02.09.16
Posted in Uncategorized at 6:51 pm by eborzage
We just passed our three month ampuversary. Baloo went to UCD for scans and his 5th round of chemo three weeks ago, and rather than posting the findings, I thought I would wait a few more weeks to see what a subsequent set of scans had to say before sharing.
Baloo on a “Hop” in the Park
Three weeks ago Baloo’s radiology of his lungs revealed a microscopic shadow in his lungs. It was unclear whether this was sarcoma, or something minor like a burst blood vessel, so we proceeded with chemotherapy, and planned to repeat the radiographs at his visit yesterday, which would give us time to see whether the spot had progressed.
Maverick and Baloo eagerly supervising our drive to a nearby park for a “hop!”
Our visit yesterday was a bit of a roller coaster. Initially, it was disappointing to learn that the shadow was still evident in his lungs, but at the same time, it also had not grown, which did take some of the sting out of the news.
On top of the mixed feelings over our chest radiographs, the imaging revealed masses near the amputation site, which we were not prepared to hear. Our wonderful oncology team opted to pursue a MRI of that area to investigate.
The results there were mixed as well; they could not definitively say what the masses were, but they seemed to be in soft tissue. This could just mean that we’re dealing with a lumpy, bumpy old man with more lymphomas. If they do turn out to be more concerning, we may still have options. We’ll have to wait until his next visit, and for more imaging for a better idea what we’re dealing with.
So, while this is not the “all clear” we had hoped for, we are enjoying the heck out of our day-to-day with our “Hoppy” tripawd, and we’ll fight whatever comes along as long as it continues to be in his best interest. The one thing I can predict about the future is that each day continues to be filled with walks, playtime, and lots of snuggles!
While we were at UCD all day with Baloo in oncology, my other old man labby Maverick was having surgery to remove two masses removed from his two eyes in UCD’s ophthalmology department, so we bounced back and forth between both dogs and both specialties all day. Walking down the hall with Maverick in a completely separate building, hours after we had left Baloo in oncology, Baloo was wheeled past us, sedated, following his imaging appointment. He couldn’t lift his head, but he gave us one little wag of recognition in greeting and melted our hearts.
I didn’t realize it was him coming towards us at first, but commented that we had one just like him. Little did I know!
Both boys are home and exhausted today, just like their humans. :0)
Baloo tugging me into a walk
Lazily enjoying the New Year’s Day parade
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12.31.15
Posted in Uncategorized at 6:55 pm by eborzage
- We all thought it would be helpful to have a few more attendee’s at Baloo’s second physical therapy session, both to for our information, and to get a sense of whether this particular therapist was a good fit for our pup, so I left work yesterday a bit early to join my mom and dad at the session.
After the first comments on my post, I thought it best to update with clarifications that we’ve since learned that the “physical therapist” is a DVM, CVA, CCRT, though with a background more focused in equine health. Our closest CRI alternative option to this provider would be in Davis, 90 minutes away.
Ready to Roll!
I will say that I thought the vet/therapist was personable with us, but interestingly enough, Baloo was not drawn to him in the way that he often is with people who work with animals. I trust my dog, and found it telling that Baloo was basically indifferent to him. He LOVED assistant, so go figure!
The vet/therapist was perfectly kind, so that is not the issue. We first discussed long-term goals for Baloo. He acknowledged that looking ahead to supporting his muscular and joint health as he ages would be reasonable, and that he would benefit less from exercises to for surgical recovery and pain at this point. I appreciated his point that the underwater treadmill would build stamina, too, and felt positive about being proactive with PT. I know many folks encouraged us to give PT another try, and I’m on board with pursuing therapy. We do plan to pursue plenty of things at home, and are searching for other options locally, but the single current option is not inspiring – and bear with me, but here is a recent example of why:
During the hour visit the first forty-five minutes were primarily his description of exercises we could set up at home for him, and repeated information regarding supplements from the first visit. Had he demonstrated the exercises with Baloo or the products, the overall impact may have had value, but to describe PT is really not provide physical therapy. This was the exact same routine that took place during the first session, so I understand now why my mom left after the first session feeling Baloo didn’t get much value – and when it comes to our dogs, we will justify value in nearly anything.
I have done physical therapy with other dogs, and this feels slightly unprofessional. There were no session notes. He did not know when Baloo had surgery, and did not ask until the session was done. He has no idea we are in chemo, or that his last dose (#3) was the day prior to our visit. I could have overlooked the organization had there been any impressive aspect to the visit, but the experience was subpar.
With about 15 minutes left in the hour visit, I mentioned that our primary goal was to provide physical rehabilitation Baloo during these visits, so he rummaged through a closet and set up a course with cones and PVC barricades. I walked Baloo over it a couple of times, he watched for a few seconds, and then walked away. He was in the large room, but Baloo was not in his line of sight. I had no idea whether the speed, or gait was right, whether he can, or should, go higher, etc. I had no idea when Baloo should stop. He literally did not watch Baloo do this exercise for more than about a couple hops. He did come back, a few minutes later, to tell me that to intensify the routine, I could move the bars into a pattern (similar to an agility course). He moved a couple cones to create a more complicated pattern, and again, walked away. I had no idea whether to have him make a sharp zig-zag agility type pass through the pattern, or a sloping, gentle loop around the pattern, or how to pace it.
I realized he wouldn’t know how we should approach that course either, because he hadn’t watched Baloo move at all since our arrival.
As frustrating as the experience was, I was happy that we were finally DOING something physically therapeutic!! Making progress! Being proactive!
After I determined Baloo was fatigued, and suggested that it was probably enough to the physical therapist/vet, who agreed, we moved him to the underwater treadmill.
Baloo did not want to go into the tank, and they needed some special rubber mat because the floor was too slippery for the dogs, and they didn’t have it nearby. My job is to solve problems quickly, so rather than run around trying to deal with the slick floor, I picked Baloo up and put him half way into the tank, and that was enough to get him to walk forward the rest of the way, but it didn’t go very smoothly. A food treat would have also gotten Baloo into the tank, but they didn’t have any handy in the rehab clinic, which was going to be a problem once that treadmill started moving – (labs will work for food, and that’s about it) so I sent my dad up to the main vet clinic for proper kibble motivation while the tank was filling.
For some reason Baloo was more anxious in the tank this time when it was filling. Even with that scary tank filling with water, for a lab, there’s nothing a little petting and some treats can’t fix.
Baloo was moving pretty slowly in that tank initially, but he was pretty fatigued to start. When all else fails, bring out the bribes. The best scenario to move him through the water ended up being having me cheerlead him during the walking sessions (my high pitched “come when called” is down pat, and he can’t resist it), and concealing a treat in my hand. He was so interested in getting near me to see what might be in my fist that he’d have fought through quicksand to get there. Of course, I had to give the treat up a few times so he didn’t lose interest.
Cheerleader and the Baloo’s PT Assistant Buddy
The treats were those big, hard, vet biscuits, and chewing slowed him down, so I tried to hold off on actually giving up the food as long as I could with him giving me those puppy eyes. I wish you luck resisting that face! He did two 4 minute sessions at 4mph, with a little rest in the middle.
All well in the end!
So we did get about 15 minutes of actual physical therapy.
My previous end to this post was acceptance of our situation, but after comparing notes with my family, we were all very uncomfortable with the poor interaction between this DVM and Baloo. We were so thrilled with our care at UCD and the success of his surgery and the chemo to date that I would prefer we be as pleased with the PT. UCD does not make scheduling appointments for PT, which is tricky when chemo takes 3 hours and we’re driving 90 minutes to get there, but we’re going to try to add PT to his chemo days. He’ll have more infrequent visits as they coincide with treatment, but we’ll hopefully trust our caregiver, and find someone wonderful to work with!
Hoppiest of New Years in 2016 to you, your packs, and everyone in your life. We wish you all the very best!
Erin and Baloo
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12.22.15
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:06 pm by eborzage
With just a few days until the holidays, we have been busy around the house! Thankfully, this includes two labs back to their normal levels of energy, feeling well, and ready to play after about two weeks of being under the weather.
This means that Baloo was well enough to attend his first physical therapy session last week! Unfortunately I was not able to join him, but my mom was, and shared a couple of photos from his time on the underwater treadmill.
My understanding is that he was initially indifferent to being in the tank, but, like any good lab, was willing to walk forward with food motivation.
We are a bit disappointed with the experience, however, because the majority of the focus was on food supplements, rather than on the actual physical therapy, which is what we wanted. And Baloo won’t be able to return for another session for two weeks due to the therapist’s schedule, which won’t do much to build up his muscles following the work in this session. Between sessions we were instructed to gently push his weight from one leg to another. Of course, once Baloo was out of the tank, he began to dance around on his hind legs begging for more treats, clearly surprising the team with his existing agility. They agreed that his recovery may be “beyond” pushing weight from leg to leg, so I’m not certain their plan for him was in line with his current status.
I was out of town over the weekend, and when I returned on Sunday I was greeted with him sprinting around the house around, over, under and between furniture as he searched for a toy to present me, and then he and my other old man lab started boxing and wrestling around the house in play and excitement.
So, Mom and I discussed the benefits of continuing with the PT last night after watching him do more “lab-laps” around the house. I understand we want to build up a variety of muscles, and that there may be benefits to the process. But his skills are at about 95% of his original agility already, lacking perhaps only the ability to roll over in both directions quickly, and cut corners quite as quickly as he did before on those laps. Our gut is telling us both that Baloo is past the point that this will be a benefit to his progress, but we may give it one more shot to see whether the PT can match his abilities.
We wish you the happiest of holidays, and the best in 2016!!
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12.09.15
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:49 pm by eborzage
Since our Thanksgiving update Baloo had a few rough days. He has stomach upset that the vets don’t feel is tied to chemo. Both our labs have been inexplicably ill for over a week, so it’s been rough going for the humans and canines.
He was well enough to receive his second dose of chemo, but we had to postpone the start of physical therapy. His lethargy has been disheartening, and understandable, considering his body was fighting both the tummy trouble and that second round of chemo.
His greetings at the end of my work day went by the wayside, and he skipped all attempts at our evening snuggles. It’s possible this has been the lowest he’s felt since surgery.
I’d like to think that it cheered Baloo up slightly to know that last week one the stars on a favorite TV show of mine, ‘Grimm,’ the dog loving Bitsie Tullock, gave him a shout out in his recovery. She has a wonderful Frenchie named Henry that she’s doing physical therapy with for another medical issue, and Bitsie left supportive comments for Baloo on social media.
I thought it was really amazing that she took the time to cheer Baloo on! Dog people have such wonderful hearts.
Baloo’s cheering squad includes one of his human’s favorite actors, a true dog advocate!
Luckily, last night for the first time in about seven days, I had a wagging tail waiting after work, an epic game of squeaky toy before dinner, and Baloo came lumbering into my room to seek out an evening snuggle, so he and I enjoyed Star Wars Episode IV together at bedtime. Whatever had him down is in its way out.
It was a tough week for everyone, but I’m s9 relieved glad to see signs that Baloo is feeling a bit better! He and I will be sure to watch ‘Grimm’ together on Friday – I’m sure Baloo is also a fan!
Baloo Enjoying Star Wars IV – December 8th, 2015
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11.28.15
Posted in Uncategorized at 6:57 am by eborzage
There is no shortage of humans at our house giving thanks for the incredible spirit we have in our brave boy Baloo this holiday weekend.
And I am #DogThanking Baloo for finding a way to inspire me during a time when he battling chemotherapy, amputation, physical therapy, and such pain and upheaval in life. You would never know it. He is as happy as any other day of his life. It’s incredible.
Two days ago my Great Uncle Harry came into town to see his buddy. He practically lived while my grandmother was alive, and grew to consider Baloo the dog he’d never had.
After his last visit with Baloo six weeks ago, I am certain he thought it was a final goodbye when he left. Since arriving a few days ago, my great uncle told us several times that he can’t get past his amazement over the difference a few weeks made.
They’ve cuddled by the fire quite a bit during his visit.
Great Uncle Harry and his buddy Baloo
Maverick and Baloo loving Great Uncle Harry
We’ve visited, gone on a few short “hops” in the park, and Baloo even felt fired up enough in the sun to destroy a few sticks…
There has been plenty for each of us to be thankful for this month already, and the holiday is a great reminder of that.
Today my brother and his fiancée came to town, and Matt was able to see bubz for the first time since the day they drove him to UCD for pre-op a month ago, which was a sad last memory to keep of Baloo.
Today he was able to see him race down the driveway to meet the car, and see him jump around greeting everyone.
Baloo was pretty worn out, but they had some wonderful time to visit too!
It was a very long day of excitement for Baloo, but hopefully he feels the love, joy, and happiness surrounding him, and that it is as healing for him as seeing him happy has been healing to us!
Our love to you and yours! E&B
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