Wednesday, May 23, 2012

A Visit and My Third Birthday!

This weekend my daddy drove back to Virginia to bring up his brother for a visit, so mommy and us had to spend two nights without him.  Zoey and I are not used to him not being there, so didn't let mommy get much sleep either of those nights.  We kept waiting and waiting and waiting for him to come home, and we patrolled the house for hours at night just in case he might come home.  When he came home Sunday night, we got to meet one of our other uncles, Robbie.  We had a fun couple of days with Robbie and Zoey especially loved playing with him.  We took him to one of our favorite places, the Farm park, and got to run around outside.  We even explored a little bit and walked down to the stream, and I played in the water a bit.

Yesterday I turned 3!  Happy Birthday to me!

Trip to VA

I've been so busy lately I haven't had time to blog!  The weekend before last my family and I took a trip to Virginia, where our extended family live.  We went down there to see my uncle Bryan's college graduation.  Zoey and I were so excited for the car ride down; we kept both trying to stick our heads out the window and walked back and forth in the car for the first few hours.  We got stuck in quite a bit of traffic, but after 6 or so long hours, we were there.  We pulled in at my mom's parent's house, and Zoey and I hopped out of the car in excitement and ran to the door.  But, when we got to the door we were not greeted nicely; my grandma got a new dog!  Her name is Kimber and she was not friendly towards us.  She was growling and was ready to attack.  Grandma picked her up so we could come in, but once she got loose, her and Zoey began what would be a weekend-long stand-off.  

The next day, after all the humans went to the graduation, a lot of people came over for my uncle Bryan's graduation party.  There were so many people and so much food!  We (Zoey and I) enjoyed walking around the backyard looking for chips and other goodies that people accidentally dropped.  The real excitement of the party, however, was with Zoey and Kimber.  They peacefully coexisted for a while outside, but then Kimber began barking and messing with Zoey.  Zoey decided it was time to show her who's boss, so Zoey bit her, right in the butt!  Grandma saved Kimber, and she didn't get hurt or anything, but it gave her a little scare.  The two had to stay separated the rest of the weekend.  

The best part about this weekend was hanging out with my doggie uncle's, Ed and Frank.  Zoey and I hung out there for many hours, following Ed and Frank around in their backyard, exploring and rolling in whatever stinky stuff we could find.  As usual, I tried to hump Ed when I got the chance (which he does not like).   It was so nice to just be able to run around and play outside for hours.  Zoey had fun too.  My dad's parents have a pool, and my parents put me and Zoey in for a swim.  We were not feeling it though, and did not stay in long.   

We were pretty worn out after the trip back home.  The next day I woke up not feeling well - I didn't feel like getting out of bed or eating or anything.  My mom took my temperature and it was 103.2, yikes!  Of course this made her freak out, so by the end of the day, I was at the vet for a check-up.  They said everything was fine, and I was back to normal once I rested up for another day.  I was just so exhausted from the trip!

Friday, May 4, 2012

Another Chemo Round

Yesterday I got another chemo treatment.  When we were getting ready to leave the house, Zoey ran to the door excitedly, jumping on the door to go with us, so mommy let her ride in the car with us.  This kind of freaked me out though, because everytime Zoey and I go somewhere together, it usually means we are going to Banfield which I am not a big fan of.  But when I saw mommy instead turn down the road to Hickory, I got super-excited because I would get to see my favorite vet tech.  I ran to the door, did my (now) ritual poop (although this time it was at the front desk instead of the parking lot), and whined and whined for her to come get me.  Dr. K, my usual oncologist, wasn't there, and neither was my favorite girl, so another one had to come out for me (bummer!).

A few hours later, they called my mom to come pick me up.  As usual, my mom and I were sooo happy to see each other.  The receptionists even commented on how spoiled I was.  They told my mom that I get extra spoiled here too by my favorite vet tech - sometimes she even carries me around while she works (or so they told my mom).  When we got home, the chemo side-effects started to sit in.  I felt a little queasy, so I just wanted to lay down on the couch.   My stomach started hurting too.  Today, I feel a little better though.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

More Good News

Yesterday I had to go back to the vet to get blood work done (no chemo this week).  As soon as my mommy gave Zoey a treat and put my leash on (and not Zoey's), I knew me and my mommy were going to take a trip to Hickory.  I got so excited I ran out the door and tried to run down the driveway (I guess I thought I could walk there in all my excitement).  We got in the car and as soon as I could see Hickory, I began whining and scratching at the car window.  My mommy parked and I sprinted out of the car and to the door.  Just like last week, I got so excited that I had an accident in the parking lot (oops).  Once we got in, it was only seconds until my most favorite vet tech (AKA my girlfriend) came out to the front to greet me.  I was soooooooo happy.  I whined for her and tried to jump on her, and wrapped my leash around her legs while her and my mommy were talking (I wanted to make sure she couldn't leave).  My mommy untangled her, and then we were off the back to get my blood work done.  A few minutes later, I ran out to the front to hang out with my mom while they completed my blood cell counts.  Then, a new doctor came out to go over the results.  She said that ALL my levels (every last one of them) was normal, which hasn't happened since this whole ordeal started.  She also said that I looked like a very happy puppy and that I was loving on my girlfriend in the back (she wasn't supposed to tell on me!).   I've also gained half a pound, so I am looking very healthy now.

Another cool thing that happened yesterday was that my mom started making some of my dog food.  She is going to keep giving me the prescription cancer diet (n/d) that I love so much, but is adding some home-cooked goodness to mix in.  This week it is ground turkey, brown rice, and spinach/broccoli.  Zoey and I had a little spoonful of it with our dinner (gotta work it in slowly so it doesn't give me the runs), and it sure was tasty.  Thanks, mom!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Last Few Weeks!!!

So, I have been away from writing for awhile because I have been spending lots and lots of time with my family.  A few weeks ago, like I had mentioned in my previous post, when my mommy took me back to the Hickory Pet Hospital I got my stitches out.  They told mommy that I was able to go for walks again!!!!  I love going outside and taking walks around the block with my family.  Me and Zoey love running down the hill in the neighborhood as fast as we can.  It was nice knowing that I would be able to get back to doing some familiar activities.  It also meant that I no longer had to wear that cone...Hooray!!!  Over the weeks we didn't do anything that "exciting" to the ordinary family.  We all pretty much just hung out, went on walks, and took some car rides.  So while it may not be that exciting to most, I certainly enjoyed my time over the past few weeks.

Before I get to my super great news, I wanted to share a little fun fact with everyone.  I have a "girlfriend" at Hickory.  Everytime my mommy has taken me back, as soon as we turn onto the road, I immediately know where I am and start whining because I cant wait to get there.  The most recent time, I was so excited that as soon as I got out of the car, I pooped on the parking lot.  I then bolted for the door so that I could get inside and see her.  Once inside, she came out to greet me.  I immediately started giving her the same whine that I give when I see mommy and daddy.  The excited, I am so glad to see you, please dont leave me alone again whine.  Mommy gave picked me up and gave me a kiss and said "Yep, hes spoiled."  Naturally my girlfriend said "Dont worry, hes spoiled here too."  All of the vets seem to really love me and say I am a great patient.  They told my mommy that I just hang out with them in the back.  I think mommy and daddy are really excited about taking me here.  I know they are stressed about me and my lymphoma, but they can see that at the very least I am starting to live a normal quality life and that I really enjoy going back to see all of the wonderful people who have been helping me. 

Anyways, when my mommy came to pick me, she was told some of the best news shes heard in awhile.  The Dr. told her that she could not feel anymore swelling in my lymph nodes and that she thinks the cancer may have gone into remission!!!!!!! This of course is great news.  We are still continuing my treatments and my mommy and daddy are doing everything they can to help me, but the Dr. seems a little bit more optimistic about my prognosis now.  The one downside is that they told my mommy that my white blood cell count was low again.  They don't want me going outside on walks anymore for right now.  It stinks, but I know its for the best.  Any thing that would normally not affect a healthy dog could really mess with my system.  I have enough to worry about right now, that I dont need something else.  So thats why I am writing ot tell everyone the news.  Hopefully I will be able to get back outside and go for walks again.  I have another appointment on Wednesday so we will see what they say then.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

No More Cabin Fever!

After my visit to Dr. K on Friday, I was given approval to go for walks again.  YESSSS!  I have been stuck inside since my surgery two weeks ago, so I was super excited to go for walks again!  Mommy and daddy took me for one later Friday, and although I'm still pretty tired, I perked up for a walk around the block.  I even ran down the hill like I used to!  Woo hoo.

Other than my daily walks, this weekend has been pretty chill.  Mommy and daddy sat around, mommy doing homework and daddy playing video games, while Zoey and I either played or layed with them.  Mommy and daddy did decide to exercise today though, which was fun because Zoey and I had a blast trying to lick their faces whenever they had to do a move on the floor.   It's no wonder mommy and daddy do not exercise much in the house because Zoey and I sure do make it difficult. 

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Week with 3 Generations of My Family

This past week was fairly exciting in the fact that I got to hang out a lot of familiar faces.  One of mommy and daddy's friends who he works with came over on Saturday night to hang out.Another one came on Wednesday night for a few hours to hang out.  But mainly I was hanging out with my mommy, grandma, and great grandma for 5 days straight.  Daddy did his normal routine and went to work while the ladies and I just hung out around the house.  Overall, I was very tired and didn't do a whole lot during all these visits.  I think that first real chemo treatment really got to me.  Of course when each of the visitors arrived I was very excited to see them and i greeted them as I normally would.  And my grandma even brought me and Zoey new toys - how exciting!  During these past 5 days though, it was nice to catch up with my grandma and great-grandma.  We pretty much just hung out, relaxing around the house and watching TV.  My grandma spoiled me and Zoey with attention, and my great-grandma laughed at how funny we are.  My grandma took me outside quite a few times, so that was nice to hang out outside with someone new.
My great-aunt sent me a present!  Zoey stole it though...
Grandma brought us toys!!!!

Mommy and my great-grandma














Zoey, why do you sit so funny?
Today my grandma and great grandma went home.  This was also a particularly bad day for me.  I know I wasn't feeling quite like myself but today was worse.  I vomited several times throughout the day.  My mommy was super scared.  She called the vet several times.  I am sure they are probably like "woman, would you please stop calling us?"  I know she is only trying to help because she cares about me.  I hope they can see that too.  There is also this weight loss thing.  I have been eating pretty regularly (except for today), but I have gotten so skinny.  My mommy daddy always wanted me to lose just a little weight so I stayed healthy, but even I know this is a little much - you can see my ribs now when I roll over, and that is not the best look for me.  I have been very chilly due to not having as much fat on me.  I have also been very restless, which I think has less to do with being skinny and everything to do with my overall state of not feeling so great.  Or it could be this stupid cone I still have to wear (especially since my mommy caught me licking my IV site, which is supposed to stay covered.  Tomorrow I go back to the emergency vet for potentially my next chemo appointment.  I overheard my mommy on the phone with the vet and its possible I may not actually get it if I keep feeling this way.  I guess we'll see what happens tomorrow.  I only hope that things get better for me because I do not like feeling like this.