Well, it’s been a while since I’ve posted, and it’s because school had been taking up all my time. I’m finished now, and things are slowing down a bit, which is nice. Some of the big things on our plates have dropped off. Today is a day of ups and downs and as this blog is my means for getting some of this stuff out of my system, here goes.
Ups: Dieter is done with chemo, and his first chest x-rays post chemo are clear. Confirmation will come from the radiologist later this afternoon, but his primary oncologist said everything looked great. He can go back on salmon oil and glucosamine chondroitin for his joints. He is doing so well. He can still only take short walks, but he loves those walks and going out and about. I took him to Lowe’s with me a couple of weeks ago and he loved it. They also loved him, of course. He plays hard and has fun with his buddies in Phoenix more often now, as I’m able to go up more often. For him, life is good.
Downs: There’s really only one down. And it’s really not for him, it’s for me, and for that I’m thankful. I asked his oncologist today what to expect in terms of average life expectancy at this point, given that his lungs are clear now. She said that on average, the lungs start to show the cancer about a year after the initial diagnosis, and then with low-dose chemo, to only expect another 6 months. Now, I know there are other things I can do, and as a researcher, I will look into stuff pretty thoroughly, but it’s still a sobering conversation. I’m not sure I was prepared for it, to be honest. There are still so many other things going on (moving, graduating, a conference coming up) and he’s just so normal and happy, that it’s hard to take in.
I’m glad we’re moving somewhere where D can experience some fun stuff. He’ll have his own backyard, with grass (we’re all ready to leave rocky, sandy AZ), snow to play in, lakes to swim in. I’m hoping to be able to bring him into work with me some days, and if I can’t, it’s ok, I’m just a 2 minute drive from campus. Until then, the answer is no, you can’t have too many bones. Haha.
No, NOTHING HAS CHANGED,!! And that’ real important to remember!
Statistics are pretty much a crap shoot around here!
It’s soooooo important to live your life with the “nothing has changed attitude”…because that’s Deiter’s reality and that’s the only oe tht matters! Dieter is his own man who does things his way! And his way is working fi e!!
Sure, trades off lnger walks for laying arou d getting more tummy rubs!! That’s called QUALITY!!
Look forward to more wo derful updates and pictures in his ew grazzy yard!
CONGRATULATIO S ON A GREAT CHECK-UP!!!
Much love and sendng ice cream over to celebrate!
Sally and Happ Hannah
Awww what a great pic. And great news! How wonderful things are going so well!!!
I’m sorry the onco gave you the harsh statistical scenario. It’s difficult to hear, and it makes humans panic. But the thing to keep in mind is, those stats don’t take into account Dieter and his specific health history. He is unique, not like any other dog in any other studies or groups of cancer patients. His is one of a kind and hopefully this will play out so that he beats the odds again and again. Many dogs have done it, you just have to keep that hope in you heart. We sure will!
Enjoy your last few days in AZ, what a good time to get out of there!