An update on Hunter's progress is long overdue and in honor of her 12th birthday (which was yesterday, June 1st) I thought it was time.

Hunter had her 5 month ampuversary on May 29th.  After her surgery in December she was accepted into an OSU clinical trial which will evaluate the activity of piroxicam and cyclophosphamide vs Palladia + piroxicam and cyclophosphamide in dogs with osteosarcoma post-amputation.  The protocal included 4 rounds of carboplatin treatment which she finished in March followed by the metronomic therapy.  Hunter tolerated the carboplatin extremely well - virtually no noticeable side effects after the first two treatments.  She had chills briefly (for ~1 hour) following the 3th treatment and then chills + a small amount of gagging following the 4th and final treatment.  She never lost her appetite and was only slightly lethargic following each treatment.  Within a day or two she seemed perfectly normal and happy.

After her final chemo and a clear set of chest rads (yeah!), Hunter was randomized into the arm of the study that receives Palladia (in addition to piroxicam and cyclophosphamide).  She tolerates the piroxicam and cyclophosphamide very well - again, no noticeable side effects (maybe slightly softer stool occasionally).  Unfortunately she does not seem to tolerate the Palladia.  After the 2nd dose she was anxious, vomited and then became noticeably stiff and by the next day couldn't get up or move at all.  Really scary.  We didn't give her the 3rd dose (duh) and by the following day she could at least walk on her own and by the next day was close to being 100%.  The study/oncologist has tried reducing the dosage two different times but both times she had the same experience - extreme stiffness after the 2nd dose.  They have reduced the Palladia dosage one more time to see if she can tolerate this dosage.  I am trying to keep an open mind but, honestly, after restarting yesterday I can already see in her eyes that it doesn't agree with her.  I'm not certain if she will be dropped from the study or moved into the other arm.  At this point, if she can't tolerate the Palladia at all, her treatment will be the same either way - she'll probably stay on the piroxicam and cyclophosphamide.  I'd love for her to stay on the study as part of the other group that doesn't receive Palladia.

Overall she is doing so well.  I thought she was doing well during the chemo but after being off the Palladia for a couple of weeks and having had a couple months for the carboplatin to move out of her system, I am just amazed at how much better she is doing post-amp/post-chemo.  She had another set of clear chest rads last month and is truly back to her pre-cancer self.  She has that sparkle in her eyes, a big doggie smile, she chases rabbits in the backyard, wrestles and plays with her crazy GSD brother Wolfie, jumps up excitedly for walks and rides in the car.  She's just doing awesome!  To think that almost 6 months ago a vet was telling us that her only option was euthanasia just makes me shake my head.  I guess it goes back to that expression - mom (or dad) knows best.  I don't regret any decisions that we've made, I wouldn't change anything except maybe to go back and never EVER consider even for a moment that the vet might be correct about euthanasia being her only option.  I would love to erase those agonizing days from our lives.  I'm sure you all experience the same thing but some of the greatest moments are when we are out with Hunter and someone will say (after watching her for quite a while) "Oh my goodness, I didn't realize she only has three legs!"  She goes to school and plays with the kids when we drop off our son - everyone loves her and half of the children really don't realize that she is missing a leg.  The other half are completely fascinated by it and can be overhead saying "Look!  That dog is missing a leg!" and then the other children will say "What are you talking about?  She has all three legs."  LOL! 

I read the boards and blogs often and my thoughts are always with the wonderful pawrents and their pawsome pals here.  I hope to make more time to be involved in the discussions.  Most of my Tripawds reading is from my phone and it's nearly impossible to post via cell phone .

Happy 12th Birthday Hunter!!  We love you!