First, I have to start by saying I’ve had a good week with Abby. She is snuggly and cuddly and the best behaved she’s ever been in her short 18 month life. She is eating her food and happily running in her dreams while she sleeps. She even had a chance to play in the snow for a few minutes.
On the other hand, she isn’t our typical Abby who can be quite a handful if she hasn’t had her proper exercise. We’re only one week post lung mets diagnosis, but the signs are there. She simply has no energy. This morning she went outside, did her business and then just laid down on the cold rocks. She also wheezes periodically, particularly outside in the cold air. It’s just a few breathy coughs and then she’s back to normal, but, as an asthmatic, I can relate to her struggle. It’s hard to believe that 5 weeks ago her lungs were perfectly clear.
She seems to be tolerating the dasatsnib (new daily chemo pill) with the help of anti-nausea meds. I give her that pill first, then breakfast and dasatsnib about an hour later. I’m reminded of how poisonous it is when I put on the required rubber gloves to handle it. I just pray that it’s poisoning the bad cells and saving the good ones. Tomorrow, we will up her dose from 11mg to 13mg.
Loving that picture! Truly Abby knows how to enjoy every second with “no worries bliss”!!
I’m going to try and “copy/paste” something you wrote in a previous post:
“It’s been a long day, but at the end of it, I am faced with the realization that we don’t go through all these extraordinary measures just for the hope of extra years of life. We go through them for the here and the now. If we get extra years, that is a bonus. At the end of the day, I cherish each and every moment I have with her. Even the hard times.”
Abby is showing you the beauty of the here and now. And now is all that matters.
And as sweet and gentle as Abby is, she is one tough cookie! My goodness, this dog chomped through her leash in one bite! She is Abby! And Abby is not giving up! Being tired is does not hurt. It just allows for more snuggle time, more cuddle time and more time for tummy rubs.
Try not to read too much into the change in breathing pattern that popped up, or even the tiredness. It may be more related to the chemo.pill than you realize. With the discovery of the met such a short time ago, it is highly likely that this coukd be a side effect of the pill, or even a bit of a respiratory infection. And an infection can certainly make a dog tired and wheezy. And I really do mean that! That just makes more sense at this point!
Regardless, either way, their are still plenty of ways to continue good quality. Should her breathing become more compromised on a more continuous basis, prednisone helps a lot. I know your vet can offer help in that category. But definitely ask about side effects of the pill and get her checked out for any respiratory or bronchial infection.
Now go give that magnificent dog a great big smooch and some treats. Yountake a swig of the “Three legged Wine”! You’ll both feel better!!
Sending lots and lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
!
I am thinking of you & Abby. Some of the tiredness could be from the new drug and also could be a little of the mets. Just try to breathe and enjoy every minute like you are.
Lots more pictures with you both in them
xxoxoxxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
I took your advice. I’m the picture taker in the family so not in many of them. That’s changing!
Yeah, I also started putting myself in the pictures with Happy Hannah as a result of Michelle’s advice! At first I didn’t want to post anything with me in it…vot over that really quickly! Bathrobe, dirty hair, close ups with every wrinkle and old age freckle…it didn’t matter anymore! These were some of the best memories ever!!
Keep us posted and keep on staying in the present with Abby. She’s absolutely loving all the spoiling!!
I agree, that is a very, very sweet photo.
We remember those ups and downs so well. Just know that Abby isn’t giving up, she obviously still has a lot of sparkle in her and with the power of the Tripawds Nation she will have more happy days ahead.
{{{hugs}}}}