Many thanks for all the questions and concerns from friends and family about Sandy and Samantha, particularly related to Sandy's fight with prostate cancer. In response to the many caring questions I'd like to provide this update.
Upon his diagnosis of prostate cancer (transitional cell carcinoma for those medically inclined), we immediately started the primary chemotherapeutic drug (a pill taken daily and which he'll take the remainder of his life - Piroxicam for those familiar with cancer treatment). And after additional discussion with both our regular vet and the specialists from two oncology vets, we decided to add the more powerful chemotherapy (mitoxantrone) which is administered intravenously every 3 weeks. Although this drug is more intrusive, has more side effects, and is also significantly more expensive, it's also been shown to increase the survival rate in dogs. Since Sandy is very much a member of our family (or our "pack" as we call it) - we want to give him every chance at fighting this; and given his otherwise excellent health, our regular and consulting vets concurred.
Sandy has completed 2 of the 3 or 4 expected treatments (4 is the maximum). Typically the chemotherapy process is much less "quality of life affecting" for dogs than people, because the dosage is much lower for both medical and affordability reasons. So the side-effects are also much less traumatic, at least in most cases. My understanding is pets don't lose their hair or experience some of the other more dramatic side effects, but they do sometimes experience nausea or diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss.
After the first treatment, we didn't see any obvious side effects, but since the 2nd treatment last Monday, Sandy has greatly reduced his food intake, he's been sick on his stomach a few times and seems to have some difficulties with normal bathroom functions (straining and such). I often wonder what our neighbors must think when they see Tim and I come out and actually watch Sandy when he goes to the bathroom, but what can I say, it's all part of the process in our teamwork of handling this together. :>)
We're a bit worried about the bathroom issues - since these could indicate growth of the prostate and/or tumor - and if that's happened this quickly then it's not a good sign. It's easy to let our minds "panic" into those "worst case" scenarios; so when that happens we just remind ourselves and each other to take it one day, and one thing, at a time. And whatever happens, we'll deal with it together; and we'll all pull together to share the load of whatever comes--good or not-so-good--the way partners and teammates do. And we thank you all much for the continued interest and well wishes on Sandy's behalf!
Sandy of course is taking all of this in stride in his usual "trooper" and stoic way. He never complains (no whining or testiness with this guy), and he always cooperates when it's time for his meds (sometimes 2 or 3 times a day now) - even though we can see on his face that he doesn't want to take that pill. In that inherent intelligence that dogs have, I'm guessing he might be attributing the pills to his current discomfort (and of course that is partly true). But his trusting little soul still does what we ask of him to take that next med or go with the doctor for that next treatment. Of course we don't baby him or coddle him because that doesn't help him or anyone else, but he does get lots of love and attention as always. I believe that all dogs are special, but he's always seemed sort of "extra special", and he's proving that every day with his dignity and grace at dealing with whatever life throws at him. He was also hit by a car a couple of years ago and he limped back to me with his leg all bloody and made his own way to the house and car without a single whimper. Fortunately he made a full recovery from that. What a champion.
And with all this extra focus on Sandy lately, of course we take special care to give Samantha attention too - because we don't want her to feel left out or pushed aside since he's a bit more needy at present. Given the way she "watches him" and how she howls to let us know when he's outside and wants inside if we're upstairs and don't realize it (he just sits quietly by the door) - I think she knows something is amiss. These guys have been through a lot together. They were owner surrendered when Sandy was 8 and she was 6 and they lived in the system (humane society) for more than 5 months, which is a LONG time out of a dog's short life. But that experience obviously brought them closer together and they are very in-tune with each other - almost like twins often are. We are so very lucky to have found them. We'll keep you posted as things progress.
Thanks for listening!
Best, Carla
Upon his diagnosis of prostate cancer (transitional cell carcinoma for those medically inclined), we immediately started the primary chemotherapeutic drug (a pill taken daily and which he'll take the remainder of his life - Piroxicam for those familiar with cancer treatment). And after additional discussion with both our regular vet and the specialists from two oncology vets, we decided to add the more powerful chemotherapy (mitoxantrone) which is administered intravenously every 3 weeks. Although this drug is more intrusive, has more side effects, and is also significantly more expensive, it's also been shown to increase the survival rate in dogs. Since Sandy is very much a member of our family (or our "pack" as we call it) - we want to give him every chance at fighting this; and given his otherwise excellent health, our regular and consulting vets concurred.
Sandy has completed 2 of the 3 or 4 expected treatments (4 is the maximum). Typically the chemotherapy process is much less "quality of life affecting" for dogs than people, because the dosage is much lower for both medical and affordability reasons. So the side-effects are also much less traumatic, at least in most cases. My understanding is pets don't lose their hair or experience some of the other more dramatic side effects, but they do sometimes experience nausea or diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss.
After the first treatment, we didn't see any obvious side effects, but since the 2nd treatment last Monday, Sandy has greatly reduced his food intake, he's been sick on his stomach a few times and seems to have some difficulties with normal bathroom functions (straining and such). I often wonder what our neighbors must think when they see Tim and I come out and actually watch Sandy when he goes to the bathroom, but what can I say, it's all part of the process in our teamwork of handling this together. :>)
We're a bit worried about the bathroom issues - since these could indicate growth of the prostate and/or tumor - and if that's happened this quickly then it's not a good sign. It's easy to let our minds "panic" into those "worst case" scenarios; so when that happens we just remind ourselves and each other to take it one day, and one thing, at a time. And whatever happens, we'll deal with it together; and we'll all pull together to share the load of whatever comes--good or not-so-good--the way partners and teammates do. And we thank you all much for the continued interest and well wishes on Sandy's behalf!
Sandy of course is taking all of this in stride in his usual "trooper" and stoic way. He never complains (no whining or testiness with this guy), and he always cooperates when it's time for his meds (sometimes 2 or 3 times a day now) - even though we can see on his face that he doesn't want to take that pill. In that inherent intelligence that dogs have, I'm guessing he might be attributing the pills to his current discomfort (and of course that is partly true). But his trusting little soul still does what we ask of him to take that next med or go with the doctor for that next treatment. Of course we don't baby him or coddle him because that doesn't help him or anyone else, but he does get lots of love and attention as always. I believe that all dogs are special, but he's always seemed sort of "extra special", and he's proving that every day with his dignity and grace at dealing with whatever life throws at him. He was also hit by a car a couple of years ago and he limped back to me with his leg all bloody and made his own way to the house and car without a single whimper. Fortunately he made a full recovery from that. What a champion.
And with all this extra focus on Sandy lately, of course we take special care to give Samantha attention too - because we don't want her to feel left out or pushed aside since he's a bit more needy at present. Given the way she "watches him" and how she howls to let us know when he's outside and wants inside if we're upstairs and don't realize it (he just sits quietly by the door) - I think she knows something is amiss. These guys have been through a lot together. They were owner surrendered when Sandy was 8 and she was 6 and they lived in the system (humane society) for more than 5 months, which is a LONG time out of a dog's short life. But that experience obviously brought them closer together and they are very in-tune with each other - almost like twins often are. We are so very lucky to have found them. We'll keep you posted as things progress.
Thanks for listening!
Best, Carla
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