Well Bonnie, of course, did better than I did for her chemo.  So far, so good, but the last round did not hit till late Wednesday after chemo on Monday.  She seems great though.  She is sticking close though and that tears my heart up.  I have spent most of the day just sitting with her and hugging her.  Even her mom and brother are being good to her. 

The vet looked at her gums and said that he did not see anything to worry about.   I will keep an eye on them though.  I just hate seeing her wear out easily when she has just gotten her energy back from the previous round. 

We love you all and send our lhus and kisses to each and every one of you.  Jerry, we know you are our guardian angel now and we take an enormous amount of comfort in that.

Glad to hear Bonnie's doing so much better. Jerry's right on with the chill-out thing. Did you know that chocolate labs love "Animal Planet"? Do you think it has anything to do with the promo featuring the Chcolate Lab who wants to come in and watch "Monkey Park" with its pawrents...?

Sorry we are not replying sooner.  Life is hectic.  Bonnie gets her 4th round of chemo on Monday, if all her bloodwork looks good.  The vet moved us up to every two weeks and that schedule really takes its toll.  This one will be her second round of Doxorubicin and it was the one that really laid her low the last time.  On top of that, something seems to be working in her advantage as far as the diabetes goes.  Initially we had to increase her insulin because we could not get her glucose under control.  Now, all of a sudden in the last 4 days, she has been bottoming out and her glucose levels have hit as low as 59.  Then I end up giving her sugar, karo syrup, or something.  This mornings readings were almost normal and I have actually dropped her insulin dosage 10 points.  Diet and chemo must be helping something.  We can always hope there is a reason both of us are up all night worrying (or should I say me worrying and Bonnie calming me down).

I have found a study online in all my research about using insulin during chemo on humans.  It is called IPT therapy and has more cons than pros because it can result in the humans who are receiving the chemo and did not have diabetes getting diabetes as a result.  The whole thought process behind it is starving the cancer cells of sugar that they need to survive.  Guess Bonnie kind of is trying it on her own with her levels hitting bottom like they did.  That is the only positive thing about it.

Bonnie's lip or rather gum under her front teeth has improved but not disappeared.  Her regular vet still thinks it could be a result of the initial nose dives when she was first learning to negotiate as a tripawd.  We can hope.  It has not gotten any bigger and may have decreased in size. 

Laying around watching TV was a great idea and Bonnie thanks you all for giving her an excuse to become a Phillies addict during the World Series.  It unfortunately keeps her up late, but then she can sleep in until the Animal Planet gets her going again.  She has no problem crawling up on the sofa and taking her favorite spot again.  She only has problems getting down and is getting better at that also. 

We will keep you all posted on the next chemo.  That will be four and we can quit if she does not take it well or go for 6.   We will see how this one turns out.  The effects usually do not hit until 3-5 days later.  Thanks everyone for your hugs and kisses.  We send them all back doubled.  IF you are ever out our way you have a place to stay.

Hi Bonnie....

Wishing you the best of luck for tomorrow's chemo! You lucky dog, you get to go bye-bye!!! I wanted to get in my mom's van today, but she wouldn't let me.

Doggie Licks,

Calamity Jane McBride

Sorry to take so long to follow up on Bonnie, but life gets hectic and I have just been trying to get her to eat.  The biggest side effect of the Doxorubicin seems to be the nausea and its effect on her appetite.  We have been through every food on the planet I think.  My husband laughs because the other two dogs just get normal food and Bonnie gets a buffet.  I give her a choice of anything I can find that she might eat.  Normal dog food, dry or wet, is gone unless I can hide it in something she will eat.  She went through chicken, beef, pork, and elk.  They were all good for once or twice and then she will have nothing to do with them.  For a while broccoli was on the menu, but she gave up on that.  She seems to crave salt and wanted bacon and eggs for two feedings.  Now she wants chicken sausage with apple.  I know all these foods are not the greatest for her.  I am open to any help on food she might eat.   The other effect of the Doxorubicin is on her glucose.  It has been all over the chart.  Of course the food roller coaster does not help that, but a perfect example is this morning.  I fed her sausage last night and then this morning only I got a little dry dog food in with it this morning.  I checked her glucose right after the meal and before I gave her her insulin.  It was at 49!!!!  She really should not have been able to stand up at that level.  Tried it again to be sure and when it was the same gave her some Karo syrup.  Now it is at 202 so I gave her a lower than usual dose of insulin and will check it hourly.  I know the chemo is doing it but I guess I have to muddle through it.  She is past her 4th round and I guess we will try to go for 6.  The next one is scheduled for next Monday and it shoud be easier because it is the Carboplatin. 

Thanks to you all for your prayers.  Despite all the chaos, Bonnie is doing well.  Her tail never stops wagging and that tells me everything I need to know to keep going.  Since her vet sped up the treatments to every two weeks instead of every three, the effect has to be worse, but the other side of the coin is that we get through it faster. 

Hi Chris, We realize you have a hectic life, especially with Bonnie's special problem of diabetes and how the chemo affects it.  If anything, I know I just send messages to let you know we are thinking of you and hoping everything is going well.

It sounds like Genie may have some good ideas with the soup idea and beef soup bones or turkey necks are so nutritious, as well as the vegetables.  Maybe Bonnie might find that attractive.  It sounds like carboplatin agrees with Bonnie more than the doxorubicin, so maybe her next chemo won't be so hard on her.  Has the doctor given Bonnie medication to help with the nausea; I've been hearing that carafate is an excellent drug to settle tummies in these situations, but I'm sure there are probably other good drugs out there that can help, too.

We'll keep our paws crossed that that Bonnie's next treatment goes a little easier on her blood sugar levels and nausea.

Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)