Radiation Wednesday

I chose this photo to represent today, as perhaps a sign of spring. This is one of my least favorite trees, a silver maple, yet it appears to be showing leaf buds. The temperature was -14 when I took this during daybreak, after delivering Everett to the University for radiation treatment #2, as well as vaccine #2. This photo is supposed to represent hope.

It has been a very long day. Everett's treatment went well, however it appears she is having a bad after-effect. I received a good report when I paid for today's session, but as soon as the tech brought her to me I knew something was wrong. I asked the tech to check out her tumor area as it was noticeably swollen. She looked at it a bit, then excused herself and brought Everett back to the Oncology department.

In a few minutes the front desk paged me, and asked that I join Everett and the Oncology doctor in their department. I arrived at the right area, and the vet seemed largely non-plussed with the swelling. He suggested she might be having an allergic reaction, but it had already been about 6 hours since her treatment, and it did not seem likely. Everett's spirits were great--she actually jumped up on me and wiggled her rear end and stumpy tail like a dog a fraction her age. She was wide awake--not at all groggy like the last two appointments--and her jaw did not seem to bother her at all.

I took the doctor's advice and simply did nothing. He did offer a shot of benadryl, but my worried reaction was greatly calmed by his demeanor, and we left. We did take a VERY short walk on campus as the temp was 4 degrees (no clue to windchill), and the best news of all came when Everett jumped into the car all by herself.

When the excitement of being home wore off, however, her energy seemed to plummet. She has been resting most of the evening on the bed I placed in the kitchen. While she paid attention to my doggy dinner preparations, she made no attempt to eat and she's barely moved in the last few hours. To my discriminating eye, I think the swelling in her jaw is getting worse. The doctor said if it seemed that she needed immediate care to come back and their 24 hr service would see her. So now it is a waiting game...is she better...is she worse...do I take her in...and the never ending question...is she in pain? Is it time?