Today marks the anniversary of Milo’s first visit to the specialist oncologist at NDSR. I don’t think I expected to still have him with us a year ago, so it’s great that he’s here and generally enjoying life.

Since the last update:

• He’s completed the second round of his second CHOP protocol. So we’re half way along, and things get easier from here, with less frequent vet visits (fortnightly rather than weekly).
• ManyPets caught up with a months long backlog of insurance claims.

But, it’s not all been plain sailing. Milo seems to have been a little more susceptible to neutropenia than last time around, causing the specialist to recommend a reduced dose for his last vincristine injection. That did seem to work though, as his neutrophils were in decent shape for the doxorubicin a week later.

The complication that’s come along is cystitis. My local vet initially thought it might be a urinary tract infection (UTI), and he was getting antibiotics anyway for the neutropenia. But as soon as we saw the oncologist he said “it will be the cyclophosphamide”, so he’s now switched that out for chlorambucil and recommended some over the counter Cystease/Cystaid to help restore the bladder lining.

Past parts:

1. diagnosis and initial treatment

2. first setback

3. back on track

4. second setback

5. easing the pace

6. counting the cost

7. fat boy

8. done CHOPping for now

9. scans

10. relapse

11. remission