[PyrNet-L] HEALTH, CHAT: of Clondike, olive leaves, frankincense & myrrh

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

It has been pointed out that I am WAY behind in reporting on Clondike, a
Great Pyrenees bitch who is now 12 years, 4 months old and was diagnosed
21 months ago with canine lymphoma.  After a rocky time with traditional
chemotherapy, we managed to achieve 2 additional remissions using a rescue
protocol.  The third remission has now lasted more than 9 months--which is
especially surprising since remissions are SUPPOSED to get shorter and the
DMAC protocol has proven so inefficient that most oncologists have
abandoned it.

Well, Clondike is still very much with us, enjoying life and entertaining
her public.  At the end of January she managed to put in more than 3
hours of schmoozing with the public at our Pyr Club's booth at the Canine
Learning Experience, a dog expo in Allentown, PA that attracts over 9,000
people.

She still runs laps around the living room when it is time for our
bi-weekly trips to West Chester (80 minutes each way) to visit the
oncologist.  Recently we were greeted by a new receptionist who said
"you're the ones with the thick folder," after which she came around the
counter and gave Clondike a big hug.  At an oncology clinic, a big folder
is NOT a bad thing!

On the up side, Clondike went for more than 6 months without requiring an
oral antibiotic (some may remember the famous Minnesota butt washing
regimen).  While she recently did have a mild UTI, it resolved
quickly.  Since both lymphoma and chemo mess up the immune system,
Clondike had been requiring antibiotics every 6-8 weeks, so 6 months is
quite an improvement.  Our vet credits this to olive leaf extract, which
Clondike has been taking for almost exactly 6 months, 250 mg twice a day.

The holistic vet isn't quite as quick to single out one thing, but agrees
that olive leaf extract is part of the picture.

On the down side, Clondike is progressively more bothered by arthritis
that has been an issue for several years.  The ice storm 3 weeks ago was
especially hard on her, as trips out to the bathroom involved much
slipping and sliding which wrenched this and that.  What had been a minor
irritation became a major problem.

For years we have been using super oxidizing dismutase (SOD) to help slow
the onset of joint deterioration.  We had already added a human
preparation of MSM and glucosamine and used Bufferin on bad days (all with
approval of our veterinary team).  The holistic vet felt she was bad
enough that he took a chance on some very localized accupuncture (which
can excite systemic cancers like lymphoma).  She loved the expereince and
I think it helped.

We changed to Glycoflex Plus which is formulated for dogs and has some
additional ingredients.  In addition, we began an herbal pain killer which
has as its main ingredients frankincense and myrrh.  I asked the holistic
vet if he was sure this was a good idea, Clondike already having a
messianiac complex.  He said that Chinese herbalists in Jesus' day were
well aware of the pain killing properties of frankincense and myrrh and
often used them for post-partum pain.  So the 3 wise men from the orient
were probably Chinese herb salesmen, and the gold may have been for the
baby Jesus, but the frankincense and myrrh were undoubtably for Mary.

In any case, after 3 doses, Clondike threw up and had diarrhea.  We
discontinued the herbal pain killer and she hasn't thrown up again, but
she is still having soft stools and some decrease in appetite.  I'm hoping
this is just an adjustment to the Glycoflex plus, but we'll run it by our
vet team this coming week.

The warmer weather (it has hit 70 degrees F at least twice) and the big
thaw have helped loosen Clondike up, and our regular vet thought she was
dramatically improved last week, even regaining muscle mass across her
back and hips.

Up until the recent digestive upset, Clondike has been happily snorfing
down brussels sprouts at least once a week, and they remain a favorite
treat.  Nancy and I remind ourselves that a year ago no one would have
predicted Clondike would live long enough to be bothered by
arthritis.  Dr. Sammons, our regular vet, says that when you do an
especially good job of supporting the joints in an elderly dog, they
"crash faster" when an event like the ice storm comes along.  She also
said they recover faster--we'll see.

We attribute Clondike's better than expected longevity to her
dissatisfaction with our training.  She has only had a little over 11
years to train us and we seem to be slow learners, so she isn't ready to
pass us on to another Pyr of unknown ability as a human trainer.

We are also careful not to let her read the oncology literature on the
disappointing performance of DMAC and on the tendency of remissions to
become successively shorter.

We know Clondike has been the recipient of prayers too numerous to count,
from Christians, Jews, Budhists, and at least one follower of an obscure
African religion.  It may well have helped her, but it has CERTAINLY been
a sustaining and humbling experience for Nancy and me.  Our heartfelt
thanks to all.

We are tentatively planning Clondike's Southern Tour 2000 for spring
break, with an opportunity to visit the people and Pyrs of southern VA
that we missed at Christmas.  One blind date has already been arranged for
Clondike with a handsome Rescue Pyr, and she is getting passionate e-mails
from another southern Pyr who hopes to make her acquaintance.  Not bad for
a 12 year-old spayed pet store Pyr.

The latest photos I have had time to post are from Clondike's Christmas
(1999) vacation in lynchburg, VA at her country estate.  They can be
viewed directly at:

http://www.pyrbred.org/gentry

I have a great one of her being hugged by a little boy at the Canine
Learning Experience that I will post soon.

Thanks for thinking of her.  Hugs to all,

David, Nancy and Clondike (Pyr w/ lymphoma, Dx. 5/98)

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 David Kintsfather, Ph.D.       | PHONE:       (610) 683-4497
 Prof. of Telecommunications    | FAX:         (610) 683-4659
 Kutztown University            | E-MAIL:      kintsfat@kutztown.edu
 PO Box 730                     | "We need not think alike to love alike."
 Kutztown, PA  19530-0730       |              Francis David
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