Oh!  And forgot to mention that the new oncologist wanted to do chest x-rays on Monday, which we did, and the results show that Ophelia’s lungs are still clear.  So very excited about that!  

As always, thanks to everyone for the support.  

Ophelia update.  She had her “enhanced” T-Cells re-infused into her blood this past Wednesday. These are the cells of the immune system, a type of white blood cell, that were removed through the Apheresis process that she was performed a week prior.  

While expected, the re-infusion made Ophelia pretty sick for about 36 hours.  It caused her immune system to overreact which caused her to have a decent fever (nothing too concerning though). They let me take her home about 12 hours after the procedure, once the fever was on its way down. She then just slept for about a day. Didn’t move from one spot for about 12 hours at one point. I kept taking her temp ever few hours just to make sure that the fever didn’t return.

Once feeling better, however, i had to begin giving her these subcutaneous injections. It’s a series of five given every 48 hours.  They’re meant to stimulate the immune system after the final step of the immunotherapy.  We are two injections into it with the third later today. Unfortunately these make Ophelia feel kind of crummy for about 12 hours.  So it’s been up and down with how’s she’s felt for the last 6 days and expected to continue for the next 6.  Then we are DONE with the immunotherapy and hope that it does its thing.  And also hoping that she goes back to feeling well generally. 

i am having FIDOCURE analyze the tissue from her tumor for specific mutations which could be treated with other drugs specific to those mutations.  The sample was sent by the lab to Fidocure about a week ago so I’m awaiting results. I’m not sure if I’ll follow through with the recommended treatment if there is one. It really just depends on what the recommendation is.  I don’t want to do something that is going to make her sick all of the time. So we shall see on this.  

I am also considering switching oncologists now that the immunotherapy is completed.  The vet hospital that i chose is in Boulder, CO, is about 45 minutes from me.  If you’ve kept up with Ophelia’s story, you may recall that I took her to see another oncologist about five weeks ago who was recommended by a research vet at CSU who i had emailed. Turns out they’re married but that isn’t all that relevant. Lol. I did really like her (this other oncologist) and she seems very knowledgeable on newer treatments and research, which is pretty important to me. Plus she is only 15 minutes from me.  I’m also still irritated with the vet hospital in Boulder for how they handled the switch in oncologists midway through Ophelia’s treatment.  Even though i do like the new onco that they assigned, she isn’t as experienced as the one that I’m considering switching to. 

Ophelia continues to receive bi-weekly acupuncture treatments at home from a holistic vet. I wrote about this before. I’m mainly doing this to establish a good relationship between this vet and Ophelia.  This vet will come to the home to euthanize when that time eventually comes.  So far Ophelia really likes her. 

Lastly, i received Ophelia’s new prosthetic leg today from the company 3D Pets. Just in time for her appointment with a sports rehab vet on Thursday.  I had made this appointment back in early August specifically with the prosthetic leg in mind. The hope is that this vet can work with Ophelia to help her learn to use, and be comfortable with, the new leg.  

I did put the prosthetic leg harness on Ophelia today without the leg attached, and will do so tomorrow as well.  The goal is to get her used to the harness first before introducing the actual leg.  I’ll post a video below.  

Thank you.  Luckily i came to know this particular holistic vet when Ophelia’s sister lost the use of her back legs and began to have seizures.  I was trying to manage her pain and acupuncture was part of that.  Ultimately she didn’t euthanize Lola (the other dog) because she died in her sleep, but that was my plan with her also.  

We have a company that will come to the home to do euthanasia here in Denver called Caring Pathways.  I’ve heard nothing but good things about them.  It just seems a bit impersonal to me.  My hope is that Ophelia won’t be scared or anxious at all because she will know Dr Becca (the holistic vet) and think that it’s just a routine acupuncture appointment. But, the  “Best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry”…. So hoping nothing happens that changes this plan like it did with Lola. 

i bet that you can find one if you call around enough.  🤷🏻‍♂️