The Graduate

Thursday was the last of the radiation treatments. Whew! A really nice touch is that when a patient is finished a course of treatment, the staff all gathers around to give the graduate (and spouse!) a lei, a “Congratulations on your Graduation” greeting card signed by all of the folks on the super-caring staff, a hug, and hearty well wishes. There is a little hand-operated green and purple soap bubble-making machine that cranks out a happy atmosphere, along with little wrapped candies for all. This particular day there was a huge tray of Christmas cookies available! ;->

I didn’t think to take a picture during the festivities, but when we got home, the backyard provided the perfect venue to show how that mask looks when not nailing him down to the gurney. We are happy, indeed, to have this part of the treatment behind us. His eyesight has improved greatly, but it may very well be several months before the best outcome possible will be achieved.

With the radiation out of the way now, maybe the side effects of the chemotherapy drugs will also lessen. This has been one sick puppy for the last three weeks.

Despite all this, he is still smiling, and most of the time has a cheery attitude. To see a close up of his cheery attitude, click on the picture once, let it load, and then click again. His smile is sure to brighten your day as much as it does mine! ;->