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Chemo question

23 December 2011
6:14 pm

zeuspod

State College, PA

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28 November 2011

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I have searched this site and the internet to no avail. I called to schedule Zeus' second chemo (supposed to have six rounds of Carboplatin) and was told by the receptionist that "this is a long appointment" and that I should drop him off at 7:30 am and pick him up at 4:30 pm. The first treatment, last Friday, was from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm. Is it normal to have varying administration times?

Zeus is an 11.5 year old Husky mix who was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in Nov. 2011 and underwent a front right leg amputation on 12/1/11. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit who is in the fight of his life. http://zeuspod......pawds.com/

23 December 2011
6:48 pm

krun15

Livermore, CA

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OK- lets try again. Sorry if this is a dupe but my first post disappeared.

Could it be that there are extra tests, such as blood work, this time? Maggie's appointments were always long- she was being treated for mast cell cancer. They did blood work in the morning then had to wait for the in-house test results before administering the chemo. They usually kept her for awhile afterwards to make sure there was no acute reaction.

You could call to confirm the appointment time and ask why it is so long. I was surprised on Mag's first chemo appointment that it was an early drop off and late pick up. I guess I was thinking it was a couple hour process, not considering the testing before hand.

Karen and the pugapalooza

Karen and the Pugapalooza: Spirit Tri-Pug Maggie, Forever the Leader of our Pack, and the Quad pugs Tani & Obie

23 December 2011
7:55 pm

maximutt

Orange County, CA

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I agree with Karen, it could be because of blood tests. We were lucky enough to live about 15 minutes away from the oncology center. I would take Max to have the blood drawn, then take him back home. The oncologist assistant would call me later in the afternoon and let me know the tests came back okay, and to bring him back for the chemo infusion. If you don't live too far, maybe you could also do something like that.

23 December 2011
10:51 pm

AngelAbbysMom

San Diego, CA

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Huh, that's interesting. Abby's appointments were always surprisingly short. I'd be there maybe an hour total, including time to sit and just talk with her onc about how she was doing. They'd take blood, check it there in house (they sent it out a few times to a lab when they needed more thorough analysis) then they'd do the chemo. The chemo would only take about 20 min. or so. I asked them about the process and they said one tech would just sit with her while another did the IV. They said she'd just lay down like, "ok, let's do it."

Funny about the different times for the appointments. Is it weird ours were only 20 min? (We also did 6 rounds of carbo.)
Jackie, Abby's mom

Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!

24 December 2011
9:08 am

krun15

Livermore, CA

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It could also be just the way the oncology dept does their chemo. I never got the impression that the administration of the chemo took that long. It seemed like they wanted all the animals there (cats too!) early, then could sort of plan the day- if that makes any sense. For example: if blood work came back not good on one dog, they could go ahead with another dog since they were already there.

OK- now you HAVE to call and ask to satisfy our curiosity laugh .

Karen and the pugapalooza

Karen and the Pugapalooza: Spirit Tri-Pug Maggie, Forever the Leader of our Pack, and the Quad pugs Tani & Obie

9 January 2012
7:11 am

zeuspod

State College, PA

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I just realized that I never posted back with what answer I received. I called and spoke with the vet directly and he seemed surprised I was told that. He told me that all of the treatments would be the same and that Zeus would only need to stay the four hours. I guess the receptionist just gave out inaccurate info!

Thanks for the input, though!

9 January 2012
12:04 pm

krun15

Livermore, CA

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Well, that's not that interesting! I was thinking there would be some super duper scientific reason laugh .

I LOVE the new avatar btw!!!! Zeus makes me smile every time I see it.

Karen and the pugapalooza