From Perf's Mom:
Thank you all!!! You comments have been overwhelming and I've read each one and each one has made me cry! Good tears because I'm realizing what a phenomenal community we are a somewhat silent member of, right now (all due to my job).
It's Friday around 9am and here is what I've decided so far:
I talked to my vet last night, after spending a day on the internet. I asked her exactly what would need to happen, from this point , if I wanted to go the Chemo route. She said Perf would need a biopsy of his intestines and lymph nodes and then he could see an oncologist since the Ultrasound is not a definitive diagnosis of Lymphoma. In my heart, I know it is. And I know my Perfy, he is not in the least bit cooperative, nice or docile at the vet. It stresses him out and he absolutley HATES going to the vet. After seeing the fur he lost and how stressed he was after the ultrasound, I dont want to subject him to surgery and then chemo at the vet, since it would entail going to the vet.
So I asked my vet about alternative medicines. She just recently got certified in acupuncture and Chinese herbs, so I felt I could start the conversation with her, since she is open to eastern medicine. I mentioned a botanical that I had found Neoplasene and she said she would do research (last night) a get back to me today.
I have gone ahead and put in an email to Dr Charles Loops who is an homeopathic vet based in NC who does telephone consultations and cancer treatments. I received the price for the initial consultation and will wait and see what my vet says today before I go ahead with the consultation with him.
He is still on prednisone and seems happy. He had a rough poop day yesterday!And today isn't starting off great-diarrhea! He sleeps my two older boys do sleep alot. He did play yesterday and ate ravenously so I am holding onto those positive signs!
I cant thank you all enough for your amazing support and for sharing your stories and your decisions with me! It helped so much hearing about each individual kitty-for they are all different!!!!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!
Penny, mom to Kodak, 3 Perf, Blossom and Skye
16 comments:
I know you'll keep us posted, Penny. I'm following your blog now, to ensure I get the updates in a timely manner.
I dread the decisions I'll have to make with my three. I lost my beloved Chumley quite suddenly one night, 3+ years ago (blood clot), so the decision wasn't mine to make. The emerg vet couldn't do anything and he had to be pts.
I don't know which is worse: the sudden shocking loss or the slow deterioration.
Neither, I guess--both are heart and soul wrenching.
Lots of (((hugs))) to you, kitty kisses to Perf, and universal Light to you both.
I am very sorry to hear the news about Perf.
Hugs to both of you....
purrs
Abby
Thanks for the update. I wish I'd known about Dr. Loops when I was going through this with Cal. He's in our state and our own vet didn't know anything about alternative meds. Please know if you ever need to talk, feel free to email.
Purrs,
Mom to the Creek Cats
We saw the news on the CB. We're kinda new around here...
Mommy says that Angel Cat Dusty was diagnosed with a heart problem that meant a lot of trips to the vet, nights away from Mommy, and no assurance of recovery. Dusty was a very shy boy, and hated to EVER be out of his comfort zone.
After the first treatment he gave Mommy a look of "WHY?" and she knew that Dusty was going to go to the bridge very soon, no matter how much she loved him, he wasn't going to be put through the mental trauma.
Hardest thing she's ever done.
Mommy & We Kats send Purrs & prayers to you.
Oh, how your post reminds me of my very first cat, in terms of how his and her disease made itself know. She too was hard to handle at the vets and while we did do biopsies, I elected for her to put her on prednisolone (prednisolone is utilized more easily in cats than prednisone) and while I only had her for 6 extra months after her diagnosis, I was grateful for that time and knowing that each day was a treasure for us to be together.
We also gave her sub q fluids 3 x a week (helps keep the guts hydrated) and metronidazole (to help with gut inflammation and bacterial overgrowth as her intetines weren't functioning up to par) and intestinal enzymes, too (good one currently which wasn't available then is Fortiflora)
We are there for you, this CB community and that is a comfort, isn't it...
It is a tough place to be in. The homeopathic vet will hopefully be helpful--we got amazing results with our Georgia cat. I hope that things work out and Perf has some great quality of life for many months and perhaps even years--we can always hope and be optimistic!
Please know, we're here for you and Perf.
(((hugs)))
we just want to add our purrs and purrayers for Perf and for you MomPenny. - Sammy, Miles, Billy and Nicky
Penny, I know how hard and overwhelming all of this is. I'm saying prayers for you and for Perf - MeezerMomMary
Ah, Perf is so cute. We hope you have a great weekend, despite the concerns. Purrs and tail wags.
This is my first time to visit, but I wanted to come by and send my best wishes for you and Perf at this time. I don't have any recommendations, but the people on the CB are wonderful and they have a lot of experiences.
I think you have made a really good decision. Nothing makes cancer worse than stress and you've sensibly elected to avoid more stress (the biopsy/chemo)for dear Perf.
We're very glad you have an open minded and supportive vet too who is happy to integrate therapies.
We send you all lots of love and rumbly purrs
Whicky Wuudler
Oliver
& Gerry
We know each and every decision yoo make for Perf, is made wiv love. So stay strong and we'll all keep our paws crossed that Perf responds well. We're sending more healing purrs for him, and ((((hugs)))) for yoo.
Well, you know we are all thinking of you, and we know that you will feel what is the right way to go with your Perfy.
Hugs, prayers, purrs & positive woofs too, from Annie, PB, Neve, Ruger & Kelty.
We're so sorry to read about Perf's troubles. We are keeping you all in our thoughts and hoping for the best.
We also know that you'll do whatever is right for your boy. That's why you're a cat mom!
(Oh, and Happy Cat Mom Day!)
So sorry you are going through this. You have his best intrest at heart. Poor boy, we hope you start feeling better *hugs*
Sending purrs for Perf, that he continues to be comfortable, and for all of you during this tough time.
Charlemagne and Tamar
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