Day 74 - Saturday, August 7

Half empty, half full.

After yesterdays unexpected and devastating news, I did some soul-searching and thinking after a restless night of sleep on the road this morning.

In early May the decision was made to attempt chemotherapy for Lucky and see if it would work in his dire condition. We had two option: put him down or try the chemo - both options were right. My heart breaks and I have shed tears over the thought of losing lucky. At the same time, I am so blessed with the two months we have travelled the road, living our dream.

When I met lucky 3 1/2 years ago, it was his sole decision to follow a group of Americans for 140 miles as a sick and malnourished dog on The Caminho da Fe in Brazil. As a result, it is my position that I should do whatever is necessary for him to have a shot at success and keep working it until he lets me know it is time. In early May he beat it. And now he is fighting it once again. He is tired and weary but when I put on my vest and hat at 4am this morning, he was energized to get out and share the road like we have always done.

We know that inevitably lymphoma will mutate around the Wisconsin CHOP-19 protocol at some point. So what is next? Thank you to the kindness of Dr. Ross with the University of Missouri Veterinary Clinic for calling me on her way home after hours when I emailed her the news to let me know that there were other protocols available that might work before putting him down. In this part of the country the only options for treatment are in Fort Collins (3 hours away) and Salt Lake City (8 hours away). Since we learned this after hours the oncology department at Colorado State University Veterinary is closed until Monday. Dr. Ross recommended that we stop the current chemo and give him prednisone as well as antibiotics to deal with his infection and get to Fort Collins to try the second protocol therapy and see if it works.

Our new plan - run as planned today and tomorrow then pack up and get to Fort Collins on Sunday night to see if we can get in through emergency or show up Monday morning unannounced and hope for some magic. Chris cooked Lucky some rice and instead of using water he made it with Pedialite and bouillon. We both tasted and decided it was so good I’d eat as my snack as well! With the rice, Chris grilled chicken and cut it into small pieces. Lucky ate 3 bowls!

Lucky will decide tomorrow morning if he wants to go as he has since the day I met him. I am determined not let him slip into a sad state and I ask everyone to think of the half full side of how insanely lucky we are to have shared a joyous and deeply meaningful journey with him for this brief time that will certainly never be forgotten.

Thank you for your support -

Cheers,

David.