Bassett's surgery...

I'm posting a new thread about Bassett's surgery, in case people haven't been keeping up with the "Some not so good news" thread. It's the same information as the other post, just in a new place.



Ok.. I'm finally able to give you that big update I promised before.

On Friday Bassett went in again to have another 150cc drawn off. I have now started thinking about the surgery options. I talked to a surgeon on Friday, and I really really liked her. She explained everything to me in a clear way without dummying it down.. she did not make me feel stupid or anything. I would be very comfortable with this woman giving Bassett her surgery.

The surgery is very extensive and invasive. They have to open up Bassett's chest cavity (thoracotomy) and then there are three procedures that take place.

1) First the pericardium, or the sac that the heart sits in, is removed. Dr. Schiller (the surgeon) says that in removing this sac, the flow dynamics of the blood and lymph fluids (the chyle that accumulates in Bassett's chest is a lymph fluid) is changed. In removing this sac, the heart does not have to work as hard and therefore the pressure on the vessels is less. She described it as "removing an avenue for the fluid to accumulate."

2) The next step is the thoracic duct ligation. This means that the thoracic duct would be tied off just where it enters the chest cavity, forcing the fluid to find another place to dispel and then be absorbed by the body's fat. Where it is accumulating now, there is nothing to absorb it, and that's why it's just sitting in Bassett's pleural cavity rather than being absorbed.

3) The last part of the surgery is some omentum, which is fat from around the small intestine, is brought up through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity, so that if fluid does accumulate, the omentum fat can act like a wick and draw the fluid out of the chest.

After the surgery, Bassett would have to stay in intensive care for at least five days, and then I don't know if I would take her home or if I would have to leave her at my own vet for a period of time (this surgery would be done at the same critical care unit that Bassett had her ultrasound). The surgeon said that this is Bassett's best chance at making it through this disease, and even at that the success rate is only 30-50%. I don't know if that means a complete recovery or if it includes even a partial recovery. What I mean by that is this procedure sometimes is a complete cure, a partial cure meaning fluid still accumulates but medical managment and drug therapy can control it, and sometimes if cures the cat for a while and then the disease can come back. Also, there is a chance it won't work at all.

Now for the final blow.. Dr. Schiller wrote me up an estimate, and the total came to $4750. That does not include my other expenses like travel, finding a place to stay, etc. I still have a lot of questions for the surgeon and so I'm not 100% sure this is what I want to do, but I'm leaning this way. Bassett is so happy and chipper otherwise, that I feel like it would be unfair to not give her this opportunity. However, it's a very expensive chance. I still feel like I need to talk to the surgeon about the risks and everything.

I'm also going to ask you all a favour. If you could, try to put yourself into my situation, and think of the questions you would have for the surgeon. I'm so overwhelmed because I'm so involved with this that I'm sure there are things I should ask that I am not thinking of. Then I can print them out and call the surgeon about it. That would be a great help to me.

So, I think that's all I know so far. I will be getting in touch with the bank tomorrow to see if I can take out some kind of loan. I need to set up the money in case I decide to do this.

Thank you all for the continued support and prayers.

Naomi

Poor Bassett. :(

Sending many {{{hugs}}} for you both.

Can the vet tell you Bassett chances of having a complete cure V partial recovery ?

This must be such a difficult decision for you too make and a very expensive operation to cover.

Thinking of you at this very difficult time.

Bassett - we're praying for you and your mommy! She is worried about your health, about how to make you better, and about the cost of the surgery. She is doing her best to balance some very difficult issues, so do your part and keep trying to get better!

Naomi - your situation brings up two touchy subjects -
money vs. pets. Most of us would say we'd spend ANY amount on our beloved pets, but when faced with the facts, we might choose differently. Or, we want to spend the money, but we just don't have it! That doesn't make us "bad"; we each must decide for ourselves and our pets.

surgery vs. not. When the vet gives us choices that could have a terrible outcome, we might choose the course that someone else thinks is wrong. And we have to live with that choice forever. It is very very scary!

Just know that many PetTalk people have had to face these choices and we want to support you through whatever you decide!

Naomi,

I have a few questions:

*What Bassett's life would be like after the surgery.

*Removing the sack the heart sits in, would that effect her after?

*Medical management, does that mean more ultrasounds?

*Will the meds be the same as what she's currently taking?

*Can you be connected with a pet owner who's cat has had this procedure?

*How many of these surgeries has she done? Maybe she's able to tell you what she feels Bassett's chances of a recovery are.

I'm so, so sorry you are having to deal with this. Whatever avenue you choose, know that David and I are here for you. We know how much you love your little girl, that she's your heart kitty, like my Noah. I can't even imagine your thoughts and feelings. I do know that things are part of a greater plan and that Bassett will be taken care of and happy. God loves all his creation. I know its amazingly hard to swallow that she even has this, but she's a trooper and is being strong for us all. She's an amazing little girl...

Love,
Kelly, David and the furkids :)

Naomi, I'm not sure what to say...:( We all support you no matter what you decide to do. *Hugs* to Bassett.

Naomi, I am something like Wolf Q in that I`m not sure what to say. Such hard decisions to be made. Please know that you have my support in whatever you do, along with my love and prayers.

Big, big, hugs.
Chris

Only you can answer the question of whether to proceed. It's you who is seeing Bassett's health failing without surgery, but it will also be you who'll be in debt and going through the stress of putting her through major surgery.

I feel a bit useless in that I can't give an opinion one way or the other, bit if it were one of my cats which was young and otherwise healthy, then I'd think seriously about proceeding with surgery.

NoahsMommy raised some interesting questions, especially about trying to contact people who've had pets go through the surgery. Also, how will you feel if you put her through the surgery, but six months down the track her symptoms return - what will you do? We can all hope and pray for a happy outcome, but you need to look into your heart and consider all possible outcomes and do the best for Bassett.

My heart is going out to you, Naomi. You've been through so much with your girl. I really, really hope you make the right decision for both of you.

Naomi, I also don't know what to say here. Only you can make this choice about Bassett and please remember that I'll support your decision in whatever you decide to do. I also think that Kelly has posted a lot of very good questions for you to ask the surgeon. I'm so sorry that it's come down to this. Please take care. {{{HUGS}}}

Pray about it, and do whatever you feel is most reasonable for Bassett as well as yourself! I think everyone here will support whatever decision you make!;)

Wow, what a decision you have to make! Kelly did have some good questions for the surgeon. We were told that the surgery was not 100% effective like you were, but you are talking about something completely different then what we were told. So, that makes me wonder if there are different types of surgery out there.....see if there are other surgical options.

No matter what your decision is, we are also here for you, and are very interested in the outcome.............you never know when this information will be needed by someone else.

We are here for you!
Bunny & the boys

Oh, Naomi, what a tough decision you have to take.

I think Kelly's questions are very good and I also would ask the surgeon how the odds are. The surgery and the period after will be a very hard time for poor Bassett and if the chances are low that the surgery is a full success, then it might be too stressy for her.

You should also try to calculate the additional cost if you have to control the problem with drugs etc. later.

If it was just the money issue and you could be more or less sure that Bassett after the surgery can lead a normal life and get 14 years and older, you would find a solution...

I am sure you will be able to take the right decision. But it seems nearly too tough to put up with.

Naomi,

I really don't know what to say. I will be here for you now matter what your decision is. You and Bassett are in my thoughts and prayers.

Rosemary

Naomi, first of all, I am very, very sorry to hear about your baby. I know it is so tough on everyone involved. She is such a little trooper to have pulled through so many times.

Here's my opinion. If you have a good candiate for treatment and possibly a recovery, then go forward. If you have a bad candiate, as in behavior problems during treatments etc. and the Vet has little hope, then I would not proceed. But of course there is that question of money. And that question can be answered only by you. No one here would condem you for not going forward with such an expensive proposition. It is not bad to allow an animal to pass on to the next world, in a painless way.

I went through this with Gabe first when he was sick- and since the Vet had only bad news and he was not a good candiate behavior wise during Vet visits, he was allowed to sleep forever.

Graemer was an ok candiate for treatment, great behavior wise, but didn't make it - and he too is now asleep forever and out of pain.

The decision is yours as you are Bassetts MOM! She will always love you no matter what and when you decide.

Love and compassion.
SAS

Naomi: My first question is how long do you have, before you have to make a decision?? And as NoahsMommy said, I would be very interested in speaking to someone who's kitty has had the same procedure. Don't know if that's possible but hopefully.
Will the Critical Care Hospital allow you to make payments??

It's a tough decision and I wish we could tell you what to do but your heart will let you know. Whatever you decide, we are behind you all the way and prayers are continuing for you and the furkids.

luv

You know we will be with you, whatever decision you make. My questions for the vet would be:

1. How common is this procedure?
2. How many of these operations has this surgeon done?
3. Any chance, as others have mentioned, of talking to people whose cats have been through this?
4. How with this effect her long-term health?
5. How will this effect her quality of life?
6. What are the side effects of this surgery?
7. If she will then be on medicine for the rest of her life, what are the side effects?

All our love to you and Bassett.