Eating and Peeing

**UPDATE**VIMP called to tell me that Mina’s white cell count is double the normal, around 31,000. They’ve called in an antibiotic that she only needs to take once per day. That brings the total number of prescriptions to five, with one supplement. I spoke to the LVT after talking to Auntie Sue about the meaning of an elevated white cell count, and the LVT told me it does happen to canine chemo patients, it could be a number of things including her body’s response to the cancer, but it’s not something I should really worry about for now. So, I’m off to CVS for another prescription. Then, I’m going to have a beer. That’s MY medication.

That’s what we’re doing today. Actually, that’s what Mina’s doing today. She’s about run through the enormous amount of chicken carcass that Robb cooked for her, so I cooked some chicken Chow Now earlier (and burned lots of incense). She’s no longer interested in sweet potatoes or baby food, but the vanilla yogurt is still OK in small quantities. I’ll get some Yukon Gold potatoes for her tomorrow and see if she still likes those.

Mina did something so funny today that I laughed out loud for several minutes. While outside, she sniffed a corner of the garage near our building, then lifted her left leg and attempted to pee on the corner of the garage! Mostly she just got her right leg wet but it made me laugh to see my old girl trying to pee like the boy dogs.

It’s time for the last Cytoxan tablet so I have to slap on the latex and wrap it in a Pill Pocket. We’re both feeling better after last week and I hope I’m now better prepared for the roller coaster ride of chemo.

s.

 

Every Day Is a Good Day

Yesterday was certainly a good day here in the cancer ward. Sherrie reported that Mina was bright and perky and trotted some on their walk and hoovered up her food in seconds. Lori reported that Mina was napping when she arrived and stretched at the door for a bit. She also told me that when she opened the fridge to give Mina some boiled chicken for a snack, that Mina immediately stood at her bowls.

Asia said that when she opened the door to our apartment, Mina stuck her nose out and Asia then gently pushed her back inside. She turned to get Mina’s carpal brace and found that Mina had sat down with her leg outstretched, ready to get outside and pee!

When I got home she was bouncy and we took a nice walk to the leasing office, where she got more attention from Lori, and walked there again later in the evening. She ate like a horse. I fed her three times after I got home! Cooked two cartons of Chow Now and I’ll need to cook two more tonight. Where can I get organic, instant potatoes?

Oh! I have to say a big THANK YOU to Sherrie who’s going to make some homemade biscuits for Miss Mina Bean. She texted me some of the recipes last night and I told her the fattier, the better. I hadn’t considered making my own Mina treats but I’ll look for some recipes later on.

Mina is up to the full dose of Udo’s 3,6,9 oil and two teaspoons of Udo’s Pet Essentials supplement. She doesn’t seem to mind it on her food at all. I just wish she would gain some weight. She doesn’t appear to be losing any, at least not to my eyes, but I’m not seeing a gain, either.

Only two days to chemo …

s.

 

Oh Honey …

… not the new couch.

s.

 

Some Days are Hard

I don’t mean in a melancholy, sappy way because I’m pretty much done with that and concentrating on the practicalities of chemotherapy and side effects. Today is Mina’s last day of the prednisone course and I’m hoping her appetite stays high and incidence of pee gets lower.

Yesterday evening was non-stop for me and Mina didn’t get as much attention as she would like, but just about everything I was doing was for her. We were up at 2 a.m. to go outside and I found one of the flannel sheets damp so put it in the wash and sprayed vinegar everywhere. Finished up the laundry at 4 a.m. after we went outside for a bit, and went on with our very busy morning routine. I’m feeling kinda tired.

This morning, she pushed open the bathroom door as I was getting ready for work – something she hasn’t done since she was a curious puppy. She rolled over for a belly rub and that’s when I saw the red marks in the folds of her belly near her vulva. I’ve been wiping down that area and her legs to try and keep the pee from causing skin irritations, but clearly I failed the task. So, she got a little wash down and some iodine and Neosporin on the owies. That’s no way to treat a nice, old lady. I left for work late so I could take her out for another short walk and give her an opportunity for a potty break.

The weather turned from beautifully hot and sunny to dark, gloomy, rainy and cold overnight. Mina seemed a bit melancholy this morning and I blame the weather. Left the living room windows open for her so she can feel the breeze.

Any suggestions for keeping the area around her vulva dry and pee-free are welcome.

s.

 

While I Was Out …

Mina ate the chicken in her dish. She hasn’t eaten when I’m not around in weeks. That’s after one dose of prednisone. We took a walk and she peed – A LOT. I’m going to make some rice for her and see how that goes over.