16" of SNOW 12/19/09


Mati and I deeply miss the Rockstar and we think of him daily. From time to time we have enjoyed checking in on your blogs, the Ao4, Pippa, Dogs of Jackman Ave, Lorenza,... and so on.

So now onto Mati. She's been tired, so she asked me to update you;

On 8/27/09 little sweetheart Mati was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, specifically in the esophagus and mouth. She is on a feeding tube since she can not eat/swallow anything but water.

Since then she has had chemotherapy, and two types of Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Gleevec and Palladia) to stop it from growing. They are both respected drugs – especially Gleevec in the biped world. The treatments were successful in reducing the cancer tumors in her mouth by 65%. Due to complications, we are unfortunately unable to continue any more treatments without causing harm.

In addition to the drugs and chemo, she has had multiple endoscopic procedures including two balloon attempts to open her esophagus. Although we made some progress, they were not able to do the job enough. Doing any more could be harmful.

She initially went from 50 pounds to about 38 pounds. Over the course of time, she has gained weight and is up to 45 pounds today. In addition, her blood counts are constantly rising and falling. We hope they stabilize due to the serious complications that can result.

To maintain her current state, she goes to her favorite hospital during the day for medication and food administration while I am at work. It’s become a job for her as she has loves being curled up on her bed in the car as she can’t wait to get there in the morning. Once there, she drags the techs to “her spot” where she has her room with her own bed. Of course she is ready to leave when I pick her up (after
being awakened from a deep sleep of a tough day).

Recently Mati had her 15th birthday. The hospital doctors and staff had a birthday party with biped food and quadruped gifts and a balloon too! It was quite the surprise and I know she is enjoying her new bed, and shirt. (She wears shirts/sweaters to cover the tube port and tube – to discourage her from doing “maintenance” on the tube and/or site!)

I am very thankful that the incredibly compassionate hands at Seneca Hill Animal Hospital taking such high quality care for her – as I would at home. The doctors and staff are super and go over and beyond. I can not say enough about them.

I’m further thankful for the equally compassionate hands at The Hope Center. Their doctors and staff equally go over and beyond. We are lucky and blessed to have such care and places to go to.

We are now on day 121 and her 1260th medical log entry. Looking back thru all the entries, I’m reminded of when things looked worse. Today Mati remains happy and alert, and is obviously feeling like herself again. She has settled back into her routine of talking to me and pushing me around the house! I’m happy to see her happy and carefree.

I end this entry today with – Finally, It has snowed! Mati and I have been outside a few times, and we have had about 16” of snow so far (it’s still snowing, but may stop soon).

We both wish you a safe and happy holiday season. –Mati and Mike