Indy's Update

We continue to move forward with Indy's treatment -- or at least the one drug that seems to have an effect on her. She received Doxorubicin today.  This is her 4th dose and she is only eligible for one more due to the drug's toxicity. Her lymph node on her back leg seemed to be improving, but the one in her throat is still fairly swollen.  The next couple of weeks will tell us quite a bit and we'll see what happens.  We hope for the best and are happy to have had all of the additional time with her.

Indy is feeling great and shows no outwards signs of having cancer!  Her eyes twinkle and her energy level is normal.  She still loves her food and she loves to chase squirrels and bunnies when Mommy and Daddy aren't looking.  She is a lovable little dog -- that's for sure!  

Indy's Chemo Update

If you noticed in the title of the post, it no longer refers to CHOP.  The reason for that is that we had a bit of a tough week.  Indy went in for the next CHOP today and we found out that we are discontinuing the CHOP protocol because she seems to have become resistant to the protocol.

The last post mentioned that the Cytoxan wasn't working anymore (hence the enlarged lymph node), this week, we found out that the Vincristine isn't working either (lymph node had not decreased enough in size to be considered affected by the drug).  Since the Vincristine is 50% of the protocol, our remaining plan is to hope that the Doxorubicin continues to work.  The Doxorubicin is the "heavy hitter" and Indy usually responds to it.  However, it has a high toxicity associated with it, and after today, she can only have two more doses.

So, the one lymph node that has flared up needs to shrink back down and she needs to go into remission within the next two doses, or we might have to switch over to a "salvage protocol" and accept the fact that Indy's time with us will be shortened.  Not exactly what we wanted to hear, but at this point, the extra time we have had with her has been bonus time anyway considering how sick she was in December.

Again, think shrinking lymph nodes!!

The good news is that Indy remains pretty unaffected from the outside.  Her appetite is normal, her energy level is normal, and she is just the same Indy that we have always loved.  If there is a silver lining, that would be it!

Spring Update

It has been about a month since we had the shots of the Kansas Peonies peeking through the ground...as you can see, we have had progress!  These are no Peonies that have been here for almost 5 years.  They are still pinkish in color, but they have grown a lot!  They should be turning green soon and hopefully they will develop some beautiful buds!

The azalea plant always does well in the backyard!

These are the Kansas Peonies...doing well!

Kristina always cuts back her hydrangeas A LOT in the fall!  It is the only way she can control them. That being said, they always come back even fuller the next year.

Here's a shot of the Kansas Peony in the front yard.  As you can see, it is doing well!

The Primrose (both of them) by the mailbox is doing well.  All of its spring flowers are full of color.

And if you look closely here...you can see all of the tree pollen on the mailbox.  The amount of tree pollen is crazy this time of year!

Yard Scalp 2016

And of course, no spring could be complete with the annual yard scalp.  Every spring yard spreads moss killer on the yard, waits for the moss to turn black and die, and then he de-thatches it.  After the yard is de-thatched he fills in the low parts of the yard with dirt, spreads grass seed, and covers it with more dirt to protect it.  Then we hope for rain...

The 6 cubic yards of dirt that was delivered for the job!

Here are a couple of before shots of the yard.  We did a pretty decent job of keeping the moss at a minimum this year, but it still needs work!

And here is it post scalping with the clippings raked up.  Kristina did a great job of raking up the clippings!

Stay tuned for when the grass has come up...

Annual Yard De-Thatching

Part of our early yard work is the annual de-thatching of the lawn.  Jared puts down moss killer a week prior and then we rent a de-thatching machine to pull it all up.  After that, we rake is up, re-seed, and then put dirt on top to protect the seed and water it like crazy!  We are pros at this after living in Arizona and doing winter grass every year!

Early Spring

We head out to the yard early each spring to get a jump on things -- so much to do, so little time. Additionally, we like to work hard early on and then relax all summer and enjoy the fruits of our labor.  Here are some reoccurring fruits of our labor.

Kristina's beloved peonies!  These are the ones that came with the house.  Growing like wildfire, but they never seem to produce many buds.  One of these days though...

Here's our Azalea plant -- it is one of the early bloomers and looks great every spring.  The flowers come and go fast, but at least the bush stays nice a green throughout the summer and fall.

Kristina's peonies from Kansas.  They had buds on them last year when George and Louise shipped them to us. However this year, it looks like they might not have any...maybe they need more sun and heat?

The hydrangea in the back yard.  Kristina cuts is back each winter so it starts from nothing each year. The reason for the severe cutting back is that it will seriously take over if she doesn't.  It is looking nice and green and will flower later on this summer.

The primrose is an early bloomer too.  Lots of flowers early on -- one of the first signs of spring.  Again, the plant stays green throughout the summer and fall!

Not sure if you can see it or not, but our mailbox is covered in tree pollen.  It is a thick coat on everything this time of year.  People who have tree pollen allergies are miserable!  

Happy Spring!

March Rain

March has come and gone, but it continued to be a wet month as well.  In our backyard rain gauge, we logged 4.9" of rain for the month.  That is a pretty wet month!  If we get some decent sun and warmth in April, things are going to grow like crazy!