fuck cancer

GBCK

So the Mr. just called, they're relatively sure that our old kitty has cancer.

She's not 'old', she's 12ish--so not a spring chicken either.

They're going to keep her overnight, and do a biopsy (which will go to MSU--so this biopsy is running us about $400), because the difficult next questions (like is this treatable?  removable?  quality of life if we do nothing?  how much we can afford) questions aren't answerable until they do the biopsy.

Buffy knew that the kitty was going to the vets today, I'm hoping not to have to have a conversation tonight about where kitty is--because I don't see the point of talking to her about it until we have more answers.  

(on the plus side, kitty has been acting 100% normal and not loosing a ton of weight, etc.  So at least she's feeling normal?  other than being pissed at being at the vets and now having a shaved tummy)

mrsconn23

::hugs::

::kitty vibes:: 

Heffalump

I'm sorry about your kitty, GBCK.  You're right, 12 isn't -that- old.  Vibes for a healthy kitty with treatable cancer, if they're right about it being cancer.  FWIW, you probably know this, but I didn't until I worked in animal health:  cats and dogs tend to tolerate chemo really well, better than most people.  Typically no nausea, hair loss, etc.  JIC.

Just out of curiosity, what made them suspicious?

GBCK

The Mr. and I felt a lump Saturday.
And when I say a lump, I mean it was HUGE.  I have NO idea how we could have missed it (although she has INCREDIBLY think fur, so feeling her skin is hard).  We wrestled with her to take a look and it was clearly under the skin--and her nipple looked like a giant zit so we got her the first appt we could today.

(and they said the Mr's choices were 1-do nothing [not recommended], 2-do a 'needlectomy' which would be cheaper but not give many real answers, 3-do a surgery and try to remove it--but no real answers because they wouldn't know if she needed chemo after that or 4-biopsy, then figure it out.  And that's the one that makes sense.
Because there are both practical and budget limits to what we can do--but she's young enough that we may land well within those limits.)

Chemo that doesn't make her feel like crap would be all sorts of awesome.  And she'd be glad to keep her fur
I do like and trust our vet--she's expensive, but awesome.  We do have a good working relationship w/ a cheaper vet, for when ours is out of budget.  And being right next to MSU is kinda awesome--expensive as hell, but awesome, for this sort of thing.

6fsn

Aw, I'm sorry

 

weddingcactus

I'm so sorry about your kitty. I really hope it turns out to be absolutely nothing or can be removed cleanly. Our beloved German Shepherd received a cancer diagnosis a few years ago and after two surgeries and checking a few more lumps with fine needle aspirations, she's still going strong! I hope your kitty makes a similar recovery. Best wishes and virtual hugs to you and your husband and your sweet kitty. 

VarunaTT

Oh GB, you know I'm sorry to hear this.  Vibes for good outcomes.  Also, vibes for easy pill giving, if chemo is required.

MNNEBride

Sorry, GB.  Cancer sucks.

*Barbie*

I'm really sorry to hear about your kitty. Hopefully it's easily treatable, and not too expensive. 

It was pretty tough on Wolverine this summer when we lost Rogue due to cancer - she knew going into the vet's office that Rogue was going to die (we told her that she was too sick and the doctors couldn't make her better), but she didn't really get it until we went home without Rogue. (She wasn't in the room for the injection - DK and I were.) It took her a few days to get back to normal, but she sprung back. Hopefully Buffy won't need to deal with any of that for a long time. 

0Face

I'm sorry to hear about your kitty.  That's horrible, I hope it something that can be taken care of easily. 

thejucheidea

I hope everything comes back benign!

I found a dime-sized lump on our dog Zoë's chest last week. We have a vet visit on the 18th, so I'm hoping it's just like... fat or something.

GBCK

the Mr. picked her up this morning.

She is ANGRY.  And hates us all.  And thinks we suck.  And thinks that the fabric e-collar suckes even more.  And hates the other cat.  and the dog.  And doesn't think her collar fits through the litterbox opening (it does, but the Mr. took the covers off so she wouldn't wig out)

 We have to give her pills every day for a few weeks (THAT should be fun). and they had trouble w/ the stitches because of her tumor placement, so, have to watch them closely. I'm quite sure she's going to glower at us for a few days.
Yay for being appropriately feisty?

0Face

AW, sadly I'd rather see a resentful/feisty pet than a moping/stropping pet.

*Barbie*

poor, grumpy kitty. when will you know more? 

GBCK

They said it'll be a week (ish) for the biopsy to come back, and the stitches probably have to stay in at least 2 weeks (longer than normal because of the tumor-suture-problems.

So next week's biopsy results should let us start having a plan.

(Understandably horrible thoughts--that lets us push this off until after Christmas.  For Buffy's sake, that'll be easier)

AlanCWalden

Oh ! Very Sad