Day: March 13, 2011

Inhaled Chemotherapy – Photos

Preparing For Inhaled Chemo
Xanadu is enrolled in a research trial at UC Davis. I have to administer aerosolized chemotherapy drugs twice a week for 6 months.  We’ve had three treatments and it is getting easier each time. 
The Drugs
Almost Ready to Start
Fortunately, Xan is the best patient! He is so tolerant of this – I think this dog would let me do anything to him. He completely trusts me, which is a major plus when it comes to inhaled chemo.  I have to hold a plastic bag around his muzzle for approximately 40 minutes. We take 2-3 breaks each session so he can have fresh air and take sips of water.
No big deal!

I have no idea if this treatment is doing anything for Xan.  Next Monday, we will have a new set of chest x-rays taken to see if there is any change to the tumors in his lungs. The last films showed three spots, one was quite large. So far, Xan is showing no symptoms related to the lung mets.

Xanadu Continues to Fight

March 13, 2011

Xanadu - Going Strong!

It has been nearly 7 months since Xanadu was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and he  is going strong (most of the time). He has his ups and downs. The biggest change in him since beginning chemo on 2/28, is his desire to be right under my feet. He literally hops in between my legs and just stands there. As though he finds comfort.  I just let him do it. It is really annoying, but if it makes him feel better, I will deal with it!  My husband has a more difficult time tolerating Xan’s new behavior.  He can be a bit restless, and still has phantom pains, but rarely whines and doesn’t seem to be in any pain.

His amputation site is nearly healed and the hair is growing back nicely. He is doing so much better on 3 legs than I ever imagined. His knees occasionally bother him (prior ACL injuries), but he has figured out a nice little tripawd hop. 

Xanadu Cuddles with his Humans

Inhaled chemo is interesting. We did it once the first week and twice the second week. Only 22 weeks to go.  It takes about 40 minutes to administer. Xan is very tolerant and patiently endures the nebulizer.  He breathes a bit hard while doing it, but he doesn’t seem to have any trouble from it.  I thought he was experiencing nausea after the first round, but I now believe it was his first IV ifosfamide that caused it.  His next IV treatment is scheduled on 3/21 at UC Davis.

Inhaled Chemo Treatment

Bone cancer sucks.

Xan & Lisa