Thurs., April 28, 2011 - Fabulous agility weekend, chemo, the passing of a friend, and a new view

This past weekend was the Southern California Portuguese Water Dog Club's agility trial, one of 3 that we sponsor each year.  It was a wonderful weekend with perfect weather (except for a little rain) for running dogs.  PWDs (Portuguese Water Dogs) were well represented with 4 dogs running in the trial.  There were 2 triple Qs (each dog qualifying in all 3 of their runs that day), 2 double Qs (each dog qualifying in both of their runs that day, when a third run wasn't offered), and new titles.  Hardee had a QQQ Saturday taking 1st place in one of his runs, a QQ Sunday, and won the ribbon for high scoring PWD at the trial.  A good time was had by all, especially Hardee.

Monday, April 25, was I.V. chemo again.  This time it was mitoxantrone, the doxorubicin replacement.   So far, no side effects, but I am keeping H3 (Happy Handsome Hardee) on all his anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea meds anyway.  Hardee's blood work showed that his white blood cells were low, I guess from the reaction to chemo that he had 3 weeks earlier.  He is now on 10 days of antibiotics, again.

While H3 was getting chemo, Hardee's PWD friend slipped away to the rainbow bridge.  He was a wonderful boy, was so loved by all, and was a valiant warrior and fought his cancer beast the best he could.  He takes our love and admiration with him.  We will miss you, sweet boy.  Our thoughts, love, and hugs continue for his parents as they endure life without their precious boy.

In conjunction with our PWD friend's passing, I've decided to start looking at Hardee's cancer state in a different light.  Currently, I live in a state of constant panic, always searching for signs that the tumor is growing again or that the cancer has spread.  It is a horrible way to spend each day, and I have done this for 9 months now.  Cancer has ruled my life since H3's diagnosis, and I will now rule cancer.  Instead of cancer kicking my ass, my new view is that we have kicked cancer's ass for 9 months because Hardee is still with us and his quality of life is great.  Hardee is living life to the fullest, and so will I.  H3 has set me a wonderful example and has been kicking cancer's ass for quite some time now.  It just took me awhile to see Hardee's example and to follow it.  So until the end, from this day forward, we will be kicking cancer's ass, together!!!!!

Until then, it is all about joy and all about Hardee.  We will be at the lake letting Hardee swim, doing agility or something else fun, but we will be ruling cancer and living life to the fullest....all of us!  Our current motto is "savor the big chunks"!!