A day of thanksgiving....

The new medicine works! Trapper's first treatment kept him in clinical remission for about 18 days. We would have preferred that it work for the entire 3 weeks, which is how often the drug is administered, but we're thankful that it did work. Also, Trapper's white blood cell count stayed in a reasonable range, and he has felt AMAZING! He's been having a great time...more on that in the photos below.

More great news is that Trapper's stomach upset issues are MUCH better. Some days his system is totally normal. It's possible that the medication to treat the protozoa worked, but more likely we think is that Trapper self medicated....WHAT?? Well, we've been giving Trapper home cooked food for months now, trying to settle his stomach. He's been eating chicken, rice and hardboiled eggs. Well, we had just bought a new bag of kibble for Joker and Blaze, and accidentally left it unsecured and Trapper did what Trapper does....gorged himself, of course! He came waddling upstairs looking like a stuffed turkey, and guess what? His stomach got better! So, we left behind the home cooking in favor of kibble and he's doing much better. Who'da thunk?? And thankfully, his appetite is still over-the-top amazing.

The reality is that these cancer cells are fairly resistant, which isn't good. So, on the second Lomustine treatment on November 25, we increased the dosage a bit, hoping that it will keep him in clinical remission for the entire 3 weeks, until December 16. We also hope that his white blood cells stay up, which we'll know after his CBC on December 2.

Here are some photos of Trapper's adventures the last few weeks:

Trapper says he'd like to eat me for giving him a bath...not a happy boy. But, he was nice and clean
afterwards (and I still had all my fingers!)

My little snow monkey after his first Lomustine treatment.

Handsome boy!

Don't tell Trapper I told you, but I think he really does love me...the growls and snaps are just his cover....

Trapper's "chicken leg". Poor guy has lost a lot of strength and coordination, but it doesn't slow him down!

Celebrating Trapper's 13 3/4 year old birthday on 11.22.14. So thankful he's here to celebrate!

"Seriously, you're making me wait in the SNOW because you think it's a great picture??"

Trapper enjoying a snow snack on Thanksgiving Eve.

Trapper and his crazy little sister, Blaze. Blaze absolutely LOVES Trapper, and he's pretty fond of her, too ;D

Trapper loved his walk in the snow, even if he slipped a few times.

Classic Trapper. So VERY annoyed by me insisting on taking his picture.

Trapper, Blaze and Joker on a walk in the mountains on Thanksgiving Day.

On this day of Thanksgiving, I am so very thankful for my Trapper boy, for the fact that we've found the resources for his life-saving treatments, for the amazing medical staff that cares for him, for the support of my awesome husband who lives with Mr. Crabby, Snarky, Bossy Trapper, but still understands how much I love Trapper (and he does, too!) and for my dog-loving friends and family who feel the ups and downs of this journey with me. Thank you all for your support and give your pups an extra hug from me.

Kirsta & Trapper (who's super excited about the steak that I promised him for Christmas)