Keeping a Cancer Journal

I will always remember that feeling of complete shock that I experienced when I first heard the word “cancer” applied to my little bulldog Georgia.  Even though we had suspected it for a few weeks and were waiting for test results to confirm it, the idea that, at only 4 years old, she had cancer was beyond comprehension.  Like most major illnesses in a family, it’s just not something that you can ever truly be prepared for, and I remember that odd mixture of fear, sadness, anger and numbness.  It was a lot to take in and deal with.

Of course, that was just the beginning.  Within days, Georgia started chemotherapy treatments, which would last, on and off, for the next year, and we changed her diet to one that was low carb and high in protein and Omega 3’s.  Then there were the pills.  She had Prednisone as part of her chemo protocol, and Metronidazole for times when the chemo drugs would give her diarrhea.  Then, her holistic vet added digestive enzymes and fish protein powder, vitamins, organ support supplements and Chinese herbs.  Of course, some of these were best given every day, and some could not be given for a day or two before or after a chemo treatment.  Then, we added some cancer-fighting mushroom powder to her diet, and Noni juice, and plenty of fresh organic veggies.  Sheesh!

Gone were the days of thoughtlessly sharing little treats with her throughout the day from our plates, or going to the store and buying some dog treats just because they looked interesting.  Now, every bite was analyzed for nutritional and carb content, and when to give what pills or supplements seemed like a never ending maze where the walls kept changing.  It was a lot to remember and to keep track of…especially on top of all of the stress we were feeling, both emotionally and financially. 

Even more important was trying to remember how SHE was feeling each day, and what questions I needed to ask the vet at our next appointment.  Oh, and keeping track of when her next appointment was, and which chemo drug that I had never heard of before was she going to get this time?  My head was spinning!

So how do you get through all of this mess?  A Cancer Journal.  Whether it is a bare bones list of essential information, or a detailed account of what happened each day, a Cancer Journal can be a critical tool during the fight against this disease.  Not only will it help keep you organized and help you to remember all of the important little details of what’s going on with your pup, it will also give you some valuable perspective on how good or bad things really are.  Sometimes, we humans tend to dwell on the negative and when things seem to be going badly, we start feeling like they’ve been bad forever.  Keeping track of the many ups and downs along the journey with cancer can help you be more objective when times are tough, and can help you anticipate what might happen next.  And, don’t underestimate how easy it is to forget information.  What you think you’ll remember when you get home from the vet’s office, or a few days from now can be completely lost within minutes when everything you’re dealing with is so new. 

So, what should be included in a Cancer Journal?  Here are some of the most important elements:

Diet - A complete list of everything you’re feeding your pup on a daily basis.

Supplements - What they are, what they’re for, and when you’re supposed to be giving them.

Drugs - Chemo drugs being administered and when, pills or injections to give at home, etc.  Include how they are supposed to be given and note any possible side effects to watch for.

Appointments - When and where (seems easy, but when juggling a full-time job and appointments to regular vets, oncologists and holistic vets, it can get a little confusing after a while!)

Contact Information - One easy place to find your vets’ information, hospital phone number, or even websites that you may need to refer to frequently to get new supplies or supplements.

Questions - A place to keep a running list of questions to ask the next time you talk to your vet.

Daily Notes - This is probably the most important part of a good Cancer Journal.  Include your dog’s daily energy level, appetite, urination/defecation changes, and any other observations you make about how they’re feeling or acting.

By keeping track, in writing, of all of the little details that come up along the way during your journey with cancer, you will not only feel more in control of things, but you will also be able to start anticipating problems and be more prepared to deal with any challenges that do come up.  You’ll also be more prepared and knowlegable when it comes to those frequent vet appointments, making you a more effective partner in your best friend’s treatment plan.  You already know your dog best, and are her most valuable ally during this fight.  A detailed Cancer Journal will help you even more.

Have you created a Cancer Journal?  Share a post about how it has helped you and your pup!

 

Paws 4 A Cure Walk in MA

Whether your life has been touched by canine cancer, or just touched by a relationship with a dog, you’re invited to the Paws 4 A Cure Walk on July 19 in Wakefield, MA.  All proceeds from this walk will benefit the Magic Bullet Fund, which provides financial assistance to pet guardians who cannot afford the lifesaving cancer treatments that their dogs need.  Organized by Keri Goldman, whose dog Nikko bravely fought cancer, this event is hoping to raise lots of money to help more dogs currently fighting cancer.  If you live near Wakefield, MA, or if you would like to help with this event by sponsoring a walker or being a corporate sponsor, please contact Keri at keri@paws4acure.org.

Date:  Saturday, July 19
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield, MA
(The starting line will be at the gazebo on the commons on Main Street.)

For more information or to register, visit www.paws4acure.org.

Radiation Therapy for Dogs

In addition to surgery and chemotherapy, radiation therapy is a common cancer treatment for dogs.  Depending on the type of cancer diagnosed, It can be used alone, in combination with chemotherapy, or used post surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.  While it is often used to try to cure cancers, it can also be used as a palliative treatment — to reduce pain or discomfort caused by the cancer.  This is especially true in the case of osteosarcoma, or bone cancer.

Radiation therapy is often used for cancers that are localized (have not spread to other parts of the body), but which cannot be surgically removed, or in cases when surgery has been performed, but clean margins could not be obtained, and the oncologist has concerns that some cancer cells may remain.  Half-body radiation may also be suggested for dogs with lymphoma.  In this case, half of the body receives radiation therapy at the start of cancer treatment, and the other half of the body about one month into treatment.  By radiating only half of the body at a time, the bone marrow is not completely destroyed.  In the case of bone cancers, radiation therapy can help to reduce pain, although it may not extend life.

In addition to bone cancer and lymphoma, other types of cancer that may be treated with radiation therapy include nasal tumors, oral squamous cell tumors, brain tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, some melanomas and mast cell tumors.

Side effects of radiation treatment usually take a while to show up, but once they do, will usually last a few weeks. Typical side effects include hair loss at the radiation site, skin discoloration (like a sunburn) and irritation, general fatique and loss of appetite.  Other side effects are are usually specific to the area being treated (i.e. nausea and vomiting if the abdomen is treated, chronic dry eye if the eyes are near the treatment area, etc.)

Before deciding whether or not radiation therapy is right for your dog, there are four important things to consider:

1. Your Dog’s Overall Health.  Hopefully an ethical veterinarian will not suggest radiation treatment unless your dog is a good candidate for the treatment.  However, you know your dog best and are ultimately responsible for making these difficult decisions.  Because radiation requires short periods of anesthesia each time, as the dog needs to remain perfectly still during treatment, you must consider whether or not this is something that your dog can handle.  While dogs are very closely monitored throughout each radiation treatment, there is always some degree of risk involved in anesthetizing a dog (or person).  Also, consider your dog’s emotional health — will they be able to deal with the frequent trips in for treatment or would this be too traumatic for them?

2. Your Dog’s Age and Prognosis.  If your dog is elderly, or if the cancer being treated may have metastasized or cannot be cured, even with aggressive treatments, then the physical and financial costs of radiation treatment may not be worthwhile.  However, if pain management is the goal, and time and money are not a barrier, radiation treatment may be an excellent option for some types of cancer, even if it cannot be cured.  Generally, radiation therapy is offered for pets who are expected to live at least one year beyond treatment.

3. Location of the Treatment Facility.  Radiation therapy requires highly specialized equipment and is not widely available like chemotherapy.  Facilities that offer half-body radiation therapy are even more rare.  Since most dogs require treatments 5 days a week for for 2-5 weeks depending on the size and location of the tumor, a facility that is hours away may not be feasible unless you can arrange for an extended stay near the facility.

4. Cost.  It’s a harsh reality, but no matter how much we love our canine companions, we sometimes cannot manage the financial burden of aggressive cancer treatments.  While pet insurance can help reduce the out-of-pocket expense of radiation treatment, it is still a very expensive proposition.  Aside from any travel or hotel costs that you may have to spend to bring your dog to a treatment facility, a typical radiation treatment protocol will cost somewhere between $900 and $3500 dollars. 

CLICK HERE to watch a video from the Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine showing a dog named Triton going through radiation therapy.

Other links related to veterinary radiation treatment:

Listing of Veterinary Radiation Oncology Facilities from the Veterinary Cancer Society

“A Look at Radiation Therapy for Pets” from Radiology Today

 “Radiation Therapy” by Dr. Holly Nash, DVM, MS from PetEducation.com

Helping Dogs with Bone Cancer

In the three years since I first entered the world of canine cancer, I have been amazed at the increase in the number of websites and organizations who have committed themselves to sharing information about dog cancers and helping those whose lives have been touched by this devastating disease.  When my bulldog Georgia was first diagnosed with lymphoma, there were relatively few places to go for quality information about different cancer types, and it was a very helpless feeling. 

Apparently, there are others who felt the same way and people willing to share their expertise on specific cancer types.  While Georgia’s Legacy does not exclusively deal with one cancer type, I definitely feel like an expert in lymphoma, having lived and breathed canine lymphoma for 13 months while Georgia fought her brave battle.  But, each type of cancer has its own idiosyncrasies and challenges and in many cases, those who have “been there” can provide the best guidance and advice.  So, I am always happy to find a new resource that can help pet guardians learn more about the specific type of cancer their dog faces.

For those dealing with canine osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, there is an excellent website called Bone Cancer Dogs.  This site is filled with great information on bone cancer treatments, pain management and stories about other pups who have faced this cancer, as well as links to online discussion forums specifically regarding canine bone cancer.  Given that osteosarcoma can be such an aggressive form of cancer, this website provides a great foundation for you to learn more about this disease so you can be more educated when evaluating treatment options and working with your vet or oncologist. 

To learn more about bone cancer in dogs, visit www.bonecancer.dogs.org.

For information about Georgia’s Legacy and to find general canine cancer information and support, visit www.fightcaninecancer.com.