Second Treatment Recap and Oncology Visit # 3

Margarita’s collar “bling” is growing! She has 2 St. Francis medals, which she received as gifts, a guardian angel medal, and a “Fight Like a Girl” charm.

I am very pleased to say that the week following Margarita’s second treatment was quite uneventful.  Margarita did not have any side effects, and was much more like herself.  She enjoyed playing in the yard, and sunbathing on some of the warmer days this past week.

“Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows.” ~ Helen Keller

Oncology Visit #3

Rita is extremely well-behaved while she is in the waiting room.

Margarita quickly fell in love with her oncology nurse (who gives Rita lots of treats!)

Rita tries to wait patiently while notes are taken!

Rita found out where the treats were stashed – front right pocket! Haha

Margarita’s CBC revealed a normal white cell count, her anemia has slightly improved, and her lymph nodes are normal.  Her oncologist, Dr Risbon, was pleased with her progress.

During this week’s treatment, Margarita received Adriamycin intravenously. We are to monitor the site for any inflammation, oozing, or discharge.

Dr. Risbon informed me that this week may be tough for Rita, as the side effects of this treatment may cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and/or diarrhea. We were sent home with:

• Cerenia 24 mg
  • To be given (2 tablets) once a day for 5 days to prevent nausea/vomiting
• Metronidazole 250 mg
  • to be given (1 tablet twice a day) at the first sign of loose stool/diarrhea

Margarita’s Prednisone dosage was also reduced to 5mg once a day for this week.

I discussed supplements with Dr. Risbon.  We will be slowly introducing the following supplements into Margarita’s diet:

• Nupro Silver
• CAS Options
  • an antioxidant and immune support supplement for dogs. It helps maintain a healthy immune system and contains a wide variety of antioxidants to reduce free radicals in the body.
• Probiotics
• Natural Source bee pollen

This treatment exhausted Margarita.

However, when I pulled up to the Popeye’s drive-through, she suddenly forgot about her chemo treatment!

WHAT chemo?!?! Bring on the chicken!

I removed the breading from the chicken and gave a few small bites to Rita as her treat.