Jersey's "Me Too" Journal

[JerseyDevil]

Any update? Hopefully good news?

Thanks for asking Curt.

All of the biopsies came back clean... But the CT scan still looks suspect to them, and the single abnormal cell in the lymph node has them recommending another $1500 surgery to remove and biopsy. If that comes back cancerous, then she will be the first documented dog in history that the papillary squamous cell carcinoma spread to the lymph nodes. Hard to believe right? Could be that it isn't the cancer she was first diagnosed with, although two independent pathologists read it that way. It also could be a fluke, or it just a cell that looks a lot like cancer, but isn't.

Bottom line is that if cancer is present, the course of action would be radiation therapy, which I found out last week and they confirmed with their expert, would only (as an estimate) increase her life by months, not years..... but it is still possible.

No way. No way! If that is what it comes down to, then I need to make her last days as happy as possible, not subjecting her to radiation that will make her sick. I much rather let her run and retrieve, to make her happy and once it is apparent she does not have the zest for life, put her down in a humane way. Shelby is a retriever true to her name. I take her out every day to chase balls. I have one of those Chuck It ball things and I throw it 70-85 yards or so. We do it every single day. Even during the 20" + of snow blizzard we had, we played in the driving snow! Crews were plowing and they looked at me like I was nuts, but we were having a great time.

She still has a great chance. I decided to not do anything at all, but have routine exams at Penn, and hope and pray she is fine. One thing is for sure, if the cancer is still there, I will know in the next couple of months. I am not very religious, but I am sure asking God everyday to not take my baby away.

 

[JerseyDevil]

I read my post now and geez, is it obvious I love my dog? Too much information

 

[JerseyDevil]

4/13/2010

BB Incline Press
135 x 8
155 x 8
185 x 6
205 x 6
225 x 7

Seated DB Press
40's x 10
50's x 10
60's x 12

Dips
bw x 15
bw x 15
bw x 13

Rear Delt Machine
70 x 12
90 x 12
90 x 12

In and out in 38 minutes

 

[Triple Threat]

Bottom line is that if cancer is present, the course of action would be radiation therapy, which I found out last week and they confirmed with their expert, would only (as an estimate) increase her life by months, not years..... but it is still possible.

No way. No way! If that is what it comes down to, then I need to make her last days as happy as possible, not subjecting her to radiation that will make her sick. I much rather let her run and retrieve, to make her happy and once it is apparent she does not have the zest for life, put her down in a humane way.

Here's hoping that things work out well JD. But if the news isn't good, I completely agree with you. Extending a life a couple of months at the expense of pain and misery is just not worth it.

 

[Curt James]

It also could be a fluke, or it just a cell that looks a lot like cancer, but isn't.

I'll say several prayers for "but isn't."

I much rather let her run and retrieve, to make her happy and once it is apparent she does not have the zest for life, put her down in a humane way. Shelby is a retriever true to her name. I take her out every day to chase balls. I have one of those Chuck It ball things and I throw it 70-85 yards or so. We do it every single day. Even during the 20" + of snow blizzard we had, we played in the driving snow! Crews were plowing and they looked at me like I was nuts, but we were having a great time.

haHA Awesome!

I read my post now and geez, is it obvious I love my dog? Too much information

Just the right amount of info!

Best wishes and continued good health to you and your Shelby.

 

[JerseyDevil]

Here's hoping that things work out well JD. But if the news isn't good, I completely agree with you. Extending a life a couple of months at the expense of pain and misery is just not worth it.

I'll say several prayers for "but isn't."



haHA Awesome!



Just the right amount of info!

Best wishes and continued good health to you and your Shelby.

Thank you so much for your support guys! I really appreciate it, you probably don't realize how much.

 

[Curt James]

The last time I can remember crying was over the death of my grandmother's lovable lap cat Tommy. Tears all rolling down my face.

So, yeah, I can well imagine the fears you must be having at the thought of losing your cherished pet.

 

[JerseyDevil]

4/15/2010

Seated BB Military Press
95 x 8
115 x 8
135 x 8
155 x 8

Close Grip Pulldowns
75 x 10
120 x 10
140 x 8
160 x 8
160 x 7

Rope Pushdowns
40 x 12
60 x 10
60 x 10

DB Curls
25's x 10
40's x 10
45's x 8

Face Pulls
100 x 12
130 x 10
130 x 8

In and out in about 30 minutes

 

[yellowmoomba]

Hey Jersey.....Sounds like you are taking good care of her Not that I would expect anything less.

 

[JerseyDevil]

Hey Jersey.....Sounds like you are taking good care of her Not that I would expect anything less.

Thanks YM, I try. With each passing day I feel more confident she is going to be fine!

 

[JerseyDevil]

4/17/10

Cardio

Elliptical Machine
Cardio program, 30 minutes

 

[JerseyDevil]

4/18/2010

Bench Press
135 x 8
155 x 8
185 x 6
205 x 6
225 x 7
(elbow hurting big time)

HS Incline
190 x 10
260 x 10
300 x 10

Lying DB Tri Extensions
30 x 12
40 x 12
45 x 10

Rope Pushdowns
40 x 12
50 x 12
50 x 12

Pec Deck
70 x 15
100 x 12
130 x 10
150 x 8

Cable Flyes
50's x 12
50's x 12

 

[Triple Threat]

Bench Press
(elbow hurting big time)

Is this something new?

 

[JerseyDevil]

Is this something new?

No and yes. I have had problems with my elbows for at least a few years, arthritis for sure. I have learned to train around this, and haven't had too much problem the last several months... but I think the heavy close grip pulldowns did a number on my left elbow.

 

[JerseyDevil]

BB Incline Press
135 x 8
155 x 8
185 x 5
205 x 5
225 x 6

Seated DB Press
40's x 10
50's x 10
60's x 12

Dips
bw x 15
bw x 15


Rear Delt Machine
70 x 12
90 x 12
105 x 10

 

[JerseyDevil]

4/25/2010

Lat Pulldowns
70 x 10
100 x 10
140 x 10
140 x 10

Seated Pulley Rows
100 x 8
140 x 8
160 x 8
180 x 6


Pull Ups
bw x 7
bw x 6
bw x 6

BB Curls
45 x 8
65 x 8
85 x 8
85 x 8

Rear Delt Mac
70 x 15
70 x 15
70 x 15

...and last but not least...

Inky Stinky One Finger Roll Ups
bw x 10
bw x 9
bw x 8

A special thanks to Gazhole for the inspriation!

Ok, this was a joke....

 

[yellowmoomba]

Not sure that I want to ask.........

 

[JerseyDevil]

... and I really do know how to spell inspiration

 

[JerseyDevil]

5/1/2010

Bench Press
135 x 8
155 x 8
185 x 6
205 x 11

HS Incline
190 x 10
280 x 8
280 x 7

Cable Flyes
50's x 12
50's x 12

Lying DB Tri Extensions
25's x 15
35's x 13
35's x 12

Tricep Pushdowns
50 x 15
70 x 10
70 x 12

Haven't been working out much lately, and it is starting to show

 

[JerseyDevil]

Took my dog Shelby back to Penn for a follow up yesterday. For those of you who have followed this, you can imagine why I was dreading taking her.

But the news was good! The suspect lymph node was just slightly larger then the other, and well within the normal range. In the doctor's own words "I am extremely pleased with her progress".

If the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, then it should be really swollen by now, and it isn't. Plus there is no sign of it re-occuring at the surgery site. So things are looking very promising. They do want to see her again in 4-6 weeks. If nothing has changed by then, I think she is out of the woods!

 

[DOMS]

... and I really do know how to spell inspiration

Is it bad that I read that as "and I really do know how to smell inspiration"? Ewww...


Solid workout, and I'm glad to hear your dog is doing better.

 

[Curt James]

5/1/2010

Bench Press
135 x 8
155 x 8
185 x 6
205 x 11

HS Incline
190 x 10
280 x 8
280 x 7

Cable Flyes
50's x 12
50's x 12

Lying DB Tri Extensions
25's x 15
35's x 13
35's x 12

Tricep Pushdowns
50 x 15
70 x 10
70 x 12

Haven't been working out much lately, and it is starting to show

Well, keep doing that. There are some of use who have to catch up to you! lol

Took my dog Shelby back to Penn for a follow up yesterday. For those of you who have followed this, you can imagine why I was dreading taking her.

But the news was good! The suspect lymph node was just slightly larger then the other, and well within the normal range. In the doctor's own words "I am extremely pleased with her progress".

If the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, then it should be really swollen by now, and it isn't. Plus there is no sign of it re-occuring at the surgery site. So things are looking very promising. They do want to see her again in 4-6 weeks. If nothing has changed by then, I think she is out of the woods!

Sounds great and, of course, wishing you and Shelby the very best!

 

[yellowmoomba]

Great news about Shelby

 

[JerseyDevil]

Great news about Shelby

Thanks buddy... It IS great news. I know you understand.

Is it bad that I read that as "and I really do know how to smell inspiration"? Ewww...


Solid workout, and I'm glad to hear your dog is doing better.

When I read your post it made me think of "Smells Like Teen Spirit", lol

Thanks for the nice words about my girl!

 

[JerseyDevil]

Sounds great and, of course, wishing you and Shelby the very best!

Curt, you are awesome. No fancy graphics, or cute pics..... not my style.

YOU are a great guy, and I appreciate your support!

 

[JerseyDevil]

5/2/10

Wide Pulldowns
70 x 12
100 x 12
120 x 10
140 x 9

Standing Military Press
95 x 8
115 x 8
135 x 7

Seated Pulley Row
100 x 10
140 x 10
180 x 8

Rear Delt Machine
70 x 12
70 x 12
70 x 12

Alt DB Curls
30's x 8
35's x 8
40's x 8

 

[Triple Threat]

Great news on Shelby, JD. And not too shabby on the workouts.

 

[yellowmoomba]

What's going on with our Hockey teams??????????????????????????

 

[JerseyDevil]

Great news on Shelby, JD. And not too shabby on the workouts.

Thanks TT. Didn't make it to the gym all week

 

[JerseyDevil]

What's going on with our Hockey teams??????????????????????????

Not sure about yours, but mine sucks. Seriously, injuries have hammered the Flyers post season.