"Mom, is that cheeseburger for me?"
Daniel has received six doses of CCNU. It is an oral chemotherapy drug, which is powerful against his cancer, but usually has minimal side effects. (liver toxicity and low white blood cell and/or platelets are the most common.) Only once did he feel even the least bit puny after one of his treatments. Other than that, you would never know by his behavior that he was receiving treatment of any kind.
He has been steadily regaining the weight he lost earlier in the year before his diagnosis and treatment. My normally 70-pound dog bottomed out at 58 pounds. He is up to 65 pounds, as of his last vet visit on Christmas Eve. (that's why he's wearing his red velved holiday collar.)
"Yes, Daniel, it is. Here you go, Sweetheart. You were such a good boy for the doctor."
Daniel is the dog that picked me seven years ago. I remember that day so well ... the little voice in my gut was screaming, pleading, begging me understand that this precious boy was meant to be mine ... what a wise little voice!
Cat safe? Yes, he is!
As far as Daniel's lymphoma goes, we are making his treatment decisions one vet visit at a time. He has a less-common low-level type of lymphoma, and we are taking our cues from him about how to proceed. So far, he continues to be in remission ... eating well, gaining weight ... with a cheery attitude and a great quality of life.
