WonderDog's Chemo - Day One

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

Penny and I went in for her first round of chemo today. 

 

It's a testament to the stress-free environment of the oncology office that Penny wasn't at all stressed and took it like a champ.

 

The entire process took about an hour.  First, blood tests to establish a baseline for things like if the cancer has spread, and to measure bone marrow suppression (white blood cell count).  While we waited for the results, Dr. Hillers came in and spent some time with us, explaining what would happen the next two weeks.

 

Then, Penny went in for her chemo.  It's very quick - an IV that takes about four minutes, tops.  She came back in all happy to see me.  Tony the technician said, "Did you know she likes to stand on her hind legs and try to dance with you?"  I was tempted to tell him no, that it must be the chemo working already, but just laughed and told him it means she's in love with him.

 

She has steroids that she has to take everyday (which will hopefully help with her appetite, but will also mean getting up a lot at night because she'll have to pee), along with anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea drugs (but only if she needs them).

 

We'll see how she does this next week.  Round 2 is next Monday, when she'll also start Palladia, a fairly new drug that is supposed to work to destroy the little "communicator anntenae" on the outside of the cancer cells, to stop them from communicating to each other and telling each other to grow.

 

Today's treat from Dr. Hillers was a little portion of beef from her own lunch, which Penny inhaled.  Dr. Hillers didn't forget Biscuit, either, throwing some cookies in a bag for her.

 

So far, so good.  :-)

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'm glad to hear the beginning went well.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Good job Penny! We're praying for you!

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

Hugs coming your way!

[Kathie and the gang]

Winston, Freya and Bella are saying their prayers for you.

[Leslie and Halas]

We're thinking about you Penny.

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

She's doing well!  She at all her dinner last night, which was the first time in days.  Wrestled around with Biscuit this morning and is sleeping as usual.  We'll how she is in a few days, but so far, so good!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

How is Penny feeling today?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Penny, Guinness, Murph and I are all so proud of you!  You are one very brave Doodle.  We'll keep on praying that the chemo will work, and you'll be as good as new in no time.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I'm so glad that the first chemo session was made so stress free and that Penny took it in her stride.  We are all rooting for her here and are with you all every step of the way.

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Penny the WonderDog is a true Superhero!  We are all cheering for you and hope each treatment goes as well as this one...and Dr. Hillers keeps making yummy lunches!