Thursday 11 February 2021

Thankful for Bertie's medication



Gail here: 

Over the years, the pharmaceuticals industry has developed a bad reputation. 

And yes, I'm all too familiar with the various criticisms of the way drugs companies operate. Many are valid. But today I wish to take a moment to state my appreciation of the dedicated scientists engaged in researching and developing treatments which genuinely improve length and quality of life for so many.

Why this topic? Why now?

Quite simply, I am beyond thankful that my beloved companion Bertie is sitting on my lap as I type, contentedly resting after a lively two hour romp in the snow, free of any obvious symptoms of the bladder cancer diagnosed back in September last year. At that time I was more or less told to expect the worst, and soon.

But since then, he has confounded expectations in every way that I can think of, and all the evidence points to the Previcox tablets he has been taking once a day ever since his diagnosis being responsible for the improvement in his wellbeing.

Are the tablets a cure? Assuredly not. Have they shrunk the tumour? Just possibly. Is my dog more comfortable and happier than he was six months ago? Most definitely, at least for the moment.

I readily admit that my attitude to pharmaceuticals is biased by my background. My father worked his entire career for Boots the Chemists at their Nottingham HQ, initially as a development chemist and later as a senior manager. It was there that he met my mother, who was working as a Personnel Officer. In later life my mother often said that moving to Nottingham to take the job at Boots was "the best decision I ever made"! Among my father's many fine colleagues was the man credited with 'discovering' ibuprofen (Advil to my friends in the U.S.)

Not everything that happened at Boots was good. Their record on using live animals in research is something we would now condemn. But with the world still in the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic, I also feel the time is right for a word of praise for the experts in chemistry, pharmacology, virology, immunology, genetics etc. who have been working night and day to develop life saving medications and of course vaccines for humans.

And then there is dear little Bertie.


17 comments:

  1. we often feel the same... but at the end are grateful...even when the price was and is high... hugs to you Bertie, we hope so much that the meds will work and work and work...

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  2. Bertie - Pharmaceuticals can work wonders As can a wooly coat on a snow east coast morning !.

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  3. So glad to hear that the medication is working for Bertie, long may it continue to do so.
    He looks so handsome and full of life in his lovely blue jumper!

    Love,
    Inca - and her human xx

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  4. Yay for wonderful drugs that are helping you, Bertie! Keep enjoying your beautiful snow♥

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  5. this is a pleasant surprise to find a postive review in our crazy pandemic world. I am so happy these pills have and are working for you Bertie. and i agree, the pharmacist do a fantastic job and they should be thanked. there is good and bad in everything and it is good to focus and be thankful for the good they do...you look smashing in blue

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  6. Hari OM
    Bertie's continued presence with us is much appreciated by all loyal followers as much as you, Dear Gail! A wonderful post in recognition of the positives. YAM xx

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  7. And we are thankful too that Bertie is doing so well!

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  8. We're so thankful that the medication is working so well for Bertie. Our paws are crossed that the Covid-19 vaccines can get in more people and help to stop this menace soon.

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  9. Gail and Bertie
    First what a wonderful post!!
    We are so very thankful for the Previcox and how very well our favorite WFT has responded to the treatment. Bertie's sheer joy as he has been Bouncing around in the snow gives us great joy. Dear Bertie will be 11 next week, right?
    Please tell Bertie ::whispering:: his Blue jumper is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. His cream colored fur with blue is stunning.
    Hugs Cecilia

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  10. Momma and I are SO happy that you're feeling better! How you feel is a really impawtant part of your care.

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  11. We are so very thankful that the meds are helping Bertie so much. He seems to be doing fabulously.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  12. We are so happy to read that you are doing well dear Bertie!
    hugs
    Mabel & Hilda

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  13. That is great news I know the POTP has something to do with it too
    .

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  14. We do need to stop and thank those tireless scientists. My younger sister is now having treatment for a blood disorder/cancer. Chemo is awful, but it is there and working. I remember as a child, a friend who died of leukemia....a death sentence back then...
    Bertie, you keep going, Lad.

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  15. Well said. I agree while the pharma giants aren't without fault, sometime we get small miracles from their work. Drugs gave us 11 extra months with our angel Loki. Drugs allow Phod and I to deal less with allergies. I am thankful drugs are allowing Bertie extra quality time.

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  16. That is so wonderful to hear as to how well my friend Bertie is doing on his medication! We are so happy that he is doing good!

    Your friend Rosie

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  17. I am SO thankful for Bertie's medicine. Defying expectations is the absolute best thing, especially when it's dear Bertie doing it!

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