5 Day Update...

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Wednesday, April 26th and Thursday, April 27th weren’t such good days. The swelling in my face didn’t go down much during the day, and I didn’t have much energy. I had more coughing these days, but it was less on Thursday. On Wednesday, we went to Rodale, and Heather showed me a model of the doghouse she was going to build for Hailey and Bella. She had pictures of Niko, Wyatt and me on the deck too.

Friday, April 28th was a good day. I had energy and no coughing. Dad played with me, and dad had to go get stuff so I got to go along for a ride. Then we made a surprise stop at Rodale. Lots of people came out to see me, but Heather wasn’t there. I missed you, Heather. Then a train came, and I didn’t like that. I lay down on the seat, and then some of the people went back to work. After the train passed, everyone else said bye to me and went back to work too. Then Dad took us home, and we had lunch. Then Dr. Donna came to see me. She said I was doing well today.

Saturday I was mopey in the morning. Mom wasn’t home, and dad was on the computer. When mom came home, we had lunch, and then dad went away. Mom and I went outside. She trimmed and weeded, and I was lying on the patio. When dad came home, we all went for a ride. I felt better after that. Rides always seem to make me feel better.

On Sunday morning mom and dad went for groceries like they usually do. They said they saw Heather and her friend, Kim. Dad saw them first, and Heather asked how I was doing. I don’t know Kim, but mom said she asked about me too. Heather told mom and dad she finished the house for Hailey and Bella. Bella, why don’t you go in your new house like Hailey does? Mom and dad took me for another ride today. We went on country roads so I could sniff out the window. We saw cows and horses and lots of nice houses with big yards. Mom and dad did work around the house when we came home, so I rested. They have been trying to get me to drink water, but I haven’t been thirsty. I have been hungry though. When they were having dinner, mom was throwing me beans. I was so focused on waiting for beans that I didn’t even care when Tigger laid her head on my leg. Check out the pictures from the past few days.

Today was a good day!

I had some coughing throughout the day, but I was feeling good today, and I didn't get stressed when I was coughing. After some swelling when I woke up this morning, my face looked normal today. I had lots of energy today. I was outside chewing on sticks, I played with dad with my towels and balls, and I chewed on my bones. I got to have red peppers with Mom at lunch time today, and we saw more birds taking my hair for their nests. She came home for a couple hours around lunch time because dad went to jail for MDA today. He helped raise money for sick kids. It was a really good day for all of us! :)

Meet an exceptional man... my vet

This is a picture of Dr. Cummings, the man who has made it possible for me to still be alive today. We found Dr. C through Dr. Donna Gigliotti (see her picture below) who has also played a big part in me feeling as good as I still do. Dr. C’s early diagnoses of problems I’ve had over the last five years have made it possible for me to live as long as I have. Thank you, Dr. Cummings, for all you have done for me. Mom, dad and I are so grateful to you that there aren’t words to convey it.

Dr. C saw me today after not seeing me for two months. He said things are progressing – the fluid has reached my abdomen, groin and back legs, and it’s taking a toll on my body. The muscles in my back are wasting, and my heartbeat is irregular. But, he said I have a great will to live. That is thanks to all the people who care about me and make life worth living.

After not having any coughing episodes in several months, I had some coughing yesterday and today, but it’s not too bad yet. When we took mom back to work after seeing Dr. C, Heather came out to see me, and I was coughing then. Joanne and Linette came to see me too. Heather and Linette said Susan wasn’t at work today. Sorry I missed you, Susan. I always enjoy seeing all of you.

The weekend...

Mom and dad had errands to run on Friday, and they took me along. Friday after dinner, I got to see Dr. Donna, my chiropractor. She said I was looking pretty good that day, but she said that mom and dad should take me to the vet to see if they have stockings for my legs or anything else to keep the fluid out of them. She said if he can't do anything, she has the name of a vet who does acupuncture and Chinese herbs, and maybe one of those would help.

My swelling is getting worse. Saturday morning when I woke up, my face was bigger than it's ever been, and it hardly went down all day even though mom and dad were massaging it and playing with me. I wasn't very hungry when I woke up on Saturday or Sunday. My face was huge Sunday morning because it never really went down on Saturday. I didn't want much to eat at all. Mom and dad had to go away for a while in the afternoon, and when they came home, I had a coughing spell. This probably means the fluid is getting into my lungs. After it was over, mom and dad took me for a ride in the car. We drove slow on country roads so I could sniff. I would sniff for a while then have to lie down to rest, but then I would get up and stick my nose out the window again. I did that over and over. After we came back, mom noticed that the swelling in my face had gone down a lot. I was hungry, and I ate all my dinner. As I write this (I type pretty good, don't I?), it's been almost four hours since the coughing spell.

Mom said she has to go back to work tomorrow. But she has to leave early because on Monday afternoon, we're going to see my vet, Dr. Cummings. Mom and dad want to see if there's anything else he can do for the fluid or what to do if the coughing gets worse.

Hope everyone had a good weekend. Thank you again to everyone who likes to see me and who is praying for me. Seeing people and knowing how much you all care about me makes me happy. And even though I can't do a lot of what I used to do, I am still enjoying life. I hear mom cutting. My red peppers are calling me. Gotta go. :)

Diary Update....

The swelling was bad again when I woke up Monday and Tuesday. It takes longer into the day for it to go down now. My legs are getting heavier too. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go up the steps to go to bed last night. But, I got enough energy to go up. Today I didn't feel like doing much, and I was sad because dad was gone most of the afternoon. Mom was home from work, so we spent time sitting out in the yard. She sits in the sun sometimes, but I sit in the shade. Tigger comes out with us sometimes. Mom puts her on a leash because she wouldn't stay in the yard like I do. Roo doesn't want to come outside. When Tigger wasn't out, we watched birds coming to the feeders to eat and to take my hair for their nests. They're taking a lot. It's good mom and dad saved it when they brush me. Today we were sitting real close to the feeders, and the birds still came. They know we won't hurt them. Mom shared her apple with me when we were outside, and she gives me red peppers at lunch. I was happier when dad came home, and I chewed on my bone and then played a little with mom.

I heard mom say she has to go to Rodale on Wednesday to pick up a hoagie sheet. I don't usually go away with just mom, but maybe I'll go along or maybe I'll ask dad to go too.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is dad's birthday. Happy Birthday Dad from me, Tigger, Roo and Mom.

I've had a pretty good weekend. I was a little uncomfortable on Saturday when it got warm outside, but I still felt ok. On Sunday, it was my kind of weather. Mom and me were out in the yard for a few hours enjoying the weather. Some birds came to the feeders again while we were sitting close to them. Mom put out some of my hair and other stuff for the birds to take for their nests, and they were taking my hair. Little birdies will have my soft hair to be born on. I have been hungry every day when I wake up, and I eat all my food right away. My swelling is still there, but it isn't bothering me so much. Thank you to everybody who is praying for me. It's working.

Remember, next Tuesday dad gets locked up to raise money for MDA. If anyone wants to donate to help Jerry's kids, please see the link at the top right of the page or contact mom or dad. Thank you to all who donated so far.

Love, Casey

Feeling pretty good!

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On Wednesday the 12th, Dad took me to Rodale again. We had to park in a different spot because there were trucks there. This time we had a special spot reserved for us. Lots of people came to see me. Having everybody come to see me keeps my spirits up and makes me feel so much better. Thanks to all of you for caring. Heather even brought more peppers for me. She was rubbing my ears in that spot that feels soooo good. That Heather, she's wonderful!

I was feeling really good that day. I have been feeling pretty good since then even though the swelling hasn't gone down. I have been wanting to play a lot. Here are some pictures dad took at Rodale and some pictures of me playing at home with my birthday balloon.

Happy Birthday Niko!

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From: Hailey, Bella, Wyatt, and Casey.

The weekend...

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I forgot to say thanks for the email on Friday, Heather. I’m sorry I didn’t reply. My dad was hogging the computer. It was nice of you to check on me.

Saturday morning was like the past days. My face was swollen again but worse. It wasn’t just my lips, but swollen up around my nose. Mom said my face looked round. Mom and dad massaged my face and legs a lot, and the fluid went down. It rained and snowed. I got to go out when it was snowing. Most of the time, we played in the house with my balls and my sheet. I also chewed my bone. I had another dizzy spell after I got excited when Brad (the neighbor boy) came into our yard. But, dad held me until it passed. Dad got me a new step to get into the car. It’s like a ramp so I don’t have to jump. We went for a ride so I could try it out. I was scared to step on it, but I did ok with it. When it was time to go to bed, I didn’t want to come up from the basement so I stayed there. During the night I moved onto my bed in the living room. That was the first night I didn’t sleep upstairs with mom and dad.

Sunday morning Mom came down and saw my face was big again. She kept rubbing it to drain the fluid. I ate some breakfast, but then I had to go outside. It was cold, the way I like it. I stayed out and just lay in the grass enjoying the cool air for a long time. Some birds even came to the feeders while I was lying out there. We went for another ride today, and I got to stick my nose out the window. I love doing that as long as we don’t go too fast. We played today too, and I chewed my bone. (Check out the pictures to see how I chewed down the bone.) Mom and dad had to go away after dinner. Joey (my human cousin) came to stay with me while they were gone. Most of the time I just waited at the door for them to come home. On the days mom is home, both mom and dad can rub my face more and drain the fluid faster so then I feel better earlier in the day. The weekend was pretty good.

Friday update...

I saw Linda, our mail carrier, go by the basement window so I jumped up and started yelling and ran up the stairs. Dad was trying to calm me down, but I was too excited. I had to go see Linda. We went outside, and I ran into the front yard, and Linda came back to say hi to me. She said that I was really swollen now, then she got real quiet and I saw a tear in her eye. She lost her doggie last year, and I think she's still sad. Just then I started to feel dizzy, and dad and Linda supported me so I wouldn't fall over. It didn't last long, and then Linda said she had to go. Then I took a nap. I was happy to get my noon snack. Then I napped again in the afternoon. I felt better at dinner and ate everything. When mom came home from work, I was glad everyone was home. We were out in the yard for a while. I chewed on my bone, and my swelling went down some. After mom and dad ate dinner, dad said we should go for a ride. I was sitting up at the back window and sniffing as we were driving. That made me feel better.

An Update....

When mom woke up Thursday, she saw my face was big again. Mom brought me my bone. I was still tired so I only chewed a little bit. Except for chewing my bone, it was a boring day compared to my birthday. Dad had to go away today so mom came home to be with me. She tried to play with me, but I was sad cause dad wasn’t here. I did share her apple with her though. It was good. My new bone has lots chewed off it already, and I didn’t show my teeth to dad anymore, Heather. I love to chew my bone (yum), and it makes my face feel better. The swelling doesn’t stay down long after chewing anymore though. Mom showed dad red on my skin near my back legs, and she seemed sad. Then she was feeling where it’s red. I think the fluid is back that far now. Not much else to say.

Today my face is really big again. I’m not very hungry either. And, I don’t feel like chewing my bone right now. Mom and dad keep trying to rub my face, but I don’t want to hold it up for them to do it. I’m just tired.

My Party...

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Tuesday night when we were going up the stairs to go to bed, I got really tired. I had to stop and rest. That never happened before. My legs are so heavy to lift up the steps now.

When mom woke up Wednesday, she said Happy Birthday to me right away. Then dad did too. Mom started rubbing my face because it was puffy again. I wasn’t very hungry again either. Mom went to work. I took a nap while Dad worked. The phone rang, and dad surprised me with, “Casey, want to go to Rodale?” Duh, I thought. I got excited and ran up the steps. Excitement gives me energy.


We went to Rodale, and Mom and Joanne came out to meet dad and me at the car. I got to go inside again. We went in a different door this time. Heather and Linette were waiting for me at the door. There was a noisy truck there, and I was a little uncomfortable. On the door to the room, there was a sign that said Happy 11th Birthday Casey. We got in the room, and there was a SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY for me. Mom and dad didn’t even know about it. There was a bag that I stuck my nose into, and I could smell good stuff. Oh boy! There were presents for me -- a balloon, red peppers, a tire, and a most excellent bone that smelled out of this world. I also got a card and a picture of Hailey and Bella. Heather unwrapped the bone for me and held it for me to chew on it. Mmmmm! It was so good. Then it was time for my birthday pepper. It was so red and juicy. Heather cut it and fed me. Mom usually washes them first, but I got to have it without it being washed. That Heather and Linette are so cool. That was the best birthday party ever! I missed Susan though. She wasn’t there. Mel, Ann Solt and Karen stopped in to see me too. Then everybody had to go back to work so we left. It was a great party!

Dad gave me the bone when we got home. I chewed it for a long time. I was getting mad at Dad because he wanted to take my bone away. I showed my teeth to him. Dad took it away when he gave me my lunch. Dad gave it back to me about an hour later (all of us can tell time). When dad worked, I took another nap. I got my bone back again when mom and dad ate dinner. They had to take it away again because my gums were bleeding from chewing so hard and long. My face feels great. The swelling is down a lot. Chewing that bone really helped. Tigger is having a ball with MY BALLOON. I’ll get it from her when I feel like it. I need another nap. It was a tiring but great day.

It's My Birthday!!!

That's what mom and dad keep telling me. They're so excited. Mom has been talking about it for so long.

Dear Diary...

I had a good weekend. I felt good and played with mom and dad a lot. We played with the squeaker ball, and I even chased and caught it a few times.

On Monday, I didn’t feel so good. My cheeks and legs were fat, and I wasn’t hungry. When mom came home from work, I got excited. When we were going to walk into the house, I almost fell over, but dad caught me. I’ve heard them say that excitement can make the tumor cause dizziness. I guess that’s what that strange feeling is that I get before I fall. Mom and dad were really upset today because they found out that Hank lost his battle to kidney failure. Hank is their friend’s golden angel, and he went to heaven. When mom was packing her lunch, I was waiting for red peppers, and she asked what she was going to do when I’m not here to make her feel better. I tried to tell her I’ll always be with her, but I don’t think she heard me.

Today, (Tuesday) my cheeks swelled over night. I felt like I didn’t have any energy. Dad was out of the shower so we went downstairs. He wanted to feed me, but I didn’t feel very hungry again. I do like the beans though. I just pick them out of the bowl when I’m not very hungry. Dad got a big stick for me this morning. It was very crunchy. I ripped the branches apart real fast. It was fun! Later dad took me to Daytimers so he could get something in a plastic bag. I couldn’t smell anything. This afternoon dad took me to see Dr. Donna. She said the weight of the fluid is pulling on my muscles. As usual, she made me feel better. She tried to drain the fluid, but it went right back into my legs again. She did get it out of my face though. She said mom and dad should keep working the fluid out of my legs and face. Dad asked her what she thought because Dr. C (my vet) thought I would go to heaven (like Hank did) sometime in April. She said she could feel more fluid in me since last week when she saw me. It could keep building or it could stay like this for a while. None of them really know. Mom and dad say I’m a miracle dog. I'm not ready yet. I still have a few more lessons for them.

Oh, I almost forgot. Tomorrow is my birthday! I'll be 11. Wonder what they'll get me?

Hank Shenkman

1/15/1996 - 3/31/2006
A Memorial

Hank was a loyal family member of mom and dad’s friend.
He lost his battle to kidney failure recently. He will be sadly missed.

"Hank had such a beautiful spirit – he was very regal, dignified and wise. He protected us like a father." - Laurie Shenkman

The King cometh....

but I have no court!