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