Sydney's Devastating Update.

[kittykatharine]

The vet let me know today that the result of the biopsy is that she has an aggressive form of lymphoma. She is going to call me next week to let me know my options for treatment and life expectancy. Right now, I was told - chemotherapy, surgery (although due to the location, this may not be optional), and steroid treatment. Please has anyone ever experienced this diagnosis before. I am absolutely devastated. As of this point in time, I don't even know how long she has. Please any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Catty1]

HUGS!!!!

Make a list of questions to ask your vet. That way you will have the clear questions in front of you as you will be emotional and maybe forget what to ask.

1. Treatment options: Cryogenic surgery? (freeze-drying the tumour?) Is there a specialist you can take Sydney to? OR, is there a veterinary teaching hospital not too far away?

2. How about a second opinion from a homeopathic vet?

3. Medications: Regressin? (Prednisone will help swelling and keep Sydney more comfortable.

4. Transfer Factor - here is the link: http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/tf/s/pets.htm

I could not find the personal testimony page, but here is the email addy of the person Emeraldgreen has been in touch with: Feline squamous cell tumor in remission
From Bethany in Texas email: fingerpaint<at>gmail.com

Testimonials from vets: http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/tf/s/pets.htm#testimonials

AND - remember that there are lots of people here willing to help out if $$ get crazy! This is your baby's life and we all understand that. :love:

I have a cheque coming in in the next few days, and could certainly spare a bit.

[Karen]

So sorry to hear this. Hopefully others will chime in.

[Moesha]

I have not had a pet with cancer, so I don't really have any helpful information to give you. But I am very sorry to hear this news and I can only imagine the terrible feelings you are having right now. I do hope that treatment can help your dear Sydney.

[jenluckenbach]

Prayers for Sydney. I wish I could give info, but I don't know enough to be of help.

[kittykatharine]

Catty1, thank you so much for your support and generosity. I am making a list of questions to ask my vet next week and I am going to have to sit down and figure out which treatment option will be the best and least painful for her. Unfortunately, the closest veterinarian specialist and/or teaching hospital is 5 hours away (Auburn, Alabama). My vet is consulting with them next week and will be getting back to me. Once I have made a decision on what to do, I will be applying to IMOM for some help. The vet told me whether I go with chemo or surgery, it will probably cost $3,000 +. I am currently in the process of calling my family to see if they can help a little bit. I am trying to stay productive, so I can give my baby her last figting chance. I will keep everyone posted.




HUGS!!!!

Make a list of questions to ask your vet. That way you will have the clear questions in front of you as you will be emotional and maybe forget what to ask.

1. Treatment options: Cryogenic surgery? (freeze-drying the tumour?) Is there a specialist you can take Sydney to? OR, is there a veterinary teaching hospital not too far away?

2. How about a second opinion from a homeopathic vet?

3. Medications: Regressin? (Prednisone will help swelling and keep Sydney more comfortable.

4. Transfer Factor - here is the link: http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/tf/s/pets.htm

I could not find the personal testimony page, but here is the email addy of the person Emeraldgreen has been in touch with: Feline squamous cell tumor in remission
From Bethany in Texas email: fingerpaint<at>gmail.com

Testimonials from vets: http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/tf/s/pets.htm#testimonials

AND - remember that there are lots of people here willing to help out if $$ get crazy! This is your baby's life and we all understand that. :love:

I have a cheque coming in in the next few days, and could certainly spare a bit.

[Moesha]

Please do keep us posted and use us as a support while you are dealing with this difficult situation. We want to hear about what is going on and will really be here to help in many ways.

[kittykatharine]

I researched online that transfer factor, and decided that I have nothing to loose and bought a bottle. I am going to check with my vet next week to make sure it doesn't react with any of the medications she is currently on. I am going to spend this entire weekend researching what I can, to see if I can I can help her. I love my little girl:( Thanks again everyone for your support!

[Catty1]

Link to support site: http://felinelymphomacaregivers.org/


7. Response to initial therapy is perhaps the most reliable prognostic factor. Although this requires commitment from the owner to initiate treatment and maintain the treatment for a sufficient period to determine response, this time frame is often not more than four to eight weeks. Cats that achieve a complete remission initially may continue to have durable remissions, extending for more than 12-18 months. Encouraging the owner of cat with lymphoma to attempt treatment and setting a decision point four to eight weeks following the treatment will give the benefit to the cats and does not risk substantial toxicity or expense.


Combination chemotherapy is more effective than single agent chemotherapy. However, the activity of each single must be known before incorporation into multi-agent protocol. The use of prednisone alone is considered palliative therapy, and in fact, may reduce the ability to subsequent effectiveness of combination protocols. Therefore, initiate combination therapy within a short time following diagnosis rather than start prednisone for several weeks with the intention of instituting the rest of the drugs later.

The incorporation of doxorubicin into combination protocols has provided a significant benefit to many dogs with lymphoma. This compound requires more extensive monitoring and knowledge regarding management of potential side effects. However, it is currently recommended as a component of the treatment regimen, unless contraindications to its use exist.

kittykatherine - I found a page with many links to other resources. Some of the links are "parked" - but I hope you will find some that are helpful. They were provided by a woman who lost her kitty to a certain type of lymphoma; kitty was 14 and the tumour was elsewhere in the body. I won't post the link as I think reading the story will sadden you, but she had some excellent lessons to pass on:


LESSONS LEARNED

There are several things I learned during Woodrow’s illness – some by default – which I will pass along for those who are interested.

For any illness with your cat: If you’re not sure about the treatment recommended for your cat, get a second opinion. Or a third. Or whatever it takes until you are sure. Learn as much as you can about the illness and the options for treating it. Decide what you want for your pet, and also what you don’t want. Be clear about this with the vet and techs – without being rude, of course. The same is true if you’re not happy about the way you or your pet is being treated by your vet and/or staff. Try talking it out first, but if they can’t or won’t do what you want, find someone who will.

For cancer: I think the best thing I did was to get a second opinion with a board certified veterinary oncologist. If there isn’t any near you, try a board certified veterinary internist. Even if you are happy with your primary vet, as I was, veterinary oncology is changing so quickly that it’s extremely difficult for a general practice vet to keep up.

Ask for copies of all notes and tests on your pet as they are done. And keep your own notes (on what you notice about your pet after each treatment, response to medications, about what the vets tell you, etc.). These can help your vet in making treatment decisions, and help you avoid confusion later on. With Woodrow’s care, the medications were so numerous, and the amounts and timing changed so often that – even though I have a fairly good memory – I couldn’t have kept it all straight.

For feline cancer, maintaining good nutritional status is very important. Make certain your cat is weighed on the same scale each time it goes in to the clinic. If it starts to lose weight, ask if either Hills a/d or Clinicare are advisable. These are nutritionally complete cat foods that also are nutritionally dense: that is, they contain everything your cat needs for long-run good nutritional status, but in smaller portions. This way, cats that can’t or won’t eat enough to maintain their weight can be fed smaller portions and still not lose weight.


Feline Cancer: Individual Cases
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/1151/biffy.html
http://www.lava.net/~kitster/dailylog.html
http://barbarascamera.com/punkie.htm
http://www-cis.usc.edu/~laura/cats/cancer.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~ldills/

Feline Cancer: General Information and Resources

http://www.gcvs.com/oncology/pwc/rulesoftheroad.htm (My cat has cancer - what should I do first?)
http://www.onelist.com/ ((FIND list, then ANIMALS, then CATS,
then FELINE LYMPHOMA {also FELINE CANCER})
http://oncolink.upenn.edu/specialty/vet_onc
http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/clinsci/wing/enteral.html (Nutrition Calculator)

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this sad news.:( I'll continue to keep Sydney in my thoughts and prayers.

[Medusa]

I wish that I could help w/more info but Catty1 is expert when it comes to investigation, so you're in good hands there. In the meantime, I'll do what I do best and that's pray for you and Sydney. (((HUGS)))

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Will be happy to contribute to Sydney's treatment.

Hugs to you both

[CheyennePrincess]

;):love: I'm so very very sorry to hear about Sydney. I know how heartbroken & upset you are. Justknow you & Sydney both will be in my prayers. I lost my pomeranian in 82 from liver cancer. She died the day they was to the testing on her. So I know a little how your feeling.If anything would happen to my furry babies I know I'd be just heartbroken. I hope. I just hope whatever treatment Sydney gets it will help ;)

[Catty1]

I keep forgetting to attach the fact sheet on Regressin! :rolleyes:

Here it is (pdf).

[kittykatharine]

Thanks so much Catty1! Your information has been so very helpful. I have a list of questions for my Vet tommorrow. I am starting to worry though that it may be too late - everything seems to working against me. My vet has not been the most dilligent in getting back to me quickly - even though time is of the essence, there is not ONE vet oncologist in a 250 mile radius, and through my resarch, it is indicated the best treatment technique would require linear radiation therapy - of which she would have to be seen 5x a week for at least three weeks. Auburn is the closest place that can perform this and it is a three and a half hour drive both ways. Additionally, I think she is getting worse by the day - her nose is bleeding again and everytime she sneezes she sprays it all over the walls. I feel so hopeless - I feel that I have all the references I need and a treatment that has been found to be very successful with remission for her type of lymphoma, yet because I live in the middle of nowhere - she hasnt a chance. The only thing that I have to offer her here in my area is chemo. I will find out tommorrow if that is even an option for her. I want you to know that you have been so wonderful to me in this horrible time in my life. I really wish you could see how appreciative I am of your help. I am going to keep on fighting till the end. I have never been a quitter in my life and I am not going to start now. I will keep you updated.

[Catty1]

Do you know anyone in Auburn you can stay with?

Would your kitty be ok 'staying overnight' in hospital for a few days, for three weeks?

Remember, folks here are happy to help out!

She is likely sneezing and bleeding from the biopsy. It must be really scary!

HUGS and PT Prayers to you and Sydney. I'd see if she can stay in Auburn for the treatment.

They could work out a payment plan; we can help; and if they are willing to work with iMom (apply as soon as you know what the treatment is going to be, because the vet has to fax back something to iMom).

It ain't over yet, hon. Best of luck tomorrow! I hope she will agree with the linear radiation. I don't know about Regressin and nasal tumours, but it can't hurt! :love::)

[kittykatharine]

I don't know anyone in Auburn. I will ask for a price estimate if Sydney needs to stay there for the extended three week period. I don't quite know what is going on just yet. I am going to call my vet first thing in the morning. Thanks again.

[Emeraldgreen]

Alot of vet hospitals offer boarding for cats so hopefully this hospital in Auburn does as well. If they do offer this, maybe you could provide some bedding that smells like home and other comforting things. And hopefully you could visit her each week to let her know that you haven't gone away or anything.
If the hospital doesn't board cats, maybe you could locate a boarding facility close to the hospital and ask them how much more they might charge to run her to the clinic each day. I know it seems like no one would do that but if I ran a boarding facility and someone asked me, I'd do it. I'd have to factor in the cost of travel to and from the clinic and time but it could be do-able.
Praying for the best outcome! :)