Please pray for Josi

[msjosi]

Well we dropped Josi off this moring at the hospital to hopefully have her staples removed and see the oncologist, cardiologist, and neurologist. She is not going to be a happy camper with mommy today. She was the life of the party in the waiting room deciding to get up on her own and walk around the room and greet each and every animal as if to say, don't be scared - they are here to help us. The surgeon who performed the splendectomoy came in and said how proud he was to see how good she was doing and said he has been calling in almost every other day to get news. I wouldn't believe this, but I know it to be true since my local vet told me that the surgeon has been calling him. I am sure he has alot invested in Josi since he also did one of her TPLOs, but I would like to think that Josi has that special something that just lights up your heart and mind. They said they would call later after all the docs get through with their exams, but the oncologist did go over the basics and said she would consult with our oncologist at NCState. She said Josi's life expectancy is approx. 2-3 months since the spleen removal, with chemo they maybe able to buy her an extra 3-4 months, but no promises and that remains to be seen after her heart exam. I am really not sure Brian and I can put her through that with such grim outcomes. To add to it, she would only have to go to chemo once every three weeks for five sessions costing approx. 500 for the blood work/chemo, but here is the whammy...the chemo drug that tends to work best with this cancer causes heart damage and they would have to infuse another drug to fight this which they said works very well, but it is at a cost of an additional $1000 a visit. In the meantime, pending the doctors approval, I have arranged for Josi's initial water treadmill evaluation on Monday...so hopefully she will get the go ahead for that atleast and strengthen her muscles all the while having some fun. I will post again after we hear the doctors reports...

 

[DiverDiva]

Staci, thank you for keeping us updated. Give Josi <<<hugs>>> from all of us in Minneapolis. Josephine was my grandmother's name, and I like to think
Grammy Josi is keeping a special watch over your Ms. Josi. Be strong and feel better, sweet Josi girl.

 

[Austin's Mom]

Will be waiting.................

 

[Slobberchops]

Waiting to hear the latest on Ms Josi............

 

[Polo Player]

Keep the faith!

I just saw this thread and read all 16 pages of it...I'm lost for words and know that there is not much Polo and I can say except to send you all our positive energy, love and hope. Josi is in our thoughts!!! Lots of hugs and kisses from Canada.

 

[catcrazy56]

Way to go Josi girl you are such a fighter!!!I just caught this thread and am Happy Josi is doing well. We had Harleys spleen removed but it had ruptured and done damage to his pancreas our vet told us he had between 2 months and 8 months since he had alot of cancerous tumours. I felt that the chemo really wasn't worth it in his case and opted against it 2 weeks later he started bleeding internally and my decision was taken away but we had 2 great weeks he was like a puppy and when he went it was fast. I am glad we got to love and spoil him those 2 weeks. Love and spoil Josi as much as you can because sometimes its not up to us what happens. You have a tough decision there I know you will make the right one you 2 have gone thru so much already Josi is already a miracle with everything she has gone through. Sending positive vibes)) your way

 

[TossBranAbi]

Just wanted to pop in and let you know that we still think about and pray for Josi everyday. She is a walking miracle. I hope you have plenty of time left with her and in the mean time, lots of pictures and love...obviously! Give your girl a gentle squeeze from our family.

 

[msjosi]

I am sorry I didn't post last night, just too many emotions and truthfully we all were exhausted. Anyhow enough about me, the oncologist said that the neurologist reported great improvement and suggested that we start to wean her down off the Gabapentin b/c he doesn't think she is in pain anymore...so now 2 a day for three days and 1 a day for three and hopefully she will agree with that. Alright, the cardiologist saw no tumors on the heart or lungs on ultrasound and her heart looked to be the same as it was on her Sept. ultrasound at NCstate...they did actually have all her records sent over. The one not so great thing is Josi is now throwing a significant number of arrithmyia's which she wasn't before the surgery, but they feel two weeks after it is due to a change in her heart. The doctor also thinks these arrithmyia's are what is causing Josi's gums to go white that I am so concerned about, b/c they can't see any current internal tumors bleeding. The doctor would like Josi to go on Sotolal, but that script will not be written until we make a decision regarding chemo. So to the the cancer...the oncologist spoke with our's from NCstate which I am waiting for an email from, but they both concur that they think chemo can extend Josi's life based on the findings that it hasn't metastized yet. Josi would go once every three weeks for five sessions, obviously seeing how she did after each one and decide whether we continue or not. She would be rechecked after the second dose for effectiveness. The fee for this seems very reasonable until she said they only way to administer this (Adrimyican?) is with a heart protectanct drug called (zinecard?) b/c the first on causes heart damage. I was prepared for this b/c the other doctor had informed me, but what I wasn't ready for was this drug costs an additional $1000 each time it is infused!!! So we feel we need to make a decision today regarding treatment since if we are going to try it, it is only fair to start immediately and give Josi a chance. I so wish she could give me a sign on what she wants, I just have to trust that we have always given her that option in the past and why not now. I also wish the chemo had better results with this cancer with it only doubling her life expectancy from 2-3 to 6-8, but like the doctor said it is a personal but good decision either way. Please give Brian and I the strength to make the right decision and please please post if you have any experiences with this form of chemo. I will update later.
Oh, when we picked Josi up last night- she just about came galloping out of the back and when she noticed the cookie jar on top of the desk, she decided her legs were strong enough to reach up and try to sniff off her back ones. She is definitely one tough fighter, I don't know where she got from...

 

[Austin's Mom]

I'm sending you and Brian all the strength I have to make this decision. I know you will make it with Josi's best interests in mind.

 

[dafzichu]

A decision made with love is always the right decision.