Update = blargh
The ER was as anticlimactic as chemo. I expected blood spurting and wives screaming but it was a lot of sitting around in various places. My x-ray came back fine but my bloodwork came back holycrap anemic. They called my poor oncologist at like 1am and she issued antibiotics and harder pain meds. The antibiotics make me throw up but I still managed to be 119.6 when I got weighed today!
Managed the PET scan without needing to put my arms over my head, yay!
Antibiotics seem to be working, my shoulder's felt progressively better. Not great…frustrating, it's still limiting simple activities, but better is better, I'll take it.
Results of the scan….the shoulder pain may be a new cancer site, there's also one in my leg and while the spots on my liver shrank, more have appeared. This means it's more aggressive than anticipated. It's mutating and resisting treatment after only the second one. My oncologist said she didn't want to scare me, but did want to be honest, which is, of course, scary. I mean it's bad enough to have it for no reason, as young as I am, let alone it being all Super Shredder on me.
We're doing a different chemo cocktail to hopefully smash it before it realizes what's coming.
She also was not thrilled with me getting a puppy. She said my parents could get a puppy but that I shouldn't be the primary caregiver–I can't do any of the clean-up or be around any time the puppy is learning not to bite/jump/scratch because of the infection potential.
): I don't know that my parents want to be doing that much of the work ): Now of all times, I really really really need my dog ): My dad said maybe when I'm 'done' with treatment, but if it's going to get complicated….when will that be? It doesn't bode well for the future….I want a dog in that future to come back to no matter what happens.
Tags: bad news, cancer sucks, er, PET scan, shoulder pain
Medical Escapades | zellie | 
July 22, 2010 7:28 pm
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By callie forester, July 23, 2010 @ 1:13 pm
Well. This sucks. Not sure what to say–once again–except for that is seriously fucked up. Am I allowed to say that on here? I couldn’t think of a different way to put it.
So, when does this new chemo start? How much more “complicated” are these new treatments?
I hope your mom and dad change their mind about the dog. Puppies are a handful, but it’s not like they’re that hard. You pretty much just have to remember to put them out every couple of hours.
I don’t remember ever getting nipped hard enough for it to break the skin–not even with Squishy, who had razor sharp little teeth because she was only four weeks old when she came home.
As long as the puppy is old enough that it’s been eating dog food, it’s teeth shouldn’t be that sharp, and you can always keep the nails clipped. I guess you know all of that though.Good luck with your puppy, I really hope it works out!!
Anyway,keep us all posted–and know that we’re all thinking about you! Love you, Zell…
By Zellie, July 23, 2010 @ 4:49 pm
That’s the PERFECT way to say it! I started my new chemo today and it was MUCH shorter. They didn’t give me any benadryl so I stayed awake too! The side effects should be similar to what I was getting already.
The plan is to still go see the puppies at 5 weeks….so, fingers crossed!! I mean, I want to be careful about infection but my mental well being is important too, it’s good for my immune system! And I thought the same thing, I would be concerned about a kitten–even a mature cat could be a problem with the sharp claws, teeth, and attitude but no one’s saying you should kick your cat out while you have chemo, are they??? I’ll ask my friend Rita. I remember someone took care of her cat but I think that was because she was having trouble taking care of him she was so sick, not because she wasn’t allowed to have him. I really only remember one puppy bite from my last dog, I made a high-pitched ‘ow’ sound not because it hurt, and it definitely didn’t break the skin, but because I heard of it as a training method and she never did it again.
By Kathleen, July 25, 2010 @ 2:08 pm
Jen, would you consider an older dog that didn’t need the training, and wouldn’t bite like puppies do? They’re as easy to fall in love with as a puppy!
Peace & Out
By zellie, July 25, 2010 @ 6:07 pm
We’re thinking about that–the breeder we’ve been talking too actually just put up a notice that her friend is looking to place a 3-year-old beardie. On one hand, since he’s from another breeder then the health and behavior issues that can come from rescue dogs aren’t a problem. On the other, he’s probably had a lot of training at this point, possibly been doing shows/trials so where do I go from there? I *want* the work that a puppy offers to help keep me busy.
By Kathleen, July 27, 2010 @ 6:37 pm
Jen, you can teach an “older” dog new tricks! There’s different ways to go when working with your dog. I’d like to do agility with my dog Stuart (who is extremely cute, a mongrel, and has bitten people). Ask your mom about how in 2005 Stuart was with me at all times, EVERYWHERE!!!
By zellie, July 28, 2010 @ 8:20 am
He’s already been trained for agility and obedience trials…I don’t know where I would go from there… I guess I could try doggie dancing!
By Kathleen, July 28, 2010 @ 8:26 pm
You could take him to those places where they allow dogs to herd sheep (they learn not to be predators quickly). And, an older dog would be more likely to cuddle, versus a super energetic puppy. What else … working on your relationship, getting to know him, bonding, etc.
By Kathleen, August 2, 2010 @ 11:31 pm
Did you get him? The three year old? That is so exciting!!! I’m so happy for you! Please write about him and post pics!!!!!
Love,
Aunt (how weird does that sound) Kathy