October 2, 2017

Today, we had the first check-up of Sparky's condition since he was diagnosed with lymphoma a month ago.

The vet appointment was after lunch. We got there with a cab, waited a few minutes at the reception and then the doctor was with us.

She checked Sparky's heart which seemed normal. Lungs were normal as well with no fluid in them.
The respiration rate was almost normal, still a bit elevated but nothing too worrying.

The second part of the visit was about taking blood tests and xray of the lungs and chest.

Sparky looked desperate going with the doctor without me, same with every other time when he was without us.

Since the tests would take about one hour and a half, I went to a nearby coffee shop and waited there for the time to pass. Time seems to expand in situations like this and an hour feels like 3. It was difficult not to ask myself the same question over and over: what could the results be? is he better, the same or worse?

I went back to the clinic earlier that I should have and everything was done. Sparky came out after 10 minutes looking in all directions for a familiar face and was very happy to see me and me him.

One of the nurses took us back to a room to wait for the doctor with the xray results.

The doctor came in. I could not understand just by looking at her face if the news are good or bad. She showed me the xrays and explained that there is still a mass in the chest. It looked scary on all of those films.

So what does this mean? The mass was still there but was it the same size, bigger, smaller?

The mass was smaller than before, significantly smaller actually when compared with the initial xrays.

This was amazing news! So the prednisone helped and Sparky was actually doing better!

Yes, she confirmed again, explaining that this is rather rare, to see such a decrease in the mass after one month of treatment with prednisone. This was a good improvement but we should keep in mind that it may be just temporary and that the cancer could come back.

We knew that, it was impossible to forget.

But Sparky was better today and since we lived a day at a time since Sptember 1, today was a great day.

What about the blood tests?

The blood tests will be ready in a few days so someone will call us with the results.

Also, the doctor suggested sending the xrays to a specialist, a radiologist, for a second opinion. I could not see any reason why we should not do this.

We left home after getting a refill of prednisone and antibiotics, in case the diarhhea happens again.

Everyone was extremely happy that night at home, including Sparky.

After days and days of uncertainty and anxiousness, we had a bit of hope.
Through a miracle, Sparky was not just living but actually he was better than a month ago.

That day was for me one of the happiest days of the whole year given the improved condition of the puppy.

My feeling that he was still doing well was confirmed, at least for the moment.
He was well and will continue to be well.

I went to bed very happy and grateful that night.