Mom and Dad went to see her oncologist late yesterday afternoon, leaving Lou and me home being super bored. The doctor decided it was best to stop Mom's chemotherapy because Mom's blood still has not recovered after two full months since the second treatment. She said the risks outweigh the benefits. Dad and Mom agreed with the plan; what choice did they have? While Mom was really happy that she is free of the evil lymphocytes that were trying to kill her, she knows she is not cured of the disease. There is still no known cure for CLL. The doctor said she had a really great response to the first treatment and that she should hope for some good months without any issue. Mom will go back for a blood test right before Thanksgiving. Hopefully her blood will be recovered by then and we will see if the cancer comes back.
Her doctor did give Mom and Dad hope based on a new drug that is an antibody versus chemo. It is taken in pill form, so no infusion required. The exciting aspect of the new drug is that it treats CLL without the nasty side effects of the blood chemistry Mom has suffered with in both rounds of treatment. The drug has been approved by the FDA. Dr. Kushlan said that the next time Mom needs treatment this drug "is perfect for her". We hope and pray it will be.
I will make this my last blog post for a while. I am an old dog who is slowing down. Dad has helped me lose weight, which is good. But I still struggle to climb the hill home on our walks in the morning. And in the afternoon I am very tired. I also have a skin infection. It is tough getting old! I hope I live out what time I have left with Mom. I love her so much. Last night we watched the World Series together on the couch. I laid my head on Mom's lap so she could stroke my ears and be close. It was bliss. This is the best life a dog can hope for.
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