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

Tico is doing great

Tico is running at top speed again!

He's Healthy and Happy,
and He still has the same rare Skin Cancer (Mucocutaneous Plasmacytoma)

Back on 01 March, 2013, We took him into Mission Pet Hospital and the Biopsy came back positive for this same Cancer. We caught it very early on and it was removed from his little head not to appear back just from the Biopsy.

        (actually Tico the Wonder Dog is part Chihuahua, part Miniature Pincher)

The Oncologist on consultation suggested a new round of many drugs with who know what kind of side effects, so with the consideration with Tico's Treating Doctor, Mark and I decided to just continue with the same Chemo drug we've got him on, and see what happens. No renewing him to start up Prednisone again.

The thing is, He's healthy and happy.
He's now willing for the 1st time since October 2012 to Run, and I mean Run!
He's got a renewed interest in the World.
He's alive and happy, that's All any of us can ask for in any of our lives.
So, for the moment, We'll keep on eyes on him, and let be with the Chemo Drug:  Melphalan.

As we all know, Life doesn't come with any Guarantee,
Everything in Life is filled with Educated Guesses and Gut Feeling.
My Gut, My Heart tells me to let him be Happy, Run, and Chase Balls.

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

Thank You  to those who contributed another $100 to
Tico's Cancer Fund.

 Making it a total so far: $855.00 Received.

Here's Tico the Wonder Dog at SFO
Greeting My Partner after his being "Back East" for a week.
Video was taken: 15 February 2012




 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE_y-m3dg8k

Yikes, We found a new small Bump on his head

Good news from Tico's last blood work,
He's doing excellent on his Chemo  

         Photos taken by visitors from Texas 01 September, 2008 at Cafe Flore

             
We found a suspicious bump on his head.
The Vet aspirated it, results be be back on Monday. (04MAR13)

Looks like He might have to go back on Prednisone, (which I hate).
Tico now weighs in at 13.5 pounds, we're gonna have go portion control.

He's still wanting to take long walks which ironic because I don't,  I have Bronchitis. 

I don't know what this means for Tico, but He's still happy.

Thank You for all your kind words, prayers, and donations.

Tico's Cancer Fund has received another $100,
Making it a total now of  $755.00
Thank You.

Tico is doing great, had another blood test today

Tico is really doing quite good.
Now that most of his drugs are done for him and that He's only taking the Chemo, all his side effects are gone.  He's still taking Chemo, but He's on one of his 10 days off, then 10 day on.

He's getting back in shape,
He's much more interested in long walks.
I'm posting photos of him walking the entire Embarcadero from 
Cupid's Arrow to the Fog City Diner and back. That's a long walk and He was happy to walk it for the first time since his surgery in  October of 2012.

I want to thank again for your interest in Tico's Case,
Your emotional support to Mark and I, and your Positive Thoughts and Prayers.    

Note: This is not a current Video.
As young Pup of about a year and a half, Tico was relentless at tearing the stuffing from a few of Toys, He has since grown through that stage now that He's a Mature Little Doggie. He still has a few of these toys stripped of their stuffing but He still wants them thrown for him.
Video Created: 23DEC05




Thank you again for your continued Financial Support to Tico's Cancer Fund.
Another $100 was given to this since the last post for a total of $655.00

 

Tico's now off the Prednisone and doing good.

Tico is holding up marvelous with all his treatment.
These are some of his recent photos taken on 12JAN13.

He actually comes over to happy to get his Chemo treatment.
Sometimes He let's me give it to him with a small piece of Roast Beef.
But it's really no problem for him to do via the back of his tongue and of water.
The plan is for the Chemo to continue until May, I may see if We can revise that to April.
It's 10 days on, and then 10 days off. He doesn't seem to have any side effects.

His last day of Prednisone that Dr. Gordon at Mission Pet Hospital I agreed upon was 19JAN13.
I look forward to him being able to get around easier without the added weight He's been carrying.

His left leg cramp seems to have disappeared! 

All in All,
We're been lucky,
He's been responding to treatment wonderfully.

Thank You all for your kind words,
Your Prayers,
And your contributions to Tico's Cancer Fund.
This past month we received another $50, making so far $555, Thank You all again.

Photos taken: 12 January, 2013

Link to Tico's Cancer Fund:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=FNRBSGEJNDW3L

Happy Holidays from Tico

Tico is doing well, though as fat as a Seal Lion, his last weight was 12.7 pounds.

                                         Tico in his Christmas Best,
                                                      Photo taken on 26 December, 2009
                                                      Hotel Marlow, Cambridge , MA

He goes back on his 4th round of Chemo on Saturday 29 December, 2012,
after being off of his Chemo Drug: Melphalan for the last 10 days,
It's 10 days on and then 10 days on, for the next 6 months.

                                                      Tico getting ready to drive up the Coast,
                                                      Photo taken on 26 December, 2009
                                                      Hotel Marlow, Cambridge , MA

His last blood test 9 days ago show He doing fine with the Drugs.

We're going to try and stop the drug: Tamoxife, when He runs in a few days.
He's got 9 pills and before we halt that., so that's good, less drugs in his system.

Stopping the 2.5 mg. of Prednisone
on the 19th of JAN, 2013.

The best news, No current Cancer Growth.
We're planing on quitting the Chemo: Melphala in 6 months.

                                                Tico in his Santa Cap
                                                                Photo taken on 23 December, 2010
                                                                San Francisco, CA


Tico wishes you all a best wishes, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year 2013.

                                                Tico taking a Christmas Nap
                                                                Photo taken on 23 December, 2010
                                                                San Francisco, CA

So, far we've raised $505.00 for Tico's Cancer Fund.
Thank you to Maxine, Bernard, Nicholas, Patrick, and Fausto.

Link to Tico's Cancer Fund:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=FNRBSGEJNDW3L