fibrosarcoma in cats...2nd update!

[fragrancehound]

I really appreciate the support. Right now I'm just cuddling and playing with my baby. When I look at him I still can't believe he is sick. He certainly doesn't act like it.

On a side note I am angry that these vaccinations that are supposed to protect my fur baby are instead going to kill him. It's just not right.

I've been trying to come to terms with this situation and it is so hard to accept. I am very depressed about the whole thing.

[Catty1]

Oh hon - your beautiful Panther!

Wait for the margin news...it might be better than you think. Maybe treatment will not be so serious and expensive.

Also, take a look at IMOM.org - I don't know if they cover radiation and chemo, or just surgeries. They cam maybe refer you to another resource.

And don't underestimate your PT friends here.

You also have PT Prayers going for you, the best there are!

HUGS!

[TopCat3]

Fragrancehound and Panther my thoughts are with you. This is truly distressing and I have been through what you are probably going through now. People tell you to make the most of the time you have and that is true but it makes it all the more poignant and sad.
((((Hugs to you))))
From the TopCats in Sydney

[kb2yjx]

O, I was hoping not to read the posts about Panther!!! I cannot offer you very much, but my support here on the thread and LOTS of prayers!!! Go on the internet and read ALL you can about sarcoma. There are several good cat cancer site that have lots of information. It IS a big decision that you will make and the more informed you are, the better you can make a decision on what to do or not. Hugs to Panther and you!! Sandra

[fragrancehound]

Due to a cancellation I lucked out and was able to get an appointment with the oncologist for next week so I will see what he has to say and what options are available.

There is a small glimmer of hope. I talked to my regular vet and she was reading part of the biopsy results to me. The pathologist who did the biopsy thinks if they were successful in getting the entire mass out including any microscopic margins there is a very low chance of this reocurring. I'm hopeful but realistic. I think I caught this in the beginning stages so I am trying to be optimistic.

[smokey the elder]

Please ask the oncologist if chemo is an option. It's still expensive but not so much as radiation. Both cats I've had with cancer tolerated chemo very well. Hugs to you and Panther, with his shaved bottom!

[fragrancehound]

Panther and I just got back from our apt. with the oncologist. She was very informative. They still do not have the remaining biopsy results in regards to the margins but she said it really doesn't matter at this point given that it is nearly impossible to completely remove fibrosarcoma because of the strands or legs attaching itself to other organs. Bottom line radiation is the best bet to reduce the chances of this coming back. She said that if I don't pursue radiation treatment it is almost inevitable that this tumor will come back within a year's time. With radiation treatment there is still no guarantee but the chances of it coming back are reduced to 30 to 40%. The thought of him going through radiation scares me but the idea of doing nothing scares me even more. I was hoping though that there might be an alternative treatment but no such luck.

The main problem I am having is a financial one. It is going to cost between $4,000 to $6,000 for a 20 treatment course, which is roughly about a month or so of treatments. The vet center is willing to break it down week by week but that is still going to cost me around $1,000 to $1,500 per week. They unfortunately do not allow you to pay things out over a period of time like I was hoping. I don't know how I am going to manage this situation. For those of you who have been in similar situations what did you do?