I headed into Missoula today for the weekly errand run to town, but the "main event" was taking blind Goldie to see our internal medicine specialist, Dr. Dave Bostwick, for her last chemo treatment. After surgery to remove a mast cell tumor back in August, Goldie started a long course of chemotherapy that required a total of eight treatments. I took the photo this morning of Dave administering the chemo while his vet tech Tracy holds Goldie.
Dave had told us then that he'd never had a dog become sick from this particular chemo drug, vinblastine, and Goldie kept Dave's track record perfect. Not once did she ever show any side-effects or even become lethargic. In fact, she always got so excited whenever we pulled up to Dave's clinic that I liked to joke we'd never seen any dog look forward to chemotherapy as much as Goldie.
We also realize just how blessed we are, because the type of chemo drug can make all the difference in the world. In Goldie's case, we were lucky. Other dogs with different kinds of tumors require chemo drugs that can really take a toll on the animal.
Goldie will stay on prednisone for another three months, and then she'll be completely off any medication for her cancer.
For now, we're putting this one in the "win" column!
Great news! Goldie has such a sweet face.
Posted by: Mary | November 20, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Yeah! Goldie!!!!!!!!
Posted by: daryl | November 19, 2008 at 03:49 PM
LIVESTRONG Goldie! You are blessed with a great attitude and wonderful care. Definitely sounds like an equation for success to me. You are a survivor.
Posted by: Margaret | November 19, 2008 at 02:16 PM
After watching the terrible toll of chemo on my loved ones, I confess to lots of trepidation back when you said you were going to start Goldie on it. Too often chemo ruins the quality of the all-too-short life left for cancer sufferers, and fails anyway. But I have faith in your judgment and and your remarkable vets. Thank goodness you made the right call. Goldie continued to enjoy life during treatment and now will have much more of it to enjoy. Steve and Alayne and Dr. Dave, you're wise, compassionate stewards of RDR's wonderful critters.
Posted by: Debbie Burke | November 19, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Atta girl Goldie, congratulations!!!
Posted by: Katy | November 19, 2008 at 09:43 AM
That's great news for Goldie!
Although she'll miss her weekly treatments with the good doctor; I'm happy she's feeling well.
Posted by: Boundforglory | November 19, 2008 at 09:12 AM
Glad to see sh'es doing well. Love Margaret the star. How's Twist I never see him?
Posted by: gayle | November 19, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Fingers, toes and even eyes crossed here for sweet Goldie that this chemo therapy does it's job.
Posted by: Debbie | November 19, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Terrific news! Three cheers for Goldie!
Thanks for the update, Steve.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | November 19, 2008 at 05:00 AM
We love you Goldie!!! You are strong and sweet!
Posted by: Shirley * James * Portland, OR | November 19, 2008 at 01:12 AM
Hooray for Goldie!! Here's wishing you many many more squeaky toys to de-squeak, and many more golden days at RDR. You truly are gold, girl.
Thank you for taking such good care of her.
And thanks too for yesterday's great blog - maybe Margaret should be promoted from weed control to PR manager of RDR!
Posted by: bregda | November 19, 2008 at 01:10 AM
I just found out that my 5 yr. old Border Collie mix has cancer.He's been fighting sinus issues for a yr. and was diagnosed last week. He had a tumor a little bigger than a nickel removed from his sinus cavity on Friday. He came home today and you wouldn't know there is a thing wrong with him. Chemo and radiation are not options for us, or even available in our area so we are praying that the surgery got it all and it hasn't metastisized. So from one cancer pup owner to another and from Jonah to Goldie, stay positive and pray for the best!
Posted by: Lynn | November 19, 2008 at 12:13 AM
Woo-Hoo! Wonderful, wonderful news. Congratulations on winning the fight! Goldie, you are the hero for being so brave! I am thrilled for all of you!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | November 18, 2008 at 09:08 PM