Jeeny and Faldo Fight On

















We have spoken to Jeeny today and whilst feeling extremely fatigued is pleased to be nearing the end of her rediotherapy. An end date has been set for Thursday 24th August. She will then need to wait some some 2 months before returning to Coimbra Hospital for a further 'scan'. She has been told this week that the function of her left lung is almost at zero. However, it is to be hoped that the radiotherapy has destroyed traces of the cancer in that lung - you'll remember that this was a big concern.

Following the fatigue thread above you'll remember that I reported in May that Faldo has chronic kidney failure. One effect of this is that his red blood count has now dropped to such an extent that he was nearing having to have a blood transfusion. He was suffering severe anaemia, was very lethargic and very fatigued. Yes, you guessed it, down to the vets we went...












After a consultation it was decided to put young Faldo on erythropoietin (EPO) - this drug encourages the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. Isn't it just amazing what is possible these days? This drug comes in pre-prepared shringes and will be administered three times a week by, again you guessed it, Dr. Walsh - moi. I've now had my training and have administered the first injection today under the watchful eye of the vet.

EPO has been linked to 'blood doping' in the both the Olympic Games and the Tour de France - I suspect they take a boost of EPO before an event to whack-up their red blood cell count.

We just have to make sure that we don't overdo Faldo's dose otherwise we'll find him cycling around the garden!