Tank Update & DIY Christmas

We got a startling update when we took Tank for his second visit to the vet. All his lymph nodes but one have gone down to almost normal. A good sign--even if tentative.

We still have to worry about that one stubborn lymph node, but we've redoubled our efforts to keep him on nothing but whole foods, minerals and immune-building supplements.

His diet consists of fresh chicken, beef or liver, along with eggs, sweet potatoes, and cottage cheese. (No dog kibble.) I exercise him but only short walks so as not to tire him out too much.

This morning he looked like a new dog. The vet was absolutely amazed at his turnabout.

The old boy isn't out of the woods yet. He still has way too many lumps that appeared almost overnight, and we still have that lymph node to watch. But he is much better than he was last week. I was so afraid we were going to lose him.

I watched him like a hawk, monitoring his vitals and modified his diet as needed. It's easier now that Greg is here.

I have to apologize to everyone for being absent. I kid you not, for the past three weeks anything that could go wrong, has gone wrong. Tank's dramatic downturn was the final blow, kicking me in the teeth. 

I was frantic for answers, and so many of you intuitively knew I was treading water because you wrote and offered me prayers, healing thoughts, and reams of data I could use to navigate Tank's illness. I can't thank you guys enough for all your emails. It meant more than you know.

For now, we're on watch and wait. He's better, but we still can't rule out lymphoma. If we can't get that one lymph node to reduce in size, our next step is a biopsy.

Tank handles anesthetic very poorly, so we're trying to avoid putting him under if we can help it.

We're hopeful, but realistic. Tank is an old boy but he's still got some life in him. As I write this, he's bobbing my arm with that great big head of his. He wants some hugging.

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Don't forget that all this week and next, we have loads of guests with some fantastic DIY Christmas posts. There are a lot of giveaways too, so be sure to comment. Shelley Munro and Cathy Pegau each have a post up, so there's still time to enter their giveaways.

All contests end on December 21.  Be friendly. Say Hi! And hug your furry babies.

More tomorrow!