Back home from day 1 treatment

We are back home.  The first round of Chemo has been administered.  As always, Dr Landry was in constant contact with me.  Gives me some piece.  He informed me that everything went well.  She also had her stitches removed from the previous biopsy.   She was given her breakfast after the administration of Chemo, and I was informed she gobbled it right up.  As per usual for this Corgi.

When we arrived home her sister Taz meet us at the door.  They exchanged "smells" then Taz promptly tried to get her to play.  Sam was not that interested.
She is resting quietly here at home now.  Following me around from time to time.  Not as much as she used to.  She seems a bit groggy.  Which was to be expected.  Her eyes are watery, but she is alert, as always, to any movement I make.

The next few weeks will bring additional heavy doses of Chemo as I have been informed.  Then, the dosage level is pulled back.  Her blood levels are checked every week.  Which is good.

Sam was alert enough on the ride home to catch some smells out the window.  And her sister, is firmly caught in the grasp of the Sun tractor beam.  The life a Corgi....

Treatment starts today

We are up early this AM.  I am working and sitting with the Corgis.  Sam could not have breakfast this AM, due to her treatment, that could cause nausea.  Sam is expressing her disapproval regarding not having breakfast.  Staring at me as if to say... "hey dad, you forgot to give me my more food".  We do have her breakfast in a bag that we will leave with the Doctor.    We have noticed a lump returning on her right shoulder.  This is sad to see, but expected I assume as the prednisone was only a temporary treatment.  Good that the treatment is starting today.

She will have a couple different IV Chemo treatments today.   She will stay with the Doctor all day.  He will be monitoring her.  This will be the pattern for many weeks.  I am happy this is being done on a Friday, to give Leslie and I the ability to monitor her through the weekend.  I am hoping she has minimal side effects.  I hate like hell to see this Corgi feeling bad.  As I mentioned earlier, she has had some rough medical times.  But, she always bounces back.  I hope with this round, she bounces back again.

We will be dropping Sam off shortly.  I am expecting this to be tough emotionally for me.  Tough to drop a pup off to then be administered a toxic substance that will make her feel poorly.  I have to keep my focus on a positive outcome in many weeks.  But right now, I feel very sorry for Sam.

I am immensely looking forward to picking her up later this afternoon.   After speaking with the Doctor yesterday afternoon, I felt comfort that he will be monitoring her closely.  Good guy, I am glad he stays in constant communication.

Some promising news

We received news from Dr Landry that Sam the Corgi's immunohistochemistry came back consistent with a B-Cell Lymphoma.  Typically carries a better prognosis and response to therapy.  This news provides Leslie and I some hope that we can be blessed with the company of Sam as long as we possibly can.

Our emotions have now shifted a bit to the fight for Sam.  We are keeping our spirits up, knowing She will be well cared for, and will have the best shot we can give her at extending her life.  Who knows... only time will tell.  

In a couple more days I will drop her off for her first Chemo treatment.  The Hospital actually had a tough time finding the specific Chemo.  I did not realize there was such a shortage.  Good team there though... they are on top of scheduling the process out.

Ready to start the fight

We have had some good meetings with Dr Landry over the past few days.  He has laid out some options.  We have decided to commit to the proven University of Wisconsin protocol.  It is proven, and I personally would like to give Sam the best fighting chance, and every opportunity to extend her life that we can provide.  There are some other options at CSU, that we may also consider in conjunction with the confirmed treatment.

The treatments will start next week.  Surprisingly, dogs deal with chemo treatment much better than humans do.  I will be taking her once a week, for 25 weeks, for the IV chemo administration.  She will then have a better than 90% chance of going into remission.   The cancer will return, conservative estimates say a year and we will fight again, but I will gladly accept the additional time to spend with her.

Treasure every moment with your pups!  They are a gift.

I am catching up on some work product today and Sam is right here, as per usual, by my side.  Relaxing on her Las Vegas style, Corgi day bed.

Meeting today

Later today, Leslie and I will meet with the Doctor to go over the treatment plan.  We are both looking forward to having a myriad of questions, that we have , answered.  The Doctor has graciously allotted a good amount of time to spend with us.  The treatment will start next week, or maybe sooner, depending on the Doctors recommendation.
We will be taking both Sam and Taz, just to visit the hospital.  Good to bring them, and not have any poking done.

Sam was very playful last night, and again early this AM.  The current medication has very much helped her.  Her spirits are better, and she looks somewhat more slender.  It really is crazy how fast this happened.
Here is a photo of Sam this AM, she finally has figured out the fine art of toy management.

Confirmed

We received the news yesterday that Sam does indeed have canine lymphoma.
We will be treating her, under the care of Dr Landry, with the University of Wisconsin protocol.

The treatment will start next week.  We are hopefully this will extend her life out more than a year.
Paws Crossed!
Administration will be IV, I will bring her to the office once a week.  It is sad that she will again be a pincushion, this Corgi has been to hell and back.  More than her share of times.

We will additionally be using a fair amount of natural and alternative options.  Mostly centered around diet.  Leslie is continuing research there.  We have already begun to switch both the Corgis to a 100% raw diet.  There are very good options for frozen raw food now available.  As more and more people realize this is important.

I have heard from some friends that they are not sure if they would actually treat Sam, basically due to the cost.  This comment is incomprehensible to me.  It is not a question in my mind.  One look at Sam, sitting at my feet, staring at me from a few feet away, playing happily still with her sister proudly carrying her toys back to me, and basically never ever leaving my side... well, therein lies your answer.  These are the best dogs, and purest friends a man could Ever ask for.  I am obviously partial to Corgis, but pure dogs lovers can unite around my thinking.  They are family.  Plain and simple.

News should arrive today

We are hopefully that today we will learn the results of the biopsy.  It makes it somewhat hard to concentrate on work product, but I am doing my best.  Both the pups are doing well this AM.  Last night was a better night.  We took the water away late in the evening.  Sam seemed to sleep better as she was not wandering out to find water all night.   I rolled her over this AM to look at her wounds on her belly, they are healing nicely.  I am looking forward to having her stitches and staples removed next week.  They have to be itchy for her.

Long night

It was a long night for Sam last night.  The medication she is on now causes her to drink more water, then the need to potty more.  I took her out at 11PM, then again at 3AM.  But, in between that time she had an accident on the kitchen floor.  Sad, I can tell she feels bad about having the accident, and no scolding was done.  I cleaned up the lake of pee, then took her outside.  She promptly had another potty.

Her breathing last night was shallow and short.  I layed on the floor next to her for about an hour. Eventually, her breathing calmed back down.  I was worried.

Time to start working.  Sam is already parked here by my side.  Sleeping quietly.

3/16/2014

We have just returned back from a good long walk.  Plenty of new spring time spells to be found this AM.  Today, the swollen lymph nodes across her body have gone down a bit further.  She is drinking a ton of water.  As we were informed from the doctor that she would do.  Leslie and I are taking turns getting up in the night to go out for a potty.  As we live in the country, especially at night, it is best to have a supervised potty break, as the coyotes are always around.   Baby wipes are coming in handy to clean Sams back side.  She has a bit of loose stool from the medication.   I try to keep her backside as clean as I can.   I can tell she is upset, and wants to keep her dignity, when she has a dirty back side.  She will stand still and wait for me to clean her.  Then she is happy.

This is the same Corgi, that a few years ago, we almost lost as she went into septic shock.  Due to a complete lack of knowledge and treatment from a former Vet clinic.  Which will remain nameless... but I still harbor extreme harsh words for.  Let's just leave it at that.  Needless to say, Sam the Corgi has been through alot in her short 7 years of life.  But, she keeps on frapping away as a playful Corgi.  This fight will be no different, as she is extremely tough and stoic, as most Corgis are.

I try to make sure every car or truck ride is not always to the vet for poking and probing.  Something as simple as a trip to Home Depot, to walk down the aisles with her sister, greeting fellow dog lovers along the way.  Then drive back home, I feel is therapeutic.  Both for her and I!  It is funny for me to observe sometimes, as I take the Corgis out to walk in public places.  Even the Corgis, can sense if a person is a dog lover or not.  The Corgis will walk right on by if they sense the person is to much of a loser to even acknowledge their existence.  Good Corgis!  Because I will not acknowledge that person's existence either.

I am attempting to come to grips with what very well may be the diagnosis.  We will know in a few days.  I did have another good friend, and Corgi lover, advise me to keep a level head.  Not jump to conclusions to fast.  As the dogs can sense this.  I get this.  That is our plan.
A photo of Sam this AM.  Home from the walk and ready to file a "flight plan".  Standard Corgi rest position, with the hind legs kicked back.

Wonderful poem from a colleague

I received a wonderful poem from a colleague and fellow dog lover.  I have not seen this before, but truly enjoy it.

God - Spelled Backwards 

When God had made the earth and sky, 
The flowers and the trees. 
He then made all the animals, 
The fish, the birds and bees. 
And when at last He'd finished, 
Not one was quite the same. 
He said, "I'll walk this world of mine, 
And give each one a name." 
And so He traveled far and wide 
And everywhere He went, 
A little creature followed Him 
Until its strength was spent. 
When all were named upon the earth 
And in the sky and sea, 
The little creature said, "Dear Lord, 
There's not one left for me." 
Kindly the Father said to him, 
"I've left you to the end. 
I've turned my own name back to front 
And called you dog, my friend." 

Author Unknown

The Corgi foot stool

A quick pause for a photo opportunity by the Corgi foot stool.

3/15/2014

I found myself sobbing during the night.  Yes, I freely admit it.  It will come from out of nowhere.  Or, I roll over to see Sam sleeping by the bedside.  Always keeping one ear up to make sure she hears my every move.  Which will pretty much always trigger a sad moment for me, as I realize her time is now even more limited.

This AM, it is very noticible that the steroids have brought down the swelling.  She did not like the pills that were administered.  Leslie had to place them down her throat.  As I am not very good at that.  She has been drinking a bunch of water.   Taz, her sister has been drifting in and out of the room, as she always does.  Checking on Sam from time to time.  Cleaning her eyes.  Which is nice to see.

Sam did have a moment this AM where something startled them, and Sam attampted to boss Taz around.  All within the Corgi M.O.  This was nice to see.  They both are females, full sisters, but we think Sam is the Alpha dog in the house.  Although Taz does like to play the role from time to time.

Today we will take a short walk with her sister.  Maybe pick up some news smells and enjoy the outdoors.

Afternoon 3/14/2014

I have just returned home with Sam.  She is a bit wobbly from the sedation.  But seems OK all things considered.  She ate some food, drank water.  And went out to the grass to watch her sister Taz, frap around in circles. 

From the photo, you can see how large, just the glands on her neck are.  Shaved and stitched from the procedure today.

She was prescribed a heavy dose of steroids for the next six days.  This will bring down the enlarged lymph nodes throughout her long Corgi body.  This is not a cure, only to make her comfortable.  She will be drinking more, and needing to potty more.

A biopsy core was taken from her neck, abdomen, and her hind quarters.  This will give a good sample for the lab.  The doctor mentioned there was no puss around the lymph nodes, which “could” mean, no infection.  Then, “could” mean the initial diagnosis of Canine Lymphoma.    We will know more from the lab on Tuesday or Wednesday next week.  Until then we wait.  Once we know more, we will be have a detailed conversation with the Doctor about treatment options.

I am happy she is home.  Her sister Taz greeted her at the door.  Good she is back at home, and resting with her sister.

Morning 3/14/2014

All

Sharing some troubling news in our household.   Dog lovers can hopefully relate.

As some of you may know, my wife and I have two beautiful Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s.   They mean the world to us as we do not have kids.  Speaking specifically about our Tri-color Pembroke Sam.  Who is only 7 years young.  Yesterday, during a routine physical / check-up for a shoulder sprain, the root cause may have been found.  Canine Lymphoma.  A sedated biopsy is being performed today.  Let’s just say it has been a tough 24 hours.    Most of her lymph nodes across her entire Corgi body are very swollen.  This all happened within a few weeks.  She does still seem happy, and playing with her sister, bossing her around as Corgi’s do.  Her breathing has become harder, as there are also lymph nodes in the lung area. 

This is very painful for me as this particular Corgi is my shadow.  Absolutely following me everywhere, as a man’s best friend would do.   Working from home has given me the distinct pleasure to spend more quality time with her and her full sister.  I appreciate this precious time.  There are not many things more peaceful then a Corgi sleeping softly by your side.  It is work day pleasure for me.

I will hopefully have the opportunity to pick her up from the Vet today.  The Veterinary office we have her at is one of the best.  Dr. Landry is incredibly passionate. 

Her treatment will be aggressive, as she more than likely is already at Stage 3 lymphoma.  We will be able to extend her life, with the treatment, as best we can.  Hopefully at least a year.

Leslie and I will be putting all our vacation plans on hold to focus all our attention on both Sam and Taz.

This is my solemn belief about dogs.  I believe that man was not put on this earth to take care of dogs, but instead it is the dogs that were graciously placed on earth to take care of man.

I am writing to everyone to also provide myself some comfort.

Please keep Sam in your thoughts and prayers.

About our blog

Hello everyone.

First, thank you for taking the time to read our blog, centered around our precious Pembroke Welsh Corgi's. A tri-color named Sam, and a sable color named Taz.  They are full sisters.  I will be blogging here as we now have received some troubling news regarding one of our Corgis.  Writing here is therapeutic for me, and hopefully keeps our other dog lover friends aware, and diligent to check their precious pups.

Non dog lovers need not waste your time reading further.  I will never understand a person that states, "it is just a dog".  Sorry, this could not be farther from the truth.  That person also lives with a void in their heart, that Only a dog can fill.  You will see me mention from time to time this statement, which I believe could not be more true.  Some believe we as humans are to provide care for our beloved pups, but I also believe it is the pups that were placed here to take care of us.  Plain and simple.

I will roll back the clock a few days now to bring the blog up to present a present day timeline.