Lucas has cancer (5-22-06)

[G535]

I'm so sorry to hear this too, I'm sure you'll make the time left as comfortable as possible for him.

[Craftlady]

So sorry to read the news from the ultrasound wasnt good.

[jenluckenbach]

My own vet finally called and suggested "depo injections". I am unsure exactly what this is (I think it is a steroid) but the point is that she believes that is can help.

It would only be one injection every 3 to 4 weeks. She has seen a patient with similar tumors thrive for a year now after the parents were concidering euthanasia.

Since Lucas is not really acting sick in any way OTHER than the diarrhea, it is certainly worth a try for a few months.

I'll call in the morning for my first appointment.

Wish us luck.

[Catty1]

Prayers that this helps Lucas!

I wonder if that would get the tumours down to treatable size?

hugs! This is hopeful news at least!

Catty1

[AbbyMom]

Jen
I'm so sorry to hear about Lucas' tumors. But since I am just now reading this, I see there's also a little ray of hope.

We all know that you'll do the right thing for him.

Prayers & Hugs.

[jenluckenbach]

I should take a minute to answer a few questions.

but I must ask why you have decided not to use chemotherapy since cats do well on it, usually, and don't have as many side issues as humans

Well, I don't really know a whole lot about CATS and chemo........but I know it makes humans feel badly but we can understand that we must feel bad in order to get better. to me an animal only knows he now hurts WORSE. Besides all the people who HAVE done this with their pets only to lose their pets (AND all the money too). And many say they will never repeat the insident for another pet.

, I wonder WHY the specialist thought that chemo would be the option????

Because it is multi systemic it is most likely mast cell cancer. I was told that this doctor is VERY blunt, so if he did not give other options he probably felt confident that this is the only way.

______________________________________

I won't make the promise to do "everything possible" for Lucas, because I do not believe in those types of heroic measures, but my vet sounded confident and hopeful that this can keep him comfortable for more time than if we did nothing, which makes it worth a try.

[Uabassoon]

Jen I'm so sorry to hear about Lucas. You will be in my thoughts, those shots sound like a good option for him.

[Karen]

Oh dear, Jenn, I hope the tumors are small enough and the depo injections can help 'em shrink. But for now, you still have your Lucas-sunshine.

My brother and his wife (Lady's Human and Lady's Other Human) lost their Lukas to cancer. But in his case, the tumor had gotten too large to do anything about before he showed any real signs of sickness. He was also a very, very fluffy boy (black longhair) otherwise they might have noticed something.

[kuhio98]

Prayers for you and Charlie and Lucas. I'm glad to hear that there may be some options.

[rosethecopycat]

No matter what happens, it's not the number of days he is with you, it's about how strongly you love with the days you have.

All the Best.

[Lizzie]

Dude, one of my FIV+ cats, gets monthly depo injections to keep his stomatitis under control. It's an intramuscular injection that you can do at home after they show you how. Of course, being a steroid, it also makes him feel good overall. Hopefully, the injections can shrink the tumors for some time or at the very least greatly slow their growth. It would be great if a side effect of the injections helps with his diarrhoea also.

I mentioned the possibility of following through on chemotherapy because I have seen cases where it has worked, and I've met a few cats on the therapy who didn't have any side effects apart from throwing up for a day after the therapy. I've also heard about many cases where it hasn't worked and both cat and guardian have gone through the trauma for nothing. I was told by one vet that the problem with giving cats chemotherapy is not that it's hell on them but that cats (and don't we know this to be true!) don't show symptoms until the cancer is far enough advanced that treatment is more last-minute than it should be. It works better on dogs only because they show symptoms much sooner. When I was offered chemotherapy for a few of my cats, I asked about the chances of it working and they were not good because the cancer was too far advanced, so I didn't take that route either. I think vets offer chemotherapy because they know the caregiver/guardian wants to hear there could be some form of treatment. I'm sure your vet will talk about the odds with you.

Are you spending the evening cuddling Lucas close?

[Catty1]

Just in case, Jen - I wonder if IMOM covers chemo treatments, or other ones?

You know your PT friends will help out, if you make that decision.

HUGS
Catty1

[Randy_K]

Having done chemo on a cat who had colon cancer, I learned all we did was prolong his life so long as he was receiving chemo. The moment that stopped the cancer took him from us in less than two weeks. His life wasn't good and he suffered while on chemo. Even in his last moments he showed that he loved us so. I would never do it again. I'd rather have made his last few weeks with us comfortable and painless.

[Laura's Babies]

Jen, whatever happens, you know we are with you and support you to the fullest!

[shais_mom]

so sorry to hear this Jen.
hugs on the way