worst news confirmed ... he's relapsed. 

I'm crushed. 

The vet said that only 1 lymph node is moderately swollen and the others are starting to feel firm. He said that I've  caught the relapse early ... probably about a month earlier that then average person would have detected it. We'll do a few doses of rescue chemo. to buy us some time.

Besides that, the cystitis has improved significantly (just decreased his dose of dox. tonight). He's in really good spirits and still has no clue that he's sick.... so all is not lost. Although my heart is broken.

We've had a little bit of time to 'sit' in the news. (He's perched above my shoulder on the back of the couch as I type this message) (Can't remember how to do images, but here's a link for now: https://www.ins.....bepB7DbOp/)

The rescue protocol started with a dose of Elspar (L- Asparaginase) and a high dose of Prednisone (Plus dox for his cystitis). By the same evening, the largest node had reduced in size by 50% and all of the others were virtually undetectable (by me). By the next morning, I couldn't feel any of his nodes. So the good news is that he has responded to the rescue protocol and we will probably see a second remission as we start the next step.

Beyond that, he seems fine. Probably not feeling 100%. But, he's still acting 100% himself (Barking out the window, barking at the neighbor dogs, growling at the mailman, stealing his brother's food, wrestling and kissing his little brother...)

I have a lot of thoughts .... but it's all an exercise in futility to recite them all. Except for this one... So, the Dr. told me that the rescue protocol will likely give him another 4 months and that we should be able to manage him for another 1-2 months beyond that. All of this stinks, but I've gotten soo much better with coping with difficulties over that past few years (I've endured a series of devastating loss and setbacks over the past few years. So I'll get through this). At the same time, I have plans to travel to Africa for 2 weeks and that trip coincides with this same timing. Ugh ... this is *just* like what happened with Jersey... I know that my mom is perfectly capable of caring for him and making all necessary decisions. but this is the part that has me in pieces.

Ughhh... 

Thanks again for your support... I truly appreciate it.  I know that this site is dedicated to tripawds and I am grateful for the support that I've received here although this topic is entirely off topic. (bone cancer is a cruel, cruel, cruel cancer...!!!!)

really ... from the bottom of my heart. I am grateful. (This is a topic that I can't really express openly with many of my friends and family ... to them my doggies are just *dogs*. But, my dogs mean more to me than most people.. #truth).

Emerson continues to do well, all lymph nodes are back to normal size and the prednisone is making him absolutely nuts. I've resigned to giving him prednisone at night because cuddling supersedes everything for him and he will fall asleep in bed with me.... and by morning, the side effects are dampened.

He's *literally* licking the floors, couch, carpet, walls .... sooo hungry!!. In fact, he ate SALAD with me last night (lettuce, bell peppers, tomatoes and a touch of Italian dressing). So, I'm faced with the problem of not over spoiling him.... (I think i'll invest in some canned pumpkin. Fiber-rich, dense and filling). I know that both Doxycycline and I prednisone aren't kind on the belly, I want to make sure that he's eating with his 3 rounds of daily medication... but not gaining weight (he's already chunky). Any ideas for low calorie and filling would be welcomed ... he's soo hungry that he'll eat anything.

We start the CCNU rescue protocol in 10-days. https://www.ncb.....d/17338160

Today, we visited with 'our' other grandma... where Emerson show of his catching and fetch skills. So, he's still feeling ok... and still very much interested in playing. The cystitis.... well, it continues to improve. I think he's @90% normal right now.  (Still asking to go outside frequently) He's not straining much and he doesn't seem to have urgency with urination (ie. he doesn't feel like he has to go after he's emptied his bladder). And, he has not been a diaper since our 1hr 40 min emergency visit to the Oncologist on Friday. (Note: he didn't use the diaper, I put it on him because I didn't want him to pee in my car... again.)

I am still reeling and emotional and scared and I have stayed at my mom's house since receiving the new. But, I think it's time for me to go home and try to get back to normal. (I have a REALLY great job that allows a krazy amount of flexibility where I make my own schedule and can spend an entire week working from home if I need to. I have taken full advantage of that, this week and won't be leaving home, for work, until Thursday.) So... we'll pack up and head 2.5 hrs north in the morning ... i'm already feeling lonely.

thanks again everyone .... honestly. your support means the world to me.  Here are some videos from better times:

Emerson and Jersey: 

Emerson, Jersey and Daphne (Bunny):