Christmas with the dogs, newly on Hydroxyurea

[Planti]

New diagnosis of High Risk ET (JAK 2 V617F Pos) and reluctantly started on Hydroxyurea two days ago.

In the night (when I do my best thinking) it came to me that if HU is cleared by the kidneys that means it will also be secreted in body fluids, tears, saliva, sweat and more. So now, one of life's small pleasures, being licked by my puppies is off the table for their protection.

I say this because I hope that others will also make sure their loved ones are not exposed to the drug. More reason to wash your hands!

I feel perfectly fine, well almost given arthritis and some eye symptoms that alarmed the Haematologist.

I am thankful to be here, spending Christmas with only my fur buddies. This site is amazing.

All the best of the season to everyone. Stay safe and stay sane.

Lauren in Canada

[piggie50]

Hi Lauren,

I don’t think your dogs will come to any harm by licking you. I have PV and RA and have been on HU for 8 years. I kiss my grandchildren and accept licks from dogs.

Enjoy your Christmas with your fur babies.

Judy

[Planti in reply to piggie50]

Hi Judy, Good to hear that, thank you. They are definitely precious and today my puppy is one, Christmas boy. Have a great day, Lauren

[GarciaB]

Merry Christmas

[Planti in reply to GarciaB]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[lizzziep]

I don't think your dogs will come to any harm from licking you. Enjoy their love x

[Planti in reply to lizzziep]

I do, today and always, their love is unconditional. Thank you and happy day.

[lizzziep]

They are such lovely family members, sadly we have just lost one of ours, she is greatly missed.

[Inca in reply to lizzziep]

Oh ,how awful.Hope you soon feel better about your loss of a loved dog ,I know only too well what a dreadful feeling it is.,folks who don't have dogs never understand it. We always have 2 G S Ds,need their guarding & companionship as our house & land is quite isolated....over the years have lost one,then got a puppy ...now we know as we are older that if God forbid we lose one of the two now ,a puppy would outlive us.....horrible thought.Sending e hugs,,keep safe & strong Sally

[lizzziep in reply to Inca]

We have always had dogs, we still have our beloved Springador Poppy, we thought about getting another as she has never been an "only" dog but we're both approaching 70 and would hate to have a dog outlive us, our family would be unable to to offer it a home, so, sadly, we won't get another.

[Inca in reply to lizzziep]

Too true we lost the sister of my one remaining home bred mares last year aged 34,an incredible age for a horse,the sister has been alone now for over a year ,the first time in her long life,I feel so guilty not getting a companion,but to be outlived by a horse or dog is unthinkable.The mare left is now 35,we give her as much time with us that is possible....takes up more time than a yard full of horses!A friend has just lost one of her two Springers as feels exactly the same.Keep safe & well.Sally

[Tico in reply to Inca]

How very true about people not understanding about the loss of a dog or any pet for that matter. Pets are part of our family and we feel their loss terribly when they pass. I did read during the first lockdown, more people were taking on dogs and cats from rescue centres. I hope it was for the right reasons and not something to pass the boredom! I used to own to 2 dogs, now have 2 adorable cats. My daughter jokes i'm their slave and sent me a special card with their pictures on 'saying to the best pet mum ever'. I wouldn't be without them. Tina.

[Inca in reply to Tico]

Yes I read that too,let's hope it is for the right reasons or the rescue kennels will be overwhelmed.I don't have cats now tho used always to have at least one in the house & yard cats as well.Have two feral cats we feed in the barn at the moment. Keep safe Tico.

[nightshadow in reply to Tico]

I lost my dog two years ago and was finally ready to get a new one, but then everyone started to adopt dogs. I am worried that once people go back to work they will return the pets, so I may wait a bit and see what the fall out will be.

[Tico in reply to nightshadow]

A very commonsense approach, its a pity the people who are adopting dogs and cats in these constant lockdowns to fill the boredom in their lives didn't have the same approach. Maybe a slight change in a well known slogan; Dogs are for life not just for christmas should be changed to; Dogs are for life not just for your entertainment during persistent lockdowns! Best wishes and happy 2021. Tina.🤗

[nightshadow]

I started on hydroxyurea yesterday.

Never thought about the pets licking me. I am glad to hear that pets have shown no harm by licking, as I sit here with my cat washing my wrist as I type.

[Planti in reply to nightshadow]

That is very thoughtful as I am sure that the recent spate in adoptions might have some fall out when people are more back to normal.

Despite most people not being concerned about their pets licking them I still feel that I wish to do whatever I can to prevent my dogs contacting any possible environmental toxins (including what might come off of my skin which includes creams and such).

Some might say I am obsessive but I have had several dogs die in the last decade of cancers that occurred too young. Those occurred despite my feeding all of them human grade raw diet, not using toxic cleaners or yard treatments, living in a rural area, operating a hepa filtration system inside and being careful to only do the well researched and necessary canine vaccination protocols.

Heck, I am more careful with what I put in them than what I put in me though that is improving : )

I am sure that as we are all washing so frequently that hand licking is pretty safe, not hand sanitizer residue though, ew.

Happy to see that so many are including their non-human companions' welfare when we take care of ourselves. Kindness matters.

Lauren

[Tico in reply to Planti]

Interesting you should say that. I never thought of it that way. I swallow Hydrea and other various medications like smarties and don't give it a second thought but when it comes to my 2 cats I treat them like my children and make sure they eat the best. Food for thought maybe? Best wishes,Tina.🤗

[Planti]

Haha, Smarties. I am assuming that those are the chocolate ones not the American ones? Toast the day with an organic vegetable smoothie, Lauren