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Nosey's Battle with Canine Lymphosarcoma
| R.I.P. Nosey Brockus |
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| Nov 6, 2001 - Mar 10, 2009 |
Update March 20 - We picked up Nosey's ashes yesterday.
We had ordered an urn that was a life-sized black labrador. When we got home we put the urn in the living room.
Our yellow lab Elvis (who was Nosey's littermate) came into the living room - spied the black dog at the other end
and literally bounced his way over tail wagging like crazy. He was quite confused when he realized the black dog wasn't
his sister but a statue. It about broke our hearts. Made us wish all the more that we could explain to our 2 remaining
dogs, why Nosey is no longer with us. Anyway enough of the sadness. Please continue to keep us in your prayers
as we learn to live a life without Nosey. Her loss has definitely been tough to take but with God's help and your
prayers, we'll get thru this.
R.I.P. Nosey Brockus November 6,
2001 - March 10, 2009 It is with deep sorrow that we share the news that Nosey lost
her battle with lymphosarcom this morning. She truly was a great girl and was the love of our lives. She definitely
taught us to value every day as a gift. Words cannot express the pain we feel and ask that you keep us all in your prayers.
March 10 - Update Please keep Nosey in
your prayers. Her energy level has hit a new low. Yesterday we had to hand feed her to get her to eat. Today
she won't even eat from our hands. We're going to try to get in to see Dr Lucroy today. Hopefully he can
make her more comfortable.
March 8 Update The last couple
of weeks have been a little rough on Nosey. She had new chemo drugs which seemed to make her very tired for the first
few days after treatment. She did seem to perk up a bit late last week. On Thursday she went back for bloodwork
and Dr Lucroy is somewhat concerned about her platelet count. 20 is borderline low and Nosey's platelet count was
16. Dr Lucroy recommended that we keep her from "rough-housing" with
Elvis and Buster. He wanted us to make sure she got lots of rest. She had pretty significant bruising on her belly
from the last chemo treatment but that is a normal side effect of this particular medicine. We were told to keep an
eye out for any unusual bleeding. She seems to have very short bursts of energy followed by several hours of rest.
She as all week off and goes back for another chemo treatment on Monday March 16. Please continue to keep her in your
prayers.
February 14 Update - Last Monday, Dr Lucroy
upped Nosey's dosage of Mustargen in the hopes that since she is toleraing the medication well, that the increased dosage
would finally reduce the size of her lymph glands. The new dosage caused a bit of diahhrea for the first couple of days.
Dr L prescribed some pills and her stools are back to normal - unfortunately the lumps are still not going down any.
On Monday Feb 16th, Dr Lucroy will try a new family of drugs. Hopefully the lymph nodes will respond to the new medicine.
On the bright side, Nosey continues to act normal and has plenty of energy. She really is enjoying having mom home all
the time now.
February 9 Update - Nosey was supposed to just
be going in for a checkup today since the vet had upped her Mustargen dosage last week. Unfortunately, Dr Lucroy
was still not happy that the lumps on her lymph glands are still swollen so he gave her another treatment of Mustargen at
an even higher dosage. She goes back in a week. If the glands are still swollen next week, then we'll move
on to another type of medication to see if that works better. Up until today's treatment she hade been doing very
well, but after today's treatment she is a bit tired. Hopefully she'll bounce back to her normal self in the
next couple of days. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.
Jan 28 Nosey Update - Nosey has began
taking chemo treatments again. Additionally she is on Prednisone to try and reduce the swelling of her lymph nodes.
While its taken longer for the swelling to go down this time, at least we've started to see some reduction in the size
of the lumps. She continues to act fine and except for an increased tendency to snore, she seems to be doing well all
things considered. Because we're on a whole new treatment protocol, we're not real sure how long the treatment
schedule will entail. Dr Lucroy will be upping her dosages of Mustargen due to her positive response on the previous
treatments. She also continues with several other meds. To look at her, its hard to believe we've been battling
the cancer for over 2 years now. We are humbled by all Nosey's friends who continue to keep her in their prayers.
Jan 17 Update Nosey had her chemo treatment
Mustargen on Tuesday. We were hoping for quick results but unfortunately the lump has not reduced very much in size.
Thankfully, however, she still acts normal for the most part and does not appear to be in any pain or discomfort. She
tires a bit easier than normal but we are attributing that to the Prednisone. Please keep her in your prayers as she
is scheduled for her next chemo on Tuesday Jan 20.
Jan 13 Update - During last Thursday's
vet visit, Dr Lucroy confirmed that Nosey's cancer had returned. She was given some Prednisone and Vinblastine to
tide her over until some new chemo drugs could be located for her. The new pills arrived on Monday the 12th and today
she is getting an iv chemo treatment of a totally new (to her) medicine. We'll try this medicine for a couple of
weeks and see if it is able to reduce the swelling any. If it doesn't, Dr L has several other drug families that
he can try with her.
Jan 6 - Update Well it seems like
the lump on Nosey's neck is getting bigger. She has an appointment with her oncologist on Thursday. Please
continue to keep her in your prayers. If it is determined that the new lumps are the cancer returning rather than just
a simple infection, her prognosis may be bleak.
Jan 4 Update Earlier today we
noticed a lump near the lymph glands in Nosey's neck. We are keeping an eye on it for a couple of days but if the
lump grows in size, we'll have to head back to the vet. Please keep her in your prayers that we are just being overprotective
and that the lump we noticed today is nothing serious.
Dec 29 Nosey had her 1 month checkup.
All appears to be going good. The next month will be critical for her. If she can make it til the end of January,
Dr Lucroy says she will be considered in full remission.
Nov 24  Tom just called. Nosey has now completed her chemo treatment.
Dr Lucroy says they are now thinking that Nosey will be one of their long-term success stories. They had a little party
for her at the clinic and gave her a new bandana. (See photo). She goes back in a month for a re-check but
we can definitely say our prayers have been answered. Thanks for all of your support. As I
may have mentioned, we had submitted Nosey’s photo and story to an organization involved in spreading the awareness
about Canine Cancer. http://www.2dogs2000miles.org/Submissions_1.html
November 11 - Nosey Update
had her chemo treatment earlier today. There was a new vet tech helping today. The new tech was
very impressed that not only did Nosey know the standard routine for the carotid vein blood draw but she also laid quietly
while they administered the chem IV without fuss or hassle. In fact the tech was so enamored with Nosey that she "did
Nosey's nails". Talk about a pampered dog. Now even strangers are pampering her. She has 1 more
chemo treatment 2 weeks from today and then she'll be finished with this treatment schedule.
| Hershey, PA 2008 |
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| Lounging with friends |
Health Update October 28
Nosey had another chemo treatment today. Her numbers continue to look good. She's picked up about 3 pounds
sincer her last visit which is a cause for rejoicing. She has 2 more treatments and then she will conclude this treatment regimen.
She will officially be in remission. At that point then we just have to pray that her remission period lasts a long
time. The new medications she is currently on, however, seems to be agreeing with her. She is energetic
and playful - almost back to her "pre-cancer" disposition. We continue to be amazed at her spirit. Update October 14 Nosey
had another chemo treatment today. Dr Lucroy says her numbers still look good. She has lost some weight from her
last visit 2 weeks ago. Last week she went on vacation with Tom, 2 friends of ours and myself. She had a great
time and made lots of new friends.
Health
Update – Nosey - September 29
Nosey has reached her lifetime dosages on all of the “tried and true” chemo medicines. She
is now being treated with other meds that are a bit more pricey and do not have the same track record for success.
Mitoxantrone is said to have some very severe side effects but for now she is doing amazingly well. Her
spirit is a joy to behold. Your continued prayers on her behalf are appreciated.
Update Sept 9 Nosey's leg continues to
improve. Hair is actually starting to grow back now that she's gone 2 weeks without scratching. We are starting
to leave her alone for 10-15 minutes at a time and so far, she hasn't started the licking and scratching again.
Update September 2 - Nosey's leg has made vast improvement
over the last 2 weeks. She has stopped licking her leg and the hair on her leg is actually starting to grow back.
She still wears her sock at night just to be on the safe side but talk about a true answered prayer! Last week
she did have a small urinary problem where crystals were forming in her bladder and causing irritation. Plus her allergies
have started causing some discomfort. She had rubbed a raw spot on her face and hindside. She is on medication
right now for both issues. We appreciate all your continued prayers that we can get the allergies and crystals cleared
up now and go back to a "normal" lifestyle :-) Nosey was particularly glad to meet mom's
friend Amy. Amy came bearing gifts and what girl doesn't love to get presents?
| Lake Story, Illinois |
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| Strolling on the lake with Dad. |
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