The Beau Diddley Diaries

Did somebody say TREAT?!

Rest in peace, Beau Diddley

It saddens me beyond any words to report here that today we had to put Beau Diddley down. 21 February 2000 - 18 March 2009 is far far too short a time on this earth for one so beautiful as Beau.

In the week following Beau’s last MOPP treatment, his nervous system slowly shut down. I got him to the clinic, but after extensive tests and ineffective treatment paths, our options were gone. His body just couldn’t take it any more, so this morning we consented to the advice of his oncologist that we let him go.

Needless to say, we’re all wrecks around here today.

In a few days, I’ll write a posting here that will share my thoughts about the medical treatments we opted for with Beau, in hopes that his and our experiences will help others faced with similar battles in the future.

Beau’s 14 months on chemo fighting off his cancers were emotional roller coasters for all of us. We’re comforted today, however, knowing that he knew only love, and that his battle was also filled with many many happy moments, hugs, songs, and wags. Moments like the one below:

DSC_0259

Go in peace, my precious one. You’ll live on in our hearts forever. Aloha nui loa, ko`u `ilio.

Love,

Ken
|

Second MOPP going strong

Greetings. Beau has completed another two weeks of the MOPP protocol. He remains happy and enthusiastic -- gave me quite the slobberfest welcome when I got home from Belgium last night.

I noticed his energy was a little low this morning, but that’s to be expected after two weeks on MOPP. It’s a very strong protocol. I took him to his vet today for a blood test. Some of his blood numbers were slightly low, just on the margins. We’re of course hoping that these next two weeks of rest time will help him bounce back and he’ll be plenty strong.

Meanwhile, we haven’t noticed his chest symptoms changing much. His coughing is very rare. We’re hoping that the mass in his chest is being held at bay by the MOPP, but he’ll have a new round of chest x-rays (“radiographs” as they call them these days) done in two weeks, so we’ll know better then.

So we continue to continue, taking one day at a time. That cliché certainly has taken new meaning for us these days, but it surely is important when you’re battling against a disease like lymphoma. Every happy day is good.

AROOOOOOOO’s,

Ken
|