Daniel had his first chemo treatment last Monday (July 30). The next day, I started giving him the prescribed doses of Prednisone. For the first couple of days, he seemed a bit out of sorts ... hungry and thirsty and having to go out to pee every three hours. This settled down by Thursday, and on Friday I began to see glimpses of the return my sweet, happy boy.
Ripping the guts out of squeeky toys used to be one of his favorite activities. He hasn't torn up a toy in months. On Friday afternoon, I came home and found this ... shed tears of joy at the sight, yes I did.
I know it was Daniel who did this because Ruby is crated when no one is home.
On Saturday morning, when I let Ruby and him outside before their breakfast, he made a point to seek out and cover Ruby's pee place ... another thing that he hasn't done in quite a while. When I called him to come inside, he ran (yes, RAN) across the yard to the house.
Sunday evening, The Husband and I treated ourselves to pizza while we watched the Olympics. As we finished eating, Daniel came over to not-so-subtly remind us that he LOVES pizza crust. (We call it 'pizza bones'.)
Ruby took the cue and assumed her place beside Daniel, patiently waiting her turn, too.
I am thankful that Daniel hasn't had any of the more serious side effects of his medicine that Dr. Sheafor (the oncologist) warned us about. He is still painfully thin, though. I took him to the vet yesterday for a blood test (to check that his white cell count wasn't too low from the chemo), and he is pretty much the same weight he was last week ... I was hoping for a slight gain ... oh, well.
Bottom line ... he obviously feels better, he is eating well, sleeping comfortably, and he is not having uncomfortable or adverse reactions to his medication ... for this, I am thankful. I am most thankful to see Daniel happy and playing. Perhaps this means that he is responding to the chemo and beating back the cancer ...
I must remember to take things one day at a time ... don't look to far ahead ... live in the moment and treasure every second.
Daniel and I thank each of you for your kind notes and comments. You are all so kind!
Gotta love those high calorie pizza bones! So nice to hear he is doing well this week. Day by day....
ReplyDeleteThat's great news, Connie. Thanks for the update.
ReplyDeleteI love starting the day with good news!
ReplyDeleteDaniel's anticipation of that pizza bone is such a great picture. May he continue to improve!♥♫
ReplyDeleteDaniel is so sweet and I'm glad to see him feeling better. Love the 'pizza' bones. One step at a time is good! Hugs, Linda
ReplyDeleteHe's got that light in his eyes again!
ReplyDeleteBailey would feel yucky for two/three days after chemo, and she DID loose alot of her hair, although the vet was surprised because they normally don't. Prednisone helped her bounce back.
I am so glad your boy is doing better. God bless him and you, too. Just one step at a time is exactly right- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteSo glad the treatments are working! Give all those sweet babies a hug for me, but most especially Daniel!
ReplyDeletexo Kat
This is a happy post...I have been focusing on good news!!! Still sending prayers for "all" of you!!! donna :)
ReplyDeleteGood for Daniel! I can only imagine how it must warm your heart to see him enthusiastic and doing things like he used to. So heartwarming! Maybe more "pizza bones" will put some meat on his bones.
ReplyDeleteCindy at Rosehaven Cottage
He looks wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteTake your good news whichever way you can get it.
ReplyDeletebless Daniel's sweet heart! tearing up toys is such a GREAT sign as is asking for pizza bones. You're right about living in the now; we're not promised tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteGive Daniel a smooch for me, please.
So glad he's feeling better! Love how he's teaching Ruby about "pizza bones!" He looks much more alert than he did the last time I saw him. Such a sweet boy.
ReplyDeleteHallelujah! So glad to hear it! Go, Daniel!
ReplyDeleteOh Connie - I was just catching up with some blogs, and I want you to know that I will be keeping sweet Daniel AND you in my prayers! I'm so glad that he's responding to treatment and that the outlook is good for him. ♥ I often wonder why it is that so many of our pets get cancer....? It's so very sad. But keep your chin up and give your sweet boy a hug for me! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo laurie
This post made me...
ReplyDelete:-> :-> :->
Janet xox
The Empty Nest
I'm so grateful he's feeling better and very much enjoyed seeing pictures of both dogs waiting for pizza bones. Perfect start to a difficult day. Today is my Mother's birthday. She passed on 11 yrs ago.
ReplyDeleteThis is excellent news! I wonder if you ever thought you would be glad to see a toy ripped to pieces, lol. He actually looks better, his face seems a lot brighter. This has made me so happy. Let's hope he goes from strength to strength.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear Daniel is doing well so far, and sorry for his diagnosis. My 13-yr old Golden Retriever, Jake, was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma (found via a mass on his spleen) in early June 2011 and was given 1 to 2 months, I'm happy to report he is still with us 14 months later, and I wish the same and more for Daniel, and you!
ReplyDeleteBetsy, I am so glad to hear about your Jake! It was a spleen tumor that took our Emma in October, so I know that gut-punch feeling quite well. Please give Jake a big hug from me.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to here Daniel is feeling a bit better. A shredded toy is a good sign.
ReplyDeleteI bet you're more than happy to see him ripping those toys!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Love those signs of "normal" in our fur kids. I love pizza bones too, but if Daniel lived closer, I would give them ALL to him. Yes, and Ruby too:-)
ReplyDeleteWe have all had our paws clasped in prayer for Daniel...Thank you so much for this update! I was wondering this a.m. how he was doing!
ReplyDeleteI would have been shedding tears also at the sight of the chewed up toy!!!!
Thinking of you, Connie
xo, misha
Gosh I'm so sorry I've been so involved with my own little world I missed the initial post.
ReplyDeleteBut so happy to read this one.
The sweetheart.
You are both in my thoughts. As is your fab new do.
xo Jane
I've gotten behind on my reading, but I'm so glad Daniel is responding well to the meds. I hope he continues to improve and enjoy more pizza bones!
ReplyDelete