Living the New Norm

It has been a while since our last update, and a lot has happened!  Since our last post Sheba has gone through 2 rounds of chemotherapy, started her Chinese meds, received acupuncture treatment, and is having a great fun filled life!

Chemo was started July 2^nd and Sheba has now been through 2 rounds of Carboplatin and will be going in for her 3^rd round on Aug 12^th.  She has not experienced any notable side effects from the Carboplatin so far.  She actually seems to get an energy boost for a day or two after chemo and we now call it her red bull.  So far it has been smooth sailing 🙂

As mentioned before, we are supplementing chemo with Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) and Acupuncture.  Sheba has been taking the following two Chinese herbal medicines.

• Xiao Chai Hu Tang – http://tinyurl.com/q8j5878
• Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang – http://tinyurl.com/pzbzpgw

Xiao Chai Hu Tang was started two weeks after chemo and has been very well tolerated, there have been zero negative side effects.  Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang was started 2 weeks after that and has also been very well tolerated.  We have also just started giving Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang which is a chemo herbal support.  It is indicated to help support digestion, the immune system, adrenal function, and blood counts.  Sheba’s bloodwork indicated a mild decrease in platelet count so we are using this formula as a preventative measure against myelosuppression.

Sheba has had two acupuncture sessions.  For the first session Sheba was given acupuncture by cold laser therapy and this visit was more about getting Sheba used to the whole process.  On the second visit small needles were used and this went quite well.  It is hard to say at this point if this has been beneficial but the vet we are seeing for acupuncture is very knowledgeable in holistic treatments and very caring.  Overall this has been a beneficial experience for us and Sheba.

While we have focused a lot on various treatments and cancer therapies, a good life is ultimately what is most important.  We are spending lots of time with Sheba and making sure life is full of fun and good times. Sheba gets 2 walks a day, spends lots of time with her people, and is getting plenty of exercise running in parks, having fun, and enjoying new experiences.  She also very much enjoys her new meals with fresh veggies and meat, and her daily yogurt is now her favorite snack. So good in fact that it is drool inducing.

Sheba is getting around as good as ever at this point, and she is able to run amazingly fast.  Even though she has quickly learned how to get around on 3 legs it has not been without its stumbles.  The first time she ran at top speed she took a tumble when she tried to stop. She quickly learned stopping was going to be different now and has not fallen since.

She is also enjoying a new game we have discovered which is searching for the cat.  Our cat’s name is Hitch and we simply have to say “Where’s Hitch” and Sheba’s ears perk up and she starts searching.  This is quite a fun game for her and us and she is always successful in her search.

We recently took Sheba to the ocean for the first time.  She is not too fond of the water but she had a blast running on the beach with other dogs.  She was tuckered out pretty good after that run and we spent the rest of the time there lazing around and enjoying the nice weather.

We have also taken her to the drive-in movie theatre with us twice.  She quite enjoys visiting with other dogs there and sitting outside with us enjoying a show.

And now for some pictures and a running video!

Running at the beach: