I just want to commend you and your husband on the care and love you have and are showing Zoey. It takes a special person to take care of a special needs dog and we love them so much. I pray for your strength to continue and pray for Zoey. She knows she is loved so much and again thank you and I wish there were more people in this world that loved and took care of their babies the way you have. Zoey is very fortunate to have a family like yours.

This just absolutely tears my heart apart.....I am so very sorry for you, your husband, and your precious little Zoey.....I can only imagine the pain you are experiencing during all this and I have no idea how you forge ahead with such determination and steadfastness. I continue to pray for a miraculous healing for that precious baby girl, and for His calming and peaceful touch on your heart and soul.

We understand your pain all too well, and although it's so difficult for me to see you in pain, I'm so glad that you are letting it out. Though there are many miles between us, any time, any hour, I will be there to listen. From listening very carefully to your heart, I know with all certainty that Zoey feels your love. The way you talk about your babies and through your actions, I feel such a powerful love from you. From my own experiences with my babies, times like these brought me even closer and more in love with them, and although they may have felt fear because of not understanding what was happening to them, I know they felt very loved. I haven't sensed for even a second you distancing yourself from Zoey; I feel a love that is so overflowing and a beautiful devotion to helping her feel safe and loved, and a commitment to getting her stronger and healthier. You could not be more loving to your babies. I have always admired and truly respected your devotion to your babies, and I love your wide and open heart.

Thank you Sandy.

Thank you so much

Thank you Lisa

Thank you so much. Not to worry about missing this, we all have busy lives and this is a pretty active board.

I appreciate so much your warm wishes and all your prayers.

Update on Today's oncology appt
 

Well the news is not so good. The oncologist has confirmed that Zoey's swellings have increased. Zoey at least maintained her last wk's weight of 35kg. But she is still overall down from her healthy lean pre cancer weight of 44kg. That is over 18lbs of loss.:(
Dr Gauthier indicated that she believes the chemo drug used in last wk's treatment was ineffective, as the swellings increased. Now today's treatment was with the same drug that seem to work so well for her on week 1.

I can put Zoey on heartguard though. That is a good thing.

So here is the thing. One week Monday we bring her in for her 4th chemotherapy. Apparently this chemo drug is supposed to be hugely effective, although it is toxic to the heart muscle. So there is/will be an ultrasound/echocardiogram done on her heart prior to the chemo. This ultrasound will be done by a cardiologist. :thumbup: And as we are a chemo patient we get a good price of $250 versus the usual $500.

Dr Gauthier said that if after that chemo, there still is swelling in the lymph; then she will be highly concerned. :rain: This caught us both by surprise in that I think that we thought given that we had a 25wk schedule of chemo treatments; that the re-assessment would be done at wk 10 or wk 12. She elaborated on this drug that will be used as its' efficacy is such that if Zoey doesn't respond to it; then her remission chances are pretty slim.

So Dave and I talked about Zoey and end of life decisions. With more clarity on both our parts; about how we are feeling, and how we will know. We are both determined not to allow her to decline to the state she was in 3 wks ago. That was no life at all for her.

Zoey is resting comfortably right now and we remain hopefull that this chemo will bring down the swelling, and more hopefull that wk 4 chemo will work for her too.

I'm so sorry, I dread this happening. Sometimes it's a mixed blessing that our technology is so advanced and we can do so much more now than we use to be able to do. I just wonder about all the pain and suffering vs. how many years they will receive in return. Sending prayers of strength for you family.

Praying for good results here on out....

I'm so sorry that the oncologist confirmed your fears. You are so in tune with Zoey's emotional and physical well-being, and from day one you have had what was best for Zoey in your mind and heart. I pray that things get better, and I know that you whatever you do, it is always out of love for your little girl.

Thank you Nancy. She is on this chemo treatment, because it has a hope of bringing her into remission. If there was a major negative response to the chemo, we would only be left with predinsone. Our goal is to eliminate her pain and suffering through these drugs and our homecare. There has been for her some vomiting and bloody stool over Sun/Mon am, but that was the first negative response so far since she has started chemo.

We knew when we went to the oncologist that "remission" times were pretty short; and there were precious few dogs that went into a really long term remission. We wanted to give her a fighting chance. We still do.

Going through this with our Zoey, has unavoidably brought to clarity, quality of life versus intervention methods. We would never hold onto Zoey beyond what we believe to be a good life for her.

At this point we believe the discomfort from the treatment far outweighs the benefits she is getting. I now have a girl that can breathe, likes her food again, can walk, enjoys her pets, wants to play with her toys.

the oncologist made a point today of saying how well liked Zoey is by the staff. Apparently she is perky and wants to look and interact with all the folks back in the treatment area. She said they love all dogs, but Zoey has captured a piece of their hearts. Music to doting parental ears:)

Your news was certainly sobering and you have much to consider. I'm so glad she has a mom and dad who will put her quality of life and comfort above anything else. So glad she is enjoying some of her sweet life again for now & pray this continues & increases. It would be so wonderful to see this darling little girl catch a break and her treatments suddenly start to return much more beneficial results. Zoey and her mom & dad & doctors are always in my prayers.

Oh that is so sweet, it's so much easier knowing that the staff also loves your dog and wants what's best.

Gail, I'm very sorry to hear that the appt with oncologist did not bring better news. I am praying for Zoey, and for you and your husband as you face these terribly difficult decisions. It is comforting knowing Zoey is in great hands and that her medical team have a special bond with her too.

{{{hugs}}}

I'm so sorry to hear that the news was not as positive as we all hoped. I have also noted how in tune you are to Zoey, and believe that you will be able to make the difficult decision when the time is right, because you will "hear" what Zoey says. I believe our greatest duty to these wonderous creatures we share our lives with is to make the difficult decisions to honor their lives and the special role they play in enriching ours. I will continue to play for your clarity of thought, and Zoey's comfort during the next weeks, while hoping that the next treatment will bring about hope of remission.

Thank you Jeannie

Thanks Kristin

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers