Mission Accomplished 10/31/2011

Happy Monday! It's been 14 days since the horrible news of Princess's diagnosis. This morning she's favoring her right (bad) leg. That's normal for early in the day and also possibly caused by this week's freak snowstorm. Taking her outside in the snow resulted in some spontaneous wooshing.
We stopped her quickly and luckily, no harm done. We're glad that she's feeling well enough to woosh and plan to walk her on the leash from now on.

Good Feelings Unleashed!

This week we'll focus on how she feels prior to receiving her medication each day. It would makes sense that if she's using her leg as her medication wears off, it must be improving overall. She usually warms up and walks slowly but normally by mid-afternoon. I'm planning a short walk each afternoon to strengthen her leg.


We've come a long way in two weeks.   Navy Protocol is an "experimental" treatment for canine cancer. Princess's participation required our vet's involvement. Dr. Chris reviewed the research and agreed that it was a good choice for Princess. He prescribed just two weeks of medications to start.  That worried me but thinking back, it was a good move. First, the medications are relatively expensive. (two weeks cost $175), second, he wanted to see how she tolerated it and third, Princess had very little time left. We've happy to say that she has no trouble with the medication (no apparent negative side effects), and that she's still here to take them. Wife K called Dr. Chris today for two more weeks of medication. She's also gathering all of Princess's initial x-rays from both vets for comparison as we move forward. We'll now settle in for hopefully the long haul and plan on a trip to Dr. Chris in about 3-4 weeks.

So today is a milestone and celebration of sorts. We're thankful to have accomplished everything that we set out to do that fateful Monday. That is; make her comfortable, keep her with us and spoil the heck out of her.  On all three things, Mission Accomplished! Best Girl is comfortable, happy and doing well. She's getting a ton of hugs and attention, a can of dog food a day, many pizza crusts and a spot on the bed under the covers. What more could a dog ask for? Thanks to all. Please feel free to pass our story to a friend. They can find it at: http://pappysassafrass.blogspot.com/

Round Two Let's Get Ready to Rumble Saturday 10/29/11

In our corner, Weighing in at 80lbs, Princess, Best Dog ever!

Bring it on!

Had I been successful in teaching Princess to read a few years back, she would have read my last post and urged me to have faith.  She's still in this fight. Many rounds to go with no guarantees. Win or lose, Princess has done herself proud. Best Girl had a tremendous round one and her recent slowdown day apparently was her resting for round two. It's been 12 days. Gene, our research scientist friend tells us that the tumor should begin to subside around 14 days.

Son B and I weighed Best Dog last night. She weighs 80 lbs - her normal weight. Each day we've replaced a cup of her normal dry food with the half can of Purina One mixed with her medications. So daily she eats a can of Purina One and two cups of Buffalo Blue dry food. It's working, so no more cheese parties for now.

Princess was again ready to rock yesterday. She came out swinging and delivered a great combination to open round two. After a walk around the yard, daugher JJ. She came back and excitedly told us that Princess was walking almost normally. I noticed that earlier in the day. She's walking on both hind legs. Big headed Bullfrog Hopper has now become Big Headed Walker. Also, for the last few weeks, I've been carrying Princess up the considerable stairway to front door. Yesterday she walked right up slowly with no hesitation.

We consider this a great sign. Earlier in the week, Wife K and I discussed her rehabilitation. Her leg has become weak from non-use. Now she's ready to go walking. Starting next week, we're going to ask Princess if she wants to go walking - and mean it. Short walks on a leash to strengthen her recovering right leg. Unbelievable. Let's get ready to rumble!!!

Sanity Check Friday 10/28/2011

Best Girl Ever isn't one to spoil the party but today she slowed down some and her leg hurt a little.

When we got the diagnosis of her cancer we were devastated.  But not for long. Within a half day we were energized with a mission to cure cancer.  No time to think about what's to come. So armed with the latest research, we set out to win - to cure cancer.  Not much right?  Cure the same cancer that kills millions of kids, killed my dad,  my grandparents, my friends and now my dog.  No way. I hate it.

Princess continues to do well but her slow-down forces me to think that this might be too much to ask. Surely it is but we hope and pray for a miracle for Princesses everywhere.


Princess is trying. She'll never give up. We're sticking to the program and we've enjoyed a great week with her that we wouldn't have had.  We've totally loved and spoiled her for a week. Thanks so much for reading our story and for all of your support. We hope that she continues to improve.

Princess 10/27/2011

Lounging Jacket October 27th 2011

Its that time again on the east coast of the United States - fall, quickly followed by winter. As the days started to cool, I remembered how much Princess liked her jacket. Last weekend we dug it out of the closet. One of the key phases that she definitely knows is; " you want your jacket?" most days in the winter months  I'm working in the house in full winter garb and Princess is in her jacket.

Chillin in Her Jacket

Princess is about the same today, we just went for a walk around the yard and she pretty much walked on "the leg".  It's been a couple of weeks since she even put it down so its gotten pretty weak. Her left leg is strong as a bull frogs leg from all that hopping.

Bull Frog Leg in Action

Its been 10 days and 19 doses of Navy Protocol Drugs since Princess's diagnosis. I can say without a doubt that she has improved steadily each day. We can't see what's inside her leg, but she does not appear to be in any pain and she's starting to walk on it. Soon, we'll be taking her back to our primary vet for a check-up. I think he'll be impressed!
The speed of this turn-around is astounding. If  Best Girl can live out whatever time she has left in this condition, it will be a miracle.  Even if the cancer has not abated, the Navy Protocol routine has brought her back to a pain-free happy state for these last days. But we're hoping for better. Not just for Princess but for all of your dogs out there. Stay with us and I'll continue to document her progress and pray for her recovery.

Best Girl Ever

A Long Way From Home October 26th 2011

I had to travel out of town on business this week. Left yesterday and just got in the door. Princess gave me an enthusiastic welcome home fit for a King! She's doing great!! Walking on her right leg from time to time and even thinking about Wooshing. Wooshing is what we call what dogs do when they're happy, healthy and full of energy. They run around like mad cutting in an out. She's was quite good at Wooshing. I don't dare hope that maybe she'll might get back to it some day.

Knowing that I was leaving, I figured that I might have to skip writing since I was not going to be around to watch Princess during the day. Quite the opposite.  She was on my mind constantly. I realize how fortunate I am to be able to be with her during the day. I work from home. Princess and I spend most days together; me talking on the phone and typing, Princess laying close by - usually in the sun. I'm incredibly grateful for that time - especially now.  Every so often during the day I talk to Princess. She knows lots of phrases that usually start with "you wanna" followed by "go for car ride", "go walking" "get a treat". There's also the "who's here?" or "go check" or "the kids are home" or "put buck(our rabbit) in his cage" at which time she herds him back home. There are many others and I'm sure that your dogs do the same amazing things.

I'm thinking of all of you who are in the same situation as our family. A loved pet who's ill. Most people can't spend days with their pets like I can. It must be incredibly hard. The other day I was cleaning out some papers and ran across a large note on a card that said "SIT". I vaguely remember trying to teach Princess to read with questionable success. Why I wrote it so big, I don't know. She sees fine.  She's no genius but she's smart.

So she's had another great day. She seems pain free and using her leg more often. We've had to ration her food. Her appetite has increased quite a bit. Much more than even before the cancer diagnosis. If you remember in week one she gained 6 lbs. We plan on weighing her on Friday. We are so happy. All good for now.

Monday October 24th Day 7

After her nap in the bed (Sat/Sun post) Big Headed Bed Jumper woke up alert and seemingly pain free. Eating was on her mind. Princess was never really much of an eater. Those dogs on TV devouring their food must be starved. My oldest daughter's dog Pig Pen is the exception. Pig Pen is a pug mix that eats at a FURIOUS pace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFfeE6by6mQ

I've even thought of having fast eating human friends race her at eating various things. Funny. Point probably is (there's one here somewhere) that these dogs are so much a part of the fun in our lives that we can't imagine life without them. But as dog owners that time always comes. Someone told me that the reason dogs pass before us is because they couldn't cope with the opposite. For Princess this is probably true. She's my constant companion.

Lily (l) and Princess in the Mountains

Princess got up stiffly today and immediately started test walking on her right leg. I love the mission of the Navy Protocol; cut off the tumor supply line, prevent new ones and starve the bastard to death. It's a simple warfare tactic really and one that I understand. Cancer and tree vines are alike. They both start small and then grow to starve the host to death. I know how to kill a vine. Cut it at the bottom and starve it to death. It's too complicated at the top. Best dog and I took a short car ride this morning. She was definitely up for it. When we returned I walked her slowly around the house. For about 60% of the time she used both hind legs. Amazing.  After that, she chilled in her jacket most of the afternoon.

This afternoon Gene stopped by to see Princess. She was glad to see him and greeted him accordingly. He loves that dog. Gene rescued Princesses "brother" Rottie Jake. Princess and Jake are good dog friends. Gene and I discussed Princesses progress so far. We both hope for the best.

Saturday and Sunday Oct 22 - 23 Days 5 and 6

Happy Monday! We had a good weekend of progress with Best Girl Ever Princess. Right now she's earning her nick name of Big Headed Bed Sleeper. Since the horrible news, we're committed to spoiling her rotten. Princess handles this well. Hence the name. The last of our worries at this time is breaking bad habits should she live. It will be our pleasure. 

Saturday October 22 Day 5
On Monday after the horrible news I thought of keeping her alive long enough for our kids to see her one last time.  By now we've told them all. From the diagnosis on Monday I figured that that Princess would spend a medicated week and be put down on Friday. So today is a bonus day with her.  Plus, she's improved. Except for the lameness, she's acting normally. Except for the shooting, how did you like the play Mrs Lincoln? She still has the cancer and we can't look inside her leg, but from her actions she's feeling better and stronger each day. I don't know if Navy is curing her, but at least it's making her feel great and strong. Our plan should she keep improving is for Dr C to x-ray her at 30 and 60 days.

She's alert with no sign that she's in pain. This morning she started to test her right leg. I assume that its too painful because she quit that fairly fast. Last night we weighed her and she was 81 lbs. She's gained 6lbs in 5 days. To me that's a plus except when I carry her up the stairs.

 

Princess (L) and Lily Happy Times

I've had to put down two very good pet friends over the years. First was Magic, our 18 year old cat and friend. Magic was a perfect gentlemen that we had since he was 3 months old. The second was Lily our last rescue Rottweiler. Lily had racked up a history of aggression and trouble in her short two and a half years. Like all Rotties, she loved her people and we loved her.  Lily was our dog when we adopted Princess. She was a rescue as well and the two dogs became great friends. After about a year, she attacked Princess viciously causing extensive damage to her face and neck. At the advice of our vet and many others, we put Lily down. Me, K and son B took her that morning.  We all lay on the floor hugging her while she was euthanized., The disturbing part of that whole process of taking your pet to their end - other than losing a friend forever is that they trust that you'll never let harm come to them. I felt that I betrayed her trust and she went right along. Over the years I've rationalized it. It was the right decision. She was too unstable for family life and she betrayed us by attacking a family member.  There was nowhere else to go. We still miss her terribly. 

Princess is the perfect dog. She greets everyone in a gentle way. She's never aggressive. It's 9am on Saturday and everyone's coming and going. She's resolved to chill - alive and comfortable. I left early to do some work away from the house. When I returned, Princess was ready to rock. We walked around the back yard to the front. She went towards the road and amazingly test walked on her lame leg all the way up the driveway around 60 feet. Later in the evening KK came to see her. She went out the door happy and alert. This was a good day for all of us.

Sunday October 24th Day 6

We're not sure of the reason for Princesses good mood and quickly improving condition. Last Monday, primary and second opinion vets told us that soon, Princess would need narcotic based pain medication to manage intense pain. Is Celebrex that strong? She's completely favoring her right leg but starting to test it. She doesn't seem to be in any pain. Me and K have reached a state of equilibrium. We both agree that if Princess stays just like this, moving slowly, having to be helped at times, but in great spirits, we're good for however long it lasts. But she's gotten better since then!




 

Week One October Navy Protocol

It's been 6 days since we started Princess on Navy Protocol.  I decided to write this blog today October 24th so I've got some catching up to do.  These are the events and at times my random thoughts for the period of October 18th-21st.

This is now my real time log of each day


Tuesday October 18th Day 1 Dose #1

Yesterday was the day that we got the diagnosis about Princesses cancer. Our next activities involve getting our primary vet on-board.   We faxed him the Navy Protocol Research paper and were waiting for him to review it. A vet has to supervise and prescribe the medications.

Hopefully we'll start the Navy Protocol today. I'm desperate for progress. K faxed everything to Dr C this morning. It's been all day and no word yet. I call the vet and plead with the receptionist to give  Dr. C the paper and have him call me. I break down and cry as I try to give her my number. (Turns out, Doctor C had reviewed the entire paper and called my wife back. He's not heard of Navy Protocol but after reviewing the paper, agreed to give it a try. ) 

Princess had a nice day overall. She sat in the sun for hours peacefully. I'm carrying her up and down steps to go out. She walks the levels hopping on her left leg and holding the right one up. She's not interested in playing. Her appetite for cheese is good so we have a cheese party on the deck. This evening K came home with the medication from the CVS. and Dr. C.  I'm so hopefull!  I mix 3 Doxycycline, one celebrex and a crushed half tablet of Tamoxifen onto a plate and mixed it with a can of Purina One Beef flavor.  

THIS IS THE DOSE FOR AN 85+ POUND DOG. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR VET SUPERVISES THIS AND THAT YOU USE IT CORRECTLY

We're on our way! Dose one down the hatch. This evening her right leg hangs uselessly and is evidently painful. Still, she wagged her small tail and seemed very pleased when K and the kids came home. She's getting a lot of attention. One day at a time.

Wednesday October 19th Day 2 Doses 2 and 3

Princess is less mobile today. She's alert and seems to be in less pain. I gave her dose 2 this morning mixed in a batch of scrambled eggs. After K and the kids left, she was zonked for about an hour. I lifted her onto the bed at around 10:30am. She's staying put - not following me around at all. Now its 12:46pm and she's panting heavily. Hang in there girl. I asked her if she wanted to go for a car ride. She seems interested but not moving. I don't want to stress her leg. Dr C says it could break because the cancer weakened the bone. Gene's research says that we should see some improvement at about 14 days. I can't tell you how grateful we are for Gene's help in this. It's 3:08 pm and JJ coming home from school. Princess got up and brought JJ a ball then went and then got a big drink. It's a small thing but until this time she's been quiet all day. She's in good spirits this evening. Her leg is hanging mostly useless. Took dose 3 with some left overs.


Thursday October 20th Day 3 Doses 4 and 5


Princey woke up in good spirits today. Wolfed down dose 5 with 2/3 can of Purina One. She loves that stuff! (We didn't feed Princess canned food until this week. Up until now we've fed her Buffalo Blue dry food for large breed. The canned food is a treat for her and easy to mix the doses.) The daily dosing is stressful for me. If she stops eating, its over. Good start today. Princess shredded my empty cereal box as usual. What a strong girl. I went out for about a half and hour and she had climbed the stairs to the landing. All this is very positive no matter what the eventual outcome. I know that Princess and all of us are enjoying our time together after learning this horrible news. Princess is much more active today. She is very hungry and interested in eating. Her leg hangs uselessly. I think that her starting to use it again will be a key sign of progress. Told two of my Kids Lins and KK about Princess. They love Princess like a sister. It was hard. After reading up on the NP, they are hopeful as we are. Dose 5 at 7pm no problem. One day at a time.

Friday October 21, 2011 Day 4 Doses 6 and 7 


We've been giving her the medications twice a day 7am and 7pm each time mixed with a can of dog food. Unless something changes, I'll leave it out of the blog

I'm thinking of getting a tattoo of Princess. Her courage is inspiring, broken families, SPCA, private kennels, a dog attack that left her severely wounded. She's fought back from them all. One family adopted Princess and returned her because she licked their carpets(she still does that). Who sends a great dog back to a kennel for that? What the @#$% is wrong with people? She deserves to be on a tattoo. She's sat through hours of me ranting and raving as I work from home, and hours of musical practice and rehearsals. Never a mean word.

Today Princess woke in good spirits but rested quietly most of the day. Gene says that the Celebrex is probably easing her pain and we need to be cautious about her stressing her weakened leg bone. She still does not put any weight on it. Princey seems tired of not being 100%.

I'll cover Friday and Saturday tomorrow. We've had some great developments over the weekend. 

Intro Surgery Day October 17th 2011

Princess and Buck

Princess on the Run

Relaxing at Home

Princess is our 5 1/2 year old Rottweiler.  She had a tough life in her first one and a half years - two owners and two kennels.  She was thin and kind of funny looking when we met. She needed a break and a home.  We loved her beautiful kind spirit and adopted her immediately.   Her name was always Princess, named by the daughter of her first owner. It sounded strange to us at first and we thought about changing it, but soon it  grew on us. Funny how that always happens. Since then, she's earned plenty of other nick names; Best Dog Ever, Big Headed Kisser, Woofallo, Best Girl, and others.  One thing about Rotties, they love their people - and we love her.  She loves our family, friends, walks, and car rides.  Princess knows every trail in the state park near our home.  A few years ago, she tore her ACL on the left side. Our primary vet surgically repaired it and Princess recovered better than ever.

About three weeks ago, she starting limping favoring the other non-repaired right leg.  About one week later we took Princess to the vet who examined her and found the knee joint to be unstable. Suspecting another ACL tear, we scheduled surgery about a week later on Monday October 17th 2011.  A couple of days before the surgery Princess stopped eating and had very little energy. I figured that it was due to the pain and looked forward to her recovery.  Monday morning Princess and I made the trip to the vets about an hour from our home. Princess was limping heavily and appeared thin. I mentioned that Princess had not eaten in two days.  At her weigh in, Princess had dropped from 79 to 75 pounds in about a week and a half.

As I left the vet, I saw Best Girl walking away politely with the vet tech. It was 8:15am. At 10am that morning my wife called crying. Our primary vet had called and told her that Princess had cancer in her right leg. We were in disbelief! How could it be? Was it a mistake? We cried driving all the way back to the vet. Once there, the news was grim, Osteosarcoma, Princess had a few months a best.  After the consultation, our vet recommended we get a second opinion. We scheduled it for that same day and drove straight there. At the veterinary referral clinic, opinion two sunk in. The diagnosis was unchanged and Princess was doomed. As I recall, our second opinion vet very clinically outlined the following options:

• Do nothing and Princess would suffer and die shortly. 
• Give Princess pain medication to keep her comfortable for a while and euthanize her shortly 
• Amputate the leg and Princess would die in about 3 months
• Amputate the leg and start chemotherapy and Princess could live one to three years longer. 

 He noted that at this stage, Princess will soon begin to be in considerable pain without narcotic pain medication. I asked him. "If this were your dog what would you do?" He said: "she seems like a nice dog. I'd try everything. But I do not have to be concerned with price." The vet then sent an "administrative person" in next to discuss price. The amputation and chemo option would cost around $13,000 and the chemo was a long arduous process.

We left heartbroken with Best Girl Ever

We had told a few close friends earlier and on the way home our friend Gene, a research scientist by trade had emailed us a pdf of a research paper on Navy Protocol. Navy was the name of a dog who survived cancer and the Protocol was a mix of commonly prescribed drugs; Doxycycline Hyclate, Tamoxifen and  Celebrex, that had powerful cancer fighting properties. Together they were used in an experimental canine cancer treatment. Gene had been trying to reach us all day, worried that we had decided to put Princess down on the grim news and in a hope that she would not suffer. Of course we hadn't and still had Best Girl with us. My wife drove while I read the paper. We had hope! Next day, and under the supervision of our primary vet, Princess started the Navy Protocol.  Thank you Gene. No matter what the outcome, you have given us hope.

This is a Blog about our journey to hopefully cure Princess of cancer and continue our lovely journey together and to give hope to others in the same situation.

For more information on Navy Protocol go to:
http://www.angio.org

http://27ground.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/navyprotocolfinal.pdf

The start of our story

This is our dog Princess, also known as Best Dog Ever.  She was recently diagnosed with bone cancer.