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Jill's Journey

Hopping her way towards a (hopefully) cancer free life three legs at a time

Jill’s Journey Part 3: Metronomics

Filed under: Uncategorized — rica55 at 8:47 pm on Friday, June 14, 2013

Amputation: Check! IV Chemo: Check!  Now onto Metronomic chemotherapy…….

My biggest hope in writing this blog post is that it will help another kitty mom one day, if they find themselves in the same situation that I find myself in.

A brief background as to how we came to the decision as to why metronomic chemotherapy is the right path for Jill as this time:

OSA in kitties does not spread as rapidly as it does in dogs, so in almost all situations, when a kitty gets OSA, they amputate the leg and that’s it.  No chemo of any kind is recommended.  Jill’s case, however, presented differently.  Her primary tumor was in her toe and her toe was amputated (upon amputation, clear margins were achieved, so no further treatment was recommended).  6 months later, however, a met appeared under the skin (not in any bone) in that same leg.  So, we know Jill’s case spreads more rapidly than it typically does in a cat.  Her leg was then amputated as we all known and then she was treated by four rounds of IV chemo (2 rounds of carbo, 2 rounds of doxorubicin, alternating the two).

Since I have learned so much about metronomics on this site, I brought it up to her oncologist, and we decided to give it a try.  Jill’s bone marrow has had a rough time bouncing back from the IV chemo, it is now 12 weeks later and her white blood cells, specifically her neutrophils, are still on the low end.  We know from CBC’s done prior to chemo that she has naturally low neutrophils, but they are still lower than “Jill normal”.  Since this is the case, instead of cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide), which many with OSA are treated with metronomically, Jill will be taking Leukeran (chlorambucil).

I absolutely love Jill’s oncologist and trust every recommendation she has given us.  However, the problem with Jill’s rare tumor, as I stated in my previous post, is that there is just no research, case studies or information on treatment.  So once or twice, her recommendation has really been: “we just don’t know”.  This can be confusing, terrifying and maddening all at the same time.  So we’ve chosen this path, knowing that we can stop the Leukeran at any time, with the best information we have, which unfortunately, is really no information at all.

So my goal is that one day, someone will google “cat metronomics” and my blog will pop up and offer someone some hope and information.  Jill is my hero, and hopefully one day, she will be another kitty’s here as well.

"What is this.....and what are you planning on doing to me??????"

“What is this…..and what are you planning on doing to me??????”

 

"I'm sleeping, leave me alone!"

Update: Just gave Jill her very first dose of Leukeran.  Was a little nervous as it comes in a capsule and I’ve only ever given her small little pills before.  She is obviously very mad at me now and not happy about this (read: sarcasm):

jill2

jill



8 Comments »

657

   cldavis

June 14, 2013 @ 8:58 pm   Reply

Jilly, you are doing a wonderful thing for the community to share your experiences with what seems to be pretty much a new thing for kitties! I am more than positive that panicked kitty parents out there will really appreciate everything you’re doing and have done to document all of this.

Fang and I are always thinking of you! – We are so happy that things have gone relatively smoothly for you guys thus far, and you have our absolute very best wishes that they continue on the same route!

658

   Michelle

June 14, 2013 @ 10:00 pm   Reply

Yay Jill. I am so glad you are continuing your journey & documenting it for others. Hugs Chemo buddy.

Michelle & Sassy

659

   fourminipups

June 14, 2013 @ 11:01 pm   Reply

Jill-You just keep on being a groundbreaker. Some day we’ll all be able to say “I knew her back when!”.

I can just see the love between you and you Mom floating out of those pictures!

I know you weren’t too fond of taking that pill, but at least it’s not a needle!!

660

   sparkythedog

June 15, 2013 @ 12:49 am   Reply

DEAR JILLY AND MOMMY

THANK YOU FOR WRITING A BLOG FOR US TO READ. PEOPLES LEARN FROM IT. I DONT HAVE CANCER BUY I DID HAVE AMP. YOU ARE BLACK AND WHITE LIKE ME! I BET WE ARE THE SAME SIZE. DO YOU WANT TO COME TO MY HOUSE TO PLAY? YOU WOULD LIKE IT. WE LIVE IN WASHTON. WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

SEE YOU SOON!

LOVE FROM SPARKY BLACK AND WHITE AND READ ALL OVER

661

   jerry

June 15, 2013 @ 11:00 am   Reply

Jill, you are a trailblazer, and so is your Mom. This journey is difficult but so far you have both been ROCK STARS. Now, chemo of any kind is scary but I knew you could do it! The kitty metronomic chemotherapy protocol is all new but you are leading the way for others some day. Thank you for sharing.

P.S. those pics are so, so sweet.

662

   Ilene Mundell

June 15, 2013 @ 12:10 pm   Reply

You just plain rock! What more needs to be said! We know you are always doing what is right for your Jillybean!

Hugs!
Ilene & Harley

664

   virginia and dixie

June 15, 2013 @ 6:12 pm   Reply

hi jill and Erica! nothing else to say except keep on keeping on – and of course big hugs, kisses and BEST WISHES!

667

   doggiemomma9

June 16, 2013 @ 3:05 pm   Reply

Oh Jill, I hope you have excellent luck with the metronomics. We did so well on for a long time. You keep rewriting the book on Kitty OSA and tell them how its done. Keep on Rocking it in the Kitty World.

Butchey Hudson and his family

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