Modeling a new coat

Kato's back from his chemo treatment and feeling fine! They gave him Vinblastine instead of Vincristine and he came home with Flagyl and Cerenia for diarrhea and nausea. We will be continuing his chemo as originally planned since he's tolerating it again.
The Oncologist is very happy with the way Kato looks! His weight is stable and his bloodwork is fine. :)
Three more treatments to go!

Secret Santa

Kate got his "secret santa" gifts yesterday! Here's a shot of him enjoying the peanut butter treats. His secret santa turned out to be our friends Cheeky, Justice & Amanda and they certainly spoiled him! :)

Tomorrow is chemo day, so I'll update when he gets back!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Happy & healthy

Kato made it through the week with absolutely no problems from the Adria!!! I couldn't believe it! He's been running around & feeling great all week! I'm not sure what made the difference, but it's been wonderful!
I still don't know whether he'll be having chemo at home for the last 4 treatments or continue as he was. I'll find out on Sunday.

I couldn't ask for a better Christmas present than seeing Kate happy & healthy! :)

Thanks everyone!!!

The pic is one of Kate's power naps. lol

Kato kisses Santa

Kato went for chemo today and Santa was at the animal hospital. As you can see, Kato did what Kato does best - bathed him in kisses! :)

Kato got Adria today which is usually pretty rough on him, so I have another nausea med to try. His Oncologist said he looks great and because of how well he's doing and the way he's been reacting to chemo lately we may be able to do the rest of the treatments at home with an oral chemo drug. I'll find out in 2 weeks on his next visit.

More later!

Finally feeling better!

Kate is finally feeling better after a really bad allergy attack (not chemo related) and the blahs from chemo. He wound up on antibiotics & Benadryl 3x per day. His neck and head were raw and bleeding. I have never seen him like this. I did get a really good tip from one of his Vets that helped his itching quite a bit. She suggested using Gold Bond powder on him and it really made a difference, along with the Benadryl.
He's looking really great and I'm glad we have a week before his next chemo. I'm also grateful the treatments are almost over as he isn't tolerating them as well as he used to.

Under the weather

Kato had chemo on Sunday and is not feeling his best. He had Vinblastine instead of Vincristine in the hopes that the side effects would not be as severe. He's not vomiting, but is not feeling well. He's just kind of blah, but his allergies are the worst I've seen them in along time, so that's probably a contributing factor too.
I'm hoping for a better day tomorrow.

We're in the home stretch with only five more treatments to go and a long remission to follow!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kato continues to do well! :)

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating tomorrow! We're very grateful to have you in our lives.

Breezing through chemo

Someone's feisty this week! :)

Kate is sailing through chemo with no side effects at all. This is the best I've seen him in quite a while. Times like this are so precious and help reassure me that I'm not putting him through too much. I love seeing him like this!

Started chemo today

Kato's bloodwork came back fine, so we started oral chemo today. The medication is Cytoxan and he will get 1 pill daily for 4 days. I understand it causes nausea, so I gave him an anti-nausea med (Reglan) a half hour before the chemo.
He normally gets this med intravenously, so this is a new experience for us. :)
Fingers crossed for no side effects!

Chemo at home this week

My friend is stopping by to take Kato's blood and if all is well he will be getting his chemo at home this week. It will be oral medication taken over a three day period.

It's been a strange weekend. Kato is very solid when it's comes to being housebroken, but he's urinated in the house a few times this weekend. I'm sending a urine sample along with his blood, as this is completely out of character for him. I am really surprised that he's done this and hope it isn't behavioral!

More to come!

Vet visit

Kato saw his Oncologist last night because he continued to vomit a couple of times a day and refuse food. The Oncologist gave him a thorough exam, did bloodwork and everything came back fine! He feels this is a side effect of the chemo. They gave him fluids and an injection of Reglan, for nausea. He also has a new anti-nausea medication called Cerenia. He lost about 5 pounds and honestly doesn't look sick at all.
He's been fine since the Vet visit, so I've got my fingers crossed that this episode is over. I'm hoping that we'll skip this Sunday's chemo, but I'm not sure yet.

Thanks to all for the good wishes!

Yogurt?

Kato's stomach is still upset. He doesn't have much of an appetite and still has the runs. The Vet is puzzled, as am I. I'm going to get him some yogurt today and see if that helps.

Update tomorrow!

Feeling fine!

Kato is back to his old self! He has another week off from chemo and he may be able to have his next treatment at home. :)He's been bouncing his Kong around today and when it bounces under a table he comes to me to get it for him. Can we say spoiled?

Thanks to everyone for all the love & support! I'll be adding a few pics and feeling fine updates all week.

Have a great weekend!

Halloween silliness

Kate won't be dressing up this year, so I'm posting his Halloween protest pic from a couple of years ago. He hated this hat! Can you blame him? lol

Back from chemo & feeling fine

Kato had chemo early today and did really well! The treatment was Vincristine which usually doesn't bother him except for a bit of loose stool. He wanted to eat as soon as he was in the door! :)

I thought he had to go back next week, but his schedule has changed to every other week from now on. I also may be able to give him his next treatment at home, so that would be great!
The Oncologist said he's doing beautifully and looks fantastic. He did gain a few pounds. I would prefer if he weighed a bit less, but it's great that he has such a good appetite.

Life is good! :)

I didn't have any recent pics, so the above is my mousepad.lol

Some of my other pets

The gang
Originally uploaded by Jezebel3

I just wanted to share a picture of some of my other pets. Kato likes to watch the Geckos every once in a while, but is oblivious to the fish and frogs. I wonder if he'd like a cat? :)

Kate's had a terrific week and is looking great! He'll go back for chemo again on Sunday.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

No chemo today

Kato's Oncologist decided to give him a bit more time to rest up, so he won't be having chemo today. I'm really pleased because I think he needs a little more time before another treatment.
His next appointment will be either Sunday, Oct. 28, or Monday, Oct. 29.

Kate's much better today!

Kate's eye, itchies and foot are much better today! He almost looks like his old self. :)

Thanks to everyone for their prayers, good thoughts & posts. We're back in the business of staying well!

Back to the vet

Kato's going back to the vet in a little while. I went in to take a shower and when I came out his mouth was bleeding and his foot is worse.

Update later....

*Back from the vet*

Kate's foot is infected, but they aren't sure what it is. It looks like a burn, which is what I thought as well, but I can't think of how he could have burned it. He's back on antibiotics for the infection.
He also got a shot for nausea and sub Q fluids because he was dehydrated from all the vomiting. I'm hoping he'll sleep for a while, then I'll try to get him to eat a little so I can give him his meds.

Not feeling well

Kato's been sick on and off all night. I suppose it could be a delayed reaction to his chemo, but I'm not sure since it's been almost 4 days.
He started limping and obsessively licking one of his paws this weekend. I looked at it with a very bright art lamp and just can't find anything, but it's obviously bothering him. My friend, the vet tech, is coming by to see if she has better luck in spotting something and if not, I guess he's off to the vet again. So much for his day off from the animal hospital!

Happy Gotcha Day, Kato!

It's been 6 amazing years with Kato.

I'll never forget the first time I saw him. I had just lost my dog, Ivan, to cancer and was discussing my thoughts on fostering a Pit bull with my sister. I had been crying all day over Ivan and went to my room to rest for a while. About two hours later there was a knock on my bedroom door. I opened it and there was Kato, pitifully thin, full of cuts, and shaking like a leaf. He was being held as evidence in a cruelty case and had hung himself in an attempt to escape his kennel. When my sister saw him he was huddled in the back of a padded cage, (to prevent further injury) so she brought him home to me. I took him into my arms and have never looked back.
It was one of the best and worst weeks of my life.

Happy Gotcha Day, baby boy! :)

Home with a bandage

Kato was home by 4pm sporting a lovely green bandage which he'll wear for an hour or so. He did really well and looks great!
He gained a couple of pounds, but I did find out that people have been sneaking treats to him while he's waiting for his chemo treatment. He's a hospital favorite! Typical Pit Bull. :)

I'm glad he's home-all teeth intact!

Chemo day

Kate is doing very well after having 3 teeth extracted and a growth removed from his eye.

He has an appointment for chemo at 3:00 today. He'll be skipping the Vincristine and receiving Adria which was a bit rough on him the last time. After this treatment he's got another 10 days off before the next 4 treatments!

More when we get back!

Not a good day

I just got a call from the vet. It seems that Kato has broken a molar on the kennel while waiting for his treatment and has to have emergency dental surgery. :( He won't be able to have his chemo today either.
They are planning to send him home with oral chemo that will be given for three days.
I am really worried about him getting anesthesia.
Not a good day.

Please send him some healing vibes.

I'll update when he gets out of surgery.

*He's out of surgery*

They finished surgery about 7:30pm. Apparently, he broke more than one tooth and also had one that had to be removed, so they took out three altogether and removed a growth from his eyelid. He's staying there for another hour, then my friend will bring him home.

They are also making some type of change to his chemo regimen. I'm not sure exactly what's going on, but will speak to his Oncologist tomorrow. They're either changing his protocol or skipping ahead to the next treatment which he will be having on Thursday.

More later!

Chemo day

Kato will be going for chemo in the morning. He'll be getting Vincristine, which seems to give him a bit of the runs, but is taken care of with Flagyl. He has one more week of chemo then another week off! I expect him to stay in remission and continue to do well! :)

Feeling great!

Kato had a fantastic week! He had no side effects at all from his chemo.
He'll be going for treatment on Monday and I expect nothing but good news! :)

After chemo

Kato went for chemo on Sunday. The Oncologist said everything checked out perfectly and Kato looks great! He lost a few more pounds and I think he looks trim and fabulous!
He's been drinking quite a bit of water, as he should be, and has had no side effects from the treatment. He slept away most of yesterday and I expect him to rest quite a bit today too.
More later! :)

A relaxing week

Kate's had a very good week with just a few bouts of stomach upset, but I think it's more from the food switch than the chemo. He's been resting and bouncing the Kong around and just generally enjoying himself.

He'll be going for chemo again on Monday. This treatment can be a bit harsh on his bladder, so he will be getting a shot of Lasix to expedite urination. He's had this treatment one other time and did well, although had to go out constantly!

More later!

Have a great weekend everyone!

It's Official!

Kato is in remission!!!

He just got home from his chemo appt. and the Oncologist confirmed it! His bloodwork was perfect, he gained 1/2 pound and looks great! He'll continue with his chemo schedule as planned for the next 20 weeks.

I could not be happier!!!

Rainy Saturday

He "was" sleeping away this rainy Saturday until I snapped this shot. Now, he's bouncing a Kong off my glass coffee table! lol. I think he's feeling ok! :)

Blood test results are in!

I just wanted to share the good news! Kato's bloodwork results are in and everything is back to normal!

He is going for chemo and a lymph node check on Monday, the 24th.

A sunny day

Kato's feeling great today! He's relaxing in the sun and all is right with the world. :)

Kato in the paper

This is a picture of John, a wonderful man who worked at the shelter, saying goodbye to Kato on the day he came to me as a foster in 2001.

I'll find out today if Kato is in remission! I know he is, but will post the official word as soon as the Oncologist confirms it!

More later!

Delayed side effects?

Kato's been sick all day. I thought we were in the clear as his last treatment was Monday, but a little before noon he started having stomach issues. He's a little better now and after fasting for approximately 4 hours I gave him a little chicken.
Hopefully, he'll be better tomorrow!

The meat grinder

Kato is still doing well, although he's having a little trouble with his stomach again.

About this meat grinder....I have to admit that it's not my favorite appliance. I used it once and accidentally tossed the cutting blade out with the trash! (I wonder if it was a subconscious act?)
It should be easy to replace, right? Well, one would think so, but apparently not. I've called the store where I bought it and the manufacturer and they don't carry the part. Their only advice was to be more careful in the future. Gee, thanks! lol

Cheeky to the rescue! She found one and is sending it to us! Many thanks, my friend! :)

Kato's been improving all day! He had his first raw meal earlier and loved it!

Feeling better!

Kato had a good night's sleep and seems to be feeling a little better! He was a bit weak and shaky, but hasn't had any stomach problems, although from what I've read it could take up to three days for the effects of the chemo to show.

This picture is from 2001, when he first came to me as a foster. You can see where some of the cuts on his face are healing.

Yay! No more chemo until 9-24!

Kato's home, but he's not feeling his best tonight. His white count was borderline low, but safe to get chemo. They sent him home with Amoxi, just to be on the safe side. The treatment was Adriamycin.
He's been resting on and off and had a little chicken. I'm hoping he feels better tomorrow!

You can see he's all snuggled up with his favorite quilt and a pillow that he loves.

More tomorrow!

Sept 10, 2007

It's 6:30am and Kato will be going for chemo in about an hour. He'll be getting a new chemo med today, so I have no idea how it will affect him. I have to admit to being a bit anxious about it, although I'm not sure why.

I'll update when he gets back. :)

Almond Butter

As I posted previously, I made Kato some fresh butter from raw almonds. I was giving him his meds in peanut butter, but the brand I was using has sugar in it, so I decided to simply make some of my own.

I'm notoriously deficient in the kitchen, so this is the best I can do by way of a "recipe." lol

I used approx 1 cup of raw, uncooked almonds - you can roast them, but it's better to use them raw.
Extra virgin olive oil - If I make it again, I'll use Flax oil, but this was all I had in the house.

Grind the nuts in a coffee grinder until you have a fine powder, although a few chunks are fine. I used my very old blender and the nuts were flying all over the place. It got the job done though.

Add oil, a tbsp at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. I would make it a bit runny because it thickens up in the fridge.
I didn't add anything else because I wanted it to be as pure as possible for Kato. You could add some salt and honey.
Transfer to a glass jar and store in the fridge.

Not much of a recipe, but he loves it!

If I keep this up, I may have to buy The Magic Bullet I saw on a late night infomercial!

Kato's having a great day! I made him some fresh, organic almond butter and he got a beautiful handmade quilt from his forum pals, Darlene, Harleybird and last, but certainly not least, Truman! He's been sleeping on it since I put it down.

He should be starting his raw diet in a few days. I'm just waiting for the meat grinder to be delivered. I also got him his homeopathic remedies and herbs for his immune system.
Things are going well! :)

Back from Chemo!

Kato just got back from his day stay at the Vet. The Oncologist said he looks great and his nodes are back to normal!
He had an iv of Vincristine so I gave him Reglan in case of nausea. The last time he got sick from this med, but it could have been because it was the first treatment and his nodes went down overnight.

He has 1 more treatment, then a week off! So far, so good!

More later!

Kato's take on cancer!

Kato goes for his third chemo treatment in just about eight hours.
He's getting the same drug as the first week, but I'm hoping he won't get sick this time.

August 15 - Kato has lumps!

It was just another night. I was surfing the web and Kato was relaxing in his favorite, too-small, dog bed. He started coughing and when he didn't stop I reached down to slip his collar off, and felt lumps - huge lumps. In that moment, our lives were forever changed......Cancer!

It was one of the longest weeks of my life. I knew in my gut it was Lymphoma.
Please... not again. My last dog, Ivan, had Lymphoma and I lost him before I even had a chance to consider treatment. I was terrified.

Kato, the day before diagnosis