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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Dinah on December 13, 2007, at 20:46:29
In reply to Surgery went well, but it was a very trying day, posted by TexasChic on December 13, 2007, at 20:21:38
I'm so glad that the prognosis is good! I know it's distressing and expensive even so.
Some people just aren't pet people. They will never really understand.
Posted by seldomseen on December 13, 2007, at 21:52:59
In reply to Surgery went well, but it was a very trying day, posted by TexasChic on December 13, 2007, at 20:21:38
I am so glad that things likely will turn out well and I'm sorry about your boss.
Dinah's right - some people will never get it.
Seldom.
Posted by Phillipa on December 13, 2007, at 23:46:59
In reply to Re: Surgery went well, but it was a very trying day » TexasChic, posted by seldomseen on December 13, 2007, at 21:52:59
Pets love us no matter what they just love us and we should give them our hearts and souls. I will never forget mine and plan to be buried with my Brandy and Sheeba. Phillipa ps they are in urns next to my bed and I kiss them goodnight.
Posted by ClearSkies on December 14, 2007, at 15:05:15
In reply to Surgery went well, but it was a very trying day, posted by TexasChic on December 13, 2007, at 20:21:38
Posted by Bobby on December 14, 2007, at 19:05:54
In reply to Surgery went well, but it was a very trying day, posted by TexasChic on December 13, 2007, at 20:21:38
Sorry---just came on sudden like. I really am glad to hear your kitty is ok
Posted by TexasChic on December 14, 2007, at 19:47:17
In reply to How's your little buddy doing, TC? (nm), posted by ClearSkies on December 14, 2007, at 15:05:15
He acts like nothing even happened. In fact, he seems more active and wants to eat all the time! I guess he feels better now that the mass/tumor/whatever is gone.
He pulled one of his stitches out, so I bought one of those lampshade-like collars. I felt too bad to leave it on him though! He kept backing up to get away from it, and then he started bumping into things and not being able to calculate jumps right. It just didn't look comfortable at all! But if it looks like he's bothering his stitches again I'll put it back on.
Now the real fun was trying to give him his medicine! Yeah, right! I don't see how people do that, and some even give cats pills! I guess mine just isn't calm enough for that. I ended up putting it his food (after I wore the first dose).
I'm so glad he's home! I don't think I'll take him for granted anytime soon! I guess once you spend a grand on someone you take notice! Did I tell yall how before this happened I had come across a 401K from a former job that I never got around to rolling over? I decided to cash it out and was going to use it to get caught up on my bills, but now its paying for Kitty's surgery. I'm not disappointed though. All I have to do is think, if I hadn't gotten that, how on earth would I have paid for the it!?!? Its really kind of weird when you think about it, right when I needed a large sum of money, it came to me. There will be a little left to finish getting my nephew's Xmas presents. So all in all things are actually going pretty darn well!
-T
Posted by Phillipa on December 14, 2007, at 19:56:07
In reply to Kitty is home now and doing good, posted by TexasChic on December 14, 2007, at 19:47:17
TC the elizabethan collars I couldn't use them either. Plus they use their whiskers to judge distance. Phillipa
Posted by TexasChic on December 14, 2007, at 19:59:17
In reply to Thanks all--I didn't mean to hijack your thread TC, posted by Bobby on December 14, 2007, at 19:05:54
Posted by seldomseen on December 14, 2007, at 21:20:24
In reply to Kitty is home now and doing good, posted by TexasChic on December 14, 2007, at 19:47:17
Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy for you and your fur baby!
Good luck (wink) with the pills and the stitches...
Seldom.
Posted by Kath on December 16, 2007, at 19:49:03
In reply to Gald you kitty is ok--our's died this morning, posted by Bobby on December 13, 2007, at 12:02:30
Aw Bobby - so sorry.
That was so sweet saying that Uncle Gene has a kitty to play with in Heaven. I suspect that'll help the kids feel a little better.
hugs, Kath
Posted by Kath on December 16, 2007, at 19:58:25
In reply to Kitty is home now and doing good, posted by TexasChic on December 14, 2007, at 19:47:17
Hi TC - that was great that the money was there for kitty's bills!!
I'm glad things turned out well.
We can love out pets SOOO much, can't we.
My daughter had a cat that had Vaccination-induced-cancer on her leg. My daughter arranged the operation to remove the cat's leg. Cat did very well & lived for 2 years afterwards.I dread to think of anything happening to Ginger - my cat who landed on our doorstep & adopted us one October. (Turned out in the Spring, when I was talking to the next-door-neighbour, that it was their cat, who'd been a stray they brought home from a town about an hour away - they kept seeing him when they'd pick up their daughter from her Dad's. Fortunately, they were fine with us keeping Ginger - he didn't like their other cat & used to poop on their bed!!! At our house, he's only used the litter box.)
I love Ginger dreadfully much!!! LOLHope all's well apart from your catty.
luv, Kath
Posted by TexasChic on December 18, 2007, at 17:58:12
In reply to Re: Kitty is home now and doing good » TexasChic, posted by Kath on December 16, 2007, at 19:58:25
My doctor says he'll have to do some research and talk to some specialists he knows because he's never heard of this in a cat before. He acted like the surgery MIGHT have taken care of it, and might not. All I know is Kitty is happy right now and eating lots and lots of food. So I'm just going to try not to think about 'what if'. At least, not anymore today (I've cried ever since the call).
-T
Posted by Phillipa on December 18, 2007, at 19:19:44
In reply to Biopsy diagnosis - Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma, posted by TexasChic on December 18, 2007, at 17:58:12
TC sounds like a good idea let the doc do the reaearch. Phillipa
Posted by ClearSkies on December 18, 2007, at 19:55:01
In reply to Biopsy diagnosis - Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma, posted by TexasChic on December 18, 2007, at 17:58:12
Oh, dear. Cats sure have different physiologies from people - you just can't compare the hurts and say "it's all fixed now" or "it's all bad" - they are just so DIFFERENT. I had a dear one with diabetes who thrived for three years while getting twice daily insulin injections from me. Who would have thought he'd be so resilient, and so trusting and complacent, too? What a great cat he was.
It's great that you're kitty is feeling so much better and eating - I'm sure he's more comfortable.
CS
Posted by TexasChic on December 18, 2007, at 20:11:22
In reply to Re: Biopsy diagnosis - Malignant Fibrous Histiocyt » TexasChic, posted by ClearSkies on December 18, 2007, at 19:55:01
I'm trying to stay strong. I just thought after the surgery there was nothing else to worry about (or at least I tried to convince myself of that). But now this. At least I know he's feeling good now, and that's what really matters. I just can't help but think that I've become so dependent on his company as opposed to people, and without it I would be so lost and lonely.
-T
Posted by Phillipa on December 18, 2007, at 20:57:43
In reply to Thanks yall, posted by TexasChic on December 18, 2007, at 20:11:22
You know that's why I've always had two little dogs at the same time besides company for each other if something happens to one you must stay strong for the other. Phillipa
Posted by Kath on December 19, 2007, at 20:41:17
In reply to Thanks yall, posted by TexasChic on December 18, 2007, at 20:11:22
Hi TC - My thoughts are with you & kitty. I hope everything will be okay.
much love, Kath
Posted by texaschic on December 21, 2007, at 9:54:05
In reply to Re: Thanks yall » TexasChic, posted by Kath on December 19, 2007, at 20:41:17
I have communicated with one of the oncologists (cancer dr.) at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. She stated that this type of tumor is indeed very rare to occur in the spleen. It does occur typically under the skin or in the bone. Since they are rarely in the spleen, the way that they behave biologically is not well understood or predictable. She said that when they occur elsewhere, they are slow to spread, and do so via the bloodstream. She was guessing that it will behave in that fashion, but really does not know since there are no other cases to compare it to. Historically this type of tumor does not respond well to chemotherapy either. She anticipated spread to either lungs, liver, or other vascular organs to occur in a year. She said that long term prognosis was not good. If you are interested in referral to the college, let me know. Keep me posted on how he's doing. We'll see him next week for suture removal.
--------------
All I really got out of that was he only has about a year left.
-T
Posted by ClearSkies on December 21, 2007, at 10:57:38
In reply to Here's what my Vet emailed me..., posted by texaschic on December 21, 2007, at 9:54:05
TC, your vet sounds like he's very up front with you, which is so important where our pets are concerned. Having a serious health issue like this is such a trial - having the most accurate information sure does help take some of the mystery away.
Is your kitty continuing to do well post-surgery, eating and getting around OK?
CS
Posted by texaschic on December 21, 2007, at 12:00:39
In reply to Re: Here's what my Vet emailed me... » texaschic, posted by ClearSkies on December 21, 2007, at 10:57:38
Anytime I put down food he gobbles it up! And this morning he was really bouncy and running all fast and crazy around the house. He hadn't done that in a long time. So he's feeling really good. I just can't imagine not having him there. And knowing he's going to get sick again, and may be gone this time next year, it just kills me! I just don't feel like I can handle it.
-T
Posted by ClearSkies on December 21, 2007, at 13:03:17
In reply to Re: Here's what my Vet emailed me..., posted by texaschic on December 21, 2007, at 12:00:39
> Anytime I put down food he gobbles it up! And this morning he was really bouncy and running all fast and crazy around the house. He hadn't done that in a long time. So he's feeling really good. I just can't imagine not having him there. And knowing he's going to get sick again, and may be gone this time next year, it just kills me! I just don't feel like I can handle it.
>
> -TI felt the same way when I found out my kitty had diabetes. If anything, he seemed to be extra affectionate and appreciative of the attention he got whenever he got sick. But he became even more precious to me because of his illness, and I treasured all the time we had. And, after his initial diagnosis, he lived more than three years! He withstood twice daily insulin injections, and various health crises during that time. He beat all the odds and lived almost 18 wonderful and loving years. He was a very special kitty - he even got to live in England with me for seven of those years, a widely traveled cat.
Try to remember that the cat has no notion of "tomorrow" - and as long as he is in the today, and eating well, and playing and enjoying himself, then that's where we should be as well. (Easy to say and hard to do, I know. We keep thinking ahead to those tomorrows with dread.) If we could only think like our cats do, we'd be just fine :-)
You're a good cat-mom, TC, and your kitty knows it. Give him a hug for me, if he accepts hugs.
ClearSkies
Posted by Kath on December 21, 2007, at 21:36:51
In reply to Re: Here's what my Vet emailed me..., posted by texaschic on December 21, 2007, at 12:00:39
Oh TC, I am so sorry. At least he seems to be doing extremely well right now.
If at any point, you want support from people going through similar things, there's a web support group. My daughter belonged to it when Loki was sick. Just ask me if you want the website. As there are times when I don't check in here, if you wanted to contact me about it, you could babblemail me just to make sure I know.
Hopefully that won't be for a long time, if at all. Do they know for SURE that kitty has cancer?
I send you the biggest hugs, TC & wish I lived close enough to give them in person.
love, Kath
Life ain't fair.
Posted by Phillipa on December 21, 2007, at 22:23:29
In reply to Re: Here's what my Vet emailed me... » texaschic, posted by Kath on December 21, 2007, at 21:36:51
Kath wished you lived near me too. Love Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on December 22, 2007, at 23:34:18
In reply to Here's what my Vet emailed me..., posted by texaschic on December 21, 2007, at 9:54:05
I'm sorry. I know how much it hurts. This can be a special time too, though. A time to make memories for you and to create happiness for him.
You might want to contact the hospital. Of the two dogs of mine that I can think of offhand who had cancer with a poor prognosis, I didn't do chemo with either of them. But I did do alternate experimental treatments. The last one my vet suggested an experimental treatment protocol with tamoxifen where the idea was to starve the tumor of nutrients rather than kill the cells with chemo. The first one (pancreatic cancer) I can't recall how it worked, but my vet had to get the medication from the people hospital to do the trial. Both of them had results better than would be expected with traditional chemo. Neither lived a very long time, but I appreciated the time we did have together.
Also, our local vets didn't have much of a direction to go on with my little one who's got a neurological problem right now, but the specialist in Houston was able to point out a treatment plan, and actually read the test results completely differently than the local specialty clinic. She's been diagnosed for over a year now, and hasn't gotten any worse for some time now.
I'm not trying to give you false hope. Sometimes there is nothing we can do, and it can be ridiculously expensive to do the treatments as well. It's so sad that our furry friends live such a shorter period of time than we do.
Posted by Kath on December 23, 2007, at 14:16:44
In reply to Re: Here's what my Vet emailed me... » texaschic, posted by Dinah on December 22, 2007, at 23:34:18
about how much money to spend or if you don't have it or WHAT to do!!!!!
Kath
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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