Re: [PyrNet-L] Lymphosarcoma Update/Clondike

[David P Kintsfather Jr <kintsfat@kutztown.edu>]

We had a pretty upbeat visit at the oncologist's today (well, as upbeat 
as ANY visit to an oncologist can be).  She took another bone marrow 
sample and said it was clear.  X-rays showed a slightly enlarged spleen, 
but all other organs are normal and she said the spleen enlargement is 
normal with this disease, and will go down as the lymph nodes go down.

The elevated creatinine did not bother her as long as we stay with Kidney 
Diet, and as she was saying the heart function looked good, Clondike's 
cardiologist walked in, so she asked if we'd feel better with another 
ultrasound.  Nervous daddy opted to be safe, and the cardiologist (who 
got a BIG Pyr greeting when he came in) said it was the best ultrasound 
we've done.

So, basically the prognosis is a little better than I'd thought.  The 
oncologist uses a rather unusual 9 week protocol involving 4 drugs used 
one at a time in succeeding weeks (modified VCAA).  She says this gives 
80% remissions with less side effects than mixing the drugs in a single 
application.

Then after a 3 week rest, she uses a special monoclonal antibody 
preparation that she developed and tested at U Penn.  As I understand the 
theory, it stimulates the body to fight the cancer cells itself, and I 
hope this may be more synergistic with the holistic approach which we 
want to follow to help to extend the remission.  We meet with the 
holistic vet in 2 weeks and I've already sent her a copy of the protocol 
and a lot of other information.  

So we started the chemo today and the oncologist says the nodes should 
start shrinking in about 3 days.  She also says Clondike will start 
acting like a puppy (I hope she's exagerating--I'm too old to go through 
that again).  The lady I talked to who had a Golden treated by this 
oncologist said the 10-year old acted about 4 during the treatment.

The total cost of the treatment is estimated at about $1500, which may 
sound like a lot, but from what I'd read I'd expected 3-4 thousand.  We 
spent over $3000 just on normal vet bills last year, so this was a 
pleasant surprise.

The oncologist said Clondike can do anything she feels up to and we are 
NOT to try to restrict her activities, and she specifically said the Fun 
Day would be fine as long as we keep her in the shade (which we would do 
anyway).

So, that's the story for now.  Clondike is a little stiff from the bone 
marrow test and sleepy, but then none of us got enough sleep last night.

I'll keep you posted,

David

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 David Kintsfather              | PHONE:       (610) 683-4497
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