CancerCompass message board discussion started by Sharbysyd on 2/1/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,20557,0.htm Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ On January 7, I found a lump on my 14-yr old cat, Kirby - on his ribcage. He seemed fine.I went to get it diagnosed and the vet said she didn't think it was cancer but his x-ray showed a nodule the size of a ping pong ball in his lung which she was fairly certain was cancer.   They didn't have much in the way of treatment options other than to give him a month to live if we gave him Prednisone. He has been going downhill - barely eating.  The vet has since said that the lump on his ribcage is also cancer.   The lump on his ribcage has grown noticeably over the last 2 weeks.I was a basket case at first.  It all came along so suddenly.   I am trying some homeopathic and holistic treatments but it's not looking good.  I'm looking for a way to prepare for the time when I have to say goodbye to him.  I pray that I won't have to put him to sleep, but I fear that I will.   I went online looking for Pet Grief sites and found one but since my pet hasn't passed, I didn't know if it was ok to post.  I read about pet cancer forums so I thought I'd try here.  Is there a place I can go and post in order to help prepare for the day I have to say goodbye? Thank you. Sharbysyd Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am so sorry to hear about Kirby's cancer.  We are all in that boat on this site.  I think you are the first "cat" person, but we welcome you with open arms.  I will say the same to you - enjoy each and every day you have with him.  There are some miracle "babies" on this site who have beaten the odds and lived much longer than first anticipated.  Use each day to its fullest and don't let him see you upset.  There is a wonderful site you can go to www.petloss.com - you can add Kirby to the Monday nite candle ceremony - for pets that need extra help.  Please do come back. Kacees Mom Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am sorry about your Kirby's diagnosis.  You have come to the right place for support.  I do think most here are canine cases.  But they are all our babies.  I agree with the above poster and encourage you to enjoy every moment you have with your Kirby.  And yes, there are many that have made it much longer than expected.  Keep coming here for support!!Muffie's mom fairydiva Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thank you both for the kind messages and the hope that maybe Kirby will be around longer than expected.   It really helps.It's nice to know that there are miracle pets out there.   We thought we were losing Kirby earlier today but he's still with us and seems about the same.  He had an episode where he threw up and we thought he was dying, but he's ok.  I talked to the vet and she said it was probably the catnip that I had given him to stimulate his apetite. He got overstimulated.   He's hanging in there.  I'm glad I found this site.    I'm sorry for all of those who are also suffering through having their pets have cancer.  I know how hard it is. Sharon Sharbysyd Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sharon, so glad to hear that Kirby is still hanging in there.  It can be such an up and down/ day to day thing.  And don't forget to take care of yourself too ;)  fairydiva Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT I have heard that apricot seeds help pets with cancer. saucey Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT I just wanted to let those who responded to my message know that Kirby did pass away.  He died on Feb 10.   I'm still having difficulty with it and have been visiting the Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Forum.   I also attend a local Pet Loss Support Group and have actually become Co-Leader of the group.   Thank you to those on here who were kind enough to respond to my messages and to care about Kirby.  I wish he could have been with me longer. Sharon Sharbysyd Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Dear SharonAs a veterinary surgeon I just can tell you It´s always amazing to see a cat with 14.It shows all about owners care and love for them. You did the possible thing...As a person i just can send you a big hug and... cuddle him with your memories.sara vaterhelp Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I too lost both of my cats to cancer.  They were brothers (both from the same litter).  Pepper lived to be 12; Mittens 14.  Mittens was my husband's best buddy.  He cried like a baby when we had to have Mittens put to sleep two years ago.  They both had cancer together.  Sadly, my husband died just this past February 22 of stomach cancer.  He had stage IV for 3 years. I know they are all together in heaven.  Sound crazy?  No way.  God loves all his creations.  They're waiting for me.Diane  Anniedips Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Dear Sharon,I was so sorry to read about the loss of your beloved cat, Kirby.  It's devastating to lose a companion that you have had for such a long time. Clearly, you were a wonderful cat Mom.  I hope the support group is able to give you comfort; it sounds as if you are doing everything you can to get through this time.Good luck to you.Marty  Gentleannie Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I checked back on this site today and sorry to hear that Kirby has passed.   Yesterday marked the second month since losing my cat to oral cancer.  The house is still empty without her and sometimes hard to believe she is gone.  It all happened so quickly.  Took her to the vet thinking she had abcessed tooth and came home without her.  Those pet loss sites are a great comfort, though most of the time I am crying when I read the stories.  Only a pet owner knows the grief you go through.  Let is hope that one day we will be able to remember our pets without an ache in our hearts. Joyce  Joycer Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I'm so sorry to hear about Kirby. I too am going through the same situation with my girl Poohba. I fear this may be our last week together. She's been declining but this weekend ever more so. I too wonder how do you say goodbye to your fur baby who has been with you for 17 years. I hope she goes peacefully in her sleep so I don't have to make the decision to bring her in... F4rtncooki Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I just found this site as I too have been searching for somewhere to get support.  Our 1 and a half year old cat was diagnosed yesterday with an inoperable lymphoma mass in her chest.  We opted not to give her chemo as it was not going to be of any benefit, maybe give her a few extra weeks. However, as she was also diagnosed with Feline Leukemia, the vet said the treatment itself could be unpleasant.  We decided to treat her with prednisone for a bit to give her a few good weeks with us ( a chance to spoil her a bit ) and then we will euthanize her at home with us.  If there was any chance for a cure, we would take it.  We are not wealthy but she is a part of our family ( two legs or four ) and we owe it to her to give her the best chance she has.  She has given us so much...more than you could ever put a monetary value on.  I'm hoping that somehow we will find the strength to get through this but my gosh...it is soooo hard Lisbeth Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT I read your email with regret.  I lost my cat to oral cancer the end of January, but I had had her for 19 years.  Your cat is still so young, so that is especially hard to hear about.  I guess I was lucky to have mine for so long, but geez, I miss her terribly.  Life is not the same without her.  I hope the prednisone will keep your kitty "well" for the next little bit until it's time to go.  Love it and pamper it, though I am sure you will.  Just be kind and don't let kitty linger on and be in pain.  If I had known my cat had cancer I would have put her down much sooner (I thought she had an abcessed tooth that only needed pulling).  You are in my thoughts and keep strong through this sad time.  KIitty will know it's been well loved and that is an important memory to keep. Joyce   Joycer Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT