So far so good – Ajax's original treatment plan following complete (we think) surgical removal of MCT was:  3 months vinblastine + prednisone, followed by 3 mos Palladia + prednisone + pepsid.

We completed the vinblastine 3 weeks ago with no side effects to speak of (other than more-than-usual scavenging for food as a result of the prednisone).  No sign of MCT return, but because Ajax had some of the "bad" markers, the vet recommended this "mop up" chemo for 6 months because that is the time in which an MCT is most likely to recur.

We had to flush out the vinblastine w/ no treatment for 2 weeks, and then an extra week off while Mom and Dad went to visit Ajax's mountain in CO.  Sadly, the airplane people still think Ajax is a dog and therefore would not let him come along.

Visited the vet today for baseline tests, bloodwork etc.  All is well and we are to start the following regimen:

1) Continue prednisone on alternating days as we have been doing

2)  Give Palladia on non- prednisone days

3)  Give Pepsid every day to help prevent digestive side effects from Palladia

The vet doesn't think Ajax necessarily will have side effects, as he has not had them with other medications, but basically said if he has vomiting or diahhrea to stop the Palladia, treat the symptoms and call her.  She explained that with traditional chemo, she gives a big blast all at once and then has to deal with whatever side effects occur.   With Palladia, since it is administered at home on an ongoing basis, you can stop if any side effects occur.  This is consistent with what Angel Abby's mom Jackie wrote in an earlier post to me.

Other than this, wondering if anyone had any additional info or things we should look out for …

I would suggest keeping an eye out for prednisone side effects as well. As helpful as it can be with healing and such, it can also trigger Cushings. Things to look for include hair loss (mostly even loss along the sides of the body), sagging belly, muscle atrophy (usually in the large muscles first), excessive hunger and thirst (pretty normal with pred, but if seen in conjunction with other symptoms, I'd have it checked out).

Not to scare you, or anything, but just be cautious with the pred. Doctors tend to prescribe it without really warning you of the possibility for side effects.

Thanks guys!  These tips are always helpful when I talk to the oncologist.  She's great, and it's a teaching hospital, but her whole team has apparently been instructed that I have a lot of questions and to answer them thoroughly!  Good thing Ajax is so popular, because maybe Mom is a pain …. Though I cannot say they have ever treated me as such.

She is, she is!  Actually, given that he has had 3 cancers in less than 3 years (benign thymoma, chondrosarcoma, MCT), he is a favorite of both the surgical and oncological teams and they have been great to us.   Can't say enough good things about them, she even emails me answers to questions.  I just think I have gained a reputation for having lots of questions.  It's good training for the residents, I say ….