Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Not sure if this will help - Otis' oncology report after his 4th chemo showed his neutrophils (which I believe are white blood cells) at 3,134/uL. This is depressed from normal, but within the acceptable range for chemo. That is the only report I have with me now, but if it helps you, I will send his initial count, at chemo 1, when I get home. (I think it dropped in half between chemo 1 and 2). Perhaps this is the number "2" that you may or may not have heard??
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
I don't have the number for before chemo #1, but at chemo 2, his neutrophils were at 8,250/uL, and at chemo 3 at 4,600. All were considered by his oncologist as being acceptable for continued treatment. Without the pre-chemo 1 #, hard to know what goal Madison is shooting for or even what is considered normal. So, this might be a bunch of useless info, but maybe can help you ask questions and put things in context.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
I appreciate those numbers!
I just got back from visiting her and have great news!!!
so hubby made 2 stops there today and she ate turkey both times, then during my visit. A package is 8 ounces and she finished one whole package and maybe 1.5-2 ounces of the second package.
Then she was over the turkey, stood up, popped her head out of the cage and was ready to get out of there! A tech came over and I said she was trying to make a break for it. She asked "do you want to walk her?"
DO I?!?!???!?!!!! HECK YEAH I DO!!!!!!!
she got a little tired halfway out so the tech carried her out and put her down in the gravel pee area. She peed and started walking towards a gate a little further back. Tech opened the gate and she walked off the sidewalk and into the parking lot. Started looking for the car. Turned her around and she wasn't trying to go back in the building. Tech had to carry her back in.
Then the onco came out and I asked to see the paperwork. Neutrophils were 726. Tuesday they were 0, yesterday they were 6. Platelets were 15. He wants the neutrophils to be 1000 for her to come home but if they're still going up tomorrow and anywhere near 1000 she's coming home! He said he was impressed at how much my husband and I got her to eat and home is obviously the best place for her!
Also found out the dosage for her chemo. It's not in front of me so I may need to edit this later- she's 18.6 kg I believe and they gave her 165 mg of carboplatin. I read a blog from a cancer vet today saying she does a post chemo follow up during this "nadir" period to check these thigs. Does anyone else's doctor do this?
Platelets at his last check-up (6 weeks post chemo #4) were 182,000/uL. And he had something called HCT at 51%.
After each chemo, we were told to being Otis back for blood work if he was not feeling well in days 7 - 10 post chemo. We had a list of symptoms to watch for, but never had to actually go in then.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
And great that you got actual factual info this visit!!!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Well that sounds like an amazing visit so we are jumping for joy here!!! Fingers and paws crossed that she will come home tomorrow. Clearly with her family is where she wants to be! That's adorable that she was looking for your car... Madison knows what is up!
HUGS!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I am actually out of town and have been checki g in specifically on Madison a d Ollie. Im on so ething called ethostream and when I asked if it was secure I was told "itsw as secure as any WiFI.......anhway....poi t being Im only stayi g on a few minutes a day to check on Ollie and .adison.
I can't answer the chemo/p@atlet auestii s, but I can say
THIS UPDATE MADE ME SO HAPPY I'M IN TEARS!!! HAPPY HAPPY TEARS!!!! ADISON NEEDS TO BE HOME A D SHE'S. AKING IT KNOWN!!!
CHEERING. FOR 1,000 PLUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CHEERING FOR COMING HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CHEERING FOR MADISON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OVE!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
SHE'S HOME!!!!!!!!!!!
She's exhausted but seems happy. Lots of licks and tail wagging. And she's snuggled up in our bed.
Her neutrophils were up to maybe 1200? The only thing I heard was that she could come home.
They are emailing her entire chart on Monday.
Doc wants to see her for follow up Tuesday, but we are never ever going back there again.
Tears of joy and relief for you guys! Wow soooo glad she's back home under your loving watch again. Celebrate big big time tonight! You've definitely earned it!
Sending lots of love and many hugs!
Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie
CHILLS HEAD TO TOE!!!! WATERY EYED AND GRINNING!!!!
NOPE! No more visits to that place and CERTAINLY no more ANYTHING with that Onco!
Madison is home and happy and has QUALITY!!! 'That's all it's ever been about but sometimes weall get hung up on days on a calendar! This is a GREAT inspirational story for all.of us!
I applaud your courage and your strength! This was a real head shaker for all of us snd we all felt soooooo badly for you and for Madison! We were all trying to stay positive and hopeful for you and with you and even when yiu couldn't. I don't mi d sayi g this was some scary a*s crap you were dealing with!
Happy hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
VERY cool! I've been following your story and am so happy to see that the pack is reunited. Have a great weekend snuggling and just chillin', you guys earned it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hooray, hooray, hooray for Madison! And hooray for home! We have all been holding our breath for you and are sooooo happy she is on the mend!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Christine - HCT - is hematocrit - it should be about 3 times the hemoglobin. hemoglobin is the oxygen carrying part of the blood. 
Yeah for coming home!!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Welcome home Madison you lucky girl
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
YAY for home!!!! Let the spoiling begin again! 
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
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