...and after a treatment at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, they would be gone.
Now if only they would STAY gone. Everyone following on Facebook knows that Tara is now on her third protocol. The first one worked great, but only for 4-6 days at a time. By the time her weekly appointment with the oncologist rolled around, the lesions were creeping back. They kept coming back faster and more numerous as the weeks went by, so Tara was switched to a second protocol. That was last Wednesday. Things looked good on Thursday, but by Friday the lumps returned. Over the weekend, they kept growing, and more and more kept coming. Clearly protocol 2 wasn't working. Tara went back to Red Bank on Tuesday, and the oncologist put her on yet another protocol. It's Thursday now, and the lumps are getting smaller, but not at the rapid pace that they shrunk up before. Maybe that's a good thing, though. Maybe this time they will slowly shrink up and go away and stay away. Maybe the third time is the charm???
On another matter, totally unrelated to Tara, (who am I kidding, everything I think about and everything I do is 100% related to Tara), remember those posts I did a while ago about getting out of debt? You know, how I took a second job, and I cut up all my credit cards and vowed never to go into debt again? Funny thing about that... It's not gonna happen. I cash flowed the first month of Tara's treatment from my emergency fund (after all, what could possibly be more of an emergency than a sick dog, right?) but that well quickly ran dry, and guess who opened up a credit card?
It's not a terrible kind of credit card, though. It's called "Care Credit" and it's only for medical or dental expenses, for you and your pets. I hate posting about this and including a link, but I thought I would mention it in case anyone else finds themselves in a similar situation.
So, back to Tara. I don't want anyone to think that I'm allowing Tara to be used as a canine pincushion or a lab rat. I hate the fact that she is getting poison in her system every week. I hate the fact that that there isn't one treatment that works for every dog. I hate the fact that Tara's case is atypical, which just adds another element of surprise. (These kinds of surprises I could do without!) That's a lot of hate. But, as long as Tara is tolerating the chemo well with no (or minimal) side effects, we are going to give her every shot (no pun intended) to go into remission.
In the meantime, Tara spends her days hanging out with her brother and sister...
...taking naps...
...letting the ceiling fan blow her belly hair...
...and modeling mommy's knitting.
Tara thanks everyone for their continued prayers and healing vibes. She says she can feel your support, and it just makes her want to fight all that much harder. Keep 'em coming!
18 comments:
I am wishing Tara a full recovery. I commend you for the care you are taking of your beloved pet.
Oh Tara - you look georgeous wearing momma's knitting. And Dianne - I totally know what you mean about having debt to fix the dogs (I've done it twice).
Fingers and paws crossed that the third protocal is the right one for Tara and she continues to improve. g
Tara looks fantastic. Love the belly up photo.
The girls and I pray for you all daily. Hugs and hang in there.
You must be emotionally exhausted. I've been thinking about you all and I'm glad to hear that Tara is hanging in. You women are fighters!
You have all my good thoughts and wishes.
Sending some puppy love to Tara. Such a sweet cutie!
Big, huge hugs to you and the whole pack. Tara looks pawsome with the knitted "hat". Crossed paws, good vibes and prayers...
Our friend Becky also has a dog going thru chemo right now. It appears to be working, but it's still early. We're sending good vibes to both of you.
Morgan and the Porties
Sending hugs and love..... and those are some adorable pictures. Keep that camera snapping ... I know it's a very difficult time.
It's so hard to see our loved ones suffer through an illness. Tara's treatment may be straining your wallet, but what you are doing is priceless. Hugs and prayers coming your way.
We came over from Sissy and Gretchen's blog. All paws crossed here for Tara. What a sweet girl!
Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning
What a beautiful dog! I am thinking good thoughts and sending healing vibes Tara's way!
We are stopping by from Don't Mess with my Tutu blog. We wanted to offer some drool and power of the paw to Tara and your family. We know first hand how cancer can impact us and our fur-babies. Sniffs, The HoundDogs
My heart goes out to you and Tara!! Prayers are going out for you both and especially Tara, that the meds will work and that she will be healed. I would certainly not be able to think about anything else if my Macy was ill!!
Tara is a beautiful fur-girl! Please give her a hug for us.
We are coming from Sissy and Gretchen's blog. Our paws are crossed for Tara!
Love ya lots,
Mitch and Molly
We read about you on Sissy & Gretchen's blog. I am also on cancer treatment--mast cell tumor. Right now I am cancer free so it can happen! We know it might return so my mom keeps a close eye on me. We hope that you will do well on your treatment.
love & wags,
River
You have my sympathy. How vexing to be trying and trying only to have the cancer continue to make inroads. I know you will keep her comfortable as long as you can. It is an awful situation to be in. You have my good thoughts.
Mango Momma
P.S. I, too, have suffered from credit card overload due to vet bills. Some things just aren't optional.
Been keeping up with it on Facebook, but just wanted to stop in and say that I'm keeping y'all in my thoughts. Give her a lot of love for me. And a french fry or ten. ((hugs))
Been keeping up with it on Facebook, but just wanted to stop in and say that I'm keeping y'all in my thoughts. Give her a lot of love for me. And a french fry or ten. ((hugs))
Post a Comment