Lymph nodes...

[amazincc]

Thanks, guys... and thanks for the link, Erin...
I am really touched by all this outpouring of love and support for Mick, and I absolutely LOVE the ribbons and signatures.
You guys make this whole thing a little bit easier to deal with and it means a lot to me.

Our oncologist is (Thank God) a great believer in dietary supplements and has given me a list of things to get... she was also very glad to hear that Mick is on RAW already. She has called twice to see how he's doing... so I am very happy w/my choice of doctor for him.
His next chemo treatment is this coming Tuesday and we will try to wrangle Baby Cow into submission without sedation... he has to hold still long enough for blood work and the chemo therapy... I am so grateful to his doctor for trying to come up w/a feasible plan and for working w/me, since Mick is not the easiest patient on a good day.

He has had really bad diarrhea since last night (I've started him on meds for that), and has had a few accidents in the house - which makes him positively miserable. He is one of those dogs who get absolutely mortified when pooping/peeing occurs in the house, and I feel his pain... I haven't made a big deal over it, but he "crates" himself and it took me a while today to coax him out... poor guy... he just breaks my heart.

[blayzeingsun]

I'm so glad that you have a good Doctor. River is like that to with the bathroom thing. Poor Mick.

[pitbullmamaliz]

Is the diarrhea caused by the chemo? And how long does the chemo take each time?

[CinderDee]

Kato gets diarrhea from the chemo just about every time.

Sending feel better hugs to Mick!

[amazincc]

The diarrhea can be caused by chemo... or if the cancer has spread to his stomach, that would be another cause...

The chemo is actually just an injection (I did not know this either)... but it has to be given into a vein... and there is the weekly blood work. Our doctor wants to try doing a "butterfly", so she can get blood, flush out the line, and administer the chemo, all in one fell swoop...

[pitbullmamaliz]

I didn't know that chemo was just an injection, either. Learn something new every day!

It sounds like you've got a really great doctor who is willing to work with Mick's personality quirks and take the time to explain to you what is going on. That's really great.

[iluvk9]

Hang in there, Christine! You are a smart woman who loves her dog and together you will get through this.

[gayrghts]

Thanks, guys... and thanks for the link, Erin...
I am really touched by all this outpouring of love and support for Mick, and I absolutely LOVE the ribbons and signatures.
You guys make this whole thing a little bit easier to deal with and it means a lot to me.

Our oncologist is (Thank God) a great believer in dietary supplements and has given me a list of things to get... she was also very glad to hear that Mick is on RAW already. She has called twice to see how he's doing... so I am very happy w/my choice of doctor for him.
His next chemo treatment is this coming Tuesday and we will try to wrangle Baby Cow into submission without sedation... he has to hold still long enough for blood work and the chemo therapy... I am so grateful to his doctor for trying to come up w/a feasible plan and for working w/me, since Mick is not the easiest patient on a good day.

He has had really bad diarrhea since last night (I've started him on meds for that), and has had a few accidents in the house - which makes him positively miserable. He is one of those dogs who get absolutely mortified when pooping/peeing occurs in the house, and I feel his pain... I haven't made a big deal over it, but he "crates" himself and it took me a while today to coax him out... poor guy... he just breaks my heart.

I'm very glad that the Doc is willing to work with Mick and you... and that the butterfly is an option... that would make life easier...

With Mick having you, he will get thru the labwork/chemo meds... he'll focus on you, and let the Doc do what she needs to do

I'm sorry to hear about his diarrhea, and how upset he gets... but... that just is one more example of how sweet and caring he is.

A woman I work with, just got her pit thru chemo and radiation, for mast cell tumors... and got a clean bill of health... I was telling her about Mick, and she says to tell you that he'll be fine

She'll pray for him also, and have her dog's prayer friends pray for him too...

[amazincc]

Thanks, Heather!

[Beth]

Oh, poor Mick. Blaze was like that if he had an accident in the house, too. I hope Mick is able to get his chemo injection and blood work without the sedation. That would make things so much easier, I think.

Christine, if there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to let me know.

[amazincc]

Oh, poor Mick. Blaze was like that if he had an accident in the house, too. I hope Mick is able to get his chemo injection and blood work without the sedation. That would make things so much easier, I think.

Christine, if there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Thanks, Beth! Just keeping him in your thoughts is all the help he needs...

We got the first shot into him w/out sedation, and we shall see how it goes on Tuesday - it's not easy wrestling a heifer and keeping him still... but if the vet is willing to risk her limbs... ya know?

[pocketpit]

Our doctor wants to try doing a "butterfly", so she can get blood, flush out the line, and administer the chemo, all in one fell swoop...

I'm sure your doctor has lot of experience and knows to flush that butterfly repeatedly before attempting an injection but if you are present during treatments be sure it gets done! Several of the chemo drugs (Vincristine especially!) can cause some real damage if even one drop of it gets delivered outside of a vein hence why catheters are typically used and blood is drawn from other veins not usually used for the chemo. A dog who moves or even bumping the butterfly line can cause it to no longer be patent so it's important to flush the line and ensure it's working well before injecting anything else in there.

Give Mick a big hug for me please!

[amazincc]

Our doctor wants to try doing a "butterfly", so she can get blood, flush out the line, and administer the chemo, all in one fell swoop...

I'm sure your doctor has lot of experience and knows to flush that butterfly repeatedly before attempting an injection but if you are present during treatments be sure it gets done! Several of the chemo drugs (Vincristine especially!) can cause some real damage if even one drop of it gets delivered outside of a vein hence why catheters are typically used and blood is drawn from other veins not usually used for the chemo. A dog who moves or even bumping the butterfly line can cause it to no longer be patent so it's important to flush the line and ensure it's working well before injecting anything else in there.

Give Mick a big hug for me please!

Oh, I'm SO present during treatment... I will be doing the wrestling and the sitting on the heifer...
I read about those drugs and that they can do some severe tissue damage and our vet had mentioned it to me as well - we will do what's necessary to get Mick the best possible and effective treatment and if he needs sedation... well... that's what we'll do. I'm also going to ask about giving some Benedryl before his appointment to get a little sedation effect going, since he really doesn't tolerate Ace...

Hug has been delievered and was greatly appreciated.

[katiek0417]

Our doctor wants to try doing a "butterfly", so she can get blood, flush out the line, and administer the chemo, all in one fell swoop...

I'm sure your doctor has lot of experience and knows to flush that butterfly repeatedly before attempting an injection but if you are present during treatments be sure it gets done! Several of the chemo drugs (Vincristine especially!) can cause some real damage if even one drop of it gets delivered outside of a vein hence why catheters are typically used and blood is drawn from other veins not usually used for the chemo. A dog who moves or even bumping the butterfly line can cause it to no longer be patent so it's important to flush the line and ensure it's working well before injecting anything else in there.

Give Mick a big hug for me please!

Oh, I'm SO present during treatment... I will be doing the wrestling and the sitting on the heifer...
I read about those drugs and that they can do some severe tissue damage and our vet had mentioned it to me as well - we will do what's necessary to get Mick the best possible and effective treatment and if he needs sedation... well... that's what we'll do. I'm also going to ask about giving some Benedryl before his appointment to get a little sedation effect going, since he really doesn't tolerate Ace...

Hug has been delievered and was greatly appreciated.

Rocky told me to that he's sending hugs to his "godmother" and ear nips to his "godbrother!"

It sounds like you have a really good vet and a really good specialist. It also sounds like the specialist is able to put up with Mick's quirks. Finding a vet that BOTH you and Mick are comfortable with is SO important. And, as I'm sure you know, the better you feel, the better Mick will do.

Hugs coming to both of you from me, Greg, and: Sacha, Nisha, Drusilla, Kaiden, Cy, Kyah, and Asja. Jue said he's hugging Mick, and hugging you in his head!!!

[amazincc]

Our doctor wants to try doing a "butterfly", so she can get blood, flush out the line, and administer the chemo, all in one fell swoop...

I'm sure your doctor has lot of experience and knows to flush that butterfly repeatedly before attempting an injection but if you are present during treatments be sure it gets done! Several of the chemo drugs (Vincristine especially!) can cause some real damage if even one drop of it gets delivered outside of a vein hence why catheters are typically used and blood is drawn from other veins not usually used for the chemo. A dog who moves or even bumping the butterfly line can cause it to no longer be patent so it's important to flush the line and ensure it's working well before injecting anything else in there.

Give Mick a big hug for me please!

Oh, I'm SO present during treatment... I will be doing the wrestling and the sitting on the heifer...
I read about those drugs and that they can do some severe tissue damage and our vet had mentioned it to me as well - we will do what's necessary to get Mick the best possible and effective treatment and if he needs sedation... well... that's what we'll do. I'm also going to ask about giving some Benedryl before his appointment to get a little sedation effect going, since he really doesn't tolerate Ace...

Hug has been delievered and was greatly appreciated.

Rocky told me to that he's sending hugs to his "godmother" and ear nips to his "godbrother!"

It sounds like you have a really good vet and a really good specialist. It also sounds like the specialist is able to put up with Mick's quirks. Finding a vet that BOTH you and Mick are comfortable with is SO important. And, as I'm sure you know, the better you feel, the better Mick will do.

Hugs coming to both of you from me, Greg, and: Sacha, Nisha, Drusilla, Kaiden, Cy, Kyah, and Asja. Jue said he's hugging Mick, and hugging you in his head!!!

More hugs delivered... Mick is starting to get suspicious now and wants to know if he is "t-e-r-m-i-n-a-l"...

I know... some bad humor there, but I have to laugh or I'll cry...

[Beth]

More hugs delivered... Mick is starting to get suspicious now and wants to know if he is "t-e-r-m-i-n-a-l"...

I know... some bad humor there, but I have to laugh or I'll cry...

He is terminally cute! So go ahead and give him some hugs from me.

[pitbullmamaliz]

<a><img alt="Inara+Mick = 4-Ever" border="0" height="400" src="http://image.blingee.com/images15/content/output/000/000/000/26a/4433309_1753796.gif" title="Inara+Mick = 4-Ever" width="300">

[amazincc]

OMG... that is too cute for words!

[luvmypitties]

I am so pleased that you found a good vet and of course good in the fact that both you and Mick like him and the vet is able and willing to deal with the lovely 'problem dog'. And even better that you get explained everything that happens, not a lot of vets will give the details and what not!

And that picture of Inara is too much! Especially the caption!

And hugs sent from our crew here too... thats 7 doggie hugs and licks and 4 people hugs and kisses!

[iluvk9]

Inara is such a hussy!