Here we are again with news that I'd rather I didn't have to share . . .  I'm actually at work right now, but am feeling pretty blue and just needed to connect with the Tripawds community again.

After a few small nodules were discovered on my Silly Sheepdog Sylvie's lungs at the beginning of August, we've entered and are making our way through the world of metronomics and now more heavy-duty oral chemo drugs.  We started with a combination of Piroxicam and Cytophosphomide for a couple of weeks, then on to Piroxicam/Cytophosphomide alternating with Palladia since the end of August.  Yesterday I took her back to her oncologist for more x-rays and a check-up.  This time, instead of the doc coming out to have me come back for a look at the radiographs first, then bringing Sylvia out to the lobby, the vet tech brought out Sylvie first and told me the doctor would be coming out to talk with me in a few.  "Wow!" I thought.  Must be no change since the last check about a month ago!  Nope.  Just a different vet tech, doing things differently.

This time Dr. Valerius showed me the x-ray film and pointed out that one of the mets was the same size as a month ago, but another had enlarged fairly significantly.  Still looked to be about fingernail-sized, but growing, nonetheless.  For the first time she sounded a bit discouraged.  Damn!  How could such a lively, rambunctous dog with energy and appetite, but no cough or major panting be getting sicker?!!?

The oncologist was divided on whether to continue with the current chemotherapy or go with something else, but given the comparatively rapid progression of the nodule, leaned toward something new.  I don't have the info. here at work, but the drug name starts with an "L", and is only given once every three weeks.  We started it yesterday, as soon as we got home from the vet.  We're also on SAMe, and staying with the Piroxicam, Pepcid and Gabapentin.

Will continue shortly . . .