Duncan has officially been diagnosed as having small cell lymphoma. The head of oncology biopsied 2 of his lymph nodes (throat and rear leg) 10 days ago. We got the results 3 days later and he was immediately started on prednisone. Within a couple of days I could see the 3 remaining throat nodes getting smaller which made it easier for him to eat. It took longer to get the 2nd med he will be taking so he just started taking Chlorambucil yesterday. This is a relatively slow acting alkylating agent with fewer side effects. I can't touch the capsule unless I am wearing gloves, so it is potent stuff. Depending on who you talk to determines whether this is consider chemotherapy.
Today we start reducing the dosage of the prednisone (yay!!). One side effect of the prednisone is increased thirst. He's been peeing a lot more and a few accidents have resulted. The other thing I have noticed is he is more lethargic, but the extreme heat and humidty (think N'Awlins in summer!) we are (not) enjoying could also be a factor of him not wanting to goforawalk even after 10 pm. We have another appointment with the oncologist the end of July. Both the oncologist and our regular vet (at the same clinic) said that this type of cancer is much easier to treat and dogs respond well to the treatment.
Thanks for your well wishes for his Gotcha Day. A few spare rays would be appreciated as well.
Mike thanks for the update, as bad as it may seem knowing, is better than not knowing. Amy so says to tell duncan to take his pills like a good boy. Its great to here you can see a difrence in the nodes and can decrease the prednisalone.
Go duncan go.
Da gang
Seems like a good prognosis and good results so far. Sophie and Sam are pulling for Duncan.
Rays & Hugs to Duncan,Patches,Buddy Papbouv.
Bucketloads of rayz coming for you and your boy...... :comfort: Please keep us posted......
Quote from: Barb on July 20, 2012, 10:26:38 AM
Bucketloads of rayz coming for you and your boy...... :comfort: Please keep us posted......
Ditto. Please know that this diagnosis, unlike a few years ago, no longer means a death threat. Lots of dogs have been saved by the new meds/types of treatment. We're all rooting for Duncan and for you. :thumb:
Every day is a new day. The treatment sounds encouraging. Duncan is fortunate to have you in his life.
My Jack Russell was sometimes on predisone. We never had an accident in the house, but he was exceptional on letting us know that he needed to go out. (Unlike the dog we have now that does a brief "walk by" the door and if we don't jump up, he tinkles on the floor). What we noticed the most is our Jack Russell became very aggressive and demanding with food. Eddie would never and I mean never touch food on a dinner plate, even if we left it on the floor, he never begged, and was 100% trustworthy. We could leave a steak on the floor on a dinner plate and leave the house. It would still be there when we came back. When he was on predisone, one night we came home with a cooked deli chicken for dinner. Left it on the kitchen table and went to get the rest of our groceries. He took the chicken, ran outside with it, and flat out refused to drop it. He actually snapped at me when I forced it out of his mouth. I was stunned with the behaviour. I discussed it with the vet, and the vet assured me it was the predisone causing the food aggressive behaviour. He was always very obedient when he was not on the pred.
dis is Parker......Momma, what's wrong wif da "walk by". You needs to be paying better attention to me!!!! :heart: :heart: :heart: It's a good fing I'm extra cute :heart: :heart:
Mike, every day is a new day and you know that Duncan is eating it up! He looks to you for love and protection and rewards you with kisses, tail wags and loyalty. Give him a new day and love him like there's no tomorrow. Loads of rays and love coming your way.
Holy cr@p, Mike, I just got to reading this.
As heart sick as this makes you, there is a prognosis, a plan and a protected positive outcome.
Ya just have to go through some poop, first.
:pray: and :heart: to both of you.
Remember, ya can't keep a B &T smoooooooooooooooth down for long!
Mike, I am really sorry not to have sportted this earlier, poor little mite and poor you. It is encouraging to know his treatment is well on the way and the outlook need not be gloomy. Extra cuddles and rays heading your way. We'd love to hear how you are both doing. Thank goodness he is with you - he couldn't have a better Dad.
I am so sorry to hear this Mike! I was talking to a lady with an 11 yr old Aussie this weekend who had this 6.5 years ago. Went thru 2 rounds of chemo. Has been in remission since. Duncan can do it too! Many prayers and rays for you both.
Duncan's follow up visit with the oncologist last night was good. His blood work was fine and he tolerates the chemo drug with no apparent side affects. We now get to reduce the prednisolone to 1/2 a pill a day and then to every other day in a couple of weeks. Dad looks forward to getting reducing the "I'm HUNGRY" wake ups at 3:00 a.m. Chemo will also get reduced but my mind can't quite recall the timetable on that. We don't have to go back for 3 months unless something goes awry.
Also, no seizures since June 6th so we are at the longest dry spell in that regard in the last 54 weeks. YAY!!!
*Paws up* for Duncan !!!! :hello2: And his awesome dad ! Please keep us posted Mike -
Fantastic news! You made my day. :hello2:
Well, the streak came to an end yesterday morning just before the radio came on. As usual after a seizure Duncan was very focussed on food AND wanting his come-back-to-reality time dozing in my arms. That couldn't happen so he followed/lead me around the house as I was trying get ready for work (Duncan....I'm naked...do you SEE any pockets with food in the them!!!???). He then proceeded to check on my whereabouts while I was in the shower and even (GASP) jumped in the tub with me. He was very surprised at the rainstorm and immediately jumped back out (EGAD DAD you're gonna melt!). While he was annoying me just a wee bit, I did laugh at his antics.
Glad he is feeling well enough for antics which is good what do you mean no treats just because you were naked gee stick some cheese in your mouth before showering next time.That way you will have a treat at all times I'm sure Duncan would appreciate it.