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!

 

 

 

[Kyoko]

Sending my prayer your way.... I am glad to here that Penny is taking the treatment well!!

[Jennifer and Jack]

Penny we are so glad you are doing so well, Praying and thinking of you at least daily, Thanks for the update, Come on Penny, Kick Cancers Behind!!!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Penny and Biscuit....nothing could be cuter.

So glad that Penny is handling her treatment so well, and happy that you are doing the same :o).

Praying for that 15% Michelle, never give up!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Awwww.....I love the picture. I am so happy to hear Penny is tolerating the chemo so well.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Love the picture of your doods just hanging out!! :) Thanks for the update and I hope treatment continues to go so well for Penny! Still praying for a favorable outcome for her!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm so glad Penny is in good spirits and doing well with her treatment! Big hugs to Penny and everyone at your house!

[Pam & Trixie]

What a Cute Picture!

Im glad to hear Chemo is going well for her & that All her Docs are so great.

[cheryl & oliver]

O my Doodle that picture is priceless!!!!!...So glad to hear that Penny is tolerating her treatments well.  Hugs and prayers coming your way from your friends here in Florida.  Thanks for keeping us updated.....

[Camilla and Darwin]

I love the picture, and it sounds like Penny is in good hands with your vet. Thank you for keeping us updated!

[Anna and Achilles]

I am glad she is handling things well!! Give her a big hug from us!!!