[PyrNet-L] CHAT, HEALTH: Lymphoma--a Clondike update

[David P Kintsfather Jr <kintsfat@kutztown.edu>]

Clondike is an 11 1/2 year-old Pyr bitch who has been undergoing
chemotherapy for nearly a year now for lymphoma.

After the 2nd treatment of the DMAC protocol Clondike is back in full
remission to my inexpert touch.  The oncologist is in Europe for a world
lymphoma conference, so we will have to wait 2 weeks for official
confirmation on her status.  This will make Clondike's 3rd remission, and
as of Friday we are one year from diagnosis.  Funny how these milestones
become important.

My last post concerned Clondike's reaction to neupogen, a drug used to
stimulate the bone marrow to produce new white cells which helps control
some of the side effects of chemotherapy.  About 24% of humans experience
a pain response when this drug kicks in, usually controlled with OTC
NSAIDs.  In spite of a request for information on a mailing list of
veterinary oncologists, we have yet to find another case of a dog having
this reaction, but then we knew Clondike is "special."  

Responses from various health care providers from the Internet produced
about a 50:50 split between those believing Clondike had a pain response
and those suspecting an allergic response due to the drug being made from
human DNA.  Two of the 3 vets directly responsible for Clondike's care are
convinced it was a pain response, and our general-practice vet leans in
that direction.  The plan is to pre-treat with Benedryl (just in case) and
Bufferin before administering neupogen again.  This is our 2nd use of the
DMAC protocol, so we have a pretty good idea of when neupogen may be
needed.

While Clondike had a pretty rough Fri. night, she rapidly recovered and by
Tuesday, (4 days later) she was feeling well enough to run laps around the
living room and sprain something in her thigh. She tried the same thing on
Thursday night as I was getting her ready to go to our regular vet for a
checkup (of her thigh for one thing).  I made a hoop with my arms and
caught her on the 2nd lap and held her till she quieted down--it must have
been quite a sight.  The thigh is just a tight muscle and the vet showed 
me where to rub.  

On Friday Clondike had the DMAC treatment #2 and at that time the
oncologist felt she was in nearly full remission.  To my touch the nodes
have gone down even farther since that treatment.  We are using injectable
Centrine for nausea and diarrhea control.  Clondike was a little grumpy
today and was slow to eat her "tea," but so far so good.  Her most likely
time to get sick is tomorrow (a holiday, of course), but we are hopeful
that we can minimize the symptoms.

Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers.  I'll keep you posted.

David

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 David Kintsfather              | PHONE:       (610) 683-4497
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 PO Box 730                     |   "We need not think alike to love alike."
 Kutztown, PA  19530-0730       |                Francis David
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