Our internal medicine specialist, Dr. Dave Bostwick, heard back from the oncologist at Washington State University's veterinary teaching hospital on Friday afternoon. The cost of the radiation treatment for her brain tumor is steep -- the oncologist estimated it would be in the $3,800 to $4,200 range -- and it would take a total of 18 to 20 "fractions," or doses, spread over a three-week time span. Because the radiation doses are administered every other day or so, we would leave Callie at the WSU vet hospital for the three-week duration. It would be early April before they could take Callie, although Dave was not concerned about the wait because we are managing her seizures in the meantime with phenobarbital and prednisone.
If we can give this little girl an extra three years or more, we think it's worth doing, so Alayne and I decided we're going to proceed with the treatment. Some people have already made donations towards her care in the past few days, and others have offered to help -- and for all of which, we are so incredibly grateful! If you'd like to make a gift towards Callie's treatment, you can make an online donation at our secure Web page here or by mailing a check to the ranch at 400 Rolling Dog Ranch Lane, Ovando, Montana, 59854. Please mark your donation for Callie so we can put it towards her medical fund.
Thank you!
Woo-hoo! Good timing. I get my once a month pay tomorrow and will make an online donation for Miss Callie's treatment. Her video and blog posts have given me much entertainment for my buck and I want more in the coming years.
Posted by: Marla | March 24, 2009 at 05:36 PM
Hi sweet Callie. Bigs hugs,healing thoughts and lots of love are coming your way! We're all looking forward to seeing your sweet face for many, many years to come! We love you sweet girl........
Posted by: Beverly | March 23, 2009 at 08:26 PM
A small donation is in the mail. Sounds like everyone is stepping up :)
Sure hope Miss Callie is not too lonesome away from you all for the duration of the treatment. Prayers for her complete recovery.
Posted by: Kathy | March 23, 2009 at 07:36 PM
Callie, we're in. You're a dear one indeed. Livestrong!
Posted by: Margaret | March 23, 2009 at 05:42 PM
A small check is in the mail. God bless you and all the RDR animals!
Posted by: sharon | March 23, 2009 at 05:04 PM
Just a big hug and lots of prayers from Kentucky for Debbie B. on her radiation, as well. Debbie B. and Callie, I hope your recoveries are speedy and you are both back on your feet in no time flat!
Posted by: Carolyn Kupferschmid | March 23, 2009 at 04:23 PM
My very favorite RDR video is of Callie on her back, wagging, while you try to get her to go outside.
We need her around!
Hopefully Dave will have Callie stories for the faithful here. :)
Posted by: Kelly Luchtman | March 23, 2009 at 04:21 PM
Sending you love, belly rubs, kisses, hugs and many prayers little Callie...
Barbara & Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog
Posted by: Barbara Techel | March 23, 2009 at 04:06 PM
Sweet Callie, I myself start radiation on April 1, maybe Callie and I can share stories!! A small check is in the mail, it's the amount of my co-payment every time I go to the dr. Kisses and rubs to you Callie.
Posted by: Debbie B. | March 23, 2009 at 01:40 PM
I too will be making a small donation on behalf of Callie. God Bless RDR and all who pass through 'Margaret's gate.' !
MaryJane
Posted by: MaryJane Cooper | March 23, 2009 at 12:36 PM
My Border collie just had radiation treatment at U of CA, Davis, last fall. She also had to stay for 3 weeks, but she handled it well and they took very good care of her. It's a tough decision whether to radiate (Jenny had an infiltrative lipoma - uncommon & very aggressive). I think we made the right decision... although we are still dealing with some unintended consequences of the treatment.
We missed her terribly and were very glad to bring her home! I made a 1-page flyer to hang on her kennel door with her likes, dislikes and nicknames. It attracted attention so that people would stop by and talk to her, which she loved!
Our thoughts and prayers for Callie, and our sympathy on the cost. With surgery, radiation, and boarding, we were into it around $7K. Worth every penny.
Jenny sends her love and support to Callie for a good outcome.
Posted by: Linda | March 23, 2009 at 10:20 AM
I hope the three weeks go by fast!!! and I hope he has some dogs at the clinic that need grooming while she's there.
Posted by: gayle | March 23, 2009 at 08:45 AM
I'll give what I can for Callie, even if it is a small amount. I'm glad that you are going through with the treatment.
Posted by: Billie | March 22, 2009 at 11:10 PM
I am so sorry the cost is going to be so much but it will be well worth it to help little Callie. You don't need to hear my sob story of why I cannot contribute at this time but I will continue to pray & will also pray I will be able to find a way to contribute. I wish more than anything I could step up to help at this time. God bless all of you that are donating & God bless, Steve, Alayne, Calle & all of RDR. Callie looks so sweet in the picture. It's gonna be hard to not have her around for 3 weeks but knowing she is getting better will help ease missing her, will you be able to visit her?
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | March 22, 2009 at 07:54 PM
Although I wish I could give more, a donation of $50 towards Callie's care has been made on behalf of my beloved four-legged friends who are on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. Let's hope Callie has a good bit of time left before it's her time to cross the Rainbow Bridge and join the others who have gone before.
Posted by: Carolyn Kupferschmid | March 22, 2009 at 07:45 PM
I just love sweet little Callie's facial expression in this picture. It makes me want to pick her up, give her a big hug, and then rub her chunky tummy.
Lucy, Annie and I will be glad to make a donation towards her medical care. May the treatments do the job and may the next 3 weeks go by in a hurry! Get well soon Callie!
Posted by: Julie & her doxies Annie and Lucy | March 22, 2009 at 07:24 PM
Steve and Alayne,
While I indicated on the online contribution form that my donation is on behalf of Callie's Brain Tumor, please note that it is, instead, on behalf of GETTING RID of Callie's Brain Tumor.
May your merry minion survive and thrive!
Posted by: Jamie | March 22, 2009 at 07:13 PM