Lilly Belle Pecen

Lilly is my friend Kristen's pet. She is a 12 year old mix. Lilly was rescued from an animal shelter when she was just a puppy...Today, she's here at my house resting. Lilly was diagnosed with thyroid cancer a little over a week and a half ago. It is my understanding that Lilly's cancer is more difficult to manage than Lymphoma. Dr. Loops and staff are working full force on Lilly's cancer.

I sat next to Lilly a few minutes ago. She is resting, I can hear her breath. This brings back memories of when Darby was so sick. The best I can do for Lilly, is let her rest, get her strong so that she can fight this cancer.

It's been 5 months

It has been five months since Darby was diagnosed with Lymphoma, and almost 3 months of being in remission. I think our routine is solid, yet although solid, doesn't mean easy. It take much discipline to keep everything orderly, and timely. There is no short cut to cooking her food, or administering her supplements or remedies. The weather has been a hindered our ability to to run and play outside, but that seems to be changing.......

Now to another journey.....

Mid November to present

I am so behind on this blog.....when Darby began her journey, there was so much going on that I felt that I needed to document everything....Then, when I would go back and read, I realized that it seemed like one challenge after another...I wore myself out reading it...how could I expect anyone else to read it...so I stopped...now, because of other events in our lives, its time to start back up...so I will pick up where I left off....

Mid November 2009 - Darby had been on the CCNU chemo for 2 months. Our visit with Dr. Encarnicion would determine whether or not we would continue our 3rd cycle, then completion with the 4th. Our nurse Erika took Darby back to start her blood work. After she was brought back, we were shortly escorted into our waiting room where Dr. Encarnicion soon joined us. Dr. E entered the rooom with Darby's result...High liver enzymes...Liver toxisity is a side effect of CCNU...as a result, we had to stop our chemo....I didn't know how to feel about this. I so hated the fact that I had to start Darby on the 2nd cycle, so why was I feeling so weird about not being able to start the 3rd...The best way describe would be comparing it to a broken leg...Your leg is in a cast for so long, you're on crutches, for so long. Then it's time to loose the cast.

It seemed like this may have been the blessing I have been praying for.

Early December - Dr. E, said that I would need to take Darby in for blood work...Since liver enzymes were high, we would need to check to see if they had come down over the course of 2 weeks. I took Darby to see Dr. Allen. Dr. Allen said she looked great and that liver enzymes where down....Results were faxed to Dr. E.

Few Days Later - I received a call from Dr. E...He wanted to talk about more invasive chemo's for Darby...It was tough doing CCNU, much less COP or UWP. I called Dr. Loops and said to him...Dr. Loops, its your homeopathic remedies, Darby's diet and my faith...No more western medicine. No looking back, full steam ahead.

January - I woke up one sunday morning, getting ready to go to central market...and I noticed Darby following me around. She was shaking and her heart was racing. I picked her up, and took her temp. 104.1. What's going on? Her eye's were glazed over, my mom was rubbing her tummy with a cool cloth. Animal emergency, here we come. Blood test and 2 hrs later, Darby's temp. stabilized, heat beat back to normal and no infections...She was discharched.

Following Day - Darby spent the day with Dr. Allen...She did very well at the vet. As always she won their hearts. She slept most of the day, but that was probably because her heart felt like it ran a marathon the previous day....