Maxie's First Treatment

Miss Maxie had her first round of chemo today.  We went for her to have the ultrasound, but we had discussed going ahead with chemo depending on the ultrasound results.  So we were prepared for the possibility of them doing that today.

We got there, and they put us in the exam room to wait for the ultrasound.  There was another schnauzer there at the same time, and her name was Joey.  She was really pretty, but you could tell she didn't feel well at all.  They took her back first to do the ultrasound on Joey.  So Maxie's doc, Dr. Sarah came in to talk to us and go over any questions or concerns we might have.  They took Maxie on back and got her little belly shaved and then brought her back to sit with us.  Well they were running a bit behind and we ended up sitting for over an hour.  Which was fine, but mom is not a patient person.  And it was making her worry and anxious and that making Maxie a bit more excited about being there.   As you can see she was being a little ham.

While we were there last time, there was a black lab that had been getting it's first initial visit done.  Maxie and the lab would peak at each other but never really got close.  The lab seemed really tired or lethargic.   Well while we were waiting for the ultrasound, the lab and her owner came in.  The lab's name is Haley, and as soon as she saw Maxie she came over and they kissed each others noses.   I guess they remembered each other from last time.   Haley also has cancer and instead of doing chemo first with her, they are doing the Palladia Pills, and if they don't help, they are going to go to chemo.  Haley seemed much more alert and playful today.   So hopefully they are helping her.

Finally they took Maxie back for the ultrasound and we went up to the waiting room to relax some.   Joey and her owner had come out in the meantime and mom went out and talked to her.  Joey's mom said that they were thinking about sending her to the Univ of TN for treatment.  Joey is one sick little girl.  Mom came back in and almost in tears when she was telling me about Joey.  She felt bad for the lady cause she had a 30 minute drive home in the car with just Joey, and mom said she was about in tears outside talking to her.

Dr. Sarah came up to tell us the results on the ultrasound and told us that Maxie's blood count was good but her liver was a little big and bright.  So they wanted to start Maxie today on a low dose of chemo and then get higher each week.  She also said Maxie is a little dehydrated, so I've now got two that I have to make sure they are drinking enough (Granny stays dehydrated despite us trying to get her to drink more each day).  They started Maxie on Velban intravenously.  The side effects are nausea and diarrhea and loss of appetite.  So they gave us a prescription for Cerenia to bring home with us.  It's for nausea.  Dr Sarah said Haley and Maxie had sit together in the back and kept kissing each other.

They told us to just watch Maxie and make sure she doesn't run a fever or get too lethargic.  So far she's been pretty good tonight.  I didn't think she was going to go to bed with mom, but she finally decided she wanted me to take her to bed.  She ate a really good dinner, and even ate a snack later ( I seriously doubt pudgy will not want her food!).  I guess the next few days she will get entirely pampered.  Not that it's really a stretch for her being pampered.  Mom was much better after we got home.  I think it just makes her nervous to sit and wait.  Next week we can just drop Maxie off for her chemo and then come back.  We won't have to sit and wait for the doc.  So I think that will be better.