Why am I writing this?

I have known many, many people who have had their dogs die from cancer. In many cases, the cancer was too far advanced to treat. Of those who did treat, you don't know the details of what they went through. It sounds quite simple when summarized with 'we went though chemo and he lived 2 years'. There is a whole lot more emotion and decisions to be made. Treatment is not always simple.

This blog is my own personal experience. Some days are filled with frustration, others are filled with laughter. If anyone is offended, I can't apologize for my emotions. I typed what I felt at the time. It does not mean I feel the same today. If you want clarification, just ask. No matter my frustrations, I know my vet and oncologist are doing a fantastic job of caring for Arri. He just is not co-operating by being a 'typical' case.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

10.21.12 Summer is at it again

Arri is doing great.  He is currently on vacation in Cincinnati, visiting Grandma.  In the meantime, Summer, the drama queen, has taken over the duties of having issues requiring medical attention.


Oct 14 - first notice of blotch
On Oct 14, Summer was airing herself out - on her back, all 4 legs flopped open.  In the shaved area on her chest, I notice a red blotch.  I immediately get a closer look and take a picture.  I remember this time and so glad I did.  It looked like a bug bite but not one I have seen before.  I am familiar with the bullseye fly bites.  This one is different.




Oct 16 - the reason we visit the vet
Oct 16 - Summer and Oregon are wrestling in the yard.  Summer ends up on her back and I see the blotch.  It is HUGE - ok, not HUGE but huge.  In two days it has changed quite a bit.  Still red, now swollen and there is a weird white patch in the center.  The paranoid mother in me grabs the phone and makes an appointment with the vet.  We get in that afternoon. Summer is not nearly as excited to be in the exam room as Arri always is.   Dr. Mike enters the exam room stating (in jest) that he is never removing a lump from my dogs again.  Once they have surgery, they just keep coming back for more.  Upon inspection, he feels that Summer has an infected bug bite - probably a spider.  He gets a slide and needle biopsy anyway, just in case.  After all, she did just have a cancer growth removed.  The tests seem normal so the plan is high dose anti-biotics and see if it clears up. 

Oct 21 - I am not so sure the anti-biotics are working.  Maybe it gets worse before it gets better.  I may have to check in with the Dr. tomorrow.

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