We left off three weeks ago when the vet had given Rubi a shot of L-Asparaginase to kill off the tiny tumors that covered her skin. It worked so quickly it took me by surprise. By the afternoon after the shot, all of the tiny tumors were gone. She did not seem to have any adverse affects except her stools were softer than usual. She was quieter, slept alot, and only wanted to go for short walks. Phase one completed. Come on down below the orange curlies for more info.
Two weeks ago, my vet gave Rubi the next drug in the Wisconsin Protocol for b cell lymphoma. It was Vincristine. She was very lethargic and had bowels problems in the week that followed it but she ate well. No long walks, no real excitement when other family members came in other than me. She was not a happy dog but was not in any distress. We got all the tests back from the various labs that night and it was determined that she actually has t cell lymphoma and the Wisconsin Protocol is not appropriate at this time.
So last week, Rubi got an oral medication called Lomustine. It is hard on the liver and bone marrow but her blood tests showed she was in fine shape on both counts so she got her first dose of it. She also has started prednisone, demamarin for liver support, and safflower oil which has been shown effective in treating this kind of cancer. I already home cooked her food and added omega 3 and fish oil so that didn't have to change. She is more active and alert than she was on the previous drug, enjoying her long walks again and getting up to greet people, giving kisses. She has begun to come back into the shared areas to sleep near us in the evening instead of just staying on her bed in the computer area, away from people. She has never lost her appetite but she has lost 8 pounds so I am upping her protein gradually by giving dried chicken treats through out the day instead of just when she gets her meds.
Her fur is growing back to cover the areas where they removed tumors for biopsy and where they shaved to do the injections/blood draws. I plan to take her to the dog beach since the stitches are out. Her tongue is all healed and smooth, no new lumps that we can feel. All in all, she is doing well. We do not have more treatments until March 31st, so I will update when I have more info.
Thank you to all who have commented and offered suggestions, and those who have clicked to support us in this fight. Maybe someone will find some help for their own dog in what we are doing.