Schmoopy Calcium Levels

03.03.15 – Calcium = 11 (within normal range) (Creatine Kinase high at 416 (range = 10-200)
06.20.16 – Calcium = 10.7 (within normal range)
12.07.16 – Calcium = 11.4 (within normal range)
04.10.17 – Calcium = 12.8 (above high normal)
04.27.17 – Calcium = 15.3 (above high normal) (earlier this week, SubQ fluids, Lasix & diuretic in an effort to get Calcium under control)
04.27.17 – Ionized Calcium = 1.41 (above high normal) (IV fluids)
04.28.17 – Ionized Calcium = 1.4 (above high normal)
05.01.17 – Ionized Calcium = 1.3 (on morning of surgery (prior to surgery)) (within normal range)
05.10.17 – Ionized Calcium = 1.43 (above high normal)
05.16.17 – Ionized Calcium = 1.88 (above high normal) - This is the highest it has ever been
05.17.17 – Ionized Calcium = 1.64 (above high normal) but less than yesterday.

05.18.17 – Ionized Calcium = 1.44 (above high normal) but going down.
05.19.17 – Ionized Calcium = 1.36 (slightly above high normal)
05.23.17 – Ionized Calcium = 1.12 (slightly below normal)
05.29.17 – Ionized Calcium = 1.87 (above high normal)

Friday, June 9, 2017

The love of my life...Schmoopy's story

Silveroak’s Love of Kate’s Life

Schmoopy

March 30, 2007 ~ May 31, 2017

I have had many pets over the course of my life and while I’ve loved each and every single one of them, Schmoopy was different; Schmoopy was my “Heart Dog”, my canine soul mate.

Although it seems like yesterday, it was 10 years ago in August, on my way to the annual car week that culminates with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, that I made one important stop after flying into San Francisco…I went to meet Ruth [Sampson] and pick up my four and a half month old puppy.  In addition to all the excitement around getting a puppy in and of itself, I was so ecstatic to be able to bring my own puppy to the very dog friendly town of Carmel, CA, which was where we would spend the week.

This new puppy was a bit shy at first and probably a bit apprehensive about leaving his loving home to go off with strangers.  After a two-hour car ride and getting settled into where we were staying, right in the heart of Carmel, I strutted this new pup up and down the streets trying to acclimate him to sounds, people, kids, other dogs, and leash walking.  He made such a big hit that we never seemed to be able to walk more than a couple of steps at a time.  I was happy for all the greetings and lots of gentle touches.

When back at the B&B I noticed this cute, little fluff ball seemed to follow my every step...and the place wasn't that big that I could venture far away, but still, right at my ankles.  It turned out from this day forward I always had close company whenever in the vicinity of this pup, no matter what I was doing...even when using the bathroom, for applying my make-up, doing my hair, or other unmentionables.  Even when I showered, I found this pup curled up on the bath mat waiting patiently for me to finish.

He also decided that he would not go for a potty walk with anyone but me. (Talk about conflicting emotions, on one hand I thought this was the sweetest thing; on the other hand I realized that also meant I would be the one to have to get up throughout the nights. LOL.  (I would happily do that for the rest of my life if that meant having him longer))

I don't know how and I don't know why but this dog seemed to make a conscious decision to choose me at just four and a half months old, but he did. 

He captured my heart and in no time, he became the love of my life, in the purist form, hence his registered name.  As for his call name, for those that aren't intimately familiar with Seinfeld, “Schmoopy” is an over-the-top term of endearment that was so fitting for this love of mine.

In 2008, subsequent to the unexpected loss of another dog, Sassy joined our family when she was eight weeks old (She was a year and three months younger than Schmoopy).  I was absolutely amazed at how incredibly tolerant, gentle and patient he was with this little rambunctious puppy, with razor sharp teeth, I might add.  He was absolutely phenomenal with her.

We had an extraordinary life together.  We traveled to so many places together, and shared so many wonderful adventures together from running on the beach, swimming, hiking, biking, kayaking, stargazing, to just cuddling together or singing a couple of his favorite songs together (yes, that’s right, singing together (smile)).  He loved Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats”, which is how I first learned that Schmoopy could howl.) 

Peter, my significant other has been a part of our lives for the last four years.  Schmoopy was reserved with most others but he genuinely loved Peter too.  I was elated. Peter is a wonderfully kind, gentle soul that met Schmoopy’s sense of what all humans should be like.

Schmoopy was a gorgeous dog that walked with his head held high, his tail up over his back and a smile on his face that was infectious.  He had a huge personality and so many fell in love with him.
           
Unfortunately in April of this year what was originally suspected to be a urinary tract infection quickly turned out to be a very rare, very aggressive cancer - Anal Gland Adenocarcinoma that was metastatic (had already spread).  The next month and a half we were consumed with taking care of Schmoopy, while doing as much research as possible, and specialty consults both locally and across the country.  We were desperately seeking a possible treatment protocol to extend Schmoopy’s life, and of course, not at the expense of his quality of life.  We made sound decisions and acted without delay.  It was such an overwhelming time.  Trying to sort through all the medical jargon, the countless holistic recommendations from caring individuals, the conflicting opinions between traditional doctors and more progressive doctors was beyond challenging.  We wanted to do the best for Schmoopy, and admittedly I couldn’t bear the thought of really losing him.  We had hope.  We clinged to hope.  We acted swiftly; we had to.  

The problematic symptom was Schmoopy’s blood calcium was elevated,  When elevated, he clearly wasn’t well.  In fact, early on in this short-lived journey, I really thought I would have to face putting him down but after sub-cutaneous fluids and IV fluids, he seemed to bounce back as a brand new Schmoopy…my old familiar, happy Schmoopy!  I couldn’t believe it when I saw him!  I was so happy!  I couldn’t believe the difference fluids made.  It was truly remarkable!  Knowing that at some point, hopefully in the far off future, I would have to make the decision to put him to sleep, it also caused me to feel somewhat inadequate in my ability to be able to determine whether or not it would be the right decision when that time would come.  (In other words, even when they look terrible, is it a simple remedy like fluids to help them bounce back?  I didn’t want to make a hasty decision only to learn that I could have done something else.)

Once his calcium was under control, Schmoopy underwent surgery where the primary tumor (which was quite small) and the swollen lymph node where it had spread were removed.  The surgery went well.  We were soo happy!  When we picked him up he was so happy to see us.  We were elated.  The intent was to control the spread which would alleviate the cancer from producing the hormone that caused the blood calcium to increase.  Unfortunately, the blood calcium started to increase about 10 days afterwards.  Sigh.  We planned to go through chemotherapy as we were told it would give a high probability of extending a good quality of life for Schmoopy that would likely give him a year and half or more, with minimal side effects.  We were told that dogs tolerate the chemotherapy protocol discussed quite well.  Without it, the future was bleak.

On May 19, 2017 Schmoopy had his first chemo treatment.  The first couple of days were not great but he seemed to get back to somewhat normal after a few days.

We took the dogs and a good friend of ours to a beautiful rental house in West Virginia.  Schmoopy did well.  He was good.  He was happy.  He was eating…until he wasn’t.  Things started to turn after the weekend.  His appetite no longer good.  I knew what that meant (it meant the calcium was up again).  We quickly brought him back to the vet for IV fluids.

May 31st, just 12 days after his first chemo treatment, was a horrific day for us and one we weren’t expecting to come so soon.

I knew at some point I would have to face letting Schmoopy go but I was ill prepared to face that decision on the eve of May 31, 2017.

You see, just five hours earlier I was picking Schmoopy up from the hospital and meeting with his oncologist, Dr. McNeill. (Schmoopy had been in the hospital getting IV fluids in an effort to reduce his blood calcium levels (a complication of the cancer. Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma (ASAC) tumors produce PTHrp (parathyroid hormone-related peptide), a protein that causes blood calcium levels to rise. The problem with elevated blood calcium levels is that in addition to causing Schmoopy to not feel well, if it’s too high for too long it can cause kidney damage/failure. So, managing his blood calcium was very important.) I could generally tell when his calcium was high by symptoms he exhibited (nauseous thereby resulting in a decreased appetite, lethargic, consuming large amounts of water and urinary incontinence).

Picking Schmoopy up this particular evening was different from other times. Based on the few times before, normally after IV fluids, Schmoopy seemed like a completely new dog again – full of life, happiness, excitement – just like my normal Schmoopy. In fact, I was always amazed at the immediate noticeable difference the fluids seemed to make. This time however, the fluids were unsuccessful in bringing down his calcium but a tiny bit so when Schmoopy came in the room, although happy to see me, a far departure from his normal enthusiasm. I could tell he didn’t feel great but that was to be expected because he never felt well when the calcium was high. I was concerned; very concerned that the calcium barely budged. So much so that as I spoke with Dr. McNeill, I asked him if I needed to consider letting Schmoopy go. I asked directly and bluntly on purpose as I always wanted to make sure I kept Schmoopy’s potential for quality of life front and center and in case any Dr. had a hard time bringing this up, I wanted to make sure I didn’t avoid the topic. 
 
I brought this up in many discussions as a means to check point my decisions along the way. (While Schmoopy had an aggressive cancer, we were given a high probability of a year and a half or more of good quality of life post treatment (surgery and chemotherapy), (3-4 months without treatment)). 

 
Dr. McNeill responded confidently, “Oh no, we’re not at that point yet.” as he compassionately hugged me. He then followed with, “We’re going to try this nasal spray form of Calcitonin to bring down his calcium and if that doesn’t work, I have a few other tricks up my sleeve. Let’s give this a couple of days and then recheck his blood.” Dr. McNeill also told me to expect to see some bruising on Schmoopy’s legs as a result of his low platelet count.


Peter and I went home with Schmoopy concerned and disappointed about the calcium but with a feeling of hope per our discussion with the Dr. 

As we observed him for the next few hours, he didn’t look good. The most lethargic I had seen him since this whole ordeal began. He would get up, take a few steps and then plop right back down. He wouldn’t eat, which I expected. He never ate when his calcium was high.

At 9:00pm I was to administer several medications as I typically had (anti-nausea pills, etc.) however when I opened his mouth I was taken aback by the color of his gums…very pale, almost white. 

I said to Peter that we need to bring him back right away. As Peter picked up Schmoopy to carry him out to the car, I noticed Schmoopy’s belly was bruised too. I didn’t feel prepared for this. I wasn’t sure if this was what the Dr. was referring to in our discussion earlier or if this was worse than he knew. I was disappointed in myself that I hadn’t thoroughly inspected Schmoopy before leaving the hospital earlier.

Shortly after getting checked into the emergency hospital again, the Doctor working that evening ran Schmoopy’s blood and so many of the blood levels were extremely low. She told me he would need a blood transfusion and plasma. 

I asked the dreaded question of this Dr. as well…”Do I need to consider letting him go now?” Her response, “Yes, that wouldn’t be a bad decision”. Panic, fear and confusion set in for me. How did we end up here when just five hours earlier Dr. McNeill said so confidently we weren’t near this point yet. What happened? How did this happen? What would Dr. McNeill advise right now? Did Dr. McNeill expect this? I felt completely unprepared for this moment at this time. If they had told me that he was having kidney issues due to the calcium, I would have understood that, I would have felt prepared for that, it would have been a logical decision I had to make. 

Seeing the lab results should have facilitated a logical decision making process on my part and likely would have had it not been for our discussion just hours before this moment. Although it was late, I insisted the ER Dr. call Dr. McNeill. I felt I needed him to be engaged. I wondered if he forgot to tell me about this situation as a potential and what to do if we found ourselves in this situation. I thought back to our conversation about the bruising and wondered if I was to expect to see what I was seeing or if this was far worse than what he thought. 

There’s no other way to say it other than I felt completely ill prepared for what was happening in those moments. Please understand that my confusion and feeling ill prepared was truly just relative to that moment in time and was a result of the two things really…1) the incongruent nature of the conversations in the span of five hours and 2) Not having any conversations about the potential for Schmoopy’s blood levels to get SO low that it would be life threatening. 

I wondered if I hadn’t asked all the right questions; was this simply an implied expectation that I was ignorant to? How in the world was I so unprepared for this situation? I prided myself on being a good care taker to Schmoopy; a thorough care taker, guardian. I thought I asked about potential side effects and how to address them, manage them, etc. Why couldn’t I recall anything about this particular scenario? Why was Dr. McNeill so confident that we weren’t at the point where I had to consider letting Schmoopy go? Why was all the discussion around Schmoopy’s calcium and not his blood levels? What was going on?? Ack! Sigh.

Given that the ER Dr. was unable to reach Dr. McNeill, I, we (Peter and I), had to make this decision without his input.  I was so afraid that if I made this decision that he would have said I should have done the transfusion and plasma, that I just needed to get Schmoopy through the “hump” and then his bone marrow would recover and start making blood cells again.  I also spoke with Ruth to share what was going on and to get her opinion as well.  It was all so overwhelming and excruciatingly painful.

A friend of mine so eloquently put into words what I was experiencing; It feels unnatural to choose the moment to end the journey. The wiring in us chooses life, survival.  The merciful spirit in us honors a more expansive existence beyond the pain and suffering of the flesh.“

I called my mom who rushed over so she too could say goodbye to my sweet love, Schmoopy. We kissed him, kept telling him how much we loved him, and kept petting him as he peacefully “went to sleep”. I haven’t cried that hard in a long time. I was in a world of my own, as if no one else was around. As hard as it was I know it was the right decision.

We did everything possible to try to get ahead of this cancer in an effort to give Schmoopy more quality time but this insidious disease took over.

As I had time for everything to sink in over the subsequent week and a half, I still had questions. I sent an email to Dr. McNeill:

“Hi Dr. McNeill,
While coming to terms with our loss of Schmoopy over this last week and reality settling in, I found myself left with some questions now that I have had some time to digest everything. 

In the end, specifically on the evening that we had to let him go, I felt ill prepared for that moment. Not because I didn’t realize that at some point it would come to that, but mainly because just 5 hours prior when I met with you to pick up Schmoopy and I asked you if I needed to consider putting him to sleep then, you compassionately hugged me and confidently commented, “Oh no…we’re not there yet”. 

I left with comfort and a good sense of hope. When I saw Schmoopy’s gums at 9:00pm and Schmoopy’s bruising that evening I found myself unsure of things because I recalled you telling me that he would have bruising due to his platelets being so low. My confusion was that I was unsure if what I was seeing was what you told me to expect or not. I felt ill prepared in those moments and ill prepared for his blood levels getting so low to the point that there really was no choice. 

Can you help me better understand what happened beyond the simple statement that the chemo effects bone marrow production which causes low platelets? I tried to make all the right decisions by way of Schmoopy but in the end I feel I really failed him. 

My mom thought I was crazy for even considering putting him through chemo but I wanted to keep an open mind and take in the current medical perspective. I elected to go the chemo route based on my understanding from our dialog that most dogs respond well and have very little to no side effects. I realize most is not all, and let me say up front, I’m not looking for blame, I’m really looking to better understand what happened. With all the medical jargon, I really didn’t understand all the lab results in the end. It’s not my field of expertise. I didn’t even know to expect this. I didn’t know to expect this to the point that it would take his life. 

Can you better help me understand what happened? Is there a term for what happened in the end? Is it Thrombocytopenia? http://www.cancernetwork.com/…/managing-thrombocytopenia-as…
Statistically speaking, how often does this occur?
Is there something that can be done to help prevent this or minimize this? Medication? Supplements?””

I know there’s no bringing Schmoopy back so some may wonder why I even bothered but I felt the need to further understand so I could learn from it in case I ever encountered a situation like this again and so I could also share my experience with others. I also felt the need to understand why we never had any conversations about this. I knew to expect the platelets to drop, blood cells to drop, etc. (and I understand when on chemo you end up with a lower immune system, etc.) I just really wasn’t prepared for this to get to the point that it was life threatening. We were so focused on the calcium; I thought that was my primary issue at the time. Sigh.

After sending my email to Dr. McNeill, we spoke. He commented that he was just as surprised as I was. He had not anticipated Schmoopy’s blood levels to plummet the way they did. When I asked how often that happens he commented, “I know this won’t make you feel any better, but this really never happens, very rarely.” (It actually did make me feel slightly better knowing this. I would have felt I failed Schmoopy ever more so if this was something that tends to happen and I didn’t know about it and I didn’t ask the right questions about it.)

In the end, Schmoopy unfortunately had a rare, very aggressive cancer – Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma. The diagnosis was [unfortunately] textbook based on all that I read…elevated calcium showing up in lab work is a typical sign (and a sign of how aggressive the cancer is.) By the time of diagnosis, it had already spread to the right medial iliac lymph node (which is “textbook”. The primary [anal gland] tumor was small – much smaller than the lymph node is spread to (which again, is typical). Make sure your veterinarian performs rectal exams during your dog’s annual physical.

What wasn’t “textbook” was the outcome given the treatment options we underwent. The potential outcomes seemed promising to give Schmoopy a year and a half+ of a good quality of life but that wasn’t the case. I do understand each dog; each situation is different.

The surgery went very well. There was an expectation that post surgery, calcium would return to normal levels however within 10 days it was high again. The expectation was that the calcium would return to normal levels post chemotherapy but it rose again within 10 days.

The good news is that Schmoopy did really well over Memorial Day weekend (a few days before I had to let him go). We rented a beautiful house in West Virginia and enjoyed the weekend with the dogs and a good friend of ours. I am so thankful and cherish those memories as I do all of my memories with him. He was happy that weekend. He ate well. He played. He sang. He caught his treats when I threw them toward him (a game we played). I’m so happy it rained that weekend because we spent most of it inside just hanging out together. 

Schmoopy was my heart dog; my forever dog. He’s a part of my soul and I am forever grateful for him and for choosing me when he was just four and a half months old.

I love you Schmoopy, with all my heart and soul…and I know you felt that, as much as I felt how much you loved me too.  I will forever be extraordinarily grateful for you and I will always miss you, each and every single day.  You are a part of me and always will be.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you.

I can’t even begin to express how much I miss you. Life just isn’t the same without you. 
Rest in peace my sweet love.  Until we meet again.



For anyone facing cancer with their beloved any of their beloved dogs, I highly recommend the following book:

“The Dog Cancer Survival Guide”
Dr. Demian Dressler

It helped me immensely in so many different ways.

I also want to thank the following people for the tremendous love and support:

Peter, my significant other
My mom
Ruth
Countless friends
Dr. Chand Khanna 
(remarkable oncologist with open views on treatment protocols)
(I consulted with him on several occasions and was in process of switching to him as a result of his open mindedness on alternative therapies involving CBD oil but we never got to that point, unfortunately.  Truly remarkable, compassionate, highly respected Dr.  I plan to donate to a non-profit he is affiliated with in an effort to help him help others.)

Anyone else that is interested, here is further information:



  


Wednesday, May 31, 2017

It is with the heaviest heart that I write this post.  I'm emotionally drained at this point so I will keep this relatively short until I can think through what I really want to say.  I unfortunately had to decide to let Schmoopy go this evening, shortly before midnight, May 31, 2017.  So totally devastated.  So totally heart broken.  The only comfort I take is knowing it was right for him.  I love this dog with my entire heart and soul.  He has been such a blessing to me for 10 years.  He chose me from day one and quickly became the love of my life.  I'll love you forever, my sweet dog. I'll miss you forever.  I'm so sorry I couldn't fix this for you but now you're at peace, no more cancer to deal with.  Rest in peace my sweet love.  💔 🐾 ❤️ 🐾 ❤️ 🐾 💔

I sincerely want to thank all of you, from the bottom of my heart, for all your love, support and prayers.  If Schmoopy could have been healed from all the well wishes and prayers, he would have outlived us all.  🙂

Schmoopy
Silveroak's Love of Kate's Life
🐾 ❤️ 🐾. 
March 30, 2007 - May 31, 2017

Thank you Peter Ozdzynski and mom for always being there and loving Schmoopy as much as I did, and thank you for being with me when it came time to say goodbye.

Thank you Ruth for all your support and thank you so very much for bringing this baby into my life and trusting that I would provide a good home and take the very best care of him.

Big, big sigh. Miss you so much my Schmoopy bear.  XOXO  #SilverOaks Eskies, #Cathy Hammer


Monday, May 22, 2017

May 19, 2017 - May 22, 2017: Schmoopy's First Chemo treatment

May 19, 2017 – Friday morning around 8:00am: Dropped Schmoopy off at Hope Center Oncology

May 19, 2017 – Friday morning around 10:00am: 
                          Dr. McNeill called: ionized calcium now down to 1.36 (very slightly above normal)

May 19, 2017 – Friday:  Schmoopy had his first chemo treatment in the afternoon. 
                          My observations after bringing him home:
                          In General:  Agitated, restless, uncomfortable, nauseous, vomited 5x

                          How he presented when we brought him home:  In general, he has not felt well
                          since I brought him home on Friday (05/19) afternoon.

     I picked him up around 3:00pm and for that first hour, he vomited about 3-4 times. 
     I had allowed him some water but picked it up because I knew he wanted too much, too quickly.   
     That said, his vomit was not the clear liquid kind he has vomited in the past when he consumed
     too much water, too quickly.)
     I lifted the water, but he desperately wanted water.

     I called Oncology at around 4:00pm and here is what the nurse reported to me:
  • He ate a little bit, and a few treats for the nurses when at the Oncology office.
  • They did try to limit his water because (not sure why they did, but they did)
  • Nurse said he was anxious there.  
  • She said I could give him ice cubes if he needs something
  • They gave him injections of Cerenia and Ondansetron earlier in the day
  • She said I could give another dose of Metoclopramide (I gave it to him)
  • She also said she didn’t feel his nausea was from the chemo.  She thought it was more the stress of being there and commented that he was pretty anxious. So, they did limit his water while there because he seemed so anxious.  (Schmoopy also never likes to be alone.  Since a puppy he has always been this way.  For times when I have to crate the dogs at home, I cannot crate Schmoopy alone. He is fine when crated with his Sassy (my 9 year old American Eskimo.  I have a HUGE crate that I can fit inside with them (smile)))
The rest of the evening 05.19.17:
  • He seemed agitated, restless, wouldn’t/couldn’t relax from about 3:30pm until about 9:00pm.  This is not typical behavior.
  • Barking constantly (the way he barks when he wants something.  It’s a demanding something from me type of bark)
  • All he seemed to want was water (I allowed him some water but then he threw up)  I limited the water thereafter and gave ice cubes instead (which he chewed up and ate (he never chews ice))
  • All in, he vomited about 5x Friday afternoon.  It was brown, liquidy, with sometimes small pieces of food.  (It looked like it was likely the ID Stew they gave him to eat earlier)
I called Hope Emergency at around 8:20pm because I was concerned:
  • At this point he had not vomited for about 2 hours but cannot seem to settle down.
  • Carrie suggested I try giving him Tramadol (It has sedative effects too) (I did.  This seemed to help him settle down and get more comfortable)
May 20, 2017 – Saturday, around 8:00pm:
                           Eating very little, not feeling well.  Urinating and defecating seems normal.

     Called Hope Emergency because Schmoopy hasn’t eaten all day.
     Spoke with Sidney.  I told her the following:
  • I have been giving him all the medications I was instructed to give which includes anti-nausea medications but I’m concerned because I can tell he’s nauseous (tries to eat grass when I potty him, he has not eaten for me all day.  When I offer food, he comes to me and then turns his head away.)
  • Lethargic
  • Not eating
  • Not drinking much either
  • Sidney asked if I have an appetite stimulant and suggested I give this (Mirtazapine).  I gave this and did see some results.  He ate some food pretty quickly afterwards.  A little bit of kibble and a McDonald’s plain meat patty (no bun)  I normally don’t feed my dogs McDonald’s but I was desperate to try to get something in him.
May 21, 2017 – Sunday, around 8:00pm: 
                           Eating very little, not feeling well.  Urinating and defecating seems normal. 
                           Water consumption seems on the lower side (but maybe this is good?  I say this 
                           because before he was consuming way too much.  Hemay be drinking more 
                          "normal" now)
  • Schmoopy wouldn’t eat in the morning.   
  • Gave him the appetite stimulant again around 4:00pm (it’s a 24 hour dose, but the Hope Center said I could give a little earlier).  
  • He ate fairly well for me and then again for Peter in the evening.
May 22, 2017 – Monday, around 7:00pm:
                          Overall assessment:  Eating very little, not feeling well. 
                          Urinating and defecating seems normal. 
                          Water consumption seems on the low side

  • Schmoopy ate a very small amount of kibble and chicken in the morning (not much) for Peter.
  • My mom stayed with him until Peter got home (I had to fly to Denver for a business trip).  
  • Mom gave him the appetite stimulant around 2:00pm but would not eat for her.
  • Peter got home around 3:30pm. Schmoopy still wouldn’t eat.
  • Peter bought 3 McDonald’s plain hamburgers.  Schmoopy ate two of them.  (That’s still only 180 calories.)
     I'm concerned.  Peter to take back to Hope if he doesn't eat more by tomorrow.

Thursday, May 18, 2017

May 18, 2017 – Thursday evening - Schmoopy home

Schmoopy came home from Hope Center Emergency where he spent two nights on IV fluids and meds in an effort to get his ionized calcium down closer to normal range so that he would eat, so that he would be well enough to get chemo on Friday, May 19, 2017.  They said he did well at the hospital (he ate, etc.)  Blood work will be checked again in the morning before chemo.

     - Vomited 1x (brown liquid with small amount of food.  I suspect it’s the I/D Stew that they fed 
        him that’s causing it to be brown)

May 18, 2017 – Thursday morning, ~ 8:00am

As of 05.18.17, 8:00am, spoke to Caroline (Tech) at Hope Center Emergency Hospital: 
     Ionized Calcium down to 1.44 (better but slightly above normal)

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

May 17, 2017 - Wednesday evening - Visiting Schmoopy in hospital

Peter and I visited Schmoopy in the Hope Emergency Hospital tonight. He looks good. Very lively. He's staying at the hospital so he can continue with IV fluids in an effort to get his Calcium down so he's well enough for chemo on Friday. I love you with all my heart, Schmoopy!! XOXO ❤️🐾

Schmoopy Health Update

May 17, 2017 - 10:45am:  Call from Hope Center Emergency


Hope Center:

Clinically:
-  Eating well
-  Drinking well
-  No bowel movement yet


Diagnostic:
- Ran lab work 05.17.17 to check ionized calcium: Still hypercalcemic at 1.64 
  (Above high normal but lower than 05.16.17 when it was 1.88)

Objective:
- Get calcium into normal range (he'll feel better, he'll start to eat again, and reduce risks of kidney damage)
- Treat UTI

Actions for 05.17.17:
IV fluids - to help reduce Calcium (continue)
-  Zoledronate - To reduce Calcium (This was a one time dose)

- IV antibiotic (Enrofloxacin) - For UTI (They plan to transition this to Macrofloxacin in pill form probably by this evening.  Transitioning to one that has less GI upset potential)

Plan for 05.17.17:
-  Keep Schmoopy throughout day with IV fluids
-  Recheck bloodwork and calcium this evening
-  Re-assess this evening

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

May 16, 2017 - 10:00pm:  Visited Schmoopy in Hope Center Hospital

Clinically presenting to me:  Looked MUCH better.  Happy, excited to see me, ravenously eating and drinking.  Spit up a little bit from consuming too much water, too quickly.

May 16, 2017 - 9:45am:  Checked into Hope Center Emergency

Clinically presenting to me:  Not eating all weekend, lethargic


Hope Center: 

Diagnostic:
- Ran lab work to check ionized calcium: Hypercalcemic at 1.88 (highest it has ever been) 

Objective:
- Get calcium into normal range (he'll feel better, he'll start to eat again, and reduce risks of kidney damage)

Actions:
IV fluids - To help reduce Calcium
-  Zoledronate - To reduce Calcium
- IV antibiotic (Enrofloxacin) - For UTI

Plan:
-  Keep Schmoopy overnight with IV fluids
-  Recheck bloodwork and calcium in the morning on 05.17.17

Monday, May 15, 2017

Monday - 8:00am - Schmoopy not intetested in food this morning

Tried eating grass so I imagine he's nauseous.   Gave Zofran.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Schmoopy's Health Update: May 9, 2017 - Tuesday

  • Schmoopy has been recovering from surgery quite well.
  • His appetite has gone back to normal for the most part (he's eating with gusto.  So thankful!)  The week before surgery was rough.  I could barely get him to eat anything.  If I was able to get 100 calories a day into him, that was a lot.
  • He has been loving the fresh turkey that Peter cooked for him as well as the sliced turkey from Italian Gourmet in Vienna, VA.

  • I did speak with the surgeon today.  The pathology report came back from what she removed.  I don't have any new information per se...just confirmation.  Unfortunately, based on all the research I have done, his representation is pretty much text book.  I say unfortunately because the fact of the matter is that it's an aggressive cancer.  Typically by the time it's diagnosed, the dog is hypercalcemic (which he was) and typically it has spread to the iliac medial lymph node (which it did)
    • The rectal tumor removed had clean margins (good news)
    • The lymph node confirmed that the cancer is metastatic (bad news) and that it extended to the capsule (not sure what that means exactly but I'll find out more tomorrow)
    • The mitotic rate is 30 (not sure what the scale is but whatever it, this is confirmation that it's an aggressive cancer.  Meaning it replicates/divides rapidly.  Spreads fast. (obviously bad news))
  • Oncologist appointment tomorrow for second phase of treatment journey.

Monday, May 1, 2017

Schmoopy's Health Update - May 1, 2017 - Monday

First, I can't thank everyone enough for all the support, love, prayers and well wishes for Schmoopy.

We have gotten through the surgery phase of this journey.
  • It was a lonnnggg day. Brought Schmoopy in to hospital at 8:00am for consult and then surgery. They took him into the OR in the afternoon and finished around 5:30pm.
  • They had to operate to remove the tumor (cancer) and the swollen lymph node in his abdomen (where the cancer spread).
  • The lymph node was rather large...the size of a gold ball according to the surgeon.
  • Dr. Hawthorne (surgeon) was pleased with how the surgery went. She felt she was able to get the tumor and lymph node out cleanly and without any complications.
  • He's on heavy duty pain medications and will be resting in the IC overnight.
  • I expect to bring him home tomorrow around 5:00pm.
  • He will have very limited activity for the next 2-3 weeks so his incisions can heal well.
  • In about a week we should have results back from pathology to see if she was able to get clean margins.
  • We will also have to follow up with the oncologist for the next phase of treatment for this aggressive cancer.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Schmoopy's Health Update - April 25, 2017


04.25.17- Schmoopy update:


  • 2nd blood test today - Calcium 15.3 (went from 12.8 to 15.3 in 2 weeks - not good)
  • Subcutaneous fluids provided (evening)
  • Shot of lasix (sp?)
  • Lasix pills provided (diuretic) - 3x/day starting tomorrow Intent is to get Calcium level down because that can cause kidney damage/failure from what I understand.
  • Recheck blood Thursday and more subQ fluids
  • Oncologist appt Friday morning

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Schmoopy's Health Update - April 22, 2017

Abdominal ultrasound for Schmoopy today (Southpaws, Fairfax, VA)...totally heart broken. It's been confirmed that he does have cancer and that it has metastasized to one of his lymph nodes. Oncologist appointment next


week.

Friday, April 14, 2017

Schmoopy's Health Update - April 14, 2017 - Friday

The urine culture results came back today and he does have an infection however the ER vet is separately concerned about her findings regarding the fluid in abdomen and swollen lymph node. (Sigh). My vet and the ER vet have differing opinions. ER vet concerned about cancer.  My vet not so much. I'll likely have a full abdominal ultrasound done next week. For now, I'll continue with antibiotics as well.

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Schmoopy's Health Update: April 11, 2017 - Tuesday

Blood work results came back and his Calcium was high at 12.8
(normal range is 8.4 - 11.8)

Will be sometime between tomorrow and Friday to receive the results of the urine culture.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Schmoopy's Health Update: April 10, 2017 - Monday

First I really want to thank every one of you for all your kind words, your prayers for Schmoopy and all your well wishes. It was such a beautiful out reach of care and support and I was really touched - thank you!

I took Schmoopy to his normal vet first thing this morning. We're mostly in a waiting situation right now and will be for the better part of the week. I don't have any concrete answers yet, but I don't feel quite as anxious as I did after leaving the emergency vet. (not sure if that's a false sense of comfort or not but in any case, I'll continue to hope it's nothing very serious.)

The plan: Obtain results from the blood work that was done today by my vet (results should be back tomorrow) and obtain the results of the urine culture that was done at the Emergency vet (results should come in toward the end of the week.)

Based on the results, my vet will assess at that time and determine what course of action is appropriate.

Regarding the "free fluid" in his abdomen, my vet indicated that it's normal and ok to have a little bit of fluid there.
Diabetes ruled out - my vet said there was no sugar in his urine. He tested this back in December and again today.

Regarding Cancer and/or other endocrine diseases - while he didn't rule anything out yet, he suggested to "walk before we run".

Other than that, Schmoopy is comfortable and mostly himself.
I'll keep you all posted on his progress. Again - thank you!

Saturday, April 8, 2017

Schmoopy's Health - April 8, 2017

ER visit with Schmoopy...I thought maybe a UTI, but they aren't sure yet...more tests needed. They do see fluid in his abdomen, thick lining of his bladder, and a swollen lymph node to the right of his bladder. Sigh. I hope he's going to be ok.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Friday, February 21, 2014

Tireless...

KATE9134 - Version 2 by Schmoopy2007
KATE9134 - Version 2, a photo by Schmoopy2007 on Flickr.

Tearing through the snow...

KATE8653 - Version 2 by Schmoopy2007
KATE8653 - Version 2, a photo by Schmoopy2007 on Flickr.

Almost Camouflaged...

KATE8659 - Version 2 by Schmoopy2007
KATE8659 - Version 2, a photo by Schmoopy2007 on Flickr.

Schmoopy

KATE8682 - Version 2 by Schmoopy2007
KATE8682 - Version 2, a photo by Schmoopy2007 on Flickr.

Wowee

Wowee

Wowee by Schmoopy2007
Wowee, a photo by Schmoopy2007 on Flickr.

ROFL...Literally

ROFL...Literally by Schmoopy2007
ROFL...Literally, a photo by Schmoopy2007 on Flickr.

Schmoopy & Sassy

KATE6032 by Schmoopy2007
KATE6032, a photo by Schmoopy2007 on Flickr.

Xxoo

Schmoopy & Wowee

KATE5983Oil - Version 3 by Schmoopy2007
KATE5983Oil - Version 3, a photo by Schmoopy2007 on Flickr.

Xo xo

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

ROFL...Literally

ROFL...Literally by Schmoopy2007
ROFL...Literally, a photo by Schmoopy2007 on Flickr.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Untitled by Schmoopy2007
Untitled, a photo by Schmoopy2007 on Flickr.

Untitled by Schmoopy2007
Untitled, a photo by Schmoopy2007 on Flickr.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

My VERY cool kitty...Pasha
XO

Thursday, July 12, 2012

So thrilled to hear a good ending...

From Best in Show Daily:

Quince's Story directly from Jill and Jeff: At 9:30am this morning we received a phone call that Quince was spotted across the street from 7007 Pleasant Valley Road in Irwin, PA, sitting in a driveway next to a barn. We had a sighting there a few days ago so felt very optimistic. As soon as he arrived he was nowhere to be seen. I got on the phone with Karin TarQwyn the Canine Private Investigator who pulled up my location on a map. She sighted a small overgrown path to the right of the property (that we hadn't known about) and told me to go down it alone. It took me about 30 minutes of walking slowly with Knox, calling Quince's name. I got to the end of the trail - it was a dead end. I was feeling like this could have just been another false alarm. I turned to walk the trail back to the sighting area and about 10 steps into it, there was Quince, staring right at me and walking to my direction! He had been following me!!!!! He stood still like a deer in the headlights, alert, ears up, checking me out. I stayed calm as I realized he could run. I started to kneel on on leg and began to pet Knox. I said "Quince" and he ran to me full speed ahead!!! THANK YOU to everyone for believing in me, us, Quince. Thank you to the owners/breeders for the positive messages and phone calls and entrusting us with Quince. Thank you to all of the friends we have made, old and new who helped search day and night for Quince. A message to everyone in Facebook land - NEVER GIVE UP.


https://www.facebook.com/BestInShowDaily


Photo credit goes to Jeffrey Hanlin
*****  AWESOME NEWS ***** 
JEFF HANLIN AND JILLAYNE'S DOG, QUINCE, HAS BEEN FOUND


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

*** MURRYSVILLE, PA AND SURROUNDINGS AREAS (CLOSE TO PITTSBURGH) ***

*** PLEASE HELP FIND MISSING DOG BELONGING TO JEFF HANLIN ***

LATEST UPDATE FROM AROUND 7:30AM, TUESDAY, JULY 10, 2012:

"JUST RECEIVED WORD OF A QUINCE SIGHTING LAST NIGHT AROUND 7PM NEAR TWIN OAKS LANE IN MURRYSVILLE, PA AT "TOWNSEND PARK"!!! WE STAYED THE NIGHT AT PLEASANT VALLEY PARK WITHOUT SLEEPING IN THE HOPES THAT WE WOULD SPOT HIM AND JUST RECEIVED A CALL WITHIN THE LAST FEW MINUTES OF ARRIVING HOME. GOING BACK RIGHT NOW TO CHECK!!!"

JEFF HANLIN:  724-244-3764


Saturday, March 24, 2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Happy February 29, 2012!!!

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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Love you Schmoop!

XO
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Sunday, February 12, 2012

My Schmoopy...

XOXO
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Such a handsome boy, Schmoopy!

(It was sooo cold out!! My fingers PAINED me trying to take a couple of pics! Brrrrrrrr)
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Monday, January 23, 2012

Annapolis Kennel Club

Sunday, January 22, 2012
Thank you Morgan Miller for showing Sassy!!
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Sunday, January 15, 2012

Hmmm...

...it's always so much easier to bring the tree IN the house than it is to take it OUT of the house (of course, when I first get my tree, it is very nicely wrapped in netting that makes it easy to transport and easy to fit through my door (smile) It's also much more exciting and fun than the "take-down" process which includes my cutting off branches (making a mess) so I can get this thing to where it will fit through my doorway (smile)

Geez Schmoopy and Sassy...one would think you two are exhausted from all the hard work! Just exhausted watching me, huh ?!? LOL
XO

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Canine Chronicle - Westminster 2010 Edition

Canine Chronicle - Westminster 2010 Edition
Page 275