We've decided on SRT for Rocket.

Discussion in 'Acromegaly / IAA / Cushings Cats' started by Karen&Rocket, Jul 24, 2019.

  1. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    At least one person in my time here had to go from a dose in the teens of units, to over 50 between SRT and when it started to work. He also had IAA which complicates things. It’s not like SRT hits all at once. The tumour cells are neutered by SRT, and it’s just the normal life cycle of the tumour cells dying off that reduces the tumour and it’s effects. Not to say that it can’t get a little exciting. If in doubt, be cautious. I haven’t yet seen anyone switch to Prozinc after SRT. Hypophysectomy or surgical removal of the pituitary, could be a different story. The effects there are much more immediate.

    You are testing more than enough to keep Rocket safe. At night, if he is pink at PMPS and about the same at +4, go to sleep. And once he has hit nadir and started back up, you can ease off the testing until next preshot, especially while yellow or pink.

    Neko had a redo of her radiation, and the radiation oncologist described her tumour as “tiny” the first time. And it was smaller the second time. And the first redo he had heard of. It’s not common.
     
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  2. Karen&Rocket

    Karen&Rocket Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2019
    Yikes. That's a lot of insulin. Hoping Rocket doesn't get that far. :eek: Unfortunately we didn't know at the time to do the IAA test at the same time as the IGF-1, so I don't know if IAA is in play or not. But I do understand what you're saying (that the SRT won't hit all at once).

    I guess I keep testing not only to keep Rocket safe (a given), but also in hopes of finding a better nadir. I have been trying to get a little more sleep lately, and sneak in a nap when I can. Things will get tricky once I start working again - I usually work evenings, so shot times will have to be 11am/pm. I'm a classical musician and there's no schedule flexibility there unfortunately. 11:00 works well, except - and this is kind of a bummer - that Rocket won't let me wait until 11 a.m. to feed him. His AMPS number, even if I feed him at 8:30 or 9, will be somewhat food-influenced. Plus, in order to get a +4 or so, I'll be setting the alarm for 3 a.m. :blackeye::coffee:

    Ahh, the things we do for our kitties. :)
     
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  3. Karen&Rocket

    Karen&Rocket Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2019
    It’s been a while since I’ve updated, so I thought I’d pop in and say hello :)

    It’s been about seven weeks since the end of Rocket’s SRT treatments. Overall, I would say it’s been going very well… actually better than I had hoped at this point. Every week his spreadsheet looks a little less angry! The last week and a half especially – there’s quite a bit of blue and even some green in there!

    The last week or so I’ve had to relax a little on following protocol, because it seems Rocket is somewhat determined to have his dose lowered. We had a near-hypo on Oct. 1st, after which I decreased to 10 units. We’ve done a tentative decrease again (to 9 units) since yesterday he had a decent nadir and his PMPS was lower than usual, which so far today seems to be going well (he’s at 117 at AM+3). We'll go back to 10 if needed, but my general plan here is to keep him safe, since he’s been spending a lot of time in healing low blues, and to give him room for some tumor/SRT volatility. Like I said, it seems that his overall trend is going downward dosage-wise right now, so I’m erring on the side of caution. Also, his cycles seem to vary in length, from normalish 12-hr cycles, to overlapping 16 or 18-hr ones. Every day is a little different which makes it difficult for me to have relevant data to look back on.

    Anyway, I just wanted to update, and say that so far I’m very happy with Rocket’s progress, though it has made it hard to do anything else in life right now (like sleep). :rolleyes: But he's worth it, and hopefully we'll have more good updates soon! :bighug:

    Edit: aaaaaand the excitement continues. 85 at +4, even on reduced dose. Rocket seems to be on a mission!
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2019
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  4. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    Love reading about Rocket feeling good and rubbing against your legs. Nice to get the old Rocket back.:)

    The 10 unit depot could still be influencing today’s cycle, but caution is always wise after SRT
     
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  5. JeffJ

    JeffJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    Rocket is doing so well after his SRT. This amazing progress is really fun to hear about. And you are doing a great job - keeping his chart updated and doing good dosages. He is a lucky kitteh.

    I am just amazed to see the progress from May this year, to now - week 7 after SRT. And Rocket swimming in a pool of blue numbers at a lower dose this week.:bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
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  6. Karen&Rocket

    Karen&Rocket Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2019
    Thank you Wendy! The little guy is currently sleeping belly up on the kitchen table, so he’s still feeling pretty good today. :cat:
     
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  7. Karen&Rocket

    Karen&Rocket Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2019
    Thank you Jeff!!! He hit a low of 71 today not long ago, even at 9u. If he doesn’t skyrocket this evening, I may have another decision to make! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
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  8. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    So happy to hear that Rocket is doing much better
     
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  9. Karen&Rocket

    Karen&Rocket Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2019
    Thank you!!! :cat:
     
  10. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    He is such a beautiful kitty, you are such a wonderful mama to Rocket
     
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  11. Karen&Rocket

    Karen&Rocket Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2019
    Aww, thanks. He’s my heart.
     
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