Grand Lake swimming adventure

We had the opportunity to try out some new Corgi life vests.  They were not that enthused with the experience.  In their defense, the lake was pretty cold.  I will be taking them to a warmer lake soon for round two.

Sam was quite the trooper.  The same week as her relapse, and subsequent Chemo drug modification, she still enjoyed the trip.  She had her new treatment the day we drove up.  I was concerned she may get sick.  But, not once.  She sat on my lap all the way there.  

Pretty surreal this evening.

It has been a pretty surreal evening for Leslie and I.  We had a consultation with the Vet late this afternoon.   We will be switching Sam to a "rescue" protocol treatment.  A combo of L-asparaginase, lomustine, and prednisone.  This is an additional University of Wisconsin protocol.  We are hoping for the best we can get here with additional months with Sam.  She is back to grunting again.  Maybe there is some internal congestion caused by the cancer.  We do not know.   Back, in March, I was hopefully for a couple years, now, reality has set in.  Those years may very well be months.  Although I am hoping for many many months.
It is very interesting to think about this situation.  Sam is acting normal, eating, playing with her tennis balls, and bossing around her sister. But, she is quickly being overcome with cancer.  Very surreal.  Both Leslie and I know that we need to be positive for Sam.  That is what she would want if she could tell us.  This is something I just know.

We are looking forward to a weekend in the mountains with the Corgis.  Some swimming adventures await!

Prayers needed - Sam has relapsed

Hello everyone.
Asking for some Corgi prayers.  Sam has experienced a relapse.  We are very sad but hopefully that some modifications in treatment will help.  Keep her in your prayers.  Much appreciated!

Life vests for the weekend

I took Sam for lunch today.  We stopped at her favorite place, Chick-fil-a.  She had some grilled chicken while we sat outside.  I then took the rest of my lunch break to pick up a couple life vests for the Corgis.  We will be headed up to the mountains this weekend.  I plan on making some Corgi memories with them swimming in the lake.  I am not quite sure how this will all play out.  Taz will more then likely not have anything to do with the swimming.  I do hope Sam enjoys it.  We are trying to give them as many new and exciting experiences as we can.  Videos to follow next week.

I am a little worried about Sam and her Lymph node growth that "might" be returning.   Her left lymph node on her neck seems a little swollen today.  Good thing she is headed back for her two week treatment tomorrow.  More to come there.

In the meantime... I am looking forward to the evening hours to take them both for a nice long summer time walk.

Storms last night - kept the Corgis close

We experienced some pretty heavy storms last night.  I was up working late, the thunder was rolling, and both Corgis were huddled at my feet.  They absolutely hate the thunder.  I tried to take them outside last night to help them understand it is OK, but they both wanted nothing to do with it.  They went out, stood outside for a brief moment, heard a thunder clap, and bolted back to the door.  We still had thunder well past midnight, so, the Corgis decided to camp out in the bedroom.  Instead of their crates.

Sam is doing well this week.  This week is her "off" week from treatment.  She seems a bit thin, but her weight on the scale is constant. We have her on a high protein, almost no carb diet.  From what we have read, the carbs feed the cancer.  Obviously something we do not want.

Well, time for me to take them out to the grass for some fetch.

Sam and the tennis balls

It never ceases to amaze me that Sam always wants to play with her tennis balls.  Even immediately after returning home from her Chemo therapy treatment.  She keeps the tennis balls strategically located within the house.  When a request to go outside is heard, she promptly runs around the house to find the nearest tennis ball.  She absolutely loves to take them outside.  Wanting to go to the grass so I can throw them.  I have a standing order within my Amazon account for more Kong brand tennis balls.

On the two week schedule now.

Sam is now on the  two week Chemo treatment schedule.  Using the 25 week University of Wisconsin Canine Lymphoma protocol.

I am not sure why,  but today's treatment got to me emotionally.  I was a bit upset up both when dropping her off and picking her up.  I had to take my lunch break to go pick her up.  As working from home is somewhat empty if Sam is not sitting at my feet.   Sam jumped up to the front seat on the way home to sit on my lap.  She likes to do this on long trips.  Not sure why she did this today.  She is sitting here now just staring at me while I type.  She just finished her post treatment chick-fil-a grilled chicken.  Which has become her standard ritual.  Tough to think today that I measure her time left in months, instead of many years.  Both the Corgis are such special dogs.   I truly treasure every single moment I have with them.  

The weather cooperated this past weekend to give Sam a bath outside.  She has not had one since her diagnosis.  I am still working on the daily brushings now to get rid of the winter Corgi coat.  She looks a bit thinner, but that is just from her winter coat loss.  He weight is still steady.