Second chemo
Yesterday Louie had his 2nd chemo. All this time I was thinking he was getting carboplatin and yesterday I was told he is getting adriamycin. I have read that this particular drug has the most side effects and is devastating if accidentally given into tissue (such as if the IV loosens or moves during administration) and now I find myself questioning this whole chemo thing again. 🙁 I also read that it is toxic to the heart muscle and that is why it can only be given in so many doses and if any dog has cardiomyopathy they can’t have it. Also it can cause cardiomyopathy or heart failure any time during treatment. UGH! Why are there so many decisions to make. My vet assures me that I can stop if there are any adverse symptoms but that he is doing well. Today Lou’s appetite is off. Last time he ate until about 3 days after chemo. But he got right into the car and marched so brave into the vet. But he would not go to the back unless I came with him 🙂 So I stayed while they prepared his leg for the IV and then snuck out when he was comfortable and lying down ( I know he saw me because he jumped up and tried to follow) I have such mixed emotions all the time. So many questions….am I doing the right thing? Did I do the right thing? Should I continue chemo? Should I let him have that 2nd donut 🙂 UGH So here we are3 months post osteosarcoma diagnosis, and 2 month post amputation, and past our 2nd chemo and still chugging along. Also we never got a positive diagnosis on the biopsy as the vet feels they just didn’t get a good enough sample to send. It came back as bone changes but no signs of cancer. The vet feels from the X-rays it could only be osteosarcoma or infection and definitely no signs of infection. So now I find myself saying maybe he didn’t have bone cancer…..maybe, just maybe ….but the bump on his leg doubled in size in 2 weeks 🙁 This is such a hard road to travel I am sorry we are all traveling this rough road but I am so grateful for the company. Good luck to all my fellow travelers and Louie sends his love to all!!
Here is a picture of the day I brought Louie home 🙂 He was so darn cute!!!!
Sue and the “Big Lou”
10 comments so far
3:24 pm - 10-9-2015
Hi Sue and Louie…did you ask your vet why it was adriamycin vs carboplatin? My first Dobe had lymphoma and also received adriamycin along with a whole cocktail of chemo drugs. By no means am I a chemo expert, but it seems like carbo is more common in OSA treatment. You’re right, this journey is ruff and each decision is so personal.
Louie’s puppy pic is quite possibly the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! Good luck, ask questions, follow your heart.
Paula and nitro
6:24 pm - 10-9-2015
Yes Paula I asked the vet. He said that if I were to do carboplatin I would have to go to an oncologist and it would cost me $1000 or more a dose.He said that his office can only give adriamycin because the carboplatin requires special handling and training and it is much more dangerous for his staff to handle. He assured me that the adriamycin is well tolerated and given at safe dosage and only for 5 doses to prevent any cardiac toxicity and also assured me that I could stop treatment any time I wanted to if that’s what I desired. Such difficult choices. I certainly could never afford 1000.00 or more per dose for the carboplatin…….so here I am at a crossroads so to speak. I will see how Louie handles the second dose and go from there. Thank you for complimenting Lou’s baby picture! He was the most adorable puppy!! I told my husband he would get no bigger then a Lab LOL!!
3:29 pm - 10-9-2015
So nice to meet you Louie! I’m here with Rottweiler Abby who I thought was big for this journey, but you have nearly 100 pounds on her which gives us hope.
We started this journey in August with a xRay that appeared to be either osteosarcoma or fungal infection. The biopsy was negative so we rested her, but 8 weeks later the xRay was much worse. We decided to amputate without another biopsy so I know your doubts. I am hopeful that the pathology will come back favorably as we’re still only a week out. I secretly want this to be some rare vitamin deficiency that was cured when we took the leg. 🙂
I don’t have any wisdom other than just trusting your gut that the leg was not meant to stay – regardless of diagnosis. Keep trucking on Louie! We’re jealous as we still have stitches and a cone.
Erika
6:14 pm - 10-9-2015
Hi Erika! Nice to meet you too! Yes maybe it IS a rare vitamin deficiency and both our dogs have it!! 🙂 wouldn’t that be the most wonderful thing? We can always think positive. One never knows……I LOVE LOVE LOVE Rottweilers! I have one now….Nemo he is 8 and had cruciate ligament surgery a year ago. He’s just starting to get around much more normal but he is getting on in years for a Rottie and is somewhat stiff. My last dog before these 2 was another Rottie. Moose…my perfect ambassador for the breed. He was Carl from the children books to a T!!!! He even looked like him. I miss him so. It’s been 8 years and feels like yesterday. He was 10 and his legs just gave out on him….he had arthritis so bad. Hugs to you and Abby! And best of luck in your journey!
5:58 am - 10-12-2015
Hugs to Nemo and Louie! This is my first Rottweiler and I’ve only had pugs before so it’s a big adjustment, but I just love her. Carl is such a good ambassador for this breed of loyal, family dogs that just happen to come in a big package!
3:57 pm - 10-9-2015
Louie is beautiful! We are about 1 week behind you our Max gets his 2nd chemo next week. It’s been quite the journey hasn’t it? However seeing Max out of pain and loving life again makes it all worth it. Hang in there! Louie looks like he’s doing wonderfully!
6:16 pm - 10-9-2015
Hi there! Good luck to you and Max! It’s so wonderful to have friends going through the same thing. This would be an awful journey to travel alone! Thank DOG for this fantastic site!!!
9:37 pm - 10-9-2015
Sue and Louie, nobody can deny this journey isn’t filled with a million questions and doubts and fear, we get that totally.
The good news is that like your vet said, you can always try something new if the treatment doesn’t work, or no chemo at all, it’s entirely up to you and nobody will think your choice is wrong. Your vet sounds really confident and knowledgable, so you’re in good hands, try not to worry.
Meanwhile Louie looks so good and in that pic he’s like “What me worry? Just give me my chewie!” Love that Big Lou!
9:41 pm - 10-9-2015
Hi there! My 4 yr old rottie, Howard, is about to have his second round of chemo next week. I’m not sure if it would be wise to change meds now, but the cost of his carboplatin is about $330/treatment. You may not be interested in changing vets or treatments, but I think $1000 is quite steep. Howard has been going to the Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer center and treatment costs have been on par with other animal hospitals. Best of luck to you and to Louie!
7:36 pm - 10-11-2015
wow that’s good to know! Thank you! I will check into it!!