Round #2 of doxorubicin was muuuch easier. After hearing about the Ruff time Atticus had on the first doe, our oncologist lowered the dose slightly. She also gave him a Cerenia injection. In addition to the cerenia and metronidazole, we also got some ondansetron (anti-nausea) and mirtazapine (appetite stimulant). We were more than ready to manage any side effects! I planned to start the cerenia and metronidazole the next day, since we needed it last time.

Fortunately, all Atticus had was a few days of slightly lower appetite. He wasn't super interested in breakfast, I think because his cerenia had worn off. I added in the ondansetron only twice, and never even needed the mirtazapine! All in all a much easier go than the first time. I have no concerns about the next doxorubicin round. 

Dose number four is this Thursday. It is also time to restage, so Atticus is getting chest x-rays, and an abdominal ultrasound. I am extremely nervous, and I figure I will be such a wreck on Thursday that I'm just taking the entire day off. He is doing so good. He's kicking butt at rehab, and he's full of energy and happiness. Yesterday and today he even grabbed toys and played tug-tug, which I don't think we've done since his diagnosis. I know objectively if his cancer is metastasizing, it doesn't change anything about how happy we are in this moment. But I just really hope we get a reprieve and nothing shows up. 

I had to go a few rounds with our vet practice. Our treatment plan had a deliberate schedule with carboplatin 2 weeks after doxorubicin, and doxorubicin three weeks after carboplatin. When we got home from our last appointment, I realized we had scheduled the next dose of carboplatin for three weeks, not two. I called the office, and they told me the notes said to schedule at three weeks. I insisted they doublecheck, because when I read the discharge summery, it read recheck CBC/carboplatin/xrays/ultrasound at 2 weeks. Two days later I got a callback, saying they had checked with another oncologist (not our doctor, and three weeks was correct.

That was a hard no. I'm an analyst with an eye for detail. I KNEW either 1) they were wrong, or 2) they had changed the schedule and didn't tell me. I got unreasonably upset (to myself of course!). I have no control over this whole process, or Atticus' cancer. The only thing I can control is getting him the treatment he needs- ON SCHEDULE.

I didn't give up- I emailed our vet directly with the original plan, and the dates for doses 1-3 (which were on that plan), and asked if three weeks was correct. I got a very apologetic phone call the next day- I was right, and the appointment got rescheduled. I don't fault my vet's office at all. It was a simple typo that started this. But it cemented to me that even thought the vet and the vet's office has all the knowledge, I am the ultimate advocate for my dog. No one knows him better than me, and no one is more invested in the details of his treatment. 

Hi everyone. First off, thank you for the kind words. I have been having a tough time with this news, and struggling to write anything. I struggled to even get out of bed on Christmas. I knew this was possible, even likely, but I so hoped the chemo would buy us a little more time. I wanted him to enjoy one more summer. 

I will look into yunnan baiyao, and try it if I can find a reputable source. Atticus has already been getting turkey tail mushroom since his diagnosis.

We decided not to do Palladia. Like Sally says, sometimes you have to draw a line in the sand. Palladia means regular vet visits, blood tests, and other stuff Atticus finds unpleasant. If I thought Palladia would work, I would consider it, but it's so unlikely, considering how aggressive this cancer is and how spectacularly doxorubicin/carboplatin failed. It's time to let Atticus enjoy the time he has left, and not stress him out with more vet visits and interventions.

Our oncologist was surprised Atticus is symptom free considering how bad the ultrasound looked. It's really spread everywhere (except his lungs, interestingly enough) Her estimate was that he had a few weeks before he starts showing symptoms- not eating, being lethargic, vomiting, and diarrhea. She thought maybe a month before we'd need to let him go.

We're at almost two weeks and he still is acting normal, happy, and eating well. Maybe a little lethargic, but he's always a bit lazy. The weekend after we got the news we went to the beach and let him run around off leash. Atticus is getting spoiled now with all kinds of bones, people food, and trips around town to the pet store and to see friends. I'm trying to soak in these moments while I can, and not dwell on it being the last beach trip, or his last Christmas, etc.