Here’s an update on Max.  We tried a very aggressive chemo protocol called the DAV protocol (Dacarbazine, Adriamycin, Vincristine).  Apparently it can work very well on certain sarcomas, but our hospital had not tried it on osteosarcoma, so we tried it to see if it could help shrink or regress any of his lung tumors.  We took him for x-rays on Saturday, but unfortunately found out that it did not affect his tumors.  The last set of x-rays we had were on November 28; these newer x-rays from Saturday showed the same two tumors were now “more defined,” and there was a “suspicious” area on his other lung, but the doctor wasn’t sure if it was a tumor.  This isn’t good news, obviously, but we’re choosing to look at it like this:  Max does not have to have any further chemo treatments.  We’re choosing to look at it as a good thing because Max was starting to really not like going to the hospital, and this last treatment was extremely aggressive, which made him feel very ill. 

John and I were actually a little relieved that the x-rays came out less than desired, because we didn’t want to make him go through any more treatments.  Obviously, we would have liked to hear that the chemo worked a miracle, but that didn’t happen, so we had already prepared to hear what the doctor told us.  Max is still not showing any outward signs of the tumors; he still runs, plays, etc., and we haven’t heard him hack, cough, wheeze, gasp for air, or anything along those lines.  He’s a little slower nowadays than he used to be, but I guess I’d be pretty tired too if I had been walking on only one leg after a year.  I think my boy has earned the right to be a little tired.

At any rate, Max is doing well right now, and whatever time he has left will be spent just being a dog, instead of going to the hospital every week or so.  We don’t know for sure as we all know how things can change on a dime, but we believe he has a few good months left in him.

We’re looking forward to our trip to Carmel in a couple weeks, where we plan on meeting and playing with several other tripawds from the Northern Cal area.  So, for those of you who are meeting us, can’t wait until January 9!

Di & John