Update: June 16, 2006
It has been a while since I have written here; I have no excuse other than trying to get back to our former schedule before the trips to Waltham Massachusetts so that Sasquatch could undergo radiation treatments.
Well, Sasquatch finished radiation therapy on May 24th, going through 15 radiation treatments during the month of May. We will go back to NEVOG in
Waltham MA on Friday next week (June 23rd) for his 4 – week Post Radiation check up. The side effects of the radiation started really manifesting last week, as Sasquatch started feeling listless and depressed. He seemed out of sorts, not feeling well and not understanding why he felt this way. I was getting alarmed when I noticed him gagging more especially after eating and drinking (symptoms of the radiation inflaming the healthy tissue in his brain, ear and throat). He seemed so weak, not wanting to go for our usual jogging anytime during the day. And then, he started waking me up after midnight every couple of hours, indicating he needed to go outside to do his business, but once we got outside he would just sit on the grass, looking confused.
Dr. Siegel of NEVOG warned me that I could expect these symptoms and so I called her and she started Sasquatch on a tapering regime of Prednisone. Within 24 hrs of taking the first couple of doses, his entire demeanor changed, with a bit more pep in his wagging tail that I had not seen in a week. He will only jog short distances but he actually wants to “stroll” for the most part of our half hr regime (4 times a day). I am very guarded with him in that I might miss subtle changes and thereby not caring for his needs or help alleviate his discomfort. Last week, when he was waking me up in the dead of night, it felt very disconcerting to see him confused with his not understanding why he wasn’t feeling well. When we started the Prednisone, he seemed like his goofy self, but now waking me up at 3:30am and wanting to go for a run! It was like he was suddenly in another time zone…Like he crossed the International Date Line and his circadian rhythm set to Philippine time (3:30am here is 3:30pm in the Philippines). Anyway, I wasn’t about to take him out for a jog at that ungodly hour and in my jammies!!
We have a 4 month wait till we need to get another MRI to see if the radiation actually shrunk the tumor.
So that is where Sasquatch stands for the moment. We are back to our usual Friday schedule of grocery shopping at Shaw's in Goffstown and roaming the neighborhood as much as he is able.
Update: May 13, 2006
As of yesterday, Sasquatch has completed 8 of the scheduled radiation treatments at NEVOG in Waltham Massachusetts. The first couple of radiation sessions, Dr. Siegel and her super vet technicians, Liz and Jamie, gave Sasquatch the anesthesia and he woke up during the middle of the procedure! He raised his head and was looking around the radiology room. So, they had to start all over again and gave him a higher dose of the gas. But now he is an old pro at the procedure; he doesn't need as much gas and is able to stay under the anesthesia for the duration of the "nuke". Dr. Siegel and her techs shower the Big Furry boy with lots of love and attention, offering him the premiere junk food for a dog. He learned very quickly where the techs put these prize treats and though I bring a small baggie of baby carrots for the techs to offer him, he takes the carrot and promptly spits it out, and shows them which premiere treat he wants! This dog does not have short term memory lapses when it comes to "milk bones"!
Where I thought I would have transportation issues to get down to Waltham everyday, suddenly I have had volunteers from the Shaw's Supermarket in Goffstown, NH filling the schedule along with the wheelchair van, Trilogy who was outsourced by GSIL's transportation department and John and Carol Prestidge. Sean Connor, Brigitte Joubert, and the car of Jo O'Brien of Shaws, finished the first 8 treatments. Kathleen and Bud Bell sponsored the accessible wheelchair van for Friday the 12th. Sasquatch loves you guys!!!!
Next week, Kathy M. from Shaws and Barbara Brown, real estate broker for the Masiello Group, will be joining family Mike Cisto and Jim Byrne for the remaining 7 safari excursions to Waltham. To all of you helping me every step of the way, Sasquatch and I thank you so much! You know the saying that "it takes a village..." My community of family and friends are just awesome!!!
Update: April 21, 2006
We made it to NEVOG (New England Veterinary Oncology Group) on Tuesday this week and met with the radiation oncologist, Dr. Sheri Siegel. The treatment she has recommended is 3 weeks of daily radiation. She has been generous in offering Sasquatch a 15% discount for the cost of the treatment. With the money raised thus far at the firstgiving webpage, we have just met the treatment cost.
Prognosis without radiation treatment cannot be ascertained as this is a rare type of tumor, but his life will definitely be shortened; with eventual inability to swallow and/or chew his food and his breathing will be compromised. With radiation, his life can be prolonged for 1 to 2 years and he will not suffer from major side effects arising from the radiation treatment. In fact, as a dog, he actually will tolerate radiation better than humans. His quality of life today will essentially be the same during radiation for 3 weeks. Dr Siegel has told me that to delay treatment for longer than 2 weeks could have a negative impact on his treatment outcome.
Treatment will take 1 hour, inclusive of the time to put him under anesthesia, the 15 minutes to zap him with radiation, and time for Sasquatch to wake up from the procedure. Driving time is 53 miles one way which equates to 1 hr each way in non-rush hour traffic. I am looking for scheduling the treatments at 11am so as to avoid both morning and afternoon traffic-filled rush hours.
There is no facility existing in the State of
NH that offers radiation oncology for animals. In fact only 2 such facilities exist, one in the heart of Boston called
Angell
Memorial
Animal
Hospital and NEVOG in
Waltham .
Now I am faced with a transportation dilemma; to get to and from
Waltham Monday thru Friday for 3 weeks will cost a minimum of $266 per day, utilizing an accessible van with a wheelchair lift (or $4256 for 16 visits/roundtrips).
GSIL has been very generous thus far with the past medical appointments here in-state and bringing us down to
Tufts
University in North Grafton MA and NEVOG in
Waltham MA on Tuesday. However, those rides are subsidized under a federal grant of Part B funds which restrict services beyond $5000. And I have already exhausted this limit or have come very close to that cap.
I have to be more creative in acquiring transportation; If I could find volunteers willing to drive Sasquatch and myself once a week for 3 weeks, I could use my manual wheelchair so that I could actually avail of normal non-accessible vehicles.
I have targeted May 2 as the first day of treatment for Sasquatch and the last day is May 23rd.
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April 20, 2006
Today I did our weekly grocery shopping at Shaws Goffstown and these wonderful employees are so caring about Sasquatch and I mentioned my transportation dilemma. Immediately, Kathy K and Kathy M volunteered to drive us to Waltham on their day off! Kathy K said she would take a personal day for the 2 trips! Jo, the cashier, is offering her car for my assistant, Judy, to use for as many trips as needed. Asst. Mgr. Sean offered 2 Tuesdays to bring us to NEVOG, and offered his ex-wife's Ford Explorer so that Sasquatch would have a comfortable ride!
Last night, Sasquatch and I were attending a fund-raiser for GSIL and author, John Prestidge and his wife, Carol offered a few trips for Sasquatch's treatments as well. And my college reunion buddy, Kathleen Bell and her husband Bud have pledged 1 day for the accessible van transportation cost! I am hopeful that the transportation component will not be such a big issue. To all of you who care so much for my boy, Sasquatch, I am so indebted to you all and i am overwhelmed by the kindness of friends, new friends, and former strangers!
Update: April 14, 2006
Thank you for taking the time to learn about Sasquatch's critical condition.
Sasquatch, my assistance dog partner, was rescued by NEADS and was trained as a Walker Assistance Dog Partner. He is facing some medical challenges where certain critical muscles on his head and right eye are atrophied. He had an MRI done at Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital in Brentwood NH on March 31 and it was confirmed that he has a trigeminal nerve tumor which has already invaded his brain and it is positioned near major blood vessels and the brainstem. Despite the tumor, Sasquatch is not showing any neurological abnormalities or deficits at this time.
The surgeon, Dr. Detlef Apelt, at Tufts University Small Animal Hospital in North Grafton MA, along with the neurosurgeon and oncologist on staff have carefully studied the MRI images and have come to the conclusion that the tumor is inoperable. The only recommended treatment is radiation therapy. Sasquatch and I are scheduled to meet Dr. Sheri Siegel, the radiation oncologist, at NEVOG, New England Veterinary Oncology Group located in Waltham MA on Tuesday April 18, 2006. I have been told that the treatment will consist of intensive radiation treatment Monday through Friday for 3 straight weeks. In addition, the type of tumor in Sasquatch normally responds very well with radiation and it shrinks the tumor and allows for a great prognosis. Please keep your positive thoughts and prayers coming for my little boy of 104 pounds.
The International Association for Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) Veterinary Care Program (VCP) approved a grant that covered the expense for the blood titers which ruled out parasites as the cause of the atrophy of the critical muscles.
The Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital in Brentwood New Hampshire had donated the entire MRI procedure so that our fund raising efforts can be used for the treatment. As everyone knows, this diagnostic test costs $2000! Thank you so much, Drs. Timothy and Selvi Lampman for your generosity and outpouring of support.
I want to also thank Shawne K. Wickham, from the NH Union Leader, for bringing Sasquatch’s medical crisis to the forefront of our community as the fund raising activities were heightened since March 20th, when her piece ran with a lead-in on the front page. Paige Kornblue of WMUR Channel 9 also came through with our story which aired on the 5 and 6pm news on Tuesday March 21st. The community from as far north as Berlin NH has responded. And with the video of the story on the WMUR website, our community of sponsors has opened as far west as San Francisco and Los Angeles CA! Thank you, WMUR!!!
GSIL, through the transportation director, Terry Crotty and assistant, Ena Price have been super in transporting Sasquatch and The Associate (that’s me!) to the medical appointments from Manchester to North Grafton MA and Brentwood NH for the MRI. Thanks, drivers Ken and Larry, for safely transporting us to our medical destinations!
My college reunion buddies from the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus ‘70s Batch and the Philippine Madrigaliana alumni have been in full force with the prayer brigade and being virtually here for Sasquatch and myself. Kathleen Bell and my old college chums have shown such an outpouring of support and love for my gentle giant. You guys started the momentum of our fund raising efforts from west coast to east coast.
Author John C. Prestidge and Louise Dion of Accounting Wise, LLC initiated this fund raising page as the first ones to bless this endeavor with their generous hearts. You guys set the pace and Sasquatch is so grateful to you both.
The bus drivers of the Manchester Transit Authority have been stopping their buses in the street and open their bus door so that Sasquatch can go into the bus for a quick hello and for the driver to get an update. They are all keeping tabs on us on the latest developments.
All the Associates at Shaw's Supermarket in Goffstown continue to embrace Sasquatch during our Friday shopping and prod us for the latest update on his condition. Their Corporate Office was so surprised that the employees had raised and contributed $550 to the Sasquatch Medical Fund.
For all of you who have donated through this page or directly sending your contribution to NEADS, I have been trying to send out a personal note of gratitude to each and everyone, but many of you did not leave me an email address. Please know that Sasquatch and I are very grateful for your generosity and demonstration of community. To say thank you, seems like a benign gesture, but please know that without your help, we would not have the current momentum to get the medical intervention that Sasquatch needs.
Sasquatch is crucial to my living independently, as he helps me out of bed, getting dressed, helps me with my balance, opens and shuts doors, picks up objects that I have dropped. He even helps with grocery shopping and pays for my purchases. He will fetch me a cold drink out of the fridge when I am thirsty. Moreover, due to the bond that we have established in the past 5 years, he can predict medical issues like migraine or asthma attacks before the symptoms manifest. He keeps me safe at night in the event that my oxygen tubing becomes dislodged as he will get up and find the end of the tubing and wake me up to re-attach it to my face mask.
Sasquatch is my guardian angel. He has cared for my needs for the past 5 years and now I must do the same for him. You can make a difference by helping me get the medical treatment that Sasquatch needs to prolong a good quality of life.
If you would like to send a donation directly to NEADS, mail to NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans, P.O. Box 213, West Boylston, MA 01583. Please write "For Sasquatch" on your check or letter. Questions: Contact Joyce Schmitt in Resource Development at 978-422-9064 ext. 15 or jschmitt@neads.org.
Thank you.
Norma A. Ramirez
P.S. Any additional funds raised beyond Sasquatch's current and ongoing medical expenses will remain in a fund at NEADS and be applied toward the training of future Assistance Dogs.