I left CA for AZ a few days before Halloween so I (and the girls) could spend it with Cullen and Declan. Bree, the party mama that she is, donned some make-up and joined in on the fun!
On November 7th, I found swollen lymph nodes under Marley's right jaw. I was able to piggyback onto Patriot's vet appointment on the 8th. The vet ordered a chest x-ray, a Valley Fever titre and urinalysis. She also did a fine needle aspirate of her lymph node. I got the results Thursday night with her diagnosis as lymphoma. Our vet, Dr Shelly Humphrey at Animal Care Center in Green Valley, AZ, referred us to Dr Mary Kay Klein at Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialist. She ended up being booked until December but I was able to get an appointment with Dr Brisa Hsieh, Internist, on November 14th. At the first visit, we went over the different available treatment protocols. I opted to have an Elspar injection with a tapering course of prednisolone which would buy me some time to decide how I was going to proceed. Within 24 hours, Marley's lymph nodes decreased remarkably. Two days after the Elspar she started prednisolone. On November 21st, she had a dose of Vincristine. About four days later, she exhibited a spasm in her right leg twice. The vet today felt it was not a result of her last treatment but perhaps some neuropathy. Today, I learned that Marley is in remission and her prognosis looks good. Just that fast, after two treatments. She had oral chemo and Lasix today and we have an appointment for next Monday. I have opted for the CHOP protocol and as long as she handles treatment, I'll continue.
I entered Sparrow in ten shows while we were in Arizona and guess what? None of them were majors!! Sparrow got off easy and didn't have to be a show dog the entire time we were there!! She chose to play with her brother and vie for her uncle's attention. She received many kisses, mostly from Declan, and gave more right back. We did attend the show on Saturday at Rillito Park to cheer on Turk and Avis. Afterwards, a trip to IHOP for pancakes with Cullen and Bree.
Hannah or "Old Bones" as she is sometimes affectionately known, spent lots of time getting up on the beds, jumping down, playing with Patriot and being feisty with Marc and Bree. She slept hard at night after being noticeably more active.
She had one night where she was super tired but otherwise did really well while we were gone.
Paloma blessed us on Thanksgiving Day by coming into season. So happy we were leaving in a few days!!
I received good news from Loki's owner, Steve, about Loki's MCT. The vet was able to get clean margins and surgery was curative, no further treatment was necessary.
We ended our trip with family photos at Empire Ranch near Sonoita, and dinner at El Rodeo in Green Valley. Saturday morning was Papa eating watermelon with Cullen and Declan before getting on the road. It's always sad to leave the little ones but this time, especially, Declan, who became my buddy the last week or so I was there.
Such an enjoyable trip. Thank goodness for a local vet. Thank goodness for the friend we have in Janet Galante there in Tucson. Thank goodness for a supportive family. Thank goodness for our red dogs!
