Erin and Jack,

I am not doing chemo with McGwire for various reasons, primarily that he already has a compromised immune system and our doc was worried about what chemo would do to it further.  He's 8 but has never been a healthy dog by any stretch.  He's also not a 'happy-go-lucky' dog and while I knew he'd tolerate it if I asked him to, he wouldn't do it happily.  So we took all the information in, and decided as a family not to do chemo.  In the meantime, we are doing some more natural options like K9 Immunity   and transfer factor, natural diet, shark's cartiledge, etc.  If there was someone locally who did accupuncture, I'd do it, but that's the problems with living in a small town.  In the mean time, he's having a great time being a cranky old grandpa dog who loves laying in the sun and getting petted by every person who walks through our neighborhood (and that's a lot!)  I'm not saying this to dissuade you, just saying that there are other options if you don't choose chemo.  Given Jack's age and assuming he's pretty healthy and that money's not an object, I'd probably choose chemo, but just saying, there's an option.  Good luck with the recovery!

Amy

Hello All!!
Wow, I love reading all these responses. I have so much great advice now!!! I spoke to the ICU nurses today twice and Jack is walking and eating and wagging his tail which I am super pumped about. I am picking him up tomorrow. I am sure that once he gets home and settled in he may be sore from the moving around from the hospital to the house. Thanks for all the great words and advice. I will post pics soon!!
Stay well everyone

Erin and Jack