silent paws

Wed Mar 1, 2000 12:55pm

Hopeful good news for Hoover

Hopeful news for Hoover.

In the wee hours of last Tuesday, Hoover started reverse sneezing and

gagging. This has happened before and he calmed down after a little meat

baby food. Hoover has had a swollen tonsil since January 27- a sign that

his lymphoma is back. Tuesday it took forever to get him to stop gagging

and I tried even Rescue Remedy with out much luck. I thought this was the

beginning of the end for Hoover, since all the rescue chemo drugs seemed to

only get us a Mexican Stand off. The next morning Hoover was fine and his

gums were back to a healthy pink. We went tracking and he out tracked all

the other dogs! My friend kept commenting on how "up" he was. The mornings

inspection of his tonsil showed no improvement, but no enlargement. Today I

checked and my gosh the tonsil is much smaller and shriveled! Tomorrow is a

week after Mitoxantrone and we will do blood work and I pray it is

completely gone.

It makes me wonder if that tonsil had an extinction burst or healing crisis

Tuesday night. It wasn't at all smaller in the Tuesday morning, but today

wow! It's really to early to get excited, but I'm ready to celebrate

anything!

Thank all of you for the support and information I have received!

Lori

Hoover (Sheltie, Age 7, T-cell Lymphoma, Dx: 5/99)

Treatment: Radiation, Chemo, Diet, Supplements

Thu Mar 2, 2000 12:35pm

Celebration short lived

This morning Hoover's tonsil was back and larger. This afternoon it look

like the right side might be coming out too. His white count is really low

and we can't do a thing. Amazingly he is his bouncy self. I do still

celebrate this. I will be watching his temp. carefully and we have a call

in to his oncologist, who we won't be able to reach until tomorrow

afternoon.

Give all the furkids a hug for me!

Lori

Hoover (Sheltie, Age 7, Lymphoma, Dx: 5/99)

Treatment: Radiation, Chemo, Diet, Supplements

Tue Mar 7, 2000 4:09pm

Hoover update

Finally we got hold of the current oncologist and it looks like Thursday we

start CCNU. Hoover's still acting normal, but a quick glance down his

throat showed that the right tonsil is growing and the left is just

starting. I hope we can make it until Thursday and that his white count is

normal.

The only drug after this is DTIC which doesn't sound very good - 6 hour drip

with horrible side effects during and after. It only has a 25% chance of

working. I don't think I will try it on Hoover.

If CCNU works, he will stay on it forever, after 3 months he will need his

liver checked out. So it must be of some risk. I will be very please if I

can keep up his quality of life for 3 more months.

Prayers and wishes needed.

Lori

Hoover (Sheltie, Age 7, Lymphoma, Dx: 5/99)

Treatment: Radiation, Chemo, Diet, Supplements

Tue Mar 7, 2000 8:17pm

Hoover update

Thank you for all your kind words and prayers!

I just finished another drug hunt. I love living in a rural area, but I do envy you city folks when it comes to treating your dogs. It looked like I was going to have to buy a whole bottle ( 20 capsules), when I only needed 3 for Hoover. Twenty capsules of CCNU is only $120 dollars which is cheep compared to most chemo, but since money is low I went hunting and I have found two capsules in Harrisonburg and two in Charlottesville. So it will be a little bit of driving and scrambling my work schedule, but it seems like a wise idea. If CCNU works I'll buy a whole bottle and leave the rest in Hoover's will.

Bobby picked up on my dislike of the South Paws clinic, but the oncologist, who I do not trust completely, seems to know a lot more than my last. Fortunately Hoover will be treated at home from now on and if thinks go well we will go in for blood work locally.

So it looks like both Flirt and Hoover will start CCNU at the same time.

I truly don't know how I would have survived these months without you all!

Lori

Hoover (Sheltie, Age 7, Lymphoma, Dx: 5/99)

Treatment: Radiation, Chemo, Diet, Supplements

Wed Mar 15, 2000 6:38pm

Hoover Update

I have to write quickly because Hoover keeps trying to tear out his

catheter.

We had a wonderful day tracking yesterday. Hoover once again out tracked

the green dogs, who should be embarrassed. My only hope is that before

Hoover passes on that he share his tracking secrets with his buddies.

Last night he started pawing at his eye. A little worried that it could be

cancer, decided to take him in a day early for his white count check. He

had CCNU last Thursday. First thing we notice was he had a temp. of 103.

White count came back at 750! This isn't our record, but we started IV's

and Antibiotics. This time in the vein and not under the skin. They want

me to do this at home as well.

His fever is down and we did shrink his tonsil and eliminate his lump on his

neck with this round of CCNU. Hoover is still up and bright. If he could

talk, I sure he would have tried to talk us out of the IV's. His eye we

think is just an infection. Our oncologist feels that we should lower the

dose and go to every other week, instead of every three weeks. She also

still feels that he won't be around much longer, I would love to prove her

wrong.

Lori

Hoover (Sheltie, Age 7, Lymphoma, Dx: 5/99)

Treatment: Radiation, Chemo, Diet, Supplements

...

Wed Mar 15, 2000 8:36pm

Hoover Update

> Lori, glad to hear that Hoover is doing better.

> What is CCNU? And also MVA poly?

CCNU is used as Chemotherapy for Lymphoma. For Hoover it is sort of a last

chance drug. His Lymphoma is now resistant to everything else. I not sure

but it may also be use for Mast Cell. It is new for dogs, old and not used

much in people.

Isn't MVA poly one of Dr. Goldstein's wonder cures? Someone elso will have

to jump in on this one.

Lori

Hoover (Sheltie, Age 7, Lymphoma, Dx: 5/99)

Treatment: Radiation, Chemo, Diet, Supplements

Fri Mar 24, 2000 6:52pm

Hoover's Lymphoma Gaining Ground too!

Hoover's Lymphoma is gaining ground too! Hoover's white count is still a

little too low to treat and his tonsil is back up in size. He now has two

lymph nodes on his neck - one the size of a walnut and the other smaller.

His is in good spirits, eating well, playing and flirting with his 14 year

old mother. She thinks he is nuts! His oncologist called, we will start

prednisone, he may make it another 6 weeks. I thought it would be shorter,

so I'm happy for this. This six weeks are supposed to be good weeks too.

I'm to increase the prednisone if he starts showing pain - up to 15

milligrams.

Sorry I haven't been as supportive to others as I would like to be during

this time. Today and this week-end I'm attending a seminar on obedience and

agility with Susan Garrett. I come home every night and spend it with

dogs - every minute is so important. I do read every post and will catch up

next week.

Please know I'm thinking about all of you. Candles are lit and prayers will

be said.

Lori and Hoover

DX Lymphoma - high grade t-cell

Treatment - radiation, chemo, raw diet and supplements

Sheltie - 7 years

Tue Mar 28, 2000 12:50pm

No more Vet Visits for Hoover

No more Vet. visits for Hoover! Hoover is doing great and is still acting

normal for a dog that has not had a full remission since late February.

Today I found a Technician to come to my home for $8.00 to draw blood, take

it back to a local clinic, and run a CBC for $20.00. Hoover is still on

CCNU and Prednisone and will still require weekly blood work. I wish I

would have thought of this sooner for Hoover, but I'm very pleased that his

last weeks will be at home.

Lori

Hoover - 7 year old sheltie, DX T-cell Lymphoma 5/99

Treatment - Radiation, Chemo, Raw Diet and Supplements

Tue Mar 28, 2000 12:40pm

Hoover's Ok, but scared me bad

Tonight I came home from work to Hoover with his left leg totally straight

and unable to bend. He was shaking and seemed distressed. I ran out of the

room to get the phone to call the emergency clinic ( which knows nothing of

chemo) came back and he was fine.

He received a low dose of CCNU today, but I am clueless as to what I

witnessed. Hoover is sleeping on the bed tonight and tomorrow I will call

his oncologist. He wants to play and eat now, so as soon as my heart

returns to normal, his highness will get what he wishes!

Thanks for all the support during this stressful time.

Lori and Hoover

Wed Mar 29, 2000 7:57am

Hoover is strange

Hoover had another straight leg attack and I called the emergency clinic up

in Springfield. I was going over him and found that his skin crackled under

my touch (like rice crispies). The Vet on duty said it sounded like he has

air under his skin, but knew of no reason for this unless he had an IV

yesterday, which he hasn't had. He is still his up and bright self and I

will be calling several Vets today.

Keagan, my 14 year old, is eating poorly. Monday we did a full panel of

blood work and found nothing. Not sure what is going on with her, but I'm

worried about her too.

Lori and Hoover

Wed Mar 29, 2000 9:08am

Talked with oncologist

Miracles do occur and I reached Hoover's oncologist on the first try. She

even answered the phone!

There are two reason for air under the skin. An IV related infection ( this

has a fancy name) or a major accident - like being hit by a car. We know

both of these have not occurred. Hoover did jump off the bed Monday night

and hit the hard wood floor, instead of the dog bed positioned for safe

landings. What may be happening is that the cancer may have been damaged by

chemo around his larynx and allowed air to leak under his skin. Perhaps the

jump may have played a part in this too. So he is to be kept quite and calm

for two days ( that will be interesting). She thinks he will be fine, but

admits she has never seen this in a cancer dog. I do feel a whole lot

better even though we are not sure what is going on. Now I need to figure

out how to help out his mother, Keagan.

Does anyone have an address for a Senior dog list or a list for heart

problems in dogs?

Keagan (age 14) has a slight murmur and has some leaking of fluid into her

lungs. She just started lasix. She is on a raw diet and just recently said

"no", she ate kibble this morning (sigh). On her morning run, she produced

some mild diarrhea. Her blood work is normal and perhaps she is reacting to

the stress in this house. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Lori and the shelties

Thu Mar 30, 2000 12:10pm

Mystery solved for Keagan, Hoover's mom

Keagan has a bladder infection! We were so worried about her heart and the

Lasix, we over looked her bladder. She will be on the mend soon with

traditional and holistic treatments. Good thing too, this morning she would

only eat Pizza crust and drink some homemade chicken broth!

Hoover still crackles under the skin, but acts pretty normal.

Hugs for everyone!

Lori and Shelties with small paws, but big hearts!

Mon Apr 3, 2000 7:18pm

Hoover crashed again!

Once again Hoover crashed on CCNU (chemo) with a low white count (700).

This time we caught it before a fever developed. My only clue that he was

in trouble was a reluctance to eat breakfast. No problem eating treats and

he ate part of the tech's bagel with cream cheese as she put in his IV. No

regard for his low carb diet!

Hoover's back to normal and ate a good dinner. Tonight rasberries for

desert! He still sounds like rice crispies under the skin. Earlier today,

I taught him some concepts in agility weave poles. He is so smart!

A couple of nights ago I saw something on a man in his late 70's or 80's

that competes in senior athletic events. He is always in the top three

winners. He has survived cancer three times! He says he is an average

athlete, but a excellent competitor and that what keeps him alive. He puts

the spirit of competition over being just physically fit. Pretty cool!

Hope everyone is OK. Tonight I will light candles and give thanks for

another day with Hoover and I will pray for all the cancer pets.

Jean - Congratulation on the new babes! Hope the rest of the deliveries go

smoothly.

Happy Birthday to Tippy - you are so loved!

Lori

Hoover - 7 year Sheltie

DX T-cell Lymphoma 5/99

Mon Apr 10, 2000 12:56pm

Quick Hoover Note

Mr. Rice Krispies Hoover has been picky about what he eats for a week now.

He still eats well, but not what I want him too. His vitamins, herbs, and

supplements are the hardest. I used to just sprinkle his supplements on

his food or put in on a baby spoon with meat baby food. He now says, " no

way". Well tonight I found a new weakness of his - warm refried beans! He

is so excited about them that he forgets to sift through it to spit out the

pills! Beans aren't low in carbs, but I think Hoover is going to win on

this one. Hope he doesn't get gas!

Tomorrow his private tech. comes to our home to draw blood. Hoover might or

might not have much time left, but we are going to do it in style.

Hoover has had one more straight leg attack and one time he had something

like twitching or tremors down his head to his weird leg for a moment or so.

He still has some air under his skin( same side as attacks), but we still

only detect his one tonsil - no swollen lymphs on neck. Oh well, so much

for a quick note. Got to get some sleep - Keagan goes back in for a urine

check early. My heart really goes out to you that are dealing with just one

ill pet, but multiples pet troubles is just too much!

Hugs and Hoover kisses to everyone!

Lori

Hoover - 7 year old Sheltie

Dx - Lymphoma 5/99

Treatment - everything!

Wed Apr 12, 2000 0:24am

Hoover - long

Hoover's blood work came out very normal! I was surprised since we bottom

out his white count on the 3rd. We don't have a clue why he is still being

selective about his food. This morning he said," ME EAT BEANS - your CRAZY!

Last night he love them. I don't know if I should bring him back in for

more ultra sound or x-rays. It seems silly if he only has a few weeks to

live. What would we do if we found anything? My dogs usually have a

reason if they don't want to eat something, but I do sometimes wonder if he

is trying to drive me nuts!

Keagan has to go back in for a sterile urine sample. Wish they would have

suggested it in the first place. I hate it when they try to save you money,

but end up costing you more.

Tonight everyone ate well, not exactly what I wanted them to eat, but all

are eating. Still can't can't get all of Hoover's supplements down him. We

played another of Hoover's favorite games, pull tail and run like heck. He

loves this! I sneak up on him and pull his tail and run and hide. He

chases and gets to catch me. The other dogs think this is totally nuts!

Raz will look at me with such disdain!

Lori

Shelties - Hoover, Keagan, Raz, Caper and cat - Sahara

Fri Apr 21, 2000 12:52pm

Clondike--Southern Tour 2000

How

> nice that Hoover got to play with Clondike.

I wouldn't say they played. Hoover gave low warning growls to Clondike. I

truly think that Hoover was very impressed with Clondike, but lacks correct

social skills to show it.

\> I can't wait to see the pictures.

Hopefully I can get them on a disk and figure out how to send them. I

really would like you all to see Hoover.

I wish we could all meet! Perhaps someday there will be a symposium for

owners of cancer pets!

Lori and Hoover

Fri Apr 21, 2000 12:53pm

Hoover back to the Vet today.

Looks like I'm going to have to break my promise to Hoover again. (no more

vet visits) The air under his skin is back and he is huge! He still sounds

like rice crispies, but looks like a balloon! Hoover's Oncologist hasn't

returned my calls, so we are headed to the GP vet today. Hoover is eating

well and wants to run and play. The GP vet wants me to keep him quite -

running and barking could be the source of the air getting under his skin.

I just don't know what to do. I want him to have fun and play the remaining

weeks that he has! The vet wants me to keep him quite. If he gets big

enough they will drain the air with needles under his skin. We think, but

no one really knows, that the chemo perhaps killed cancer cells around his

larynx. Air maybe getting in that way.

Hoover always has to be different!

PS. I'm hoping to go to Old Dominion Dog Show at Leesburg, Va. That is if

Hoover can be left at home tomorrow. Should be a really muddy day, but I

have cabin fever and need a day off.

If anyone else is at the show - I will be watching Curly Coat Retrievers

and Shelties.

Lori

Hoover - 7 year old Sheltie

Dx: High Grade, T-cell Lymphoma 5/99

Treatment: Radiation, Chemo, Raw Diet and Supplements

Sun Apr 23, 2000 1:20pm

Prayers needed for Hoover

Hoover is filled with air under his skin! He is twice his size. We

relieved some of it Friday, by inserting a large needle and pushing it out.

It came right back. I can't relieve it again until his blood work is OK.

He had CCNU Tuesday and his white count could be too low today. Needles

under the skin could cause infection if his count is too low. He also can't

walk well. His front legs are stiff and he has to take baby steps to move.

He is uncomfortable. I'm not sure if his legs are from the air or what.

Perhaps a stroke? Rear legs are sometimes involved too.

He still is hungry and his tonsil is still the same - no other lymphnodes

acting up that we know of.

The air might be entering from a sore on his chest. The wires used to put

him back together from his first surgery (chest tumor removal) are rubbing a

sore on his chest. It is so hard to know for sure. Monday I will seek more

answers and do more blood work. I think the Vets are stumped as what to do.

They feel he only has weeks to live and surgery to remove the wire might

trigger the cancer. The wire might not be the problem either. All ways to

find out what is really happening involve anesthesia.

Prayers needed!

Lori

Hoover - Sheltie, Age 7

Dx - Lymphoma 5/99

Sun Apr 23, 2000 7:58pm

Many Thanks to all of you

Hoover and I, would like to thank all of you for your prayers and support.

Bobby's post starting me thinking about homeopathics and than Jean's post

reminded me that it couldn't hurt to give Hoover some rescue remedy. Guess

what! Hoover is walking much better! He still looks like the good year

blimp. Still need your prayers. The hard part is (I think) barking and

movement are causing him to suck in air under his skin. It is hard to keep

him from running and playing when he does feel like it.

Jean: Please let Marian know I'm lighting a special candle for Poppy

tonight. Candles will be lit for all our pets. Speedy wishes for some good

fortune for your friend who lost his home. Very Sad - Glad he is OK.

Happy Easter such as it is!

Lori and the Shelties - 4, Somali cat - 1

Mon Apr 24, 2000 12:54pm

Hoover update

Hoover is still quite big, but no trouble walking today. Still no one has a

clue what we should do. Tomorrow we will do blood work and if it is good I

can let some of his air out with a needle. I can do this at home. Hope my

"home nurse" for Hoover can find his vein!

I will continue trying to find someone that has seen this before.

Mr. Hoover is still eating well.

Lori and Hoover

Very Thankful for this list

Fri Apr 28, 2000 6:49pm

Hoover - more bad news

Last night I came home to Hoover having some diarrhea. This morning Hoover

was back to selective eating. This afternoon Hoover starting have

difficulty breathing. Rush him to his GP vet.

X-rays show possible pneumonia, possible metastatic chest lesion (tumor near

heart) and he does have pneumothorax. This is air in his chest cavity.

We are now pretty sure that he has a hole in his inner throat area( larynx

?) that was allowing air to go under his skin, now it is also going into his

chest which will cause his lungs to collapse. So they removed air from

under the skin and chest. Hoover is feeling much better now. The hole they

think is from the cancer. No one has ever seen this situation before in a

cancer dog.

The bad news is it might come back again fast. All Hoover's vets agree

that if it comes back this weekend it would be best for Hoover to let him

go. He is on antibiotics for the possible pneumonia and if the air doesn't

return real fast we will increase his prednisone. They feel that drawing

air every two days or putting in a chest tube would not give him quality of

life. If he lasts two weeks without air developing in his chest that might

be then reasonable to draw the air out with a needle when needed. And then

there is the possible lesion in his chest.

So things don't look good. On a happier note, Hoover went tracking Thursday

on a beautiful day and once again showed the green dogs just how it is done.

His coat is growing back and if you look carefully it is starting to shine

again. At the time his couldn't wear his tracking harness, so he tracked

with just collar and line.

Give all your pets a special hug from me tonight!

Lori

Hoover - sheltie age 7

Dx: High grade T-cell Lymphoma 5/99

Sat Apr 29, 2000 8:12am

Hoover the roller coster

Thanks for all the prayers again!

So far, so good. Hoover is back to eating normal and is still the same

size. I no longer know what to pray for anymore.

This morning I let the dogs out and Hoover zipped to the head of the pack as

normal. I yelled at him to come back. ( We think running and barking cause

the air to suck into him) He came back and wouldn't leave the patio.

Hoover has never been yelled at before. I feel so bad. It is so hard to

know what to do.

One thing I would like to say in our year long battle, Hoover has never lost

his energy!

Lori and Hoover

Sun Apr 30, 2000 7:08pm

Nobody does it like Hoover!

Hoover is still with us! The local vets all agreed he probably wouldn't

make it through the weekend. He has taken on a little more air under the

skin, but not a whole lot. He is eating well and wants to run and bark.

Two more good days!

Message for Donna Heron. My mail won't get through to you. Something I

suspect is wrong your return address. To answer you question, Hoover

doesn't have gas - it is all air. The dogs do sound real similar.

Hoover's condition is usually cause by bite wounds and automobile accidents,

it could happen from a botched surgery. We think the air is leaking both

under the skin and into the chest cavity from the trachea or the larynx.

This is highly unusual in a cancer dog, but possible. Barking and running

suck the air in.

Tomorrow I go back to work, I just hate too. I'm so worried about how

Hoover will be when I get home. I'm down to 7 vacations days left. I could

take the whole week off, but who knows, he may just fool everyone and live

longer. He probably sleeps and is less active when I'm not home anyway. I

hope so.

Thanks for everyone's posts and phone calls during this roller coaster ride.

Lori and Hoover,

Keagan, Razzle, Caper (shelties) and Sahara ( Somali cat)

Tue May 2, 2000 8:07pm

Hoover's still doing well

I could drop from exhaustion! Keegan was up needing to go outside at 2 am,

I accidentally set the alarm for 4:15 am instead of 5:15 am. Dead tired!

Hoover is still improving.

Razzle who ate 4 bagels and THE BAG has started into diarrhea, he sends his

regards to Clondike. It is rough having long hair dogs with the runs. I'm

watching Raz carefully for an obstruction, but the vet thinks he will be OK.

I won't write further and will sneak off for some sleep, tonight I will be

letting Raz out all night long.

I'm so happy for Hoover.

Prayers for everyone!

Lori, shelties and one cat.

Wed May 3, 2000 9:15pm

Hoover sends his thanks for all the funny stories

Thanks for everyone writing. Hoover loves to hear me laugh and that I have

done with all the funny stories of very oral dogs.

Razzle, Hoover's favorite buddy is also know as RAZ RAPTOR for his raptor

like eating manners. Raz also loves paper money. I keep my wallet locked

up now.

I think I would rather deal with a hairless dog when it comes to a bad case

of the runs. They dry faster!

Raz is back to normal, Hoover ended up with diarrhea late last night and

today has dried up - no stools. Everyone is eating and active.

I will join in on the toast and burn a candle on Memorial day!

Lori and Shelties - 4, Cat - 1

Sat May 6, 2000 3:23pm

Hoover the inflatable dog

We had remove more air from Hoover's chest and under the skin again. He is

still eating and acting pretty normal, so we decided it was worth doing

again. I watch this time and Hoover doesn't seem to mind. We did more

X-rays, the local vet feels like the cancer has really spread. It's like

his whole throat and front has shadowy stuff all over it. It is not in the

lungs or chest yet. Just air getting in from the bad area. It is hard to

believe he can be acting so normal with those X-rays.

I'm would like to send the films off for our Oncologist to see, but it is

pointless, since treatment wouldn't change. Our main goal is to keep him

comfortable and happy. I 'm going to try to get time to take him tracking

Monday.

Lori

Hoover - 7 year old Sheltie

Dx - High grade T-cell Lymphoma 5/99

Mon May 15, 2000 7:51pm

Hoover has lost his tonsil!

Hoover seems to have lost his tonsil. Everyone is astounded. He still is getting a lot of air under his skin, but we haven't had to remove any from his chest since two Fridays ago.

For those that are new or have trouble keeping up with our growing list. Hoover was Dx'ed with Lymphoma a year ago. We had to remove a fist size mast between his lungs and against his heart find out what kind of cancer. He blood work showed high calcium before surgery. He barely lived through the first surgery, but the next day is blood work was normal. The Internal Med. Doctor felt that Hoover might have an encapsulated tumor and that he would have a chance of a normal life span if we went with radiation and chemo. We went for it and rupture his bladder! We have had lots of ups and downs.

At the end of January, Hoover came out of remission. We switched clinics and saw an Oncologist that was familiar with Rescue Protocols. (Thanks to David of our list for letting us know that Rescue Protocol exist) It turns out that Hoover is a high grade T-cell lymphoma. This is very bad news. We never could get a remission and ran through protocols like water. We finally left him on a very low dose of CCNU and started Prednisone. I was told to expect no more than 6 weeks. Perhaps on the fourth week air started seeping under his skin. On the sixth week air invaded his chest cavity and I was told to prepare and make arrangements for him. They thought the air would just keep returning and he wouldn't make it through the weekend without a collapsed lung. Hoover now seems to be going into remission, which shouldn't be happening. The only thing new is the Baytril (antibiotic). Your prayers and thoughts I know have help too. It is too soon to tell if we really are getting a remission, but something is going on. Special thanks to Cindi and Koa for Marina Zarcharia's supplements.

Very big hugs to everyone! This has been a wild year and without your support I don't think I could have survived it. Suspect I will have a few more roller coaster rides before it is over.

Lori and Hoover - sheltie age 7

Tue May 16, 2000 5:57pm

Hoover again

Well, I'm so discouraged. Yesterdays Vet was the one who couldn't find his

tonsil and was convinced that Hoover could be going into remission. I

glanced too and didn't see it. Today in the strong light of the sun, it is

still there.

I'm trying to cheer myself up that we haven't lost any ground and his air

problem in his chest cavity is improving. The main thing is he is still

eating and very active. Such hope I had and what a high. How quickly

reality can hit again.

Lori and Hoover

Fri May 26, 2000 6:23pm

Hoover and worm

More bad news!

Hoover does have a large lesion back in his chest area. This is the cause

of his air problems. I'm told he is down to days. He is still eating and

playing, but you can now tell that he isn't quite himself.

So now it is a waiting game.

With all the talk of virus problems around, I down loaded a free 30 day

detection program. It found a VBS worm today which I deleted. If you do

search for Trend virus detection you can down load it too. It is called

PC-cillian 2000 antivirus. My computer is clean and I have peace of mind.

I'm going to sign up for it. It has already paid for itself!

Once again thanks for all the support.

Lori and Hoover - who wants Dinner!

Tue Jun 6, 2000 12:08pm

Hoover update

Hoover is still here. He continues to eat selectively, play with his rat

and greet me perhaps with a lower key. His eyes are now very sensitive to

light. Today I picked up some Gentocin Durafilm - a eye drop with steroids

to help. He is still on Prednisone, Baytril and Prochlorperazine. The

Prochlorperazine has stop his twice a day vomiting real well. Amazingly

his nodes on his neck are barely detectable and his tonsil isn't really that

bad. My guess is that lesion in his chest is the one giving him all the

trouble. He still is in good weight, but it is harder to find food that he

will eat. It must be a new food each time or forget it. His breathing

actually seems better, but you can tell he is close to the end by his

attitude. Air under the skin is much reduced.

I am taking one hour at a time now.

Lori

Hoover - age 7 sheltie

Dx - High Grade T-cell Lymphoma 5/99

Treatment - Radiation, Chemo, Raw Diet and Supplements

Wed Jun 7, 2000 1:16am

Hoover the thief

Tonight I came home thinking that I would make Hoover's some Kraft macaroni

and cheese, since he seems to be into junk food. This just kills me since I

worked so hard in the beginning to feed a low carb, high protein and fat

diet. I figure since everyone says he is on deaths door he should eat what

he wants - that is all he will eat anyway.

I'm getting out the ingredients and offer him some butter (anything that

comes out of the fridge Hoover is offered). He says no way, yuck get it out

of my face! I cut the butter and measure the milk while the water boils for

the macaroni. In the mean time I go back to the office to start this

computer. Raz, my biggest and worst counter surfer, snatches the butter off

the counter. Hoover dashes in and fights Raz for the butter and wins. I

walk in and Hoover is eating the butter like it is the best thing on earth.

I guess stolen food is better. Now I have to figure out how to make Hoover

think he is stealing his food!

Tomorrow we will set up a raid for the cat's dish.

We will all morn Hoover so much, with the exception of Sahara the cat.

Lori

4 shelties and one cat

Wed Jun 7, 2000 8:37am

what would you do?

Bobbi,

I am all for fresh foods and really believe in the cancer diet I made for

Hoover, but when it come to a point where you have to force pills or food

and you know in your heart that it isn't going to be for a short period of

time, for me it is time to just let them have what they want.

I thought for sure all these carbs Hoover is getting would kill him in days

and darn if the days aren't turning into weeks.

I want Hoover's last days to be of shock that he is getting anything he

wants and that he is so spoiled. I don't want him to spend his last days

with me running around forcing things he no longer likes.

The vets have been really off base with Hoover many times. I just going

with my gut feeling these days.

Hoover eyes are much better - thanks to the eye drops. Hope you get more

input. It has to be what ever you feel from your heart as to how you feed

or use in treatment. There is just so many factors and every pet and owner

has their own unique situation.

Glad you posted cheaper sources. I found Germanium much cheaper at

Vitamins.com.

And I wish we could set up a bank or something for passing out left over

supplements and Med's when our pets leaves.

Lori and Hoover

Wed Jun 14, 2000 5:42pm

DO OUR BABIES HAVE SOULS/SPIRITS

Barbara,

His dog might not have a soul, but yours does! Or perhaps our dogs have

something greater than a soul, since they are so much more pure in heart.

They are god's creatures.

When I was a child I used to see a ghost in the form of a cat.

Just my two cents! I will be lighting candles for Sugar at 6:30 pm.

Lori and Hoover

Wed Jun 14, 2000 7:13pm

Hoover is still with us.

Just an update.

Hoover's weight is still good. He eats rarely anything twice in one week.

I can rotate food in that fashion. Hates Vienna Sausages, but it was worth

a try.

Supplements are near impossible. In the early stages of his cancer it

was easy - just sprinkle on his food. Important pills I could put on a

rubber tipped babyspoon loaded with meat baby food. Currently he will eat

the food and carefully spit out the pill. If I sprinkle it on the food he

won't eat period. I don't want to force more pills than I have too, so I

have cut out most of his supplements. For the last several weeks the Doc's

say he has hours to live, so I haven't felt they were important. Amazingly

he is living with out them. I thought for sure they were what was keeping

him alive. ( It's his rat - it still squeaks :0)

We have managed to control his vomiting again by a human size dose of

Pepcid AC.

His rear end is atrophying from cancer and the prednisone. He still will

fence race, but can't do stairs. He still wants to learn and is enjoying

learning how to drop a ball in a basket. Don't ask him to drop his rat

anywhere! More bad news - he has developed mange. We can't treat, since

his immune system is too low and it would be silly for a dog who has " hours

left". Hoover won't win longevity contest, but he might win the dog at

deaths door contest.

I am looking for any ideas on how to treat mange topically with holistic

stuff - I don't want another supplement to shove down his throat.

His air has returned back under his skin. Hope that is all it is doing.

I'm still really happy Hoover is still with us. The latest new is that he

might just bleed out and to be prepare to find him dead. The vets don't say

much good, but tonight for some reason I'm just happy. Hoover ate well and

is sleeping as are all my fur family. :o)

Candles are lit, prayers are said.

Lori and Hoover

Lymphoma 5/99

Radiation, Chemo, Supplements, Diet and "the rat"

Fri Jun 16, 2000 10:19pm

Thanks from Lori and Hoover

Big Thanks to everyone for the support with Hoover. I got lots of good

ideas on how to treat Hoover's suspected mange. I steeping a jar of lemons

for 3 days and then will use it as a dip, in the meantime I'm using a

suggestion of trying to drown the mites that cause mange with olive oil.

Tomorrow I add drops Tea Tree oil and Lavender to my olive oil. This is

my first line of action, if I don't get results than I will try some of the

other ideas. The vets don't feel any of the traditional treatments would be

safe at this time.

Hoover has fallen in love with a product called Red Barn Premium Food for

Dogs. It is a meat roll similar to Rollover, a product you can buy at dog

shows. He has eaten several meals of it and where as it isn't my homemade

raw cancer diet, it isn't too bad. I have already fed him some of the beef

roll and chicken roll. Tomorrow we will start on Lamb. The ingredients

are as follows if anyone is interested Lamb, Lamb Lungs, Brown Rice, Rice

Flour, Lamb Liver, Lamb Meal, Flaxseed, Peas, Carrots, salt and then it goes

into the vitamins, etc. I'm still a big believer in homemade diets, but at

this point Hoover is calling the shots. Any food is better than no food.

This is the only food Hoover has eaten more than once in a week! He still

refuses any of his old foods.

I have been able to sneak in a few of his immune boosters today. Hoover has

just about got the concept of dropping his ball in a basket. :o)

Lori and Hoover

Tue Jun 20, 2000 7:59am

Hoover - Monday's report

Hoover bloodied one of his mangy back feet, pretty bad Sunday night, so off

to the vet's Monday. We confirmed Demodectic mange which doesn't normally

itch, but on Hoover, I guess it does. We did a CBC and a liver panel. I

had to leave before it was ready, so I don't have a copy, but it was a mess.

The GP vet feels that the CCNU and Prednisone are taking there toll. He

feels that the liver is still working OK. I came home with a new

antibiotic, since the mangy areas also are infected! So much for my Tea

Tree oil treatments. We also started him on interferon to build his immune

system back. I switched his herbal supplements to Tasha's Immune System

Formula ( Tincture of Ganoderma Mushroom, Astragalus, Echinacea angustifolia

root, Red root, Red clover, Yarrow, Dandelion Root, Boneset and flower

essences ( pretty cool combo). We are also trying Goodwinol ( Contains

Rotenone) very cautiously.

The million dollar sheltie question is do I slowly reduce the prednisone to

help his liver, which will cause the cancer to grow faster or do I kill him

with prednisone. I don't think we will use the CCNU(chemo) again. The

vet's do not give me much support on which death is better. I think they

feel I should just end it for him now. Which I can't - he still maintains

his weight, plays, etc.

His one foot is really bad looking. Trying to keep it wrapped in airy soft

cotton material. I hate to have to put an "E" collar on him, this close to

the end. Bitter apple doesn't help.

So there it is.

Hugs and prayers for everyone in this bad dream. I keep hoping I will wake

up, but I know Hoover will be gone if I do.

Lori and Mangy Hoover, who wish they could have gone to Jean's wonderful

party!

Wed Jun 21, 2000 0:55am

Mangy Hoover - Good/Bad

Well - good news, bad news. Hoover is back to eating normal! I don't know

if it was the Tasha's Immune stuff or the Interferon. I started them at the

same time. This also means I can get his supplements down him again. I had

been forcing the Milk Thistle for a few days now. I also gave him some

olive leaf extract. The mange has caused a secondary infection that is

looking worst all the time. Hoping the olive leaf extract might work. He

is not responding to his current antibiotic. The one foot is really a mess

and his left eye and above it is really yucky too.

I working on Bobbi's idea of stuffing a nylon stocking and tying it around

his neck I don't have it wide enough yet - he can still reach his foot.

It may be impossible with his sheltie long nose. I did put an E-collar on

him while I was at work and he got passed that too.

Need to get to bed! Very tired. Up with Hoover last night.

Thanks so much again. The list means so much to me. It is indeed a hard

week!

Lori and Hoover

Fri Jun 30, 2000 8:30pm

Just Wondering About Hoover

Hoover is still alive, maintaining weight, playing with the rat and can take

a dumbbell from my hand and take it to a basket about four feet away! His

mange is terrible, except we have the secondary infection on it under

control. Just about half of his left side of his face is eaten up with

it. One hind foot is just mangled and all other feet have some degree of

it.

His last blood work showed liver problems, so tomorrow I spend a lot of

money on a whole panel to decide if we can continue chemo any further. He

has walnut size lymphnodes on his neck that tend to fluctuate in size.

Very Scary! The air under his skin fluctuates too, but is less than usual.

I haven't posted lately because life is really throwing me some curveballs.

My heat pump's coils are leaking and I have a rather large repair bill

coming up. The unit is only 6 years old and had a five year warranty. The

driveway washed out and my neighbors ( who own half of it ) are after me to

finally pave it. My ridge vent in my roof leaks into the attic every time

we get a bad storm, so I need a new way to vent my attic and replace the

insulation that is soaked. Of course there are a zillion other repairs

needed as well .

I'm giving in and shopping for a line of credit on my home's equity..

Hoover's bills still run about $500 a month and I'm falling behind.

Wish there was some better news! Hoover ate all of his cancer diet

tonight and we will spend the rest of the evening soaking his feet in Epson

salts.

For Bobby - Hope Morgy starts eating better - a good day is a well fed dog

with an appetite!

Thanks for asking.

Lori and Hoover

Wed Jul 12, 2000 9:28pm

Hoover Fix

Hoover mange is perhaps slowing. There are some areas that have gone pink

(versus angry red) and then went into hyperpigmention. I think the mange

might be leaving these areas. He looks like a monster. His nodes on his

neck vary greatly from day to day. Yesterday the right was gone

completely - back today. He can gag on food, but right now is helping me

eat burnt popcorn with ease. He still is playing and learning new things.

His blood work keeps getting worse. Liver is really bad, kidneys aren't to

great either and surprisingly his calcium is a little low. I able to get

some of his supplements down still.

I sorry I haven't been keeping up much and worse not even welcoming the new

and lost. Overtime is back at work and I'm burning the candles at both

ends. Hopefully this current situation is temporary.

Promise to catch up on my mail soon.

Bless everyone and there pets. Thanks bobby for asking and Happy Belated

Birthday to Flirt!

Lori

Hoover - High Grade T-cell Lymphoma - Dx 5/99

Out of remission since the end of January.

Treatment - everything!

Thu Jul 20, 2000 0:00am

Hoover and need home for CCNU

Hello,

Hoover's mange might be doing a little better. He continues to eat soft

foods, anything else he will throw up. I suspect it is a tight squeeze down

to his stomach. The mast in his chest area must be large by now. He is

only on Prednisone and of course a whole lot of immune builders ( when I can

get them into him). All other chemo is out at this point. His liver and

kidneys just won't take anymore.

I have some left over CCNU or Lomustine if anyone wants it. I will be glad

to mail it to you. This is a chemo that most dogs tolerate well, but will

really drop white count. So you must be working with a vet that is familar

with it. It is used as a rescue protocol for lymphoma dogs and is helpful

with some other cancers too. I have 13 capsule that are 10mg's. If I

get more than one request I will divide it or throw names in a hat.

Yesterday a friend came over to visit. She wouldn't pet Hoover as she

usually would have. I explain that the type of mange Hoover had wasn't

contagous, but you could see how reluctant she was - Hoover is such a sight

these day! He still is up and bouncy. Last night he was with the pack

trying to get a rabbit. If you where very near sighted you would think he

was just fine.

Cyber hugs for everyone!

For those that are new:

Hoover has been living with cancer for 15 months - He has been out of

remission since the end of January. He is a High Grade T-cell Lymphoma and

has had his ups and downs, but has almost double his life expectancy. He

is treated with everything - Radiation, Chemo, Raw Cancer Diet,

Supplements, Mental exercises (learning new tricks and games). He currently

eats anything he wants to and we are in a hospice mode.

Lori and Hoover

Thu Jul 20, 2000 9:10am

Hoover/Lori

Try to

> keep the "pack" away from the poor rabbits, they deserve a life too.

The rabbits are safe! Hoover was the only one fast enough in my pack of

geriatrics to catch a rabbit. He isn't as quick as he used to be.

Thanks to everyone for their responses during this tough time. The novel

"On the Beach" keeps coming back to me. It drifts around in my mind and

haunts me. It's the story of the end of the world and the last days. The

saddest novel I have every read! Wish I could get it out of my head. I

know full well this is just a rough spot in my life. Good times are surely

ahead, but some good news would sure help.

Lori and Hoover

Mon Jul 24, 2000 4:01pm

Hoover 1-10-1993 - 7-24-2000

Hoover for several days now hasn't been able to keep food down very

well. This morning he vomited for over an hour and could not even hold

water down. He was still able to play with his toy rat later this morning.

This afternoon even without food the vomiting started again. His cancer

had spread to the point that food just couldn't pass.

The vet arrived at 3 pm and Hoover went peacefully in my arms. I am OK, but

I'm having the good cry that I promised myself. I will take tomorrow off

and be a little reclusive - I will not be answering the phone. Thank

everyone for the wonderful support I have received.

I hope to meet Hoover at the river someday as for now he walks with me on

silent paws.

God Speed Hoover!

Lori and sadly just Raz, Caper, Keagan and Sahara the Cat.