Hi everyone, 

Thank you for all the replies, Charlie feels much loved! He saw this surgeon at Friendship on Wed morning and he was doing much better from his nerve pain.  Also, his swelling was way down.  He did have some new bruising at the surgical site but he was able to take the staples out which made Charlie much more comfortable.  We are continuing on the Ciproflaxin (2nd antibiotic added) another week since it seemed to be doing the trick with the seroma .  Surgeon has us watching for any drainage or opening and said his whole pain episodes could even have been an infectious process, we just don't know for sure.  He still gets Gabapentin every 8 hours and Amantidine once a day.  Stopped the codeine, doesn't need it anymore.

So the morning of Chemo was his best morning, running out the back door and wagging his tail.  During chemo he had to be sedated so was a panting mess from that.  And when that wore off he definitely had the 10-20% reaction to Carboplatin (of course) with no appetite, nausea, and vocalizing for a good 24 plus  hours.  The reglan definitely helped with the side effects but like I said he started to get crazy from it, anxious and wild-eyed, was almost worse than the nausea and no appetite.  I knew when this dog wouldn't eat chicken or turkey burger he felt terrible. Even when he had his horrible nerve pain he still ate.  No peanut butter either, our old stand by for administering pills.  So I kept him on the reglan for the first 2 days, but stopped it yesterday morning when I could still get him to eat enough to not be concerned.  He has been much better since.  No Reglan side effects so he can rest and he is now almost over the Carboplatin side effects.

I did get goat milk too, really helped.  Its the oddest thing.  Still won't touch canned dog food but will eat his rice and meat with a little goats milk or chicken broth.  He's happy now and yesterday was his best day yet.  First time we left him in almost 4 weeks. His sister Annie took care of him while we were out for a few hours.  I am definitely asking the Oncologist to switch him to Cerenia, maybe give him an injection at chemo, and possibly lower the Carboplatin if needed.  He got 150mg.

So he woke this morning after 10 hours since his last Gabapentin, a record!  And still not showing signs of needing it, so I think he is FINALLY turning the corner.  Hopefully we won't get the residual chemo effect now that is a more common reaction. 

It's nice to actually be able to share good news.

Mary Beth, Charlie, Annie & Winky

Thank you so much Sally.  I have definitely been thinking the same thing and will see how Chemo #2 goes and re-evaluate.  I am kind of dreading it now, but maybe with some adjustments he will have a bit of an easier time.  Hoping he doesn't have the typical rebound effect 4-5 days post chemo, or the low WBC 7-10 days in either.  That will all weigh in as well.  The balance between longevity and quality of life is so tough.  

I'm keeping notes until the 10th day or so and then will call in and see what they suggest.  I've become a bit wary of the Oncologist's recommendations after what happened when we went in for the consult.  I will see what she says and go with my gut on that one.

For now I am just enjoying him feeling better!

🙂

Mary Beth, Charlie & Annie and Winky