Vet doesn't have much to say. We've had 4 doses of radiation and it's no smaller. They started an antibiotic as the foot must be infected to smell like that ... it's ROTTEN. It's actually looking black in a spot now. Ugh.

Last radiation is Monday and her regular onco - who I love - sees her on Tuesday. I'll be sure to update but I sure don't think that's normal lol

This is great info! Izzy's tumor actually looks a bit bigger and she is routinely pulling her foot away during cleaning or a bandage change. She's on 300 mg of Gabapentin 3x a day - this is a much higher dose than she had after amputation and also after her knee surgery - but she is still feeling pain. Last week, she was not pulling away. 

I am going to hope that this means the radiation is doing something ... I will be patient but I also have plans to speak to her primary onco about final preparations. I don't want her hurting but it sounds like I need to give it some time, maybe a few weeks even, but if this thing gets any bigger ... I want to cry every time I see it. I can't imagine how *she* feels!

I'll let you know what the docs say!

So we've seen two oncologists in two days and I have to say this out loud ... I am SO GLAD that we've been going to Triangle Veterinary and not State this whole time. Of course, I am thankful that State had the radiation facility, but man, there's just such a huge difference in the quality of care.

Izzy's smelly, green, oozing foot - while understandably alarming - is fine. She's been on antibiotics for three days and I know that has really helped the smell, but Izzy's oncologist explained today that what we are seeing is NORMAL and the green/gray nastiness is bits of the tumor dying. She said not to be alarmed if pieces come off in "chunks" ... the tumor is softer, which is generally a sign that cells inside of it are dying, so I should expect to see some shrinking in the next couple weeks or so. 

My question is this: why in the hell wouldn't the treating Radiation Oncologist share that same information? *I* am not a doctor, so I have to rely on those folks with the DVM degree to interpret for me!

At the end of the day, I'm just glad Izzy got a good report. In fact - and this is a direct quote from her treatment summary - the doctor was so pleased with her condition and "Izzy has lost .8 kg since her last exam here so I felt completely justified in feeding her anything she wanted all day long!"  

Trust me when I say, so took them up on the offer. Her "nurse" warned me that she probably gained 5 lbs TODAY from all the food! That said, she barked at me in the lobby when I wouldn't give her all FOUR of the treats he handed me (they'd never heard her bark in the nearly 2 years she's been under their care) and she is standing here, sassing me at this very moment as she's had to wait to eat after gorging herself all day.

All in all, we are cautiously optimistic that her tumor will lessen a bit and her toe won't be so uncomfortably pushed out from her foot. Paws crossed and the spoiling will continue! 

Still so in love with my pup. She's the cutest thing ever! Izzy's tumor is hanging tough, dammit. It's weepy and maybe the tiniest bit smaller but overall much the same. Izzy has lost a few lbs over the past month and her onco just pushed her next chemo treatment out, so it will be 3 weeks before we go back. I'm betting the weight loss is why ... she otherwise looks pretty good. I think long term prednisone is taking its toll; she gets winded immediately and all her muscle is wasting away. I get sad because hearts are pure muscle. I worry about hers ... and mine.

The "good" news is that there's not really any scary bad news from the vet. I ordered a protein supplement to see if that helps with the muscle loss and will report back to everyone if we see "gainz" lol 

Hope everyone is well!! Izzy sends lots of kisses so watch out - she licked her surgeon's eyeball on Tuesday! So vicious n delicious! 🙂