Thanks everyone, funny how we need those reminders just to breathe sometimes. Atlas has another restless night and I'm thinking this is his side effects of the chemo. He just seems too exhausted to even get up. Once he's up he can get going and make it out to potty, but the getting up is a real struggle as he trembles and struggles just to get his feet under him. So hard to watch.
We are going to relax and take it a day at a time and hope that his strength comes back after that nasty chemo wears off.

Here's what in hind sight we would say to the rehab folks:
- this is too chaotic, please stop all 3 of you asking us questions at the same time while working on Atlas
- can we please slow this down, it's all new for us
- let's get his history done first before you move in on him
- please take a moment to greet Atlas and let him check you out and get comfortable with you before you put your hands on him
- stop man handling him and tell me what you want, Atlas is well trained and will comply with whatever I ask of him, just tell me what position you want him in and I will put him in a down stay, but stop forcing and pushing him around!

Ok, had to get that out before I could get my foot unstuck from yesterday. Now I've let it go and am in today.

Atlas went for his first CBC today after his first chemo and we got the great news that his WBC is normal and he's doing great. He's a little dehydrated so were working on more fluids now. We went to our local vet just 10 minutes away and they fax it to the vets at UGA. So we went in and followed his normal routine of getting on the scales, but its so close to the wall he had hard time maneuvering so he sat half on the floor. His doc rushed in to physically assist him (push) and Atlas immediately manned his battle stations. This time I spoke up and said, wait! Stop! I asked the vet tech hovering to our right to please give us space and lead Atlas to a half circle while doc kicked the scale out from the wall, then Atlas walked right on to it and sat. 127 lbs. (155 pre amp). Good boy! I'm learning how to better assist my boy every day. He's a little claustrophobic post amp and likes to turn to the right most often( no wonder there). He is not used to people pushing "helping" him around and considers it bad behavior from humans so he fights it, but does well when given patience and space to do it himself. So grateful to know this guy, He really is the most amazing canine I've ever known and I've known quite a few but none who were quite so human and Buddha.

So 5 minutes after we got home, UGA calls to review his CBC. Now that's impressive! This time we drew someone named Ann, who we have never spoken to before. She said the doctor said the results looked good and how was Atlas. I gave her a good report .... good appetite, good potty, just very tired day 2-3 and updated them as to our change in deciding to postpone rehab until after chemo. I also took the opportunity to ask them to work with me in his next chemo appt. I explained the hygroma, sores, lips, dehydrated, etc.. And we just didn't want to keep repairing damage or inviting infection when we need to focus on beating cancer and that its no ones fault he just doesn't behave in the kennel so were not going to kennel him anymore. That we would work around their schedule and bring him for bloodwork or let our local do then bring him in for the chemo whatever they like. It was like talking to the wall, she just repeated that we still had to bring him and leave him because they didn't know when the pharmacy would get his chemo up. But they would put him in a smaller kennel so he couldn't move. (Oh yeah, that'll help!!!! WT????). I just calmly said, no we won't be kenneling anymore. I will wait with him in the waiting room or our van until you are ready for him. She started to repeat what I'm sure is well ingrained policy. I simply asked her to speak to Our Onco doctor and that I'm sure they understand Atlas health is my main concern. She said they would get back to me.