After blind Helen had a terrible experience with gastrointestinal hemorrhaging last December as a side-effect of her chemotherapy, our vets decided it was time for a "chemo holiday." It was going to be only for a few weeks, but the hemorrhaging really took a lot out of Helen, and she just wasn't herself. So we elected to extend her chemo holiday until she seemed to have enough strength back. Finally, about a week ago, I took her to our vet clinic in Helena for a baseline exam before restarting the chemo. Amazingly, the chest X-rays showed the cancerous nodules in her lungs had completely disappeared; this didn't mean there was no need for further chemotherapy, but it was proof the treatment had been working better than anyone expected.
But her bloodwork came back showing that one of her kidney values, the BUN, was elevated. The oncologist at WSU who's been directing Helen's cancer treatment told our primary care vet, Dr. Jennifer Rockwell, that renal insufficiency can be a side-effect of the chemo drug we had her on, but the elevated BUN could have been from a number of other things, too. The oncologist wanted us to do an ultrasound of her kidneys to see if there was any kind of tumor there, as well as do a specific type of urinalysis to measure kidney function.
So today I took Helen with me to Missoula to see our internal medicine specialist there, Dr. Dave Bostwick, for an ultrasound and a urine sample. Dave scanned her kidneys, spleen, liver and other organs and found no evidence of any tumor involvement. Whew! It will take several days for the urinalysis results to come back, but based on the ultrasound, we are very encouraged by her prognosis. Honestly, when we first saw the nodules in her lungs last year, we didn't think she would have made it this far.
Once we get the urinalysis back, Jennifer will consult with the oncologist again and map out the new course of treatment. In the meantime, Helen had this to share:
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Please vote for the ranch in the Shelter Challenge -- and you can vote every day! We're currently in third place, putting us on track to win $3,000 for the animals. Enter "Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT, for Montana, and it will bring up our listing.
Vote in the Shelter Challenge here.
Last year we won $3,000 in the first round and then won the $20,000 Grand Prize in the second round, so your votes really do add up and make for a wonderful gift for the animals here.
Thank you!
Helen I'm happy you are getting back your strength & for a good report. Keep up the good fight, sweetheart & sending lots of prayers & love your way for continued good reports. And, love the message you sent...
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | March 15, 2010 at 04:21 PM
I think of Helen almost every day so I am thrilled with an update. I had to laugh at that first pic. With her "colic" standing straight up, she looked like she had just rolled out of bed, and a candid pic was taken before she could "comb" her hair. I think I have a few pictures of myself with the very same look on my face! She's a doll!!!
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | March 11, 2010 at 05:00 PM
The first picture of Helen looks like she just ordered a beer...and the second picture looks like she just finihsed it off... Cheers to Helen! LB:)
Posted by: Laura Bratcher | March 11, 2010 at 01:56 PM
Thanks for updating on sweet Helen. So happy the news is good. Keep on keepin' on Helen!
Posted by: Ann | March 11, 2010 at 03:42 AM
I'm not sure how old Helen is but if she is older and this chemo will only give her a few more months, shouldn't those months be spent without the chemo enduced illness that she is now enduring?
Posted by: carole | March 10, 2010 at 10:16 PM
Helen - take care! Thanks for the kiss - right back at you sweetie~~
Posted by: Sharon | March 10, 2010 at 07:53 PM
Stay strong, Helen. We are all rooting for ya, baby girl.
Posted by: Penny Heinrich | March 10, 2010 at 06:53 PM
Yay Helen!!!! She really is a fighter, isn't she?
She will tell you when it is her time. In the bottom picture, i think she is saying decisively that she is still alive and kicking (licking)!!
Posted by: Maggie Cochrane | March 10, 2010 at 06:30 PM
If I was to have a 'favorite', it would be Helen. Such a kind face and an awesome spirit. Sending warm, healthy thoughts from Texas, sweet girl....
Posted by: Allison | March 10, 2010 at 04:26 PM
HA - Love this picture and the wonderful news! You go Helen!! - would you please show that face to my boss.
Posted by: Angela | March 10, 2010 at 12:50 PM
She is so lovely :) I am glad to hear that her treatment has been so effective! I hope she continues to do well and wait to hear what the next steps are for her.
Posted by: Suzanne | March 10, 2010 at 11:59 AM
Ah, sweet Helen. You hang in there sweetheart.
Posted by: Lisa K. | March 10, 2010 at 11:47 AM
Hang in there Helen! My dog, Jack, is going through chemo and fully appreciates how much it can mess you up inside. For him, it's anemia.
Thank goodness there's no sign of any more tumors!
Posted by: Linda | March 10, 2010 at 11:01 AM
What really strikes me about this post is that it is really excellent that when you choose such a beautiful place to start the ranch. There are so many good Vets close. Helen continue to be better and big hugs to you
Posted by: Eric | March 10, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Helen, dearest...you have been through such a battle...we are all praying you are on the road to a complete recovery...I just wish I could hug the stuffin out of you! Keep up the good work!!
Posted by: Debbie | March 10, 2010 at 07:34 AM
So glad Helen is doing better. I've been wondering about her.
I hope you get the kidney issue resolved quickly.
Posted by: Lynne Parker | March 10, 2010 at 05:34 AM
What a brave girl! It's great to hear that no other tumor was found.
As always, thank you SO much for taking such good care of your furkids.
Keep up the good fight, Helen!
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | March 10, 2010 at 04:36 AM
The love and care you give her are the best cure there is. ... medicines don't hurt either:)
Posted by: Sandra | March 10, 2010 at 03:01 AM
I don't blame you, Helen, not one little bit! :) Glad for the good news and hope it just keeps coming!
Posted by: Vicki Small | March 10, 2010 at 12:28 AM
hi Helen,
It is so nice to see you....seems like such a long time since we heard news about you. You are always in our thoughts and prayers.
We love you sweet girl! Congrats on all the good news with those tests.
Posted by: Chloe | March 09, 2010 at 11:02 PM
Thank you for an update on Helen. If she's acting like she's feeling good then I'd bet she is feeling good. And that's good enough for me. Thank you for giving her the best care she could get anywhere!
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | March 09, 2010 at 09:40 PM
We love you Helen. You are one fantastic Rottie girl!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | March 09, 2010 at 09:27 PM