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Likes: Wrestling with Cosmo anytime he's awake, car rides and walks, playfully chasing our cats, mud puddles, pretending he isn't tearing up the lawn as we approach him
Pet-Peeves: Not being allowed to eat the cat poop, those "scary" reflections from the tv on the patio door
Favorite Toy: Cosmo, tug ropes, things he's not suppose to play with
Favorite Food: No-salt canned green beans with his kibble, Dingo bones
Favorite Walk: Neighborhood public park and dog park so he can see people, dogs, and collect tennis balls! We have dozens that he's brought home since there is a tennis court at our neighborhood park
Best Tricks: When Quincy was in his first puppy school class, we were asked to teach our pups a trick for graduation day. I taught Quincy how to "play piano" wearing his graduation cap and gown. He was a riot and the whole class gave him a standing ovation!
Arrival Story: In September of 2003, we said goodbye to Butch, who helped us raise Cosmo. No dog could replace him, but we felt a big void since Butch had been with us as long as we'd been married. We found Sherwood Goldens, a reputable breeder in San Francisco who owns a home that is full of wonderful Goldens of different ages. We just wanted to have more history this time on the health and temperament of our new addition to our family. We weren't necessarily trying to find an existing litter but maybe a puppy we'd bring home in the Spring of 2004. Coincidentally, this breeder was expecting a litter at the end of January, 2004, so that meant they would be ready to go to their new homes in March, 2004. So, we went through the screening process and were ecstatic when we were offered a puppy from this litter and had a great time preparing for the new baby. Precious puppy visits were made almost every week until we brought our Quincy boy home at eight weeks of age. The first day we brought him home he joyfully ran up to Cosmo as soon as he saw him, knowing he had a new big friend, and snuggled with him as much as he could!
Bio: Quincy was one of four boys in the litter (sadly, his little sister did not make it). We met his parents, grandparents, and other relatives. He really had a great time going to puppy classes and posed like a proud little graduate in his outfit! Though Quincy can be a handful at times, he is really sweet, happy, friendly, and loveable! It is so hard to be mad at him for any length of time, especially when he gives us "that" look when he's done something naughty! He has the true Golden spirit and we love him to pieces!!
Forums Motto: To Know Me is to Love Me
A couple of nights ago, Casey, my best pal from the hood, came over and we romped in our backyard. That was fun!
I just got home from my treatment and got Adriamycin today for the first time. Dad dropped me off at my usual 7:30am appointment time but it was a treat when both Mom and Dad came to pick me up!
Like last week, I got good reviews from my physical exam and in-house CBC. Next week, I'm only going in for a follow-up CBC and then the following week I'll get Vincristine again. In case you're wondering, my full treatment plan is for 26 weeks, but I'll eventually only get medicine every other week.
Everyone from Veterinary Medical Specialists (VMS) says I'm a really good patient during treatment and that I'm very cooperative and I like getting all those cookies! I don't bark when they put me in the dog run while I wait to be picked up. I'm never there for very long anyway because they're always told I want to be picked up ASAP!
Mom took some pictures today which I'll be adding to my page. She told them she wanted them for my Dogster page and how I've been keeping my pals updated in my diary, so now Dr. Shaw wants the link to it. Mom is actually going to make some calling cards for me today so she can hand them out when people ask!
Dad took me to get some Vincristine again today. He met with Dr. Shaw afterwards and heard some good news. Last week, Dr. Shaw said that my white blood cell count was low, which was to be expected, but this week it's improved and is almost normal! So, I am tolerating the treatment well and my body is fighting off any infections, so far.
Dr. Shaw said I was doing good, that my physical exam showed that my mucous membranes were nice and pink, no signs of heart murmurs, my sinus rhythm is normal, lungs are clear, and that there were no masses or discomfort when they did the abdominal palpitation. They sure are a bunch of touchy-feely types!
Next Thursday I will get a different medicine called Adriamycin. That appointment will be a longer one but they already know that as long as they keep patting me I will be calm, but when I'm finished I'll be doing my usual "outta here" routine of dragging the nurse/tech to the front lobby for pickup.
I will get a picture taken of me with Dr. Shaw soon, maybe next week when Mom and Dad both take me for my treatment.
My condition will always be considered "guarded", but we'll take good news any day!
Love,
Quincy
P.S. If you know how I can knock down the pet gate that is attached to the door of the cats' "dining" room, please leave me suggestions!
Mom took me to the Land of "O" this morning at 7:30am where they gave me the weekly physical exam, including a CBC (complete blood count). My white blood cell count is low but that is to be expected with chemotherapy.
Dr. Shaw said that I was in remission and that the lymph nodes around my neck feel normal in size now. Yes, that was good news to hear but it doesn't mean I am going to stop treatment under the University of Wisconsin-Madison Lymphoma Protocol. The idea is to keep the lymphoma at bay for as long as possible because stopping treatment would likely cause it to return very quickly.
This week's treatment is different because it will be done at home with daily Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) pills, then I'll go back to the Land of "O" next Thursday for Vincristine. My parents were given surgical gloves to wear while giving me the pills. Since the drug can (rarely) cause irritation to the lining of the urinary bladder, they have to watch for any marked increase in frequency of urination, straining to urinate or blood in the urine.
During the first week of treatment, I also had to take 2-1/2 tablets of Prednisone daily, and on the second week, 2 tablets daily. This week it'll be 1-1/2 tablets daily but if the panting bothers my parents, Dr. Shaw said they can reduce it even more.
I am a good boy in the car and a wagging-tailed friendly boy at the Land of "O". It's in a different city from ours but only takes about 15 minutes to drive there with no heavy traffic. I had to be there for about two hours but as usual, was so happy when it was time to go home! I jumped up and almost knocked Mom down when I saw her.
Oh, I wanted to also tell you about the new pals I met at the dog park earlier this week. One was a Westie (and I'm so sorry I forgot his name) and his little Yorkshire Terrier brother named Enzo (like one of my kitty brothers) and their Dad! I have to brag because when their Dad saw me he petted me and said to my Mom, "OMG, is he yours? He's beautiful!" They started a conversation and after hearing that I was a cancer patient, the Dad asked Mom if he could give her his business card with his email address on it so she could keep him informed of my progress. So, Mom emailed him and also sent him a link to my Dogster page here. He said he and his wife will keep me in their prayers!
Overall, I am doing very well so far. I am hungrier and thirstier than usual, but I'm still smiling!
Thank you so much for your continued POPs and for those of you who have been down this road and have shared your stories. My family and I appreciate all of your thoughtful and caring comments, pawmails, and gifts.
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