4 Month Ampuversary & NO MORE CHEMO!

Yes, we’ve made it!  Yesterday was Porter’s last chemotherapy treatment, and tomorrow is his four month ampuversary!  Needless to say we are very happy!  We celebrated by taking a trip to our property, making a nice campfire, and roasting ourselves a few hot dogs (Porter got one too, it was his celebratory junk food!).  We were very fortunate to have NONE of our chemo visits delayed, which I don’t think is too common.  I’m attributing that to one of his chinese herbal supplements from his acupuncturist – helped to support his blood during “the poisoning.”  And we were also very fortunate to have very few side effects.  All that was noticeable (and it wasn’t even that bad) was a slight loss of appetite the first 3-4 days after receiving his chemo.  And probably a little tiredness, but his energy is generally so good that it was really hard to notice.

So, what’s in store for our post-chemo life?  FUN!  We’re continuing to see the acupuncturist (who has also just finished up study in physical therapy, so she’s excited to show us some strength-building exercises).  Porter is also getting a massage visit about once a month – who doesn’t love a good rub down every now and then?!  I’m hoping to start working up his endurance once the drugs are gone – longer walks, and some strength training.  We’re continuing to do our pet therapy visits, and I’m hopeful that getting his endurance up will help him enjoy his visits a little more & not be quite so tired.  Porter will be staying on the home-cooked diet – we’re trying to stick to the Cancer Diet, with a couple of variations to accommodate Porter’s tastes.  And maybe a few camping trips this summer – and hopefully a trip to the ocean (Porter loves the beach & chasing sand dollars).  Mostly, I’m hoping our lives will return to a “new” normal.  Of course we’ll always be worried that the cancer will return, but all we can do is live our lives to the fullest & enjoy every day that we have together.

I’m also kind of hoping to get a tripawd gathering in my town?  Ever since Porter’s surgery, I have been noticing lots of other tripawds in the area.  Might be fun to get ’em together for a little fun every now and then!  I enjoy reading the Facebook posts about meetings and picnics in different cities, and that just seems like lots of fun.  With as friendly, welcoming, and informative as the people on this website have been, I’ve got to think it’s a common characteristic in this community!  I don’t get on to the website as often as I should, but I’m hoping to still post periodically – if for nothing else than to say “hi” and “we’re still around!”  Mostly, I’d like to give a huge THANK YOU to all the wonderful caring people on this website who have provided advice, guidance, tips, reassurance, experiences, laughs, …but most of all HOPE that our four legged kids can beat this terrible disease.  I love you all!

Sandy & Porter