On 01.02.02, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Too late for surgery, I had chemotherapy, which failed. In May the chemotherapy was changed and I was soon in remission which was celebrated and welcome and lasted nine years - until October 2011. There was progression in 2011 so more treatment was indicated and I am now back in partial remission. But I'm not only a cancer patient - I also enjoy my family, walk my dogs and am learning to draw and paint. Life is good!

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Chemo dog

If it's possible to feel lucky while in chemotherapy, I do. First of all, I've been in remission for over eight years which is downright miraculous and I know it. And none of my medical providers understands why because they considered me a gonner from the get-go considering my late diagnosis.

But I'm also lucky because I get to bring my Demi-dog with me. She's there by invitation. When she was a six pound puppy she wore a little yellow cape to prove her status as a trainee for Canine Companions for Independence. After her medical retirement and work with a little boy, I had her retrained as a social therapy dog so now her cape is from Assistance Dog Institute. Either way she is totally welcome in the chemotherapy suite and a box of treats is kept in the cupboard just for her visits.

For me she provides great comfort. Her manners and behavior are perfect. She lies on the floor next to me on a heated blanket provided by the nurses. I sip coffee, snack on the treats Steve bakes for the patients and staff and draw her. If only every chemotherapy patient had it so good!

8 comments:

  1. Hurray for you, hurray for Demi-dog, and hurray for the nurses and Steve! Great post and wonderful sketch! hugs, nancy

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  2. Our furry, four-legged family bring us such joy and companionship. Glad Demi can be there with you. Great sketch.

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  3. Great sketch! What would we do without our wonderful furry friends!!!

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  4. You have done so well with the dog training. He is obviously such a comfort to you and to others. Best wishes in your cancer fight.

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  5. This is an excellent sketch; you are improving all the time! Congratulations on being cancer-free! Demi-dog is an angel!

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  6. Great sketch and post - what a wonderful dog

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  7. Hi Barbara. There's nothing better for the both of you, is there? Best of all, I love that you and Demi are ambassadors for the importance of therapy and assistance dogs -- or just the power of dogs in peoples' lives period! My current pooch, Coco, would make a pretty great therapy dog (for a Border Collie) so I'm tempted to get her certified. I take her to visit my dad in his nursing home every week and she's a favourite. (Interestingly, the woman I adopted her from is undergoing chemo and has been fighting an aggressive cancer almost as long as you. I'm convinced it's her work that keeps her going -- finding homes for rescued BCs and Australian Shepherds.)

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  8. Hi Barbara. There's nothing better for the both of you, is there? Best of all, I love that you and Demi are ambassadors for the importance of therapy and assistance dogs -- or just the power of dogs in peoples' lives period! My current pooch, Coco, would make a pretty great therapy dog (for a Border Collie) so I'm tempted to get her certified. I take her to visit my dad in his nursing home every week and she's a favourite. (Interestingly, the woman I adopted her from is undergoing chemo and has been fighting an aggressive cancer almost as long as you. I'm convinced it's her work that keeps her going -- finding homes for rescued BCs and Australian Shepherds.)

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