Charley had his chemo #2, Lomustine, yesterday afternoon and he is doing fine!
Lomustine is an oral chemo that is also referred to as CCNU. It is commonly used to treat some cancers of the brain (it can cross the blood-brain barrier), lymphoma, mast cell tumors, and non-resectable soft tissue sarcomas.
Because Lomustine has a greater impact on myelosuppression (a condition in which bone marrow activity is decreased, resulting in fewer red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets). Charley will start antibiotics (cefpodoxine 200mg) on day 5 (12/23/13) after chemo. He will take the antibiotics for 7 days to prevent an infection because of low white blood cell count (leukopenia).
Charley will have to have his blood work done between 7-10 days (at nadir) and he will also need a liver profile since Lomustine can impact liver function.
Charley is scheduled for chemo #3 (Doxorubicin) on Thursday 1/9/14….and then we will be at the half way mark!
Charley’s Great Dane buddies, Beau and Cayman, and their mommy and daddy (Cindy and Will) sent him a beautiful Christmas ornament. The ornament is a “chocolate” stained glass paw print that was hand made locally where they live in Maryland. The ornament is very beautiful! I love it!!! It is hanging front and center on the Christmas tree.
Charley gained almost 5 pounds since his last chemo 3 weeks ago, so we are going to cut back a bit on his food….and he’s not going to be happy! He weighed 69.5 pounds which is still a good weight for him, but he doesn’t need to gain any more! We wanted him to gain a few pounds so we increased his food, but I guess I didn’t factor in all the cream cheese he gets to hide all of his supplements in. I think he’s going through a block of Philly cream cheese every 2 weeks, so that’s a lot of extra fat grams and calories.
Here’s a few pictures from yesterday after we got home from the oncologist. The long car ride and all of the waiting really wears him out!
Thank you for all of your prayers, positive thoughts, hugs, and kisses. It is greatly appreciated and we can’t thank you enough for all of your support!
♥ Hugs from me and chocolate Labby kisses from Charley! xoxo ♥
Ellen — I’m so glad to hear about the antibiotics. I was concerned about infection and going to remind you to watch…… but I know you know all about it.
joanne and angel summit
Thank you Joanne and angel Summit!
Hugs and chocolate Labby kisses,
Ellen and Charley xoxo
BTW — Luuuuuvvvvvv the ornament!!!
🙂
Thank you again!
Hugs and chocolate Labby kisses,
Ellen and Charley xoxo
Yay Charley way to go buddy. Keep kicking butt. Love the ornament & all your pictures.
Shh we won’t tell anyone you put on a few pounds because you still look very very healthy 🙂
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Thank you Michelle and Angel Sassy!
Hugs and chocolate Labby kisses,
Ellen and Charley xoxo
maybe it is good he has gained 5 pounds in case he does not eat well after one of the sessions coming up…you know your boy.
Thank you Lori!
Hugs and chocolate Labby kisses,
Ellen and Charley xoxo
Charley! You jave the most beautiful ornament in the landof Christmas trees! Andnyour treeis beautiful! Imhad so much fun looking at al the lovely decoratins. Did you help decorate the tree? I ask that because it has your “pawprint” allover it!! …..teee hee…..couldn’t resist that one!
So glad to hear you are doing great! And you look WONDERFUL!! Honest to goodness, I could look at your handsome face and beautiful eyes all day!!
Additionally this is a very informative post for anyone who needs to consider this treatment combination for theirpet Thank you for taking the time to share all your insight in dealing with this protocal.
The very best to you and Charley! Have a joyous holiday season and enjoy your special ornament Charley!
HUGS!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Thank you Sally and Happy Hannah!
Hugs and chocolate Labby kisses,
Ellen and Charley xoxo
Keep up the good fight Charlie! Even if you have to take an extra nap or two.
Keep an eye on those kidneys too. Although there is not much info available there is some recent info that CCNU can affect the kidneys. Dr. Ettinger published something a year or so ago. Maggie was on CCNU for 6 months (alternating with vinblastine) battling mast cell cancer. She developed kidney failure about 2.5 years after her chemo. No definitive link, but we were not checking her kidneys.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Thank you Karen and Spirit Maggie! I will mention that to his onco!
Hugs and chocolate Labby kisses,
Ellen and Charley xoxo
What a handsome boy and I am glad to hear he is doing well. My daughter just started chemo for her 10 year old Golden Retriever, Sam. It is going to be a journey but it is a journey of love. Best of luck to you Charlie and have a wonderful Christmas! Hugs to all of you.
Thank you Diane! Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers to Sam!
Hugs and chocolate Labby kisses,
Ellen and Charley xoxo
He is so handsome. I’m glad that he’s managing everything so well (and that you are). That is a beautiful ornament!
Thank you KB!
Hugs and chocolate Labby kisses,
Ellen and Charley xoxo
Hi there, so glad to read that his treatments are going well!
He looks just Fabulous!
You might want to consider adding a liver protectant to his supplements if you haven’t already. Hunter took Livaplex to protect his liver during treatments. We got it from his holistic vet.
Happy Holidays to you & your family and we wish continued success for our favorite tripawd chocolate lab Charley!
Super Dog Angel Hunter’s Mom, Julie
Thank you Julie and Super Dog Angel Hunter! I did ask the onco about using milk thistle, but he said to wait to after the blood work and he mentioned something else (but of course I can’t remember what it is).
Hugs and chocolate Labby kisses,
Ellen and Charley xoxo
What a good news story on Charley!
As always, he looks happy and healthy….nothing is going to keep that handsome chocolate boy down 🙂
Keep up the good work, Charley.
Hugs
Linda and your chocolate tripawd pal, Tucker
Thank you Linda and Tucker!
Hugs and chocolate Labby kisses,
Ellen and Charley xoxo
Awwww, Charley! You’re looking great buddy. Keep it up! Sounds like a lot of hard work and tests, but we all know Charley is worth it!
~ Katy & Jackson
Thank you Katy and Jackson!
Hugs and chocolate Labby kisses,
Ellen and Charley xoxo