Tazzie 2 update by his getting-to-be-anxious mum:

Today would have been the day we would have done the 4th chemo treatment if it were not for that darn lump I found the night before his last chemo, three weeks ago. So far our course of sail is not clear. At present we are not doing any form of treatment.

The vet who has diligently been looking after Tazzie since our return to Winnipeg is away this week. I just spoke to the other vet, who was the person who removed the lump. Of course, he would have had no idea of the myriad of options we were considering when he took my call, the poor vet (metronomics , artemisinin , palladia, etc).

He did read the pathology report for the subQ lump to me: it is consistent with OSA with neoplastic cells in the blood vessels so consistent with a high likelihood of mets in other visceral places.

As you know, we did not find visible mets in other places (apart from two candidate nodes in the spleen) when searching two weeks ago. It seems time to act (a bit late, but still appropriate), while Tazzie still feels good and mets have not taken over visibly. But are we too late for something like metronomics to have an effect? Does it take time for its effects to kick in?

I am thinking of contacting an oncologist recommended by Maximutt, who oversees Max's metronomics protocol, but definitely want my vet's blessing before doing this. We do have an oncologist in Calgary, but I'm not sure she would oversee a metronomics protocol herself, even though she seems to think it is reasonable.

We will need to decide: continue same old chemo; switch chemo (is there a point in chemo - there are probably lesions present that are just too small to see by ultrasound or x-ray); switch to metronomics , or palladia (I don't like the idea of possible side effects of the latter but have not read much on the topic). I am leaning to metronomics , modified to avoid kidney issues, and artemisinin , but I'd love to have an oncologist review the case and advise. One of the artemisinin packages arrived in the mail this morning.

If Pam has suggestions now (e.g., a different chemo, metronomics or palladia?), that would be terrific. I put quality of life first. At this stage, I don't want him down and out for a few days or a week following rounds of chemo or other drugs (okay, if Palladia might cure it, that is different, but I assume that is out of the question.)

Tazzie 2

Pam

Thanks for responding so quickly. Metronomics seems the most attractive option from the little bit I know at this point, well, unless Palladia could actually have a curative effect. My vet called and she was still considering mytoxatrone, but is comfortable with metronomics . Hopefully I can talk to an oncologist this week to make a decision.

So far, two oncologists (one second hand for a different tripawd, Maximutt) have not responded well to the idea of Artemisinin . (I just got it in the mail, so we have not begun using it). The material from the Seattle labs seems promising, with no apparent downsides, and there does seem to be a decent logic behind it, even if its effects are not proven. I wonder why there are not more studies of its effects.

Susan

We are kind of stuck here with no oncologist in the city. However, the one in Calgary that saw Tazzie this summer in Alberta sent a reference that my vet dug up (bless her heart!) with a metronomics protocol. The dose in this protocol is 10 mg/m2 for the Cytoxan in case that means anything to anyone. The oncologist indicated it was a reduced dose that has pretty good outcome with fewer side effects.

However, I just this minute sent an email to a Michigan oncologist from Maximutt's fleet of specialists (thanks Maximutt!). She advised on Max's protocol, and it is a bit different (includes something named Actis  although I do not have Maxi's post right in front of me to give you the correct drug name) that is usually prescribed for diabetes. So my vet is wondering why that drug - to control the sugar craved by OSA? The Michigan oncologist also seems to be using a higher dose than the dose recommended in the paper read by my vet. But, the Michigan person seems to be someone who regularly uses metronomics in her work.

Anyway, I HOPE she can act as a consultant although she must be incredibly busy. 

I know McGwire is not at this point, but mention these specifics in case they mean anything to anyone. It would be nice to get Tazzie on something by the start of next week. 

Susan