Yes, indeed, blind Helen's chemotherapy has been going very well. So much so, in fact, that the latest radiographs we took revealed that the tumor in her lungs has significantly reduced in size. This is not a "cure," but it is buying her time — and for that we are very grateful. So far Helen has had four rounds of the IV-administered chemo drug adriamycin, given every three weeks, and she has tolerated it far better than we ever expected. In fact, she's had no side effects at all.
Our oncologist at Washington State University veterinary teaching hospital, Dr. Janean Fidel, had recommended the four-dose protocol as the initial course of treatment to our vet in Helena, Dr. Jennifer Rockwell. With that regimen completed, Jennifer consulted with Dr. Fidel last week on the next stage of Helen's treatment. Dr. Fidel recommended now switching to a daily low-dose of a chemo drug called Lomustine, then rechecking Helen's bloodwork after a month.
The only catch was that for the specific dose Helen needed, we'd have to physically divide up a 10 mg "normal" size capsule of the drug into 2.7 mg daily doses (realistically, 2.5 mg) … and Jennifer didn't think we should be handling a chemotherapeutic agent every day like that, gloves or no gloves. So she's having a compounding pharmacy make us a batch of capsules with the exact dose. We'll start Helen on this new drug next week.
In the meantime, we're just as pleased as we can be with how she's responded to her chemotherapy. Alayne took the photo of Helen this afternoon (yes, it's been snowing most of the day). From looking at her, and watching her daily activities, you'd have no idea she's going through her second round of cancer.
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Still No. 1!
Please keep voting for the ranch every
day in The Animal Rescue
Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge.
Thanks
to your votes, we came in third nationwide and won $3,000 for the
animals in the previous contest. Now we have a shot at No. 1 and the
$20,000 grand prize! Enter
"Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana,
and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote. Please ask
your family and friends to vote, too. Thank you!
Rolling Dog Farm Blog 
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