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.  :-)

 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

BIG LOVE to you Ms.Penny and family,  from your friend Daisy and hers. Woof!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Penny,

You are such an example to all of us doods,

Ned and Clancy

[Donna K & Quincy]

Good girl Penny, I hope you dance your way through this tough time.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

So glad to hear the first chemo went well!  Sending buckets full of well wishes for Miss Penny!!

[Rose]

I'm glad to hear Penny's first treatment went well! Good thoughts and hugs to both of you.

[BG and Gavin]

You go Penny!

[cheryl & oliver]

Aww, so glad the first treatment went well for Penny and for you too...We are saying prayers for Penny here, hoping that the chemo does its job and she has lots more time with you and dh, and her new sister...Hugs to all of you...and thanks so much for the update...

[Anna and Achilles]

Good Luck Penny, I hope all goes well.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Oh Yes steroids make you very thirsty and make you have to pee all night. I am on steroids all the time. I am so glad Penny took her first round okay, Praying with my heart that, those antennas are destroyed and all cancer is gone soon!!!!

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

Gail, thanks for the heads up!  We'll see how her peeing goes... and if she ends up wearing a diaper, I'll post it here just for you and Sydney.  :)