A Day at the Beach

On Saturday we decided to take a ride to the beach. Buster enjoyed it very much, he pretty much had the whole beach to himself. It was nice to let him off the leash and let him do his thing. He was even trying to stalk some seagulls in the sea grass... The fresh air and sunshine was the best medicine for us. My only concern for him was perhaps cutting his paw on the shells scattered all over the beach, but it never happened. It was a bit chilly for the us humans, but for a husky he enjoyed it!

Later on, he was thoroughly exhausted. I think the ocean air really stirs the appetite and for some reason a good snooze. By later afternoon we called it a day. I have been meaning to take him to the beach for some time, now. I am glad to be able to cross it off of our bucket list :)

What's next? ... at this time, we are taking it day by day.

PS... It's been 3 months since his diagnoses of lung mets....

Considering at the time, they told me had 3 weeks to live, this is a milestone!

Husky Winter Weather

It's been awhile... the past couple of days have really been like a winter wonderland just for my Buster. He's been enjoying every minute of it. Since the night of the snowfall he's been outside constantly. He loves it.... I've even seen him eat some snow! It's been a couple of years since we have had so much snow. Mother Nature has really out done herself. We never would of thought that for March we would start off with such a blanket of white stuff for Buster to curl up on. It's a real treat to say the least.

Just a quick update: Buster has just started to cough more often. Initially, after just drinking water.. so I'm keeping a close eye on him. Otherwise he is doing really well. The doctors originally only gave him 3 weeks in mid December. Everyday I am amazed, each morning he wakes up so happy and full of life. You would never know he was sick with cancer. It goes to show that a will to live is a vital ingredient in living with cancer. We refuse to give it any more energy than it deserves. We choose to focus on the living and enjoy each and every day. We hope you do the same.

One Step Closer to Heaven

I have delayed Buster's vet appointment which was to be today at 6:oo pm. I feel it's not his time... I have stopped giving him the tramadol for now. Since that was the only medicine I was giving him at night, to help him sleep. It may account for the hyperventilating. Like, Rene a friend at tripawds.com said, "It is a guessing game", at this stage of the cancer. I don't want Buster to turn into a science project, which with all the meds I've been giving to him lately. It's my vain attempt to stop the cancer... besides the RX's, I've been giving him many vitamins and supplements.

Well, he had a nice day at the dog park yesterday. He is slowing down. Not wanting to walk around the park anymore,he is content to lay down at check out the scenery. He ran into his special girlfriend, Carly. He really perks up when he sees her. It's really good for his spirit! Love is in the air whenever they meet. Just in time for Valentine' s Day. It funny, I call Buster the mayor of the park. Since he seems to want to greet all the dogs he sees there. It's our special spot. It's where this picture was taken.

Rough Night

As the title implies it was a rough one for Buster. He was up was at 3:00 am then again around 7:00 am, so was I. His breathing at night is really starting to become labored. I will see if it happens again tonight, if so then I will know it is time to set him free. I don't want him to suffer. I can only imagine how scared it might be for him, not being able to fully intake air. Then in the morning he seems fine. It's hard to gage... So the time's he is having SOB (shortness of breath) he prefers being outside in the fresh air. At night the cold air may help his air way... I was hoping he would make it for Valentine's Day. I know there will never be a time to want to say goodbye. I know I need to do what is best for him and not me.

He is always and forever will be my heart fur baby.. He has the perfect disposition, always laid back. A true gentleman. Content with a bone and hanging out on the couch. Always sort of looking for me to be near his side, but not to clingy. His fur is always so soft and he keeps himself so clean. I see it in his eyes how much he wants to stay, and how much he loves me. He is truly one of a kind and a gift sent from heaven. Soon he will be an angel, and he will take a part of my heart with him. That is OK, because love always remains. Isn't that what it's all about anyway?

A New Demon

Well, it's been awhile since I posted. The past couple of weeks have been very difficult. Buster is still here, fighting the good fight. The reason for not posting is due to my brother in laws tragic death on 12/31/08. I got the call around 2:30 am from my distraught sister. I had to ask her to repeat herself several times over. She was hysterical, "Tony hung himself". I asked her to repeat what she said, since I was in shock. Then, all I could do was ask God, "Why".

I went up to St Mary's Hospital to meet her. It's about a 45 minute drive. It was the longest, darkest drive ever....... I saw her outside. We went in, his mother and father were in the room with him. My 18 year old nephew was there, he was the one along with my sister who discovered him and attempted to give him CPR while the paramedics took him to the hospital to resuscitate him. Later we were told he was DOA.

We went into the room, were he was laid out. A breathing tube in his mouth, looking like he was asleep. My sister, through all this shock even shook him and opened up his eyes tell him to, "Wake Up".... It was so very sad. At the time I was very angry at him for doing this to my sister and the children. Later is when I realized how much he must of been suffering mentally and emotionally. You see, he never appeared to be someone who would resort to something like this. Death is so final...

It is now that I realize that depression is like a cancer of the mind. It needs to be addressed. Unlike cancer, we can cut it out and treat it. But how do you treat something like this with just pharmaceuticals??

Treatment...

The only option for Buster is the metronomic chemotherapy. Since the oncologist I've been using doesn't use this protocol, I went to someone that does. This has been day 3 on the cytoxan. He has been on rimadly since the prognoses about a week ago. He appears to be sleeping better at night. So far, so good in regard to side effects. His appetite is about the same.

I felt better going to the 2ND oncologist. I now have no doubt in my mind that I have done all I can for him. His tumor was a chrondrosarcoma, I was told it is resistant to chemo and radiation at the time. I am still giving him his other supplements. I will list at another post. I have also ordered artemisinin that can be used along with the chemo pill and may enhance the effect. I've found some good info on dosage and which one's work best. This is holistic (Chinese)... we will see if this agrees with Buster too..

Cancer, I hate you...

• Just because...
  

I am known by many people
But I have no friends.
Ill bring you pain and suffering
Your happiness I'll end.
My cold embrace, my chilling breath,
My silent deadly kiss
I'll pick you up, then throw you down
Into my dark abyss
I'm silent, I'm invisible. I'm a killer you can't see.
I'll touch you when you least expect,
And I'll never set you free.
I don't hate, I don't discriminate.
I don't choose who plays my game.
Fat or black. Young or old.
To me you are all the same.
There is no reason for what I do,
There is no reason why
.I chose you just because...
Its time for you to die.