This is a not so happy update, as Bailey's past updates have been.  A couple weeks ago, Bailey's lost her appetite.  (We were really concerned because this was the 1st symptom she had that resulted in us finding out she had cancer in the first place earlier this year.) Up to this point her rechecks had showed no reappearance of cancer.  We took her into the urgent care at our vet because Bailey's specialist was on vacation.  At the time, they did not see what might be wrong.  They did x-rays which they said looked clear.  They did blood work and checked her fecal sample, and all looked good there.  So, they suspected that maybe she just got a "bug" that will go away on it's own.  They recommended that we switch her back to a bland diet of chicken and rice like we had her on earlier this year after she had her surgery.  They said if her appetite did not come back that we should bring her back in a couple days.  But, if her appetite came back then not to worry.  Luckily her appetite returned and she even went back to her regular diet again, but what we noticed is that in the past she would eat her meals rather quickly. Now, she would finish her meals, but she would do it over a much longer period of time.  The following week we had an already scheduled recheck with Bailey's cancer specialist so we kept that appointment. That is when we were confronted with the terrible news.  Her specialist looked at the radiographs that were taken the week before and actually found a small mass in her lungs (the urgent care vet missed this) and then he did an ultrasound and found 3 small masses on her liver. Her cancer is back.  3 months prior, she was all clear. 3 months later, not anymore.  The news is heartbreaking, even though we knew someday this would happen.  We just hoped it would be farther down the road. 

Well, we are approaching Bailey's 7 month ampuversary on Thursday. Even though we got the bad news that the cancer is back, we know that we are still very fortunate to have had these extra 7 months with her and we know that we still have some time with her yet!  So, we count our lucky starts for that, believe me.  

We have decided to continue with the metronomic chemotherapy she is already on (because perhaps it is at least slowing the growth of the cancer down), and we have decided once again that we do not want to do the IV chemotherapy which her vet said could be another option to try.  Because Bailey's appetite is pretty good, but sometimes wains, the vet also prescribed an appetite stimulant for us to give her if needed.  Bailey is doing well right now.  Like I said, she takes a little longer to eat her meals and she gets tired a little faster these days, but she is still rockin' and rollin' overall.  So, our plan is to keep on, keepin' on for as long as she feels up to it.  We may have weeks, we may have months, who knows.  What matters now is how Bailey feels. We are just going to enjoy all the time we can with her and make sure she is comfortable and happy.   Then, when the time comes, the time comes. 

We wish only good things for you and your tripawds,

-Mylisa & Bailey