Okay, I won't inundate you with the day to day, I promise!

However, in the past 36 hours (3 treatments) we have learned SO MUCH.  I am taking every detail down, so even if it doesn't work for Tika (happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts) I will have a record of what we did, what worked better for Tika, what breather design seemed to be most effective, how to interact with the pup.

I said earlier, this is Tika's legacy.  She once again humbled me with her belief and trust in me as we ask her to submit to this.  However, the little food whore she is, mommy introduced her to turkey bites (turkey sausage with out the spices) and you even start messing with the bag and nebulizer she's like. OH HELLO!

So, positive reinforcement!

I am hoping the best for Tika, but if it doesn't work out for her, I have the information to pay forward to some pup that might benefit. If nothing else, make this not be a 'experimental' procedure, but a recommended procedure.

Cheers everybody, hug your pups for me, enjoy the moment!

–Kim

Tika the lab rat….Caira Sue the lab rat would love to meet you! We are new to tripawds, new to this site, new to OSA. We have hooked up with a study at UC Davis and have Caira Sue on a Gemzar inhaled study. There is very little info out there….but we have faith in our docs at UC Davis. They are an amazing group and they don't sugar coat anything-which is what I need.

Anyway, I wasn't sure whether to start another thread (strand? string? I'm new to forums in general) or just tag onto this one. I will be posting info on the blog as well.

I'm interested to know what's working for your for the mask? They gave me an entire plastic hood that I keep in place with her collar.  We had 2 weeks to get used to it–Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil capsules have totally helped. Honestly, it was the sound of the machine that freaked her out. We spent several days just letting it run on the kitchen counter.  Today was the first day we used it with the chemo. My husband was toying with different design ideas for her, so I would like to know what definitely doesn't work so we don't go re-inventing the wheel!

I feel very fortunate that the Gemzar is only twice a week. Twice a day? Wow! Not sure Caira would tolerate that! But her treatment is about an hour-how long are yours?

Thanks for any info you post here–it's nice to know someone else is trying the same process!

Mary