met with the Vet after this treatment. I asked him how common it was for dogs to die during chemo treatments. He seemed taken aback. Took him a couple of seconds to recompose. He said he only has a couple per year, if that.... When humans have cancer, often times they completely revamp and amp up their diet as another line of defense. I had read on-line about a dog food that had reported success in this area. I asked the Vet about this....he was familiar with the study I had read about. According to the Vet, this particular study was not as accurate as the reported results indicate. Evidently, there may have been some falsification of the test results and the author of the results was dismissed from employment with the lab. There is a nutritionist that I can consult with and have a diet specifically made for Audrey. Another thing to investigate.
Cost of this Visit: $178.45
The first chemotherapy visit. Chemotherapy, Chemotherapy...I hate this word...I hate this word.
Audrey was given Vincristine IV in her right front leg. After this treatment, you are to monitor the leg for swelling, redness, lack of use, excessive licking, or limping. None of these happened.
We were to also watch for decreased appetite, lethargy, etc. and if you felt she was not well, take her temperature rectally -- contact theVet if temperature is over 103.5. Normal dog temp is around 101.
NOTE; Before starting this type of therapy....PURCHASE A THERMOMETER THAT YOU USE ONLY FOR YOUR DOG....
Decreased appetite---NOPE, lethargy - some but not a lot. Never felt she had a fever. The only usual thing we noticed was that she really did not want to be outside; potty break and then right back in the house. Really did not want to take a walk which is very unusual for her. My son has just earned his Pharmacist license and he said that in humans a side-effect of Vincristine is a lack of feeling in your feet. Perhaps this could be an animal side effect as well....only speculation on my part.
I met with the Vet after this treatment. I asked him how common it was for dogs to die during chemo treatments. He seemed taken aback. Took him a couple of seconds to recompose. He said he only has a couple per year, if that.... When humans have cancer, often times they completely revamp and amp up their diet as another line of defense. I had read on-line about a dog food that had reported success in this area. I asked the Vet about this....he was familiar with the study I had read about. According to the Vet, this particular study was not as accurate as the reported results indicate. Evidently, there may have been some falsification of the test results and the author of the results was dismissed from employment with the lab. There is a nutritionist that I can consult with and have a diet specifically made for Audrey. Another thing to investigate.
Cost of this Visit: $178.45
Friday, December 27, 2013
Vet Oncology Visit # 1
December 11, 2013
Our first visit to a Veterinarian Oncology Specialist.
It is about a 35 mile drive to their office. Holding back tears the whole way, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. The waiting room was the worst. A very nice woman with a cat took to Audrey right away and engaged me in a conversation...wow, it was difficult to say the words out loud. Audrey looks so completely vibrant and healthy.
The Vet profiled what they needed to do in the way of testing and then a technician came in with the cost estimate of that day's visit if I agreed to the testing:
Exam $112.50
Radiograph Thorax $142.00
Radiograph Interpretation $ 75.50
Ultrasound Abdomen $284.00
Ultrasound Interpretation $113.50
Flow Cytometry $358.05
Catheterization IV $ 62.32
Catheter Supplies T-port $ 21.63
Bone Marrow Aspirate $165.50
Bone Marrow Aspirate Supplies $ 69.50
Bone Marrow Cytology $254.05
CBC + Retic $ 71.00
Hospitalization (outpatient) $ 49.50
Sedation $ 94.00
L - Asparaginase inj per vial $235.26
Prednisone 20 mg. (53 tablets) $ 33.90
Results from these tests:
The thoracic radiographs were normal. The abdominal ultrasound showed enlarged lymph nodes, but the liver and spleen were normal.
The bone marrow was normal.
The type of Lymphoma is MULTICENTRIC
AUDREY is to start on Prednisone - Two tablets by mouth every morning for 14 days, then 1,5 tablets for 14 days, then 1/2 tablet every morning for 7 days.
Side effects of the Prednisone...EXTREME THIRST, did I say EXTREME, I really mean E X T R E M E!!! That then translates into lots of potty breaks---including during the night....I feel like the mom of a newborn!! AT LEAST twice during the night I have to take her outside.....BTW, I really hate winter....
One of the other Prednisone side effects....HUNGER....eat all the dog food, steal the cat food, beg in front of the frig...HUNGER....this also translates into MORE POTTY BREAKS....of the very stinky variety!
An appointment was made for December 19, 2013 for Vincristine chemotherapy via IV.
What I have learned is that dogs respond to chemo differently than a human. The side effects are not as noticeable; little or no hair loss, little or no vomiting---most of this is related to the fact that the dosage given to a dog is significantly less than that given to a human ... mostly because the drugs are so very expensive and the life of an animal is not valued like a human.
Our first visit to a Veterinarian Oncology Specialist.
It is about a 35 mile drive to their office. Holding back tears the whole way, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. The waiting room was the worst. A very nice woman with a cat took to Audrey right away and engaged me in a conversation...wow, it was difficult to say the words out loud. Audrey looks so completely vibrant and healthy.
The Vet profiled what they needed to do in the way of testing and then a technician came in with the cost estimate of that day's visit if I agreed to the testing:
Exam $112.50
Radiograph Thorax $142.00
Radiograph Interpretation $ 75.50
Ultrasound Abdomen $284.00
Ultrasound Interpretation $113.50
Flow Cytometry $358.05
Catheterization IV $ 62.32
Catheter Supplies T-port $ 21.63
Bone Marrow Aspirate $165.50
Bone Marrow Aspirate Supplies $ 69.50
Bone Marrow Cytology $254.05
CBC + Retic $ 71.00
Hospitalization (outpatient) $ 49.50
Sedation $ 94.00
L - Asparaginase inj per vial $235.26
Prednisone 20 mg. (53 tablets) $ 33.90
Results from these tests:
The thoracic radiographs were normal. The abdominal ultrasound showed enlarged lymph nodes, but the liver and spleen were normal.
The bone marrow was normal.
The type of Lymphoma is MULTICENTRIC
AUDREY is to start on Prednisone - Two tablets by mouth every morning for 14 days, then 1,5 tablets for 14 days, then 1/2 tablet every morning for 7 days.
Side effects of the Prednisone...EXTREME THIRST, did I say EXTREME, I really mean E X T R E M E!!! That then translates into lots of potty breaks---including during the night....I feel like the mom of a newborn!! AT LEAST twice during the night I have to take her outside.....BTW, I really hate winter....
One of the other Prednisone side effects....HUNGER....eat all the dog food, steal the cat food, beg in front of the frig...HUNGER....this also translates into MORE POTTY BREAKS....of the very stinky variety!
An appointment was made for December 19, 2013 for Vincristine chemotherapy via IV.
What I have learned is that dogs respond to chemo differently than a human. The side effects are not as noticeable; little or no hair loss, little or no vomiting---most of this is related to the fact that the dosage given to a dog is significantly less than that given to a human ... mostly because the drugs are so very expensive and the life of an animal is not valued like a human.
THE FACE OF CANCER....
My Heart Is Broken Into A Million Pieces...
Yes, that is my sweet little Redbone Coonhound, Audrey. We learned right after Thanksgiving that she has cancer; lymphoma. She will be five years old on January 16. Unusually young to contract this type of cancer.
It is an aggressive form of cancer and it is NOT curable. Left untreated she would be gone in a matter of a few short weeks. From what I've read and been told by Vets, this is one of the most common cancers in dogs. Because we love this dog so much and she is so young, we have opted to treat her. The treatments have the potential to prolong her life one year, maybe two with the very remote chance of more time.
If you want to follow this blog, I will share what is happening with our dog and if you are ever faced with these decisions, perhaps you will gain insight into what it involves. This certainly will not be a "happily ever after" ending...we are only prolonging the inevitable - a much too early death.
If you know me, you know that I have always loved my animals "to the moon and back"... Audrey captured my heart long before I got her. I wanted a Redbone. My grandparents always had this breed of dog - and I said if I ever got to a place where I could have one, I wanted to get one. That time came after we moved out onto acreage. Both kids were grown and moved out so Audrey came into my life at a time I really needed something to take care of. I got her when she was six weeks old.
Right from the start she has been my shadow; every step I take, she takes. She passes up everyone else and comes straight to me... if I'm gone, she waits in her bed by the front window until I come home.
The Elephant in the Room----Friends - I know you want to ask about Audrey, but it is an awkward thing to do because you know it isn't easy for me...another reason to create this blog. If you want an update, you can check in here and learn how things are going. It will be an outlet for me too.
I'm sure there will be times where I'm very emotional....sometimes just factional and sometimes just plain silly and sometimes completely random having nothing to do with dogs!! Like, just now, I took Audrey out for a potty break and saw a Sun Dog in the sky!!
Feel free to share the blog - if you want to make comments, feel free to do so....I'm looking for positive energy...ONLY.
A start on how I found something was wrong....
The day after Thanksgiving I was putting on Audrey's walking collar and noticed the collar was unusually tight....as we walked up the street I kept looking at her neck and finally realized it was considerably swollen. I felt of the area and could feel the enlarged lymph nodes; actually felt like a mass. On the spot I called our local Vet and got an appointment. As soon as we got back down the street I loaded her up and headed to the Vet. The Vet took aspirations of the lymph nodes in her neck and buttocks; I think she knew on the spot. A few days and $300 + later we got the news. Some part of me is still in denial. Earlier that day I had commented that I did not think she felt good...she was either tired from too much going on Thanksgiving Day or she truly didn't feel well. She had been to the Vet for her yearly appointment on August 13...so this must have just developed.
OK---IMPORTANT TO ME....I LOVE MY DOG....I NEVER NEVER NEVER WANT TO COMPARE WHAT IS GOING ON HERE WITH ANYONE THAT HAS EVER LOST A CHILD----THAT IS THE ULTIMATE HURT---I know that and while I love this dog, I do know the difference and I do not want to insult those that have lost a child.
I am planning to post a few more things in the next days until I get caught up to where we are right now. I want to include costs involved, etc., so that I profile a complete picture of what is involved in choosing to do this.
Yes, that is my sweet little Redbone Coonhound, Audrey. We learned right after Thanksgiving that she has cancer; lymphoma. She will be five years old on January 16. Unusually young to contract this type of cancer.
It is an aggressive form of cancer and it is NOT curable. Left untreated she would be gone in a matter of a few short weeks. From what I've read and been told by Vets, this is one of the most common cancers in dogs. Because we love this dog so much and she is so young, we have opted to treat her. The treatments have the potential to prolong her life one year, maybe two with the very remote chance of more time.
If you want to follow this blog, I will share what is happening with our dog and if you are ever faced with these decisions, perhaps you will gain insight into what it involves. This certainly will not be a "happily ever after" ending...we are only prolonging the inevitable - a much too early death.
If you know me, you know that I have always loved my animals "to the moon and back"... Audrey captured my heart long before I got her. I wanted a Redbone. My grandparents always had this breed of dog - and I said if I ever got to a place where I could have one, I wanted to get one. That time came after we moved out onto acreage. Both kids were grown and moved out so Audrey came into my life at a time I really needed something to take care of. I got her when she was six weeks old.
Right from the start she has been my shadow; every step I take, she takes. She passes up everyone else and comes straight to me... if I'm gone, she waits in her bed by the front window until I come home.
The Elephant in the Room----Friends - I know you want to ask about Audrey, but it is an awkward thing to do because you know it isn't easy for me...another reason to create this blog. If you want an update, you can check in here and learn how things are going. It will be an outlet for me too.
I'm sure there will be times where I'm very emotional....sometimes just factional and sometimes just plain silly and sometimes completely random having nothing to do with dogs!! Like, just now, I took Audrey out for a potty break and saw a Sun Dog in the sky!!
Feel free to share the blog - if you want to make comments, feel free to do so....I'm looking for positive energy...ONLY.
A start on how I found something was wrong....
The day after Thanksgiving I was putting on Audrey's walking collar and noticed the collar was unusually tight....as we walked up the street I kept looking at her neck and finally realized it was considerably swollen. I felt of the area and could feel the enlarged lymph nodes; actually felt like a mass. On the spot I called our local Vet and got an appointment. As soon as we got back down the street I loaded her up and headed to the Vet. The Vet took aspirations of the lymph nodes in her neck and buttocks; I think she knew on the spot. A few days and $300 + later we got the news. Some part of me is still in denial. Earlier that day I had commented that I did not think she felt good...she was either tired from too much going on Thanksgiving Day or she truly didn't feel well. She had been to the Vet for her yearly appointment on August 13...so this must have just developed.
OK---IMPORTANT TO ME....I LOVE MY DOG....I NEVER NEVER NEVER WANT TO COMPARE WHAT IS GOING ON HERE WITH ANYONE THAT HAS EVER LOST A CHILD----THAT IS THE ULTIMATE HURT---I know that and while I love this dog, I do know the difference and I do not want to insult those that have lost a child.
I am planning to post a few more things in the next days until I get caught up to where we are right now. I want to include costs involved, etc., so that I profile a complete picture of what is involved in choosing to do this.
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