High Blood Pressure.

 
                                                                     August 2016

For the most part, Tico's Health has been outstanding.
We're grateful for that.
In March 2017, Tico will reach his 13th Birthday.

He's Happy, Running up the Street wagging his tail.
He still loves for us to throw his favorite toys, He's enjoying Life.



                                                                   August 2016

A few bumps in the road.

In October 2016, He was at times just falling over, when on walks or even in this House.
Long story short, He has High Blood Pressure.
He's responding to the Medicine and evidently the pills have no odor,
so it's easy to wrap in some of his favorite food which gladly takes twice a day.
Only issue for me is that the pill needs to be cut into quarters and we end up with uneven fragments.
It's all good.

Most recently, He has had a big red bump in his rear end.
Dr. Bloomstein with Mission Pet Hospital thinks it's something else with his Anal Glands.
So He's getting another Pill twice a day, which again must have no odor, so far, He's just taking it like a treat.

Thank you all for your well wishes with Tico the Wonder Dog!


                                                                  December 2016

                                                                     March 2016

                         The Streets were wet and Tico didn't want to take a walk,
                  It had been awhile since it rained in California due to the Drought.

So far so good, Tico is doing great!

With Tico's Vet and Oncologist in Queenland, Australia, He's off the Chemo.
He's been off the Chemo since 31 March 2015.
He's doing great!

Thank you all for your well wishes!


      This was Tico in San Francisco with Michael, Thank you for sending this Photo on the 4th of July 2015.

                        Tico in our Beach Shade Structure, Believe it or not, It was too hot Tico that day on the Beach.                                                                                                  27 July 2015

                                                        Tico love the Beach! 27 July 2015.

                                                         Tico is Hot Dog on the Beach, 27 July 2015.

                                                       Tico loves His walks, What dog doesn't! 29 July 2015.

The Chemo is on Hold for awhile.

Tico has been on Chemo in a 10 days on, then 10 days off program for the past 2 1/2 years or so.



Tico enjoying the Sun and patio at the  Lone Star Saloon in San Francisco on 17 March 2015.

For the past 5 months his monthly blood test have confirmed that His Bone Marrow needs a break from the Chemo. He was approaching having his blood not be able to clot. 
All this occurred at the end of March, so We wait a couple of weeks and go back for another blood test.

In the meantime, Dr. Gordon with Mission Pet Hospital has suggested we start Tico on a Chinese Herb called Yunnan Baiyao to aid in his healing. One of the great things about living in San Francisco was the ability to run and around and actually find this Herb.
It took me 4 stops but I did find this Herb at a Local Noe Valley Chinese Medicine.
In fact, They were only 3 blocks away, Tico and walked over, after I had driven all over San Francisco!

                                              Dr. Gordon at Mission Pet Hospital

For the moment, We don't know if Tico's Cancer is remission,
or will come back in a week or 3 years,
or never. 

My Thanks again go out to Mission Pet Hospital and Dr. Gordon for all their help with Tico's Illness.
So far, so Good.
Tico has been with us 11 Years.
He's happy, excited about everything like a Puppy.
Chasing Balls, and his Toys, especially the Honey Badger that his Aunt Audrey sent him from Maine.


Tico is a City Dog, right next to our local City Car Share  parking space in Noe Valley,
17 March 2015.

                              How about one more of little Tico as a Puppy back in April of 2004.

Thank You  to those who contributed Tico's Cancer Fund.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=FNRBSGEJNDW3L

 Making it a total so far: $1160.00 Received. 

 

 

Tico's current Health Status.

I'm sorry I didn't post all year when there was nothing but a Healthy Tico to report.
We've had a good year and He's been a happy, healthy, 11 year old puppy dog.

On Christmas Day, We picked up Mark and on the way home,
Mark discovered a rather large fatty lump on Tico's right shoulder.
We had him to Mission Pet Hospital on the following Monday to get it checked out.

Dr. Moser is new for us and very gentle with Tico.
She aspirated the Tumor and the results are:
Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

Now for the Good News,
Before the results were back, the Fatty Tumor has shrunk down to the size of a finger nail.
We're to wait 2 weeks, 
and if there isn't any change,
We'll schedule surgery to remove said Tumor.

Tico's still taking Chemo, 10 days on and 10 days off.
He takes it like a champ.
He even gets excited to do the process, excited and wagging his tail.
Unfortunately this Chemo doesn't respond to this new Cancer Issue.


In the meantime, Send us your love and healing thoughts.
Tico's happy and chasing balls.
These Photos are of Tico waiting for us at the Gym where he gets lots of attention and petting. 

                      091614 at the Gym

                      102114 at the gym.

 
                     102114 at the gym.

                                         102114 at the gym.

Thank You  to those who contributed Tico's Cancer Fund.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=FNRBSGEJNDW3L

 Making it a total so far: $1160.00 Received.

Tico currently 5 months later after finding a Good Treatment Plan.

                          Tico poses for his Christmas Eve Photo 24 December 2013

I'm sorry I haven't posted all the good news on Tico.
It's been 5 months into his Good Health.
He's still on Chemo, and He takes the Pill like a Champ!
We call him over and He runs over making excited noises.
It still take 3-4 tries to get it down, but He really does his best to make it easy on us both.

We don't even have to give him treats, it's the Toy playing that  is his reward.
And our reward as well, because a Healthy Dog and Happy Dog wants to play!

                         Tico enjoys the going to the Laundromat, 21 January 2014.

Having said that, We just had a scare with Tico's Health.
He was listless, didn't want to take long walks, couldn't jump up on the Bed or Couch.
We took him to Mission Pet Hospital and with another round of Blood Tests.
The Tests came out fine, He's ready to start up another round of Chemo (10 days) today.
He's on an Antibiotic that is doing the trick in getting him back on his feet, (or 4 paws).


Thank You Dr. Gordon and Mission Pet Hospital,
His Medicine and treatment is working!


                 What Dog doesn't love Discarded Christmas Trees!  01 January 2014

Thank You  to those who contributed Tico's Cancer Fund.


https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=FNRBSGEJNDW3

 Making it a total so far: $1110.00 Received. 

 

 

Good News this Time.

I have good news on Tico's Health.
At this time He's free of all Cancer Growths!!!
I had doubts that this was working but suddenly just before We took off to see the In-Laws in Maine,
Tico's Cancer Growths started shrinking, and shrinking FAST!
By the end of July, They were ALL gone!

                          Tico waiting for our flight to Maine at the Boston Airport, 31JUL13

We continue his Treatment, and He happily takes his pill for 9 days on, and 9 days off, with a Blood Test before starting up again.

We are able to let our friend Michael stay with Tico during our Burning Man trip.
Tico loves Michael like He does with us, in fact, I think Tico has a Canine Crush on Michael.

I can't tell you how relieved I am! 

                                 Tico hiking in the Woods of Mid-Coast Maine, 08AUG13





Thank you all for your concern, prayers, and good wishes.

Thank You  to those who contributed Tico's Cancer Fund.

 Making it a total so far: $1010.00 Received.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFYPKq6I_sA

 

 

July Update on Tico

 How about some more Tico Puppy Photos!
Tico's doing great, I just thought, I'd share some more of him as a Puppy,
From the Summer of 2004.



First let me say, Tico's quality of Life is still very, very, very good.
Tico still runs when He see's Mark walking home from the Muni Train and we walk to meet him.
Tico still enjoys his walks, and can walk and walk and walk and walk.
Tico can still wear most anyone out when throwing one of his Toys.
Tico still snuggles, and rolls over and over next to us, with his expression of Joy and Love.


                                                        Tico in the Summer of 2004.

 

Now onto the Serious Nature of this Post.
We had switched Tico's Chemo to a very easy Treatment Plan,
One Chemo Pill every 14 days,
with a Blood Test before hand to make sure his White Blood Cells were standing up.


This Treatment wasn't working, Skin Cancer (Mucocutaneous Plasmacytoma) were popping up all over him.
He had 4 bumps to Aspirate just last week, they were the same Cancer.

He's gone back to the original Chemo drug: Melphalan, which is a little more extensive to administer.
This is back to the 10 days taking the drug,
Then days rest.
These pills need to be refrigerated.
We'll going to need to take Insulated Sleeve with these pills to Maine.
My plan is to ask our Jet Blue Flight Attendant on the SFO-BOS to give us some Ice.
Luckily, I have the Insulated Sleeve, I even have some pads for my eyes that freeze,
I was planning on putting that in the Insulated Sleeve, along with ice in a zip lock bag.
Of Course, I will carry the pills in the Prescription Bottle it came in. 

                                                     Tico in the Summer of 2004.

Tico's Skin Cancer (Mucocutaneous Plasmacytoma) is pretty rare in the way it's working with him.
Normally it's benign, and normally only 1-2 Cancer Bumps, but He gets multiple bumps.
Dr. Gordon at Mission Pet Hospital doesn't know if these will ever invade him internally.
He may just have bumps, which may or may not respond to the Chemo Treatment that we're returning to.

Good News so far: Tico doesn't have side effects so far with either of these Chemo Treatments.

                                  Tico in the Summer of 2004, taking his 1st flight to Boston

It's just a wait and see kind of thing,
We'll keep on eye on this behavior to see if this effect him, which so far it hasn't.

Dr. Gordon explains we may try upping the dose, but that decision will come in a month or so.

In the meantime, Tico has had an infection on one of his right back paw pads.
He's been prone to this, which might be an allergy, which is why I cook very good food to feed him along with Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance "Sweet Potato and Bison" Dog Food, with no additives.
We choose to go with a shot of antibiotics, which seems to be slowly healing his paw pad.
He's not limping, He never did with this, but He was licking his back right paw. He's not licking the paw now, so that's working.

                                                       Tico in the Summer of 2004,
                                              taking a quick dip in Lincoln, Maine Lake

                                            Tico in the Summer of 2004, bought him a Cowboy Hat.
                                                       (which of course, He doesn't enjoy)

 Thank you all for your concern, prayers, and good wishes.

Thank You  to those who contributed Tico's Cancer Fund.

 Making it a total so far: $910.00 Received.

 

                              Tico a few days ago enjoy Cafe Flore on the 4th of July 2013

June Update to Tico's Running, Playing, and Happiness!

As you know,
Tico started a new Chemo Treatment on 15MAY13,
so it's been about 5 weeks so far.

His 1st treatment needed to be done at Mission Pet Hospital with an IV,
and a Hazmat suit, the person who does this treatment.

Since then, We've been able to give his treatment to him at home at much less costs,
Much easier on the little dog Tico,
since He doesn't enjoy going to the Vet,
The treatment: The Chemo Drug: Cytoxan
is easy, since it's one pill with a lot of water, every 14 days,
after a blood tests confirms his white cells are holding up with the Chemo, on that, so far, so good.

                                 Tico enjoys laying in the warmth of the setting Sun
                                              15 May, 2013 at home in San Francisco

I haven't posted in 5 weeks because there's no change to his Bumps.
His original Cancer Bump on his Head, is gone, partly due to it being aspirated to see if it's actually
Skin Cancer (Mucocutaneous Plasmacytoma), Which it was.

There are new bumps that appeared in late April, early May.
They seem to be growing in spite of the Chemo Treatments for the past 5 weeks.
Much of this is a wait and see kind of thing.
We all feel them, especially the one on his Back, every time we pet and massage him.

Dr. Gordon from Mission Pet Hospital, Mark, and I all agree that Tico needs to have those newer
(late April, early May), aspirated and checked since these bumps may or may not even be the Cancer.
The Bump on his Back has grown in a very different fashion,
though the 2 bumps on the inside of his left leg resemble more the Cancer.

We're holding off from going ahead with Checking with an Aspiration for another 2 cycles (a Month).


                                 Handsome Chihuahua-Miniature Pinscher
                                                    at home on 15 May, 2013

In the meantime, Tico is Happy, act Healthy, appears Healthy.
Tico is running, chasing balls, taking rides in the Car, meeting old and new friends.
Wagging his tail like a Happy Dog.

Many of you have written to me in private asking how He's doing,
Thank You for being concern and interest.
I wish I had better news!
Tico continues to  teach me, He's here now, He's alive, loving, and Vibrant.
What more can I ask for?
It's one more lesson to be Thankful for Today, for that is all there is.



                                  Tico lifts his leg with his Dallas Souvenir
                                  13 June, 2013 home in San Francisco

Here's a Video of Tico greeting another dog at SFO in Baggage Claim upon my return from Palm Springs.
http://youtu.be/YPc_cVLNCFU

Thank You  to those who contributed Tico's Cancer Fund.

 Making it a total so far: $905.00 Received.

Starting a New Treatment Program today

                                                  May 08, 2013 Tico's Cutest Photo

                                          

We got to scoot along for a few months with only one Cancer Bump, but last week, the One Bump went to Four so it was time to take the advice of the Oncologist and we take the Next Step, which starts out this Morning.

The Chemo Drug: Cytoxan

The Good News, few side effects, to slow Tico the Wonder Dog down.
This starts out with an IV drip to follow with Pill Delivery every 2 weeks.
It looks like the Tico's Vet was able to find a dosage that we can administer to Tico every 2 weeks.

Looks like we have some wiggle room for trips to Maine, and while we away at Burning Man.
So however volunteers to watch Tico will not have to administer any drugs. 
(You also can get stay in our Sweet Apartment in Noe Valley)
This is an improvement over the last treatment which were 10 days on, and 10 days off.

Tico's at Mission Pet Hospital as we speak, and I will update ASAP.
Today's Treatment $225.00 (with my discount).
Future Treatments will be via Pill Delivery and perhaps given at home, so less $$$.

Keep him in your thoughts, white light, and Prayers.

                                           April 20, 2013: Tico enjoys a Ride in the Car

                                   May 8, 2013: Tico in his new Harness

                                                    

                                              May 14, 2013 What a Handsome Face!
                             

Thank You  to those who contributed another $50.00 to
Tico's Cancer Fund.

 

 Making it a total so far: $905.00 Received.

 

                                        April 09, 2013 at SFO, Tico greets Mark at Arrivals

Tico the Wonder Dog is reunited with Mark at SFO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWh4O4AW6ms