LUNA 100, CANCER 0!

Luna has finished her chemotherapy!

Tuesday was her last round of medication. All of her friends at VCA MidWest Vet signed a pink scarf for her with encouraging notes and love. She fell asleep with her pink scarf on, surrounded by love and support.

Thank you Dr. Clemans.

Thank you Brandy.

Thank you VCA MidWest Vet Team.

Thank you Team Luna.

We are not done fighting. Luna has quarterly check-ups to look for the return of the cancer, and we will be watching for signs of its return at home as well. She may need to go through a second and even a third round of chemotherapy. We will cross those bridges at a different time. This time is for celebrating <3

Please join us for an Open House to celebrate Luna's completion of chemotherapy!

Sunday, September 9, 2018

2:00 - 5:00 pm

at

Phill and Karen Finch's Home

We will have snacks!

Message me on Facebook or e-mail me for the address and directions -

shawn@finchdvm.com

In lieu of gifts, please come and tell Luna, "Congratulations Luna!" in a high voice. She will like that :)

FALL TIME

Today and yesterday have been cool and rainy.

Amanda made amazing spice cupcakes.

School is starting (I have mixed feelings on this!)

It feels like fall is coming.

Even without the big garden (next year!) I am starting to buzz with happy thoughts of fall. It is good to feel happy.

We did plant morning glories and cherry tomatoes, and those plants are going crazy!

I got to see Stephanie - and a super cute Husky puppy - this morning.

I made pumpkin coffee with caramel creamer.

I am settling in for the morning to write articles for Dr. McGill for Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery.

I hope you are having a good week.

More soon on starting part time...Fetch 360 (used to be CVC) and the start of the school year. Hopefully Abby will do a fall time photo shoot of Joy and Luna as she has the past two years that I can share with you soon too!

Joy says she is always buzzing with happy thoughts. And also, she loves you.

OPTIMISM

Optimism is getting your terminal dog a Christmas collar in August. Someone has to be the outlier right? Why not Luna?

She is doing great by the way! Two more chemotherapy sessions!

Luna "choosing" a new collar and leash - she wants them all! She was a hit at the Farmers' Market with her ears and tail!

THIS GREAT DOG

Favorite client. Favorite dog.

DAYS after diagnosis, we are gathered to say good bye. Dad had opted to treat with steroids, and the dog's poor body did not handle them well.

We loved this guy and his dog. Kelly has a Boxer dog. This was a seven (seven!) year old Boxer dog. I have a three year old dog with lymphoma. This dog had lymphoma. Some euthanasias are even harder than others.

Why have I been given eight good months so far and this guy two good days? Why are they both so young? Why do I have to be punched RIGHT in the heart? Why did this guy? He did adopt a tiny Boxer puppy, which is just asking for heartache. Who am I kidding? I adopted a goofy mutt puppy, and that too is just asking for heartache...eventually.

"I will be back with a puppy, but it won't be soon," he said. 

"I know," I said.

I walked Joy and Luna up to Beals Elementary. I walked until I was exhausted, then much to Luna's annoyance, picked her up for the walk home. She was exhausted too. Joy happily panted along next to us.

I have no more answers than I did when we started our walk, but I am tired enough that it is difficult to think, and that is good. I try to get into Joy's state of mind, and step back into the house. I need to call it a night early. Tomorrow is another busy day.

HAMMIE HAMSTER TUCK

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

The mortality of rodents - all pets really - makes me sad. Since I was making up Hammie, I made her immortal - Hammie Hamster Tuck Everlasting : )

HAMMIE

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

I've always thought baby rodents were beautiful!

WE WERE ALL PRETTY EXCITED

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

I THINK SHE'S PRETTY

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

BACK TO BLOGGING

Sorry about the big pause.

I have been dealing with low level depression signs, just kinda feeling blah, and not writing at all.

I am hoping to get back to writing, because I love it - and you! I will probably post twice a week, including the comic, instead of daily.

I am doing better, and Luna is doing great! She goes back for her next chemotherapy session next week.

art by Abby

In other news...

Happy anniversary Finch! 22 years : )

I will be going part time in August! I will be able to be home when my kids get home from school most days! I plan on seeing as many surgery and medical patients as before, just in a shorter amount of time, so don't worry about availability.

A second client said I should not even be on the team since I don't see cats. For such a sensitive person, I would have thought that would bother me, but it amuses me. Thank you again for keeping me Dr. Bashara! And thank you Doctor Friends for seeing all the beautiful cats!

On an opposite note, one of my very favorite cat client couples adopted another cat. I will celebrate with them from afar <3

Yesterday I accidentally wrote in a medical record that a panting dog was painting excessively, and it made me giggle the rest of the day.

I hope you are having a good week! It is good to be back. Thanks for not giving up on me!

POST FROM TWO YEARS AGO

JUNE 28, 2016

WELL DONE

YOU ARE FIRED

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

SECRET FRIENDS

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

I've read the arguments for and against having coworkers as friends. But I just can't help it. Right up there with family and friends I've made outside of work are my coworkers. I love them so much, and I always have.

MORE FORMAL

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

I THINK HE WOULD LOOK NICE IN A HAT

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

WE TALK ABOUT THINGS

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

LUNA LOVEGOOD, CHAPTER 23 - HOMECOMING

Luna came home Friday! She did well at VCA Midwest Veterinary Emergency and Referral Center, and is on all oral medications now.

Another cute picture from Luna's great medical team!

She does not have chemotherapy for four weeks instead of two to give her little body time to recuperate.

We are glad she is home.

THE PERFECT JOB!

This is one strip of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

LUNA LOVEGOOD, CHAPTER 22 - "STUFF" GETS SERIOUS

We check Luna's complete blood count before every chemotherapy event to assure her white blood cells are not too low for her little body to handle chemo.

This week when we checked, her white blood cell count was way too HIGH. Dr. Clemens hospitalized her and went searching. Our biggest fear was that her cancer had spread.

Photo update from Luna's awesome medical team!

It turns out Luna has a urinary tract infection, which is very treatable. She stayed overnight at the hospital last night and will come home tomorrow if all continues to go well. We went to see her last night.

Amanda and Luna

Abby and Luna

Abby and Amanda and Luna

Thank you for your prayers! The little goofball continues to hang in there.

Besides the stellar medical care from the doctors and team at VCA Midwest Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center, they have gone above and beyond taking care of Luna and taking care of us. The team let us visit last night and is letting us visit again tonight. They have sent us pictures and texts with updates that have meant the world to all four of us. It is so unnerving to not have Luna here - she is very much a snuggly and in your face dog, and her presence is sorely missed! The sweet updates have taken the edge off for all of us and made this separation bearable. 

Photo from one of Luna's nurses, Tasha <3

Next update - hopefully Luna's homecoming! Then...a series of photos by Abby of Joy and Luna in flower crowns.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

This is one panel of a series I created called, "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet" from 2011 - 2012. You've asked if I am going to draw the comic again, and I loved doing it, so maybe. I started the comic to process difficult things in my career, and thankfully, I have not had so much to process once I got this all into comic form!

I will post the next strip of the series every Friday. The entire series can be found at When I Grow Up I Want to be a Vet.

Mom, I love you more than mountains!!

NOT PROM

Amanda and her friends Rosalie and Alex dressed up for prom and went to dinner instead of the actual dance. How cute is she??

They had planned on going to an escape room and a movie afterwards. The night was cut short when Amanda became ill and had to return home. Boo!

Part two, arranged by Russ, is this coming weekend with an escape room. Hopefully the two gatherings will be as much fun as one entire prom night should have been!

LUNA LOVEGOOD, CHAPTER 21 - IN WHICH LUNA HAS CHEMO SIDE EFFECTS

We've been so blessed this entire time Luna has had chemotherapy. She has not had any serious side effects. One of the drugs makes her a little nauseous for a day or so. Otherwise, she has been her normal healthy adorable self.

Abby was incredibly amused at Luna's fluid lump. She is such a cute camel!

This week, she was really nauseous to the point of vomiting and not eating and running a fever. Russ, Abby and I took her in to work Saturday evening and got her Cerenia and carprofen and fluids under the skin.

We would appreciate your prayers as Luna recovers from this! She seems to be feeling better today. She is still not eating great, but is improving.

Luna resting with Abby after her big evening.

While we were driving home from the hospital Saturday night, the sun was still shining and it was barely drizzling. We saw a rainbow, which Abby said was a good sign. I agree.