Thanks for pointing me in the right direction Jerry!  I should have done a search in the forum, but novice me,  I was just trying to look at the more recent post topics.  DUH! 

Heidi - I totally understand how you felt about the Gemzar approach.  When the oncologist brought it up as an option, I was pretty sure that we would go with what was tried and tested.  There really isn't alot on paper right now on Gemzar, since it's so fairly new and in the clinical testing phase.  But the chief oncologist at the office, she was able to convince me that in her opinion, Gemzar would work just as well as the Carboplatin/Adriamyicin, if not better.  And there really is nothing to lose. She would choose the same for her dog if she had to make the decision.  I don't know why I feel inclined to trust her..but for some reason I do!  I hope and pray this is the right decision.  And to be able to participate in this study, hopefully this will help others find a new, more promising treatment/cure for this nasty disease. 

Shadow is home now, resting.  He's more so tired from all the activity and excitement of being out and around new people, than from the chemo itself.  They told us that side effects most likely won't rear until the next day or so.  The treatment is in a form of 4 cycles, which goes a little something like this:

Week 1: Carboplatin, 4 hour rest period, then Gemzar  (Shadow stays at the office for about 5 hours total)

Week 2: Gemzar (30 mins)

Week 3:  Blood work

If blood work looks good, then rinse and repeat the following week to start a new cycle until 4 full cycles are completed.  The dosage of Gemzar increases with each cycle.

Hope to hear more from others who have been down the Gemzar path.  I will continue to post on our journey. 

Thanks!

Tina and Shadow