Friday, June 12, 2009

Lunch Break

Jake and I met Steph for lunch again. On the way downtown, I spotted a perfect patio at 17th Avenue and Franklin Street. It’s a great Vietnamese restaurant called Parallel 17. We staked out a shady corner table and I called to give directions. It’s fun to catch up with her. I ordered a Saigon Sandwich with pomme frites. Jake doesn’t care what they’re called…pomme frites, French fries or freedom fries. He even loves tater tots.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?

Someone called about Jake today. Two questions stumped me:

1) Are you doing this blog for Jake or yourself?

Well, “all of the above”, I guess. Early on, I had to update so many people about him. I thought it would be easier to do it this way. Then I started to take him to different places. Some that I always go to. Some that were brand new for both of us. Maybe he doesn’t care whether we go to a park or a restaurant or some landmark. But I can tell he enjoys going somewhere. And sure, it’s been a great experience for me, too. I really wanted a record of what we did during this time. There are so many great photos and stories. I’ve only shared a few on this site. So yeah, I guess we both get something out of it.

2) Do you think he knows he’s going to die?

Oh my. I don’t know. I guess the question should really be “Do you think he knows he’s going to die soon?” I wonder about that often. His days are always full and he sticks to the usual routine. He’s not in pain. He hasn’t changed much. He’s just Jake. I must say I’m pretty inspired by him. I’m more intrigued by the question “Why do we treat the ones we love differently when we find out we are going to lose them?”

I hung up the phone and took Jake for his usual 4pm walk. On the way back from the park, we bumped into Jed’s owner. Jed is the yellow Lab with cancer that we met the week I started this blog, back on May 5th.

He told me Jed passed away over Memorial Day weekend. I can't write anything else right now.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

All About the Benjamins

I recently discovered this in my “Jake” file. It’s the receipt when we picked him up from the breeder. There’s a whole lotta coolness packed into that $500 furball. He was worth every Benjamin. Take a look at the date…9/10/01. Yep, we got him the night before the terrorist attacks. So in addition to having a new puppy in the house a few weeks after I lost my mom, we also had a welcome diversion from the sad images that dominated the media the next day. Jake has always managed to take the sting out of any bad situation.

Jake’s birthday is coming up quick on July 2nd. Honestly, when we first got his diagnosis, I didn’t think he would make it. Or that he wouldn't be in good shape. Now I think it’s time for a birthday BBQ to celebrate! More details to follow…

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

I Just Want to See the Boy Happy

Back to Fort Collins to pick him up. Jake went crazy when he spotted me in the waiting room. He was wearing one of those funny Elizabethan collars so he wouldn’t lick the biopsy site. Bumping into my legs and knocking over stuff. So happy to see me. The staff said he did well during the night. He had only a mild fever which is a good indication the drug is having an effect. It was gone by morning. He curled up on the back seat of the car and slept the entire drive back to Denver. It’s funny to see all these shaved patches on his legs for IV’s. We return on Monday for Week #2 of the study. No overnight stay necessary on future treatments so we’ll probably work in a few “Lunch Break” stops in Fort Collins.

Monday, June 8, 2009

I Want a New Drug

Jake and I drove up to Fort Collins this morning, which is an hour north of Denver. We had an appointment at the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University. There’s a clinical trial for canine soft tissue sarcomas that seems promising. It has helped shrink tumors in other dogs. I was really impressed with the entire experience the moment we walked in the door. The entire staff was incredible. Love the volunteers, too. After we met with the vets and they reviewed his case, he was accepted into the study. He received his first IV infusion of a cancer drug called liposomal clodronate. They had to keep him overnight to monitor any side effects, so I drove back to Denver. I just got a call from the vet and he says Jake is doing great. They’ll call in the morning when I can pick him up. I really love the idea of doing this study, and if we’re lucky, it will give us a little more time together. We might even end up helping others in the same situation in the future.