It’s only 7:10 on a Friday evening and I’m ready for bed. I’m envious that Catie and Riley are having one of their dozen daily naps, Catie on the pillow by the front window; Riley about a foot from my chair.
The two of them have had a good week; daily trips to the dog park; had their meals and their treats and lots of loving. Catie’s been playing the piano more frequently: being a tripawd has enhanced her musical inclinations. If she was more predictable about her keyboard whims, I’d try to catch her on film. But she doesn’t particularly like it if I pursue her too persistently with the camera – she eventually gets annoyed and tries to eat it.
It was vet oncologist visit on Thursday. Catie will have her first chemo treatment on Monday. The decision to proceed wasn’t difficult: without chemo, median survival rate – 3 to 6 months; with chemo, median survival rate – 12 months.
A no-brainer decision, really.
The vet said Catie may be sick for a day or two afterwards. She’ll have one treatment every three weeks until she’s had six. Catie has gone through so much the last couple months; so much pain and discomfort, and recovery from major surgery. I’m feeling a bit guilty and sad about the fact that just when life seems normal and she’s feeling good, we’re taking her for a treatment that will make her feel lousy next week.
The vet said goldies have strong constitutions and we all have our fingers and paws crossed that she won’t be very ill.
Our vet told us that only 15% of dogs have side effects from chemo. Peyton was sleepy, but was never sick. He had a little mushy poo, but it wasn’t bad. Hopefully Catie will be so lucky!
Good luck Catie! Have a good weekend just in case you don’t feel good for a couple days after chemo! Make sure your pawrents spoil you all weekend long!
Guilt is such a silly human emotion. Please try to reframe things by understanding that the decisions you’ve made are for the best in the long run, and that dogs are amazingly resilient creatures, who do not place blame. Best wishes for smooth sailing, and No Regrets.
Hi Catie,
I hope you don’t get sick from the chemo. I am a golden retriever and I just finished my fourth and final chemo. I didn’t get sick. I still ate all my food and begged for more. But here’s a good trick. Even if you do not feel sick, act a little tired and your pawrents will give you some amazing treats and muscle massages! Shhhhhh. It’s a secret that only tripawds can know. Opie
It may not make her sick, lots of dogs fly through it. I hope she’s one of them. Paws crossed!!!
Hope for the best, be prepared for the worst. Hopefully Catie will be one of those with minimal reaction.
My pug Maggie went through chemo for 6 months. While sometimes she was tired, or lethargic she never got sick, never had diarrhea.
Good luck next week.
Karen and the pug girls
Good luck with chemo, Catie! You might ask your vet about cerinea (I’m not sure I’m spelling that correctly) – it’s an anti-nausea drug. Holly was given an injection prior to her chemo treatment and she didn’t experience any nausea. I think other dogs have been given cerinea pills to take at home if they have nausea. It could help…
Best wishes!
Holly and Holly’s mom