WonderDog's Chemo: Week Two

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

It might be hard to imagine a dog being EXCITED to go to chemo treatments, but Penny is.  Well, not so excited about the chemo, but thrilled to see her technician, Tony, and then Dr. Hillers.  Talk about a stress-free environment!

 

Tony came out to the waiting room to get us, and Penny started thumping her tail right away.  She has gained back 1 pound of the 5 she had lost.  Today's blood work came back in good shape, and Dr. Hillers said that her lymph nodes are smaller this week, which is GREAT news!

 

Thanks to the steroids, Penny is eating like a goat - anything and everything she can get her teeth on.  For a dog who's been one of the finickiest eaters ever, this is like having a completely different dog.  A bit of nausea, but we have pills for that.  Lots of drinking water - I have to put out a new bowl of water about every hour.  Thus, she pees.  And pees.  And pees.  But she's sleeping through the night, which is great.

 

I'd say the real side effect of the chemo is that it wears her out.  She's very lethargic, which is difficult for Biscuit (our mad-dog wrestler) to understand.  But I think Biscuit's getting it.  They've been spending a lot of time sleeping together and just hanging out.

 

This week, we add Palladia to the chemo and steroid treatment.  This is a pill that I have to give her every other day.  I must handle it with rubber gloves, lest my skin absorbs it!  Apparently, Palladia has been around for a couple of years.  It's job is to shut down (destroy?) the little "communicator antennae" that stick out around the edge of each cancer cell.  It is supposed to stop the cancer cells from talking to one another to encourage growth and spreading.  We'll see what happens from here.

 

All in all, Penny is still a happy dood with so much love to share.  Her lunchtime treat (straight from the doctor's Tupperware container) was some chicken that had been cooked in a crockpot.  I wanted to beg for a sample treat, too!

 

Penny sends her love to you all on DK.  On with the week!

 

 

 

[Linda and Murphy]

Looking good, Miss Penny. I love your pink doodle nose. 

Hugs and kisses,

Murphy

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Hugs and kisses to you Miss Penny.  Sending lots of pawsitive thoughts your way.

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Penny has a wonderful friend in Biscuit.  It is great how they look out for each other and know when the other one just needs some rest time.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Oh this is fantastic!!  We are all too familar with the chemo here but it helps fight the battle!! You go Penny!!  Lot's of paws crossed here for ya girl!!  And we love the pic!!  Biscuit is a such a good sister!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Good to hear that she isn't scared to go there. What a trooper! I LOVE the picture!

[GBK]

Yeahhhh glad to hear good news.  Always watching for her updates and you are always in my prayers.  Love the picture :)

 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Good job Penny - thanks for the update. I think of you all often :)

[Taylor & Huff]

I am so glad that Penny is doing well with chemo:) I am so so so happy for her:) I hope she keeps progressing like this:) She has got to beat cancer, if not for herself, for all the people that love her in her house and on DK. Good luck Penny:)

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you so much for the update. Penny is beautiful and we are hoping for her full recovery!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We love you, Penny.  We love you, Biscuit! 

Ned and Clancy