Week 6 - 2weeks since my radiation finished

Wow, this week has been the best so far. Things improved so much in just a few days.

On Monday I was still in quite a bit of pain.  Mum took me to work with her and Dr Jenny cleaned my wounds again and gave me a new pain patch.  I went to training with Poco and Mum that night.  The other trainers commented on how much I had improved.

On Tuesday I went to college with Mum, everyone commented on how bright I was, and I even started putting my paw to the ground a bit, and I was happy and chilled under the desk.

Things continued to improve and on Wednesday, and I went to training with Mum.  She did orientation, but I was still a bit crusty so I wasn't allowed to participate. Instead Poco and Meg were the stars for the night.  Mum stopped giving my pain pills on Wednesday.

Thursday I went to work again with mum, she was looking at my wound and giving it another clean, when she noticed my front paw (the one missing a toe already) was bleeding.  She cleaned it and had a closer look a bit dodgy.  Dr Peter gave mum some special cream to use and hope its infection.  Anyhow I had to go to my revisit to see Dr Rod again at BVSC that afternoon.  Dr Rod was very happy with my leg, but not so happy with my toe. I have two weeks for it to start improving or else I  will have to go for another biopsy because it may be another type of cancer.  If it has improved or at least not got any worse I have to go back for another check in 1 month.

my new toe lump

waiting to see dr rod

On Thursday night we went to DEMO training.  It was really cold.

On Friday I had a sleep in with mum and Poco, the last of my scab fell off, I started consistently walking on all paws and mum took off my pain patch, and I'm medication free and bucket free too.  Yipeee!!

Considering how bad things were last week, and knowing that this Friday just gone was meant to be the peak of my burn and pain, Mum was actually seriously considering amputating my leg last week just to get rid of the pain.  But it turns out, I'm just an overachiever and actually peaked a week early.  Which probably explains why my pain etc was so intense.

Thinks are pretty much back to normal here, mum took my crate down, and I've moved back into my regular bed and mum is back in her bed too.

My leg looks completely healed, but is pink and hairless at the site of radiation.  All the swelling, weepiness, scabiness etc have gone.

Mum is a bit stressed out again over my toe, but really things are so much better.  If my toe is another cancer I will probably have to have it amputated, and because I'm already missing a toe on that foot I might struggle a bit.  Mum is really happy that I still have my back leg, or I'd be in some serious trouble.

We will give you another update soon.

Lots of love and Licks

Arthur

Week 5 - the first week post radiation

OK, this week really wasn't great.  I mean, it was good that I didn't have to go in for anymore radiation treatment, but my pain stepped up about 10levels and I've really struggled a lot of the week.

I don't like it when mum is out of my sight, and I panic and cry and scratch at the doors if I can't see her - even just into the next room.  I have to constantly be following her because I'm worried she might escape again.

On Monday I went to work with Mum at the vets.  I slept in one of the regular cages because I couldn't fit my bucket in my normal soft crate.  I actually rested ok most of the day and Monday was pretty comfortable.  Granne came and got me before mum and Poco headed off to training.

On Tuesday I went to college where mum also works.  Mum took my cushy bed and put in under her desk.  I was really restless most of the day, and had extra pain pills a few times but still really couldn't settle.  Mum took me home via her vet work, because she had to drop off Fog the rooster so he could go to his new home.  While we were there Dr Jenny gave me a new pain patch too.  I went home and was still in a lot of pain.  I couldn't sit still and yelped a few times and shook a lot.  Mum and I didn't really sleep much on Tuesday night.

By Wednesday morning, I was more comfortable, especially after my morning pain pill.  I went to college again with mum and actually slept a lot of the day.  Mum picked up Poco and Granne on her way home and we all went to training.  Granne did Poco's training and Mum took most of the class.  They looked like they had a good time, and played egg and spoon races and water bucket relays whilst Poco and the other pups had to walk on a loose lead. I was happy enough to watch from my crate.  After training I said hello to my friends, and had some tummy rubs and wagged my tail a bit too.

On Thursday I went to Mum's vet work again.  I had an okay day, with a few extra pain pills.  My leg was getting really sore, and scabby and weepy.  It's so scabby I leave bits behind when I lay down, it grosses mum out when Poco and Biscuit do scab patrol and eat my left overs. Mum talked to Dr Sue and Dr Peter - and they added in Valium to help me sleep at night.  When mum came home from work she dropped me off and then ducked out to the shops, and then we went to DEMO training at the RSPCA.  It was a quiet night, and not all the dogs were there, but we did go for a walk as a team.  It wasn't too long which was good and I did enjoy going.  Unfortunately in the car on the way home I knocked my leg and most of the scab pulled off.  I yelled a lot, mum pulled over and Granne fed me some chippies to help take my mind off of it and Mum shared her coffee with me.  Granne and Mum put some special cream on it that night, but it really hurt a lot.
I took my valium and slept a lot better.  Only an hour or so of restlessness just after 1 in the morning, but then I settled down and slept ok again until 7.  My pain meds had worn off by then and I was in a lot of pain, but didn't whine or complain because mum was sleeping still.  When she woke up she felt really guilty, and I was in so much pain I couldn't get up.  Mum gave me a pain pill and I was able to get up an hour or so later, I even surprised her by jumping up into the raised garden bed and digging a hole - but I couldn't get down by myself.

Resting after my 1st dose of Valium

Friday was a better day, and Mum took me to work again. Dr Jenny and Ameilia cleaned my wounds, and I cried a little but tried to be brave.  Later Dr Jenny changed my pain patch that night.  Then mum and I went to her staff meeting at the RSPCA - I made lots of noise, and played with my toys - much like my normal self.  Mum gave me another Valium when we were leaving and I went to bed, but had another bad night - woke up 3times and each time mum couldn't understand what I needed.  She took me outside, gave me pain meds, cuddles etc.  I'm not sure I even knew what I needed.

Saturday was a better day, mum gave me Darby's spare DAP collar. In the morning she went out for a couple of hours and came home with a couple of new chickens (Majorie and Mazie).  When she got home we went on a really slow walk/hop/sniff with Granne, Aunty Fi, Holly, Finn, Mum and the other puppies.  I coped pretty well and we got to rest a bit along the way and at the half way point.  Koffi got to play on the kids equipment. On the way home we stopped to pick up subway for lunch.  I slept most of the afternoon.  Mum noticed that my leg doesn't seem as swollen and I didn't cry when I had my cream put on.  I also didn't need the same amount of pain meds. I slept on Grannes bed overnight or out on the couch rather than in my crate and I was happier even though I couldn't see my people.

 

 

On Sunday, Granne, Mum and Poco went to training.  When they came home, Mum let the chickens out and took my bucket off and let me eat a Jumbone under supervision.  We stayed in the yard, had cuddles, tummy tickles and sunbaked for an hour or more.  It was really nice. The rest of the day was pretty chilled, and I have been pretty relaxed and happy.  I've only had 1 strong pain pill today, but will probably get another for dinner.

 My leg doesn't look very nice at the moment, but it actually looks better than it did earlier in the week.

We are hoping this week is better, and I continue to improve.  On Thursday I have to go to see Dr Rod for my first revisit post radiation.

So until next week.

Lots of love and licks

Arthur

Week 4 - The radiation is over

Week 4 is over.  I'm so glad and it couldn't of come soon enough.  I've had a couple of adventures and have been really uncomfortable and unsettled.

I've been in a lot of pain, and my pain medications have had to be modified to make me comfortable.
On Monday when Mum dropped me off she asked Dr Rod for more pain control and they added in a Fentanyl patch.   Its quite strong and normally last 3-5days. I also started on a 3week course of antibiotics. I was really restless on Monday morning and just couldn't get comfortable, but by Monday night I was happier.

Mum and Poco picked me up on Tuesday from BVSC, and I was still happier. As she went to pick me up to help me in the car, I felt really good so jumped in by myself.  Unfortunately my bucket collided with mums eye and its a bit purple and puffy now.  Sorry mum.

When we got home mum had some stuff to get out of the car.  She had pressed the button for the automatic gates, but didn't check that they had closed.  For whatever reason the gates glitched and didn't close, but mum had already let Poco and I out of the car.  Mum was busy with the car, and so Poco and I went outside and had an adventure on the road.  Mum found us, and we were good pups and came in as soon as she called us.  Boy she looked really stressed though, something to do with it being a main road and peak hour traffic.

On Wednesday morning, Mum dropped me off super early at BVSC, and then came and got me as soon as she finished work at 5pm.   I was a bit whingy and talked all the way home. My afternoon treat was mentos, but I only had 2.  Then she brought out the Twisties...that was better, but I still couldn't settle either.  We went straight to training at RSPCA.  I even got to participate briefly in the class but really just wasn't happy.  Poco did well with Granne though.

Mum talked to some of the other trainers, and Louise asked if mum had known it would get this bad would she still have chosen radiation over amputation.  She said yes, even though its been really difficult, and its hard to watch me in pain and not be able to help.  She said she would still do it, knowing that my friend Gromit went through the same thing and she is cured and happy again now and because in a few weeks it should all be ok, and I will have 4 legs, that yes she would still do it.

We came home and I cried all night.  Mum stayed up with me and tried to help, she cried a bit with me and gave me lots of tummy tickles and long slow pats, but my pain was just too much. 

Mum took me to the drop off at Dr Rod's on Thursday morning. She parked a few houses away and I refused to walk down to his house.  I'd had enough and was hurting so bad.  Mum looked so worried, she carried me down to Dr Rod and discussed my pain with him.  He agreed that I needed more pain relief - and said he would replace my patch even though they normally get 5days and it had only been 3.
He said I was really restless in the car on the way to BVSC and they talked about adding even more pain relief in.  So on Thursday I got my patch replaced and that night I also started on Tramadol.  Its another very strong pain reliever and it has helped a lot.  So now I have Previcox which is a pain relief and anti-inflammatory, my Fentanyl patch and Tramadol tablets up to 4 times a day. 


It was raining Thursday night, so we went to demo at the RSPCA and did it inside.  I got to say Hi to my friends, and had a new chewy that I hadn't seen before. Its nice just to get out and go somewhere and not have anything done to me.

Friday was my last day of radiation.  I went to Dr Rod's early and he brought me home that night.
I don't have to go back for a recheck for 2weeks.

My wound is really starting to get goopy and sore.  I have a hole in both sides of my leg.  Biscuit and Poco are particularly interested in it and I have to be supervised when they are around.  I also managed to get to my wound and rip off the scab so have the supersized bucket back on.  One night I must have slept funny and my ear swelled up.  My leg has lots of areas of skin that are turning black, and they are going to fall off and break open and my hock is really swollen.

When I walk now, mostly I'm on 3 legs, and when I stand I only toe touch on my sore leg. I also hold my tail weird all the time, its always over to the left.  Now the radiation is finished I am allowed to have some special Silvazine cream applied which is really soothing for burns.  Mum has to distract me with food though, because my leg is really sensitive when its getting applied.

Dr Rod warned mum that my wound is going to continue to get worse and so is my pain for the next 2 weeks, then things will start to improve.

On Saturday I went to agility with the other dogs.  I didn't have a play this week tho, and was happy enough to watch them play from my crate.

When we came home, mum cooked up a special egg just for me.  It was yummy, and I had a treat ball out on my area of the deck.

After my egg, mum sat down to watch a movie and we had a nap together on her bed.  She's been really tired because she spent so many nights awake with me during the week.  Things are much better now though. 

Later I had some bucket free time and a tummy scratch and neck scratch with Granne.  I was getting a bit restless again and couldn't settle, so I had an early dinner with my Tramal and Previcox and then I got to have a few chewies and a pigs ear and a couple of kongs.  Still I had to be supervised because I sooooo want to lick and chew my leg.

Mum and I had some time together and we worked my brain with object discrimination.  I'm learning what the "water melon" is.

I gave mum a bit of a fright and had a moment of unsteadiness and head wobbles.  Mum thinks it might be related to my pain meds, or maybe  a mini seizure.  I slept it off and feel ok again now.

I've been getting a bit clingy, and follow mum wherever she goes.  When mum stays in one place for a bit I take myself to my crate.  I'm even happy to sleep in it all night by myself with the door open (as long as mum is sleeping next to me).

Today, Koffi and Poco went to training in the morning.  I stayed home in my crate and Biscuit and Darby stayed too.  I was very happy to see my peoples when they came home.  I had some time outside on the deck in the sun and had another bucket free period and a pigs ear to chew on.  My fentanyl patch got changed today too because I was getting restless and uncomfortable again.

Tonight Koffi and I had a bit of an incident - she gets a bit jealous when I get extra attention and she jumps on me.  Unfortunately she hit my leg and I screamed and screamed and screamed.  Mum cuddled me until I was ok again and Koffi went and hid in her crate.  Biscuit came running in to see what was going on, and Poco kept trying to stuff his favorite bunny toy in my bucket and lick my face - which is kind of sweet, but I didn't appreciate it at the time.  

Now we have new rules and I'm only allowed out around Biscuit (even though she wants to lick my leg, she's the most calm and my bestest little buddy). 

I'm looking forward to next week - I don't have to go out to BVSC and no more anaesthetics every day.  I can go to work and chill with mum or stay with Granne for the day.

Thanks for following - I will give you an update next weekend.  Hopefully my burn doesn't get too much worse, and my pain stays at a level I can handle.

Lots of Licks

Arthur

Week 3 - just 1 more week.

OK, I made it through week 3.  It was as hard if not harder than week 2 in someways, but better in others.

Back to the early starts and drops off at Dr Rods - it's been a bit chilly this week.  7degrees on one morning, but it was still worth it to get the early morning smells.

Early morning sniffs at the Dr Rod drop off....just a tad cold.

Mum talked Dr Rod and they decided to take my staples out early (from the new lump).  There was a risk of the wound breaking open but mum was convinced that they were making things more painful for me and that might have been why I suddenly hated going so much.

So the staples came out on Monday, and it looks like the radiation had been attracted to them, so was probably increasing my pain.  The skin around them is red and has peeled off, like with sunburn.  The wound popped open on Wednesday, but its only little so easy to manage.

I still don't like going, but I'm coping better than I was before.

My wound before scab fell off

and after the scab fell off

My burn has also officially started, and this morning part of the scab fell off.  I have a hole the size of a 10c piece in my leg where the skin is completely missing.  Its creating a few dramas in our household.  Biscuit and Poco are very much attracted to my leg and want to eat it, so we have to be kept separate.  And I'm now officially goopy - and leave marks wherever I lay/sit down.  Mum's also a bit worried that the flies might become a bit attracted to it too.


Mum had a couple of days off during the week, and on Wednesday she took me in to BVSC quite late at 1115, I was scheduled to have my anaesthetic and radiation for 1130, so she waited for a bit and picked me up as soon as I was awake - so I only had to stay for an hour or two.  On our way home mum got me some pop corn chicken....yummy and we stopped by the duck pond for a walk and a sniff.



 
We also got some really sad news on Wednesday, Merlin, one of my friends from agility passed away.  He was the most awesome dog, and really the only reason I got into agility.  I hope that one day I will be as good as he was, and will miss him lots.  Mum shed quite a few tears, and I gave her lots of cuddles.  We are thinking every day of Merlin's mum and dad, and his furry and feathered siblings. 

Remembering Merlin - Camp Tailwaggers.

On Wednesday night, Mum went to RSPCA for training, and took me and Poco too.  Poco started his training - he actually did quite well.  Granne took him for the class.  At the end of class, I got to play around and do a few treat pouch raids - my favorite.

Treat pouch raid!!

On Thursday night I went to Demo training at the RSPCA - we did lots of different stuff, and I had lots of fun.  I like that I'm still able to get out and see my friends.

Granne made me some new PJ's that have legs, so protect my wounds a little bit.  They also look mighty snazzy.  I went to agility with the other dogs on Saturday and was even allowed to have a few plays - which was lots of fun and I made lots of noise.   Weekends are also good, because I get breakfast and can share mums milo cup.  

My New PJ's made by Granne - fit me really well and cover my wound a bit too.

Sharing mums milo cup

Sleeping on mums bed, she can have the crate

Mum is now sleeping on the folding bed on the floor with me at night, and I'm meant to be in my giant crate, but so far I've managed to talk my way on to her bed each night - its protected by a blanket, and mum protects me from the terriers that want to chew on me.

Getting some good rolling in

I also have my own section of the deck now, so I can sunbake without the other dogs helping.  It comes complete with fake grass so I can have a good roll around and it can get hosed off if need be.


Mum's worried about my pain though.  I started on some pain relief during the week, but mum is going to see if I can have something stronger.  When I'm not excited I limp a bit, and I snapped at Poco (he deserved it) and I also had a snap and grump at mum when she was putting my PJs on for me. I didn't mean it, really, it just happened, but it really shocked mum because I've never done anything like that before.   My front legs are also really sore, and I think mum forgot.  They are sore because I have to have an IV in my leg every day.  Most days once they get the cannula in it can last a few days but my veins are really awful and my legs are bruised and battered because it takes them a few goes.

Mum also thought it was a bit odd when I came home on Friday without a bandage on my front leg because every other day I have.....well today she found it..... I was feeling a bit off, and went outside and had a vomit, and hey presto, magic, there it is.  Truly I have no idea how it got in there ;-)

I had a pretty chilled morning today, did my Sunday chore of paper retrieval and then spent time outside on the deck, had a couple of kongs etc.

 Mum took Poco to training again - he's gone a bit wayward over the last week, so she's trying to spend some quality time with him.  When she got home, she said she'd take me and Koffi down to Wynnum for dinner - aren't we lucky.  We got to smell lots of great things, watched a lot of other people and dogs walk by, go for a bit of a wander, and have some fish and chips for dinner.  YUMMY!!

Ok, So just 1 week to go and then the burn will continue for a week or so after and then the healing process begins.  I'm not sure how things are going to look next week, there was a log of change in my leg this week.

So until next week, Lots of love and Licks

Arthur