ghggp
Moderator
All I can say is, you are most certainly Gavin's Guardian Angel.
No one could care or do more!
No one could care or do more!
Gavin's radiation treatment
- Thread starter Cindy
- Start date
Cindy
Premium Member
Gavin is an amazing patient. Radiation tech said she had only ever had one dog like him. gavin jumps up on the examination table and lays down for her and stays still. He does the same for me during this cleaning/wash, just laying there for me to my thing. I hate to think how hard it would be with a more unwilling patient! So having a dog used to being handled really pays off 
His spirits are amazing. Hopping around on 3 legs to play with his ball. He is sleeping now, probably recovering from the week and all the activity. Based on the amount of meds they have given me, I am guessing the burns and all will get worse until about 2 weeks after radiation stops, then slowly heal up. I do know it took about 2 weeks for any to show up, so it is an expected delay. I think the paw pads are expected to heal up faster than the burns on top since they get less of a dose.
Gavin really needs a bath and groom....sigh...it is gonna be a while before I can do any of that. I did comb him before the side effects set in, but I can't bear to do it to him now.
His spirits are amazing. Hopping around on 3 legs to play with his ball. He is sleeping now, probably recovering from the week and all the activity. Based on the amount of meds they have given me, I am guessing the burns and all will get worse until about 2 weeks after radiation stops, then slowly heal up. I do know it took about 2 weeks for any to show up, so it is an expected delay. I think the paw pads are expected to heal up faster than the burns on top since they get less of a dose.
Gavin really needs a bath and groom....sigh...it is gonna be a while before I can do any of that. I did comb him before the side effects set in, but I can't bear to do it to him now.
kskc
Forums Regular
Hi Cindy... I am just now reading about the challenges Gavin has faced over the past couple months. There are so many posts... hard to read them all, but it is clear that it has been a difficult journey for you and him. I am so sorry he is having to go through so much agony! I will keep Gavin in my puppy prayers for a fast recovery so that he can get back to his normal doggie life as soon as possible!
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trini
Forums Sage
Cindy, Gavin and Sketch have been proof of the strength and love of life that our precious Shelties demonstrate when the chips are down. They simply don't give up even on the days when our own spirits are sagging. I am so glad that Gaving's treatments are almost over...what a journey!
Trini
Trini
Cindy
Premium Member
Thanks for all the kind thoughts!
This is kind of like my blog But really, this whole thing has been so much more time consuming than I would have thought and the vets do not really tell you what you are in for. Its like they assume since they know how things are supposed to go that you will to. I hope it is helpful for people who are considering radiation or are just starting. If you know how much time this is going to take before, it is easier to line things up and plan. Once you are in it, all you can do is react. This whole journey started in October with a biopsy, followed by 2 surgeries and now radiation. I have learned so much.
1. Vet's do not examine your dog for lumps and bumps at any stage and offer an opinion on aspiration, they merely aspirate what you tell them to. I brought Gavin in for 2 bumps. One was needle aspirated. The second one I could not find after a few minutes for looking and it was forgotten after the vet expressed concern about the first bump. My dog was handled by many vets and techs on the way through his first surgery and none every did an exam of him and mentioned the second lump. I finally found it again (it was tiny, like a bug bite) and had them aspirate it: another surgery! It would have been much preferred and cheaper to have both done at the same time.
2. Radiation is a lot more complicated than it sounds when they tell you it is the best treatment. I can totally understand why people would board their dog through it and for a few weeks after when the burns are the worst. I have it relatively easy in that the radiation clinic is on my way to work and only out of the way about 15 minutes. But adding in traffic complications due to the times I have to drop him off and pick him up, and waiting for a tech to get him/bring him out we are talking about an extra 60-90 minutes each day. These baths for the burns take me at least 45 minutes each time, and they want it done twice a day (and I had no idea this was even something that was going to be needed until the vet tech tells me about the soak packets, cornstarch and aloe Thursday afternoon. I had to run out to walmart and get constarch and floor coverings..they did sell me the aloe and soak packets at only a 50-70% markup which is pretty good. but If i had known, I could have bought the stuff much cheaper on amazon and been prepared mentally and physically). The medications and their dosages/timings are not simple either. I have a whole different respect for caregivers and how really limited their lives are: everything revolves around treatments and medications; I might have a 4 hour window on a weekend to get out and do something and I have to choose between chores like grocery shopping, trying to work out, taking a shower, laundry, cooking, etc. Makes you housebound and your world becomes pretty small and limited.
I don't want to sound like I am complaining...Gavin is doing great. Although he did for the first time start licking his radiation burn site
He got out of his cone last night and went at it. Thankfully it didn't look oozie at all. I would guess the cornstarch makes it even more appetizing. Then this morning after soaking it and all, I saw him try to start at it again (I literally saw the tongue come out of his mouth and his head moved to his leg). I normally have him un-coned when I am watching him as he mostly sleeps due to all the meds, but we are upping the cone time and making sure it is tied on TIGHT.
This is kind of like my blog
But really, this whole thing has been so much more time consuming than I would have thought and the vets do not really tell you what you are in for. Its like they assume since they know how things are supposed to go that you will to. I hope it is helpful for people who are considering radiation or are just starting. If you know how much time this is going to take before, it is easier to line things up and plan. Once you are in it, all you can do is react. This whole journey started in October with a biopsy, followed by 2 surgeries and now radiation. I have learned so much.1. Vet's do not examine your dog for lumps and bumps at any stage and offer an opinion on aspiration, they merely aspirate what you tell them to. I brought Gavin in for 2 bumps. One was needle aspirated. The second one I could not find after a few minutes for looking and it was forgotten after the vet expressed concern about the first bump. My dog was handled by many vets and techs on the way through his first surgery and none every did an exam of him and mentioned the second lump. I finally found it again (it was tiny, like a bug bite) and had them aspirate it: another surgery! It would have been much preferred and cheaper to have both done at the same time.
2. Radiation is a lot more complicated than it sounds when they tell you it is the best treatment. I can totally understand why people would board their dog through it and for a few weeks after when the burns are the worst. I have it relatively easy in that the radiation clinic is on my way to work and only out of the way about 15 minutes. But adding in traffic complications due to the times I have to drop him off and pick him up, and waiting for a tech to get him/bring him out we are talking about an extra 60-90 minutes each day. These baths for the burns take me at least 45 minutes each time, and they want it done twice a day (and I had no idea this was even something that was going to be needed until the vet tech tells me about the soak packets, cornstarch and aloe Thursday afternoon. I had to run out to walmart and get constarch and floor coverings..they did sell me the aloe and soak packets at only a 50-70% markup which is pretty good. but If i had known, I could have bought the stuff much cheaper on amazon and been prepared mentally and physically). The medications and their dosages/timings are not simple either. I have a whole different respect for caregivers and how really limited their lives are: everything revolves around treatments and medications; I might have a 4 hour window on a weekend to get out and do something and I have to choose between chores like grocery shopping, trying to work out, taking a shower, laundry, cooking, etc. Makes you housebound and your world becomes pretty small and limited.
I don't want to sound like I am complaining...Gavin is doing great. Although he did for the first time start licking his radiation burn site
He got out of his cone last night and went at it. Thankfully it didn't look oozie at all. I would guess the cornstarch makes it even more appetizing. Then this morning after soaking it and all, I saw him try to start at it again (I literally saw the tongue come out of his mouth and his head moved to his leg). I normally have him un-coned when I am watching him as he mostly sleeps due to all the meds, but we are upping the cone time and making sure it is tied on TIGHT.
trini
Forums Sage
Cindy, your honest recounting of what is involved in radiation treatment is a gift to anyone who might have to face the same decisions you have had to face with Gavin. So often everything is made to sound easy...and there is nothing easy about the journey you and Gavin have been on and continue to be on until he is healed from the radiation.
Sharing experiences on this site is what makes this site special as a resource for everyone. Thank-you for the time and effort you have taken to document each step along the way with everyone on SN...it is deeply appreciated.
Trini
Sharing experiences on this site is what makes this site special as a resource for everyone. Thank-you for the time and effort you have taken to document each step along the way with everyone on SN...it is deeply appreciated.
Trini
Sharon7
Moderator
I second everything Trini has so eloquently said. I'm on my own journey with Ally right now and it is oddly supportive to read of other folks struggling with their Sheltie's care. I think you are doing a terrific thing for Gavin, and knowing it will buy him some quality time is, I'm sure, worth it. Believe me I am all too familiar with care-giver burnout. Between my job at the hospital and Ally's care there were days I wanted to cry my eyes out. But we just keep on keepin' on, right?
Cindy
Premium Member
day 18:
<https://clkreder.shutterfly.com/3244>
his radiation burn is huge and nasty
it is hurting him, too. he just crawled up next to me and put his head on my leg. not like my boy.. i will have to pick him up earlier tomorrow and get him his pain meds then. i was stretching them to about 9 hours due to work and traveling time, giving them when arriving home.
i am sooo glad tomorrow is the last day....very tired of all this
<https://clkreder.shutterfly.com/3244>
his radiation burn is huge and nasty
it is hurting him, too. he just crawled up next to me and put his head on my leg. not like my boy.. i will have to pick him up earlier tomorrow and get him his pain meds then. i was stretching them to about 9 hours due to work and traveling time, giving them when arriving home.
i am sooo glad tomorrow is the last day....very tired of all this
trini
Forums Sage
Poor Gavin...he and you will be so thankful when tomorrow is done and he doesn't have to go through any more treatments. Hugs to both of you.
Trini
Trini
Caro
Moderator
Poor, poor Gavin. I'm really glad to hear tomorrow is his last day too. Hugs too.