Month 2 of remission was a great one for Sweet Reet! She has been even more spunky and energetic, and playful than ever! We are celebrating every single day with this angel, as we know she is one of the lucky ones to have taken a bite out of cancer. Even though Rita’s Lymphoma is no longer observable and is no longer causing symptoms, we know there can still be millions of cells remaining in her body that cannot be detected at this time. The cells can keep growing and eventually the cancer may again be able to be detected, which would be considered a relapse. With a focus on Margarita’s wellness…good nutrition, supplements, exercise, and happiness…we are remaining positive and hopeful that Margarita took a big enough bite out of Lymphoma to enjoy many more years of happiness!
After our last update, Wayback Burgers saw our post, and was so touched that we chose their establishment as Rita’s celebration meal, they contacted me and sent Margarita a huge package of goodies!
Check out the video below to see what toy she pulled out of the box first!
We were blown-away at this extremely generous gesture, and can’t wait to return to Wayback Burger to use the included gift certificate to get Margarita another treat!
Month 2 Oncology Recheck
On September 10th, Margarita saw her oncologist, Dr. Risbon. Rita’s physical examination was normal and there is no evidence to suggest recurrence of lymphoma at this time. Doctor’ Risbon can hear you very faint murmur on Margarita’s left side when using a stethoscope. I informed Dr. Risbon that I am trying to obtain an appointment sooner that the scheduled November date with Dr. Bossbaly, the cardiologist. Dr. Risbon agreed that Margarita’s heart seems to improved so much that she is hopeful for a confirmation from the cardiologist that the heart has healed itself to some degree.
Dr. Risbon also examined Rita’s mammary mass. She can still feel the small mass (3-5 mm) in association with the nipple which she feels is unchanged from previously. The mass will continue to be monitored for changes/growth. Only if there are changes to the mass will surgery be considered, pending an approval for anesthesia from Dr. Bossbaly.
Dr. Risbon also recommended holding off on vaccines at this time in order to avoid any unnecessary immune system stimulation as this could risk causing a relapse. She said that flea/tick medication and heartworm preventative is fine for continued use.
Month 2 Primary Veterinarian Recheck
Margarita also saw our primary veterinarian, Dr. Campbell, for her monthly check-up on September 19th. The last few days leading up to this appointment I felt as though Rita’s mammary mass had changed a bit. When I checked it the day before her visit, there was what appeared to be a cut on her nipple, and the tissue of the mass seemed to feel different and a bit larger. Dr. Campbell examined it, and agreed. Upon further examination, Rita’s nipple is now excreting a bloody discharge, which is not a good sign. Dr. Campbell said that if Rita had not just been through chemotherapy, she would choose to remove the mass immediately. However, Margarita’s case is very complex. The decision was to continue to watch the mass over the next month and reexamine it in October as long as there are no major changes. The hope is to wait until November when Margarita will see her cardiologist. At that time Margarita’s heart disease will be reassessed, and we will know if she is cleared to handle anesthesia or not. Of course if there happens to be remarkable changes in the mammary gland mass in the meantime, this course of action may have to be altered.
The good news is that aside from the mammary gland mass, Dr. Campbell said Rita’s heart sounds great, and her respiratory rate is normal!
Post2-Month Check-Up Treat
This month, Margarita enjoyed a treat from Five Guys!
She had a bacon cheese dog, and fries!
As always, thank you for joining Margarita in her journey to take a bite out Lymphoma.
Cherry Street Pier is a dog-friendly, “mixed-use” public space within a century-old pier on the Delaware River in Philadelphia, PA.
Cherry Street Pier was originally built in 1919 as a shipping pier . You can still see the original railroad tracks, and steel trussed roof.
There is an open-air garden under the Pier’s historic steel trussed roof. Here you will find concessions sold out of historic train cars! There is also many beautiful views of the Delaware River.
We took a break down by the river and enjoyed a beverage.
This is the first dock diving competition that we have seen on the beach, so we decided to take the hour long ride with just Hooch and Porter to check it out.
Hooch didn’t do his best, but it was neat to compete on the beach with the Atlantic Ocean as our backdrop!
The last week in August 2019 we took a ride out to North Ridgeville, OH for Cello to participate in her second event of the year in order to qualify for the World Championship after her first event back-in-action where she rocked the dock in Canada!
We were able to camp on-site at the competition
💛Limoncello
Big Air
18’6″
Extreme Vertical
5’0″
Speed Retrieve
7.942 seconds
Iron Dog
2722.2 points / 3rd Place Warrior Division
***Invitation to the World Championship!
💚Hooch
Big Air
21’10”
21’2″
20’3″
Extreme Vertical
6’0″
Speed Retrieve
6.654 seconds / 3rd Place Nitro Division
Iron Dog
2938.99 points / 1st Place Gladiator Division
❤️Lager
Big Air
20’2″
Extreme Vertical
5’8″
Lager competing in “Dueling Dogs”
💖Margarita
Margarita enjoyed an ice cream treat while cheering on her brothers and sisters!