Quick Update -

Oakley had his 1 month (maybe more like month and a half) post-radiation checkup.  He had a chest xray and some bloodwork done and a basic exam.  Thankfully, the xrays showed his lungs were clear; no indication that the cancer may have spread.  His lymphnodes also were normal.  Not sure what his bloodwork will show, but hopefully it will be okay.  Piroxicam can cause some kidney/liver issues when taken every day as it is a NSAID.

I talked to the doctor about his recent "huffing".  She said not to be too concerned about it right now and just continue to monitor it and look for increased intensity and if it starts occurring more and more frequently throughout the day.  If it gets worse, then a CT scan should be done early to see what is going on.  Otherwise, we just wait a couple of more months before proceeding with a CT scan, as the tumor can continue to shrink over the course of the next couple of months.

As suspected, she knew absolutely nothing about Neoplasene and proceeded to tell me they only perform treatments based on scientific evidence through studies, or whatever.  However, she told me that I could contact a doctor at the U who specializes in acupuncture and such and works in the "holistic" field.  She is not sure if this doctor has heard of Neoplasene, but told me to call her and find out.  I'm guessing she won't know anything either and I am going to have to continue to do some research or take a chance with this online vet; the oncologist was not comfortable with me going that route.  Of course, I don't blame her as I'm not fond of the idea either, but she's certainly not giving me a choice.  I just can't believe an oncologist has not heard about neoplasene - seems odd.  I wonder if she wouldn't try the same thing with her dog - I should have asked her, I guess.

Oh well...Oakley is doing great overall and I do feel a little better about things for the time being.  Hopefully, the bloodwork comes back okay.

Picture time!

Here are some pics I took tonight!

He looks really good!  Honestly, you'd never know he had radiation therapy on his face.  I am still basically in denial that my dog has this awful cancer inside him.  It's just not fair - AT ALL.  It really makes me furious that it turned out this way.  It's been hard to concentrate on other things because I just want to spend as much as I can with him, and I hate that most of my day is spent away from him.  I know he is just a dog, as some people would say, but I don't have kids and right now my dogs are basically furry, four-legged kids and are just an important part of my life.  It's just I can't imagine how lonely and sad it will be when he is gone.  I'm not ready to lose him, but I do understand that we will never be ready for something like that.  I just still think of him as a pup.  Damn it - life you suck sometimes!! 

As far as an update on how he is doing, he is doing pretty well.  He is still having some mild huffing episodes, but nothing that doesn't stop within a few seconds, at least so far, thankfully, and it's maybe only once in a 24hr period.  I'm giving his Piroxicam basically every 18-20 hrs.  His eyes still water quite a bit, especially the right one, but nothing too bad.  I'm sure this is something he'll have the remainder of his life.  Sometimes he paws at his eyes but only for a second, and when he does I give them a nice gentle rub and he seems to like that and it makes it feel better, I guess.  The vet in NY called back about my email concerning the Neoplasene treatment.  I have not called back yet.  I guess I can get a free 5 min phone consult with the doctor to talk in general about the protocol.  I haven't made up my mind to do it or not.  It would seem weird to have a Dr. in NY handle this treatment.  I mean, I'm not even sure if she really is reputable.  I have to do some more research.  I really hope our current oncologist at the U will be helpful, at least maybe recommending me to someone who maybe can help. 

Anyway, just thought I would post some pics and such as it has been awhile!  Hope you enjoy them!  Have a great night!

Just checking in...

Last week was not a good one.  I was pretty upset seeing Oakley's symptoms return and wondering if things are getting worse.  I know they will, but I just felt like it was just too early for it.  Friday night I got to thinking that Oakley started his huffing literally a day after starting his new bottle of Piroxicam.  I have been wondering if perhaps there is an issue with the drug, as far as the quality of it, or maybe the dosage is wrong.  I have not called Target yet, but I am contemplating on getting the prescription re-filled.  In the meantime, for the last 2 days I have switched up his schedule and have been giving him his pill every 18-20 hrs instead of 24hr in case it was wearing off too early or something.  So far today he has not had an episode of his huffing and he seems to be doing really good.  I'm going to try this schedule for sure until I talk to the vet on the 30th and see what she makes of it.

I have also been doing some research and found a treatment using a drug called Neoplasene.  It is derived from black root, a Native American herb.  It's not used in convential medicine, but there are vets using it to treat mast cell tumors.  Apparently, when it is applied to the tumor, it kills it.  I have found a couple of cases where owners have used it for nasal carcinomas - they apply it via nose drops - and have had success in managing the cancer.  I found a yahoo support group for neoplasene and cancer in dogs so I am hoping to get a lot more information.  I am also going to talk to the oncologist to see if she has heard of it, or perhaps has a colleague.  Unfortunately, you can only get this by vet prescription, but since it's not "convential" most likely I am going to have some major resistance getting Oakley on this treatment.  If our current oncologist hasn't heard about it and its use in treating cancer, well, I'm going to be pretty disappointed in her as a doctor.  I called a local holistic vet to see if they have heard of it, but wasn't able to speak to a doctor - just some office manager.  She indicated they only use Chinese herbs and I told her that I only needed a vet who would be willing to try this approach out and see my dog.  She said she would leave a message for the doctors to see if they would be interested in over seeing this type of treatment, but I'm guessing I will never hear from them.  I'm not sure if I will end up going this route or not, mostly because I need to find a vet who will help me and that will not be easy - at least I don't think it will.

I am trying to stay positive right now and just continue to cherish and treasure every day I have left with him. 

Vet appt scheduled

Oakley is all set to go see the doctor on November 30th.  I just returned from our nighly walk and right before we got home he did 4 quick little "huffs" again, which were on the mild side, but nonetheless, the symptom he had before treatment - no mistaking it.  It really bothers me that this is starting up again, even if they are very brief.  This is 2 days in a row.  They did happen outside again, so I'm hoping I can contribute that to the cool weather and the fact that his nasal passage is recovering from being radiated.  He has not done it at any other time.  I won't try and be too worried yet unless it does start happening every day, including when he's in the house.  I just don't see any reason why this would start up again unless the Piroxicam stopped working as far as keeping down the inflammation and/or the tumor is growing.  But, I'm no doctor...we'll see.

I'll keep people posted, especially if he continues to do this more frequently (God willing, that won't be the case).  I might try posting a video I have of Oakley in one of his "huffing" fits, in case people would like to see what his main symptom was.  I'll have to dig around for it, but I do have it.

Update

I've been meaning to post an update...I didn't mean to sort of disappear.  I really hadn't had much news to share in terms of how he was doing, because frankly, he has been doing pretty well.  His eyes get a little gummy, but not really an issue.  He does sort of squint his right eye at times.  His hair appears to be growing back.  I guess the reason I decided to post tonight is because I believe I heard the dreaded "huffing" noise when he was outside this evening.  It was like 4 quick "huffs".  Very, very similar to the what he did at the beginning of all this.  I am very worried as to what this might mean.  This is the first time he has done this since about a week and a half after he started the Piroxicam and then his radiation treatment.  I'm pretty sure it's what I heard.  The doctor said that over the next couple of months the tumor should continue to shrink...I'm not sure that is the case for us.  Of course, I am thinking worst case - that it is growing again.  Perhaps the cold weather is making his nasal passages more sensitive...I don't know.  I can only hope, I guess, and just keep a close eye out if he starts doing this on a regular basis.  He is due for a 1 month check up - he needs a chest xray and some bloodwork.  Looks like I will have to call and get that scheduled sooner than later.  He's still eating well and very active.  Doesn't look like he's lost any weight.  What is scary is that even if he has to live with these symptoms and we just have to accept that they are only going to get worse as time goes on, I am just so scared and worried as to how long he CAN live with them.  I mean, I really feel like another 2 yrs is a long shot.  Have something like Adenocarcinoma definitely sounds like something you can't live long with.  I have been crying a bit more lately thinking about losing him.  I realize that this will happen, but this is so, so difficult and I don't know how I am going to get through it.

The vet said the CT scan would be in another couple of months.  I'm thinking maybe I will schedule it for December sometime, as I truly think the radiation has done the damage it was going to do, because he is healing, and if he is healing, I have to think the damn tumor is not being affected anymore.  If it shrunk enough, maybe there is a possibility they could remove most of it to give us more time, but I'm guessing that this is all just wishful thinking, not to mention another very large vet bill.  I know I can't blame myself, but I wish I could turn back time and would have brought him in when the huffing symptoms started late last winter when the tumor would have been most likely small enough to remove and then treat it with radiation.  Of course, I can't say that they would have suggested a CT scan back then and I probably still wouldn't have known for some time.  No use in beating myself up, but I still wish I would have been able to do things differently.

This is just really, really depressing at the moment to realize that perhaps the radiation treatment didn't do much of anything for him, and unfortunately, I won't know if that is true unless we spend the money on the  CT.  This just sucks.