Slick,
I'm so glad to hear that Luba is doing well. You had a great vet who took the time to find out what the problem was.
Take a deep breath, exhale!!! ;)
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Slick,
I'm so glad to hear that Luba is doing well. You had a great vet who took the time to find out what the problem was.
Take a deep breath, exhale!!! ;)
I am so happy to hear that they found the problem and were able to correct it.
I will continue to keep little Luba in my prayers for a fast and full recovery.
Keep us updated.
I am so glad they found the problem and the surgery went well!
*KISSES* for Luba ... hope you have a speedy recovery you beautiful little kitty!!
Just heard that Luba is doing OK. Her fever has come down a little and things are looking up. She had a good night and is now resting comfortably. Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and prayers. You are a great bunch!!
Hugs to you all.
luv
Slick that is really great news!!! I am glad to hear that Luba is doing so much better.:)
great news for Luba and her family.:D
Yes! Thanks for the continued updates Slick. It's good to know she's improving as expected. I'm sure she'll be back home and better than ever in no time. :D
Thank you God for listening and helping the Doctor find Luba's problem. You have Blessed so many of our furbabies and PT friends. Thank you.
Thank goodness :)
My heart went into my throat when I saw a lot of replies to this thread, and hoped it wasn't bad news.
Hugs to Luba and her mummy for a quick recovery!
Sweet Luba, I'm sending many positive thoughts for your recovery! I'm glad you're in such a great facility where they could help you!
Kirsten
The pathology report has just come back and Luba has cancer. It was in her gall bladder that was removed but we have been told that it will very likely come back, probably in the liver. Treatment for the cancer is not an option at this point. Also, the lining of her stomach was very burned because of the bile that was leaking in from the gall bladder and that's what is causing her all the pain.
The thing that is so baffling is that Luba showed absolutely no signs or symptoms at all until last Friday night. How long has the cancer been festering??
My friend has some decisions to make.
1. They can send her home with a feeding tube and Luba will have to be fed every 4 hrs for the first 3 weeks. They work full time so someone would have to come in to do that. After that the tube will come out and she will have to be force-feed for a time until her appetite comes back. She MAY have a year out of this (no guarantees) and what would her quality of life be?? She would also have to go in every two months for an ultra-sound to see if the cancer is spreading/growing.
2. Give her a safe journey to the RB.
My friend and I have both been crying on the phone for the the past 10 min talking it over. If it were me and Speckles, I would opt to ease her pain by sending her to the RB.
I really need your opinions. I'm going to meet my friend at the ACC tomorrow night at 6pm to see her.
Please, may I ask that you say one more little prayer that the right decision is made.
Thank you.
I'm sooo sorry to hear this, Slick. :( :( How sad, and how terrible for your friend to have to make this decision. However, if Luba is in pain, the answer to me is obvious...but of course I'm not the one that has to make the decision.
Please give your friend hugs from me, and Luba too if possible before it's time....
I'm so sorry. :( :( :(
I'm so sorry to hear about Luba.
I am not in her shoes, but I think her voyage to the RB is probably the best option for her.
My prayers are with her and your friend.
Slick, I'm so sorry to hear this bads news about Luba.:( If it were my cat, I would give her a safe journey to RB. I just can't stand to see an animal suffer or not have the quality of life that they deserve. Prayers are on the way for your friend and for Luba too. I know that this decision will be a very difficult one.{{{HUGS}}}
Oh, no. I can't believe it.
I hope the best decision is made for Luba. {{{hugs}}}
:( Poor Luba.
Sending {{{hugs}}} to her mum
Sadly cats are designed to show no weakness/pain, as in the wild this would lead to them being captured and killed.
It is near impossible to tell when some cats get ill (some are better at hiding problems than others) :(
What sad news especially when we thought all went so well. And having already gone through surgery makes the decision even a bit harder. It's only human nature to think "I've already gone this far, I've already done this much, how can I quit now?", but the bottom line is the pain from the "ulcer". If the prognosis for receovery were better, than the trouble of tube feeding and force feeding would be worth the effort, but I do not know if a year of time for Luba with most of it in pain from the stomach is QUALITY OF LIFE. If the decision were mine I'd allow her the comfort of going to the RB (with a LOT of tears). {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}} to her mommie and my sincerest sympathies for this no-win situation. :(
After the previous good news it is even more sad to hear about the cancer and the resulting prognosis for Luba. :(
I know that right now your friend is facing the hardest decision any of us has to make, my prayers go out that she is able to make the right one for Luba.
{{Big Hugs}}
Oh no, these are very bad news! :( :( :(
Please tell your friend I'm feeling with her. (((HUGS))))
That's one of the "bad" things about cats, they won't let you know they are sick before they are in a real bad condition! :( Poor poor baby!
You asked how we would decide...
Well, I think if it was my baby, I think I would let her go to the RB. I know how hard this decision is, but I think everything else will be pain, suffering and fear - not only for poor Luba, also for her mommy. She would have to face the inevitable day by day, and I don't think with force -feeding and that tube, there would be much life quality left for Luba.
Keeping your friend and little Luba in my thoughts,
Kirsten
I had so hoped this thread was still going on good updates, how sad.:(
It's such a tough decision but I agree with the others that she should be allowed to go on to RB.
May your friend have the strength and courage to do what is best for her beloved Luba.
Thank you all for your kind words. Tonight when I visit Luba I'll be sure to tell her and her Meowmie how much your prayers have meant, and to think you all care about a kitty you have never met. (Here come the tears again.)
If I feel this bad with about a friend's kitty, I can only imagine the pain in my heart when it comes time for Speckles....:( :( and the crying some of you must have done when you've gone through the same thing.
Tonight, if the decision is made to help her pass to the RB, I'll stay there with them, if they want me to. She will have her husband there to comfort her so I'll let her make that decision. It's the least I can do. God it's going to be a long day.....
I'm so sorry that the good news went so bad. Poor Luba, her meowmie, and you Slick. It's breaking my heart and I even had to shed a few tears when you asked us what decision we would make. It's a horrible thing to send them on to RB but IMO I think it is more horrible to put her through feeding tubes and possible force feedings. I wouldn't want her last memories of life to be of such drastic and very frightening extremes when you know the inevitable is still coming.
God didn't answer our prayers for her to be whole and healthy again. We don't know why but there is a master plan. Luba is much needed on the other side.
May God grant peace in Luba's meowmie's heart and yours as well Slick. When the time is right may God make Luba's passing easy.
You are ALL in our thoughts and prayers.
I had to make this decision twice, so far. The first time, with Aysche, I wasn't even able to stay with her till the end, and I still feel bad about it.Quote:
If I feel this bad with about a friend's kitty, I can only imagine the pain in my heart when it comes time for Speckles.... and the crying some of you must have done when you've gone through the same thing.
I stayed with Katz when it's been her time. And with all the pain and sadness, it has also been a peaceful moment when she passed over.
I also believe it's all part of a plan we don't understand in these moments, but I see it that way: If I hadn't lost Aysche at that young age, Katz would never have come to me. And without Katz passing to the RB more than three years ago, I would never have met my wonderful sweet Luna girl!
I find it wonderful that you want to stay with your friend tonight. I know that your tears will mean a lot to her, because she will know how much you love her little girl.
I'll keep you in my thoughts tonight, (((HUGS))),
Kirsten
Oh, how I hate to hear this. I can't offer advice, I am too selfish to.
I just hate it for you friend to be faced with this awful decision. Does she have other cats that she can take comfort in?
I am just so sorry, and think it is wonderful that you are there for her and this tough decision she has to make. I am so selfish I would just want to keep her as long as possibe, somebody would have to make that decision for me. I just wouldn't be able to do it.
Willie
I'm desperately sorry things have turned out this way for Luba. Poor baby. Know that we will all be thinking of you tonight. I'm so glad you can be there with your friend to help her decide what's best for Luba.
Yes, Willie, they have two other kitties, Princess Scarlett who runs the household from her throne, and Ivan the Terrible, Scarlett's humble servant.Quote:
Originally posted by trayi52
I just hate it for you friend to be faced with this awful decision. Does she have other cats that she can take comfort in?
My prayers, thoughts and condolences are with you and your friend. The same thing happened with my Goldie - she showed no signs or symptoms until it got bad enough for signs and symptoms to show up and then it was almost too late. I pray that you do the right thing for the highest good of all involved. Keeping the cat alive with feedings, etc. is possible; the cat's quality of life will deteriorate and it is painful to watch - I know, I went through it last year. I'm glad I did opt to try to keep her alive for as long as possible. I have very fond memories of our last month together, the feedings, cradling her in my arms and gently coaxing her to eat something. In the end, it was obvious that the right thing to do was to let go and help her over the bridge.Quote:
Originally posted by slick
The pathology report has just come back and Luba has cancer. It was in her gall bladder that was removed but we have been told that it will very likely come back, probably in the liver. Treatment for the cancer is not an option at this point. Also, the lining of her stomach was very burned because of the bile that was leaking in from the gall bladder and that's what is causing her all the pain.
The thing that is so baffling is that Luba showed absolutely no signs or symptoms at all until last Friday night. How long has the cancer been festering??
2. Give her a safe journey to the RB.
My friend and I have both been crying on the phone for the the past 10 min talking it over. If it were me and Speckles, I would opt to ease her pain by sending her to the RB.
I really need your opinions. I'm going to meet my friend at the ACC tomorrow night at 6pm to see her.
Please, may I ask that you say one more little prayer that the right decision is made.
Thank you.
Gentle hugs that the right decision will be made; it won't be easy.
Slick, your friend is so lucky to have such a strong, caring and loving friend as you.
I am sitting here with tears in my eyes, after reading all the posts, and I am so sorry to hear about Luba. Your friend has had Luba for 10 years now. She knows her cat and I'm sure she will make the right decision on what to do for her.
You will all be in my prayers and thoughts tonight.
Slick, I feel so bad because I have only just seen this post and I feel very angry right now. Looking back at Gi's illness and everything that was involved, the nursing, having to make difficult decisions, problems with her appetite and all the other terrible symptoms, but to name a few, I would probably do it differently now and not treat her. Of course that is easy to say now but only Luba's mum can make the right decision, and she will do. I am so sorry. Sending my love to you all.
I tell you this experience has been an up and down rollercoaster. Luba's Meowmie and Daddy are an emotional wreck.
Luba is going home tomorrow. I had a long visit with my friends and Luba and the doctor came in to talk to us. Over the next 3 wks Luba will be tube-fed but only every 6 hours so Meowmie can feed her before going to work at 7:30am and Daddy can feed her when he gets home from work at 2:30pm. I actually watched her being fed tonight and it looks OK. In time, her stomach will heal itself and the pain will subside and Luba will lead a perfectly normal life......
until the cancer returns, and once it returns, unfortunately that will be it for her.
but......
I could be 2 months, it could be 2 yrs, but it will return. The doctor did say that 1 yr is the average for a kitty in her condition. In the meantime, she will live a comfortable life at home.
Luba's eyes were bright and she snuggled up on Meowmie's lap the whole time. I gave some special kissies to Luba from all of you. Clearly this is not the time for her yet.
Once again I believe a miracle has happened and it's all due to your continued prayers and wishes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Now, I must go and give my babies a very special hug and I encourage all of you to do the same. I think I just might get some sleep tonight.
Slick, like I said I am a very selfish person, I would have done the same thing..I want to keep them with me as long as possible.
You can never tell, miracles happen everyday!!! I was so hoping this would be the decision they would make for Luba. Yes I think I will go get my Grover and snuggle with her for a while.
Willie the selfish...:)
Boy, is that the truth - what a difference a day makes.
If and when it is Luba's time - at least her Mom and Dad will have had some unbelievable quality time with her and it will be easier on them.
When you first find out how very ill your baby is - it is just so hard to accept - and at least in my case - I grabbed on to every single piece of anything positive and ignored the bad.
My dearest cat Magic lived well over a year and a half after his initial diagnosis. We already had an incredible bond - but we were as thick as thieves right to the end. But it took me a long time to not cry with every thought of him after he was gone.
I had to come and find out about Luba as soon as I got up this morning! Thanks for giving her special kisses from us.:) I have never been in this situation, it must be terrible.
Please let us know how she does.
I wish Luba and her special people all the time in the world. They deserve it. :)
Oh, it sounds she can live a normal life once she's done with the tube-feeding!?
Now let's all hope and pray that it takes a long time until the cancer returns. Sometimes miracles do happen, you know...
And yes, I'm going to give my girls a special hug now. :) It's these kind of posts that make you realize how much you love them.
Kirsten
I saved this post for last, because I didn't want to see the bad news...but instead, it's good news! I'm so happy that Luba was well enough for them to make this decision. I know that if it were me, and the kitty looked bright eyed and on the road to recovery, I'd have a hard time denying her the chance to continue living, especially since - like Tray - I'm awfully selfish sometimes. ;)
I'm so glad they were able to work out the feeding schedule and everything so it's feasible to bring Luba home. I'm sure she will recover much faster surrounded by the love and familiarity of home.
I'll have to wait until I get home tonight to give T & P their special hug and snuggle, but be assured they will get it.
I'm so happy. :)
Yes. The doctor said it would only take a day or two after the tube-feeding for her to get her appetite back and by that time, her tummy will be healed and no more pain. She's wearing a pain patch right now.Quote:
Originally posted by Kirsten
Oh, it sounds she can live a normal life once she's done with the tube-feeding!?
To see her, you can just tell it's not time. She even started to display a little of the infamous "tortietude" when we tried to put her back for the night. :)
Like the doc said, she will eventually die from this, but who knows when. For now, I'm going to visit her more often and show her how much Auntie Slick loves her.
From my own experiences, I can tell you they WILL let you know when it's time...Quote:
To see her, you can just tell it's not time.
Good that this girl has decided to fight. I'm wishing her all the best for the future and still a lot of happy moments to come.
Kirsten
Bump.
That is such happy news! :) :) :)