The Weekend

Wow, after being picked up early on Friday from BVSC we headed straight down the coast to go to beagle camp.  I was so excited.

We got there, and it was a bit sad because a few of our really good friends couldn't make it.
However we made the most of it, caught up with some old friends and made some new ones.  The weather was purrrfect.

We went for a big hike in the bush, even Poco puppy came - he was sooooo tired.  Darby and Biscuit stayed back at camp tho, its a bit ruff for older pups and those with dodgy legs.
Biscuit isn't too well at the moment either, and mum has been a bit worried about her again. She's totally off her tucker and that is very unusual.

Back at camp, we had a swim, and Poco, Darby and I had a romp off lead, but Koffi stayed on the long-line.... something to do with her previous escapades into the bush me thinks.  Later we had chewies or treat toys and chilled out in the sun.

On Sunday, Dennis and Bugsy walked to the bottom of the really steep driveway and back up again, they bet us that we couldn't do it, so Mum, Poco and I did.  Oh boy, that is one really long steep driveway.

The long steep driveway - this photo just doesn't do it justice.

Proof we went to the bottom.

Mum was doing a tick search on me Saturday night, and would you believe it.... found another lump.  Its on the same leg, but inside this time.

When I got dropped at Dr Rods this morning, he said it was probably ok, but we will take it off anyhow.  So that will be happening today.  And then another stressful wait until we get those results. Arrgghh.  Sorry Mum!!

Ok, guess I better get back to watching the other furries in the hospital, it will be my turn again soon.

Lots of love and Licks
Arthur

The first week (Days 1-5)

Ok, it's been a week or two since I last posted.  Things are going to plan so far.  I had my stitches out last week, and my bandage off on Sunday.  I started my radiation therapy on Monday. Mum took me to Dr Rod, and we went for a drive together. He is lovely.

Each day I go in (either with Dr Rod) or with my Mum.  I get some sleepy drugs, and and injection into my front leg - then I go to sleep for a while.  When I wake up its all done, and I get to chill out and watch the other furries.  Either Dr Rod brings me home or Mum comes and gets me after she finishes work.

When I come home, mum always has a special treat for me, especially as I have to go in to the hospital fasting everyday.  This week, I've had 1 milo, 2 maccas icecreams, 1 hot chocolate with marshmallows and today I had some chippies.  Check out how fast I can eat an icecream cone - I think I should go for the speed icecream eating record.  Talk about brain freeze after tho.

My leg is ok so far, tho my wound is a little red, and my hock a bit swollen. Mum says that's because I've been licking at it despite my bucket, so I got a bucket upgrade.  No chance to lick anymore.


Mum is still finding out new things she can teach me while I'm in my crate, and thanks to my great friends at RSPCA Anne, Ros and Nicola, she has a list of great ideas.  Mum also bought me some new enrichment toys too, but says I'm not allowed to play with them yet. I don't have to spend time in the crate yet tho, because my leg is still holding together.

Thursday night, I went out with my friends from the RSPCA demo team - we had a great walk through Southbank, and lots of people looked at us and smiled and we showed them our awesomeness and some tricks.

There is a chunker - just a little bit further

Today was my last day of radiation for this week, I was at Dr Rods early, and mum and I went for a bit of a walk together.  It was good, I got to check all my peemail, and there was no puppy, so no extra weight hanging off of my ears, tail or bucket.  This afternoon, I was sooooo excited to see mum, for another early pick up. And WOW, what a surprise, when I got down to the car it was was loaded with all our stuff, the 4 other pups and yay we are off to Beagle Camp!!  OMG, so much fun, can't wait to get there and see all my beagle pals. Glad it was this weekend, because next weekend my leg might not look so good.  Tho mum says I'm still not allowed to go swimming, but I asked Dr Rod, and he said I could.....so nah nah nah. I'm going swimming!!

Oh yeah, speaking of legs, I was going to post a pic at the end of each week. So here it is for this week.  The blue lines are where the radiation goes out to. 

Lots of Love and Licks,  Arthur

My story

My puppy family - Biscuit, Me, Poco, Koffi and Darby

OK , I'm new to this, a bit about me first and then why I'm doing this.

First I'm an 8year old beagle called Arthur.  Mum got me when I was 8months old through beagle rescue.  It's a decision she's never regretted (well that's what I'm saying anyhow). 
I'm a bit of a cheeky pup, and get into lots of mischief. I love learning new tricks, agility, playing with my demo friends from the RSPCA, digging, chewing, running, swimming and going to work with mum most days too.
I live with 4 other dogs, 2 cats, 5 chickens, 1 guinea pig and a couple of humans.

Agility - my favorite

When I was just a youngster mum found a lump between my toes on my front foot. It was a Mast Cell Tumour (MCT), which is a type of cancer. I had to have some really tricky surgery and my toe amputated, but they managed to save my leg. 

Sand and water - heaven

Over the years I've had a few dramas, I'm epileptic and need medication to control my seizures.  I also was diagnosed with cauda equina (a type of back/spinal condition)  but its managed with physio and pain relief when required.

Having physio

Digging at the Spit

Mum checks me over every weekend, and every new lump or bump mum finds, its off the next day (the advantage or disadvantage of having a mum in the veterinary industry).

Anyhow last weekend mum went to a conference and when she got back she gave me lots of cuddles and found a new lump on my back foot.  I went into work with mum on Monday and had some special white juice injected in my vein (unicorn milk) and fell asleep and when I woke up the lump was gone and I had a big bandage on my back leg.  Apparently while I was sleeping they found a second lump hiding between my Achilles tendon and my foot.  Both the lumps went off to the laboratory for pathology testing.

The results came back on Thursday - not good.  This time I have a Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS) grade 2 and the tumour extends to the deep margins.  Mum cried a bit, and made an appointment for me to see Dr Rod Straw again at BVSC.  He's a great guy, and I went to him when I had my first cancer when I was younger.
Mum thought I may have to have my leg amputated. But I'm really lucky. Dr Rod has a radiation machine (the only one in the southern hemisphere). 

So I'm going to have radiation therapy (curative - we hope 90% chance). I have to go in for 19doses, 5 days on, 2 days off. I will have to have an anesthetic everyday.  They say I might go off of my food (I can't believe that), be a bit tired and the area on my leg that gets zapped is going to get gooey and gunky and sore.  I will have to wear a big elizabethan collar for weeks.

Mum is getting prepared, she bought me a couple of new beds that can get washed daily, is going to set up a big crate so the other dogs can't lick my leg and I can get some peace and quiet and not goop all over the carpet, and she is thinking of lots of enrichment ideas for me.

I don't have to worry just yet tho.  I don't start my radiation treatment until next Monday because we have to have time for my current wounds to heal.
 

I got the idea for this blog from my friend Gromit.  She had cancer and radiation treatment too. She is doing absolutely amazing, and mum found it comforting to read Gromit's blog so she knows what is coming up for us next.  You should read Gromit's blog at gromitstory.blogspot.com
We are hoping that any other pups and their people out there, can read our blogs and maybe we will help them.

Lots of Love and Licks
Arthur