Maggie Update
On July 28th of this year, our life went sideways. That’s the day our Maggie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, bone cancer. Since that time, we’ve gone through a new form of radiation therapy called Sterotactic Radiation, four rounds of chemotherapy, countless blood tests and trips to the vet.
Through it all Maggie has been a stellar patient. She hasn’t balked at any of the treatments and still goes willingly into the back with the vet to get poked and prodded. The bone strengthening treatment she receives is an IV drip, so she has to sit there for three hours to receive it. That can’t be fun.
We’ve done our best to keep Maggie’s life pretty much the same for her. She doesn’t like surprises and counts on certain things to happen at certain times, so we try to keep that balance for her, even on her long vet visit days. Once her chemo is over, we plan to do a special trip to the beach for her.
Once she was diagnosed, we increased her pain meds and her severe limp improved. After the radiation treatment, the limp was gone completely, even at low doses of pain meds. She hasn’t gotten sick at all from the chemo – hasn’t missed a meal, or a poop in the 3 months. The only negative reaction we had was low white blood cell count after her 1st round. We delayed the 2nd round for a week, kept it at a slightly lower dose and her CBC panels have all been within normal range since then.
Maggie also has a slight wheeze when she walks so we’ve done regular chest xrays to watch for tumors in her lungs. She has a few spots, but they haven’t changed at all over the last few months, so the vet thinks they are just normal age changes.
We’ve implemented many of the changes that our holistic vet, Dr. Mahaney recommended and I have to believe that they helped keep her digestive tract in a healthy state and prevented some of the side effects you might see from the chemotherapy treatments.
Maggie has been doing far better that I ever could have hoped for. I was hesitant to do such aggressive treatments with her, worrying about her having a bad reaction like Becca did, but other than the time and cost involved, there has been no downside to this.
Maggie’s life has continued pretty much as it was before the diagnosis. She loves her morning walks and still scampers back and forth and all around, covering twice as much territory as me. Mealtime is second only to Find the Food as her favorite activity – her treatments have not had any impact on her appetite.
The only side effect I’ve noticed is she is slightly more tired – she explores the backyard only a couple of times a week instead of a couple of times a day and she lost a little patch of hair where the radiation treatment occurred. But that is growing back in a very distinguished grey that Maggie thinks is a little badge of courage for all she’s been through, and so do I.
![IMG_1178[1]](http://slimdoggy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_11781.jpg)
I’m glad she’s doing well!
Lauren Miller (ZoePhee) recently posted…JUMP! JUMP!
Maggie this badge of courage is special… hugs and weim-power to you…
easy rider recently posted…easyblog WILD WEDNESDAY
Thanks Easy.
mkob recently posted…Maggie Update
It’s so nice to read a positive update 🙂 Missy’s badge of courage has grown a little on her muzzle after she was done with her chemotherapy. Have fun at the beach!!
Barbara Rivers recently posted…Scrumptious Dog Food Delivered in Style by FeedPetPurveyor ~ Grandma Lucy’s Freeze-Dried Dog Food
I am so happy to hear this update. I think our scars show how strong we are!! Continued prayers for you sweet Maggie!!
Julie recently posted…Sticks
Thanks!
mkob recently posted…Maggie Update
Maggie sounds like such a special dog and she is lucky to have such devoted care.
She is and we are.
mkob recently posted…Maggie Update
I’m so glad to read such a great update. I admit to being surprised that she’s not more affected – very happily surprised. I missed your post about your holistic vet, so headed there now.
Sue recently posted…What You Need to Know About Leptospirosis
I admit, I”m surprised too – but she’s a tough girl.
mkob recently posted…Maggie Update
What great news. It is such a scary diagnosis but I think being pro-active has made a huge difference in Maggie. Continued prayers ♥
M. K. Clinton recently posted…Thank You, Thank You Very Much
That’s great news. Maggie’s lucky to be in such good hands. Glad she’s enjoying her time in warmth and comfort.
We love taking care of her.
mkob recently posted…Maggie Update
Wow, what a story. Maggie is so strong, and you guys have done fantastic with her!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady recently posted…The Sibe Tribe Supports #Movember – Sibe’s In Staches
Thanks.
mkob recently posted…Maggie Update
Thank you for the update. I’m so glad she is doing so well.
Vicki Green recently posted…Fun in the First Snow
Awwww… we love you Maggie!!
DZ Dogs recently posted…Send Some Snow!
So glad to hear Maggie is doing so well. I can picture her scampering in my head and it gives me such a chuckle. I imagine having to sit for 3 hours isn’t any fun at all, she’s such a good & well behaved patient. And I agree about that badge of courage – they help show the places & trials we’ve been through, and she’s earned hers for sure. Thank you for the update, she’s such a lucky girl to be in good hands. And F cancer.
Jen recently posted…7 Stunning Senior Dogs Waiting For Their Second Chance
Agree 100% and so does Maggie!
mkob recently posted…Maggie Update
You are amazing Maggie. Stay strong and keep on pawing forward! You are an example to all of us!
Emma recently posted…Fall Comfort Food For Dogs – Beef And Chicken Fillets
I’m so glad that brave little Maggie is doing so well! And I bet she appreciates the consistency of her beloved routines just as much as she’ll enjoy the beach. 🙁
Oops, that should be a smiley face! Dang phone. 😀
I am so happy for all of you that Maggie is doing so well. I love that you are doing everything you can for her and that all of it is paying off. She definitely deserves that badge of courage!
Jan K recently posted…Friday Family & Friends – Blondies
So glad that Maggie’s treatment course continues to go well. Hopefully she’ll regain some of her energy in time.
It must feel great to see her responding.
Pamela recently posted…Why Did You Pick Your Dog?
It’s so rewarding…makes us smile every day.
mkob recently posted…Core Strength Training for Dogs: Roll Over
Such fabulous news. Yay, Maggie-girl. Keep it up. We’re totally rooting for you. <3
Monika recently posted…An open leter to Blogville
I am glad she is doing well.
2 Brown Dawgs recently posted…Freighter’s 4th Birthday Party
I’m thankful Maggie’s handling her treatment well and hasn’t had hardly any side effects. I was wondering how she’s been doing. Maggie and all of our blogger friend’s dogs are part of our extended family too. Sending good thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Elaine recently posted…How to Make Your Dog Howl
Thank you.
mkob recently posted…Core Strength Training for Dogs: Roll Over
I’m glad to read that Maggie is still doing well. Our K also got a gray badge of courage where she’d had stereotactic radiation.
All in all, it seems as if your choices have given Maggie some more high quality time on this Earth and with you.
KB recently posted…A Shocking Transition
We sure hope so.
mkob recently posted…Fruits and Vegetables for Dogs: Chinese Medicine