It's been a month since the biopsy

Well, it's actually a month and a day since the biopsy, but it seems like a good time to take stock of where we stand.  Yesterday was the next "step-down" point on Tony's Prednisone prescription, so he didn't get a pill.  He'll get one today and every other day from now on.  The nodes in his neck seem a bit smaller to me, as does the swelling in his face, but there's a lump on his back that he's had for years (a fluid-filled cyst; it became hard about a month ago) that hasn't gone back to being soft.

He seems to have adjusted well to the Prednisone -- finally -- and his eating and drinking have levelled off a bit, for which I am grateful.  One funny effect we noticed is that with the salmon and vegetable diet he's been on, his urine has a strong fish odor.  If it weren't fall, we wouldn't have known, but since Tony's firm belief has always been that if the patio is covered with leaves or snow, it's just as good as grass, we're up close and personal with the smell every time we let him out.  I had to hose the patio down a couple days ago; it was that bad.
 
The temperature change that came along with all those fallen leaves is not something he is enjoying, which is too bad.  He's always been a cold weather lover, but with his coat as sparse as it is now, it's already too cold.  He's been coming right in as soon as he takes care of what made him go out.  If the sun is shining, he sometimes will sit in it for a bit, though.  I don't think he's going to be playing in the snow this winter the way he used to, but I think (knock wood) that he will get to see the snow.  I wasn't too sure of that until recently.

His behavior is what makes me think that he'll still be with us for a while.  He's acting more and more like his old self, dominating the big dogs, watching what everyone's doing (despite his cataracts), and barking at noises only he can hear.  I'm glad to see all of this, and even gladder that he's been sleeping somewhat better at night; I've actually gotten 5 hours uninterrupted the past two nights.  Many people might think that's awful, but to me it's almost like getting a vacation.

Tomorrow is Tony's 13th birthday.  I have no idea what to do to celebrate it, but some kind of celebration is clearly in order.