fibrosarcoma in cats...2nd update!

**smokey the elder** · 10-27-2006, 02:48 PM

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** · 11-02-2006, 12:20 PM

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?

**Craftlady** · 11-02-2006, 01:01 PM

We have pet insurance on our gang. However, it has to go on credit card first then when they process the claims we repay back the card.
I would ask to speak with the office manager then go to the vet. I know where we were yesterday (specialty vet) they (office girls) were talking about someone who had a balance. I know they can if they want work with people. It would be curl to refuse treatment just because someone cant pay. They dont do it for humans it should be the same consideration for animals.
Other suggestion is getting personal loan.

**CathyBogart** · 11-02-2006, 02:16 PM

I am so sorry. I don't know what I would do if I were in your situation.

In my Vet Tech classes we are being taught to give injections very low down on the leg, so that if a fibrosarcoma should occur the leg can be amputated.

I hope things work out well for little Panther, he's a beautiful boy and obviously very loved.

**LittleOrangeKitten** · 11-02-2006, 03:29 PM

[QUOTE=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?[/QUOTE]

Hi again fragrancehound,

Do you have any family members that understand your love and devotion to Panther? Perhaps they could help. If not, does your bank do unsecured loans for the amount you need? That way you could spread it out over (maybe) 3-5 years.
Just a suggestion...

**fragrancehound** · 11-02-2006, 03:46 PM

I don't have pet insurance and I know that Panther wouldn't qualify now.

Some of it I can put on my credit card but that still leaves a huge chunk I need to come up with, sooner than later. I really hate to ask family as I have gone that route before and I still owe money to my mom. I just don't like to owe money to family. It just makes for an uncomfortable situation.

I'm hoping to come up with a solution within the next week or so so I can start his treatments in 2 weeks.

I never would have thought I would be in this position but I guess no one can plan for something of this nature.

Thanks again for the support! It is comforting to know that others understand what I am going through now.

**Catty1** · 11-02-2006, 04:33 PM

This was mentioned in a previous post. http://www.catsincrisis.org/

They have a funding limit, but might have ideas or make exceptions for Panther.

Also check out www.imom.org and see if they can help. I think it is usually surgery, but they might have some other ideas as well.

Pick their brains, and apply wherever you can, before treatment starts.

HUGS!

**fragrancehound** · 11-03-2006, 01:50 PM

I need some honest opinions here. I feel so torn apart and I really do not know what to do. Do I opt for the radiation treatment assuming I can even get the funds or do I skip it and just give Panther the best life I possibly can in the remaining time he has with me?

I've contacted another oncologist to get a second opinion and basically he confirmed what the first oncologist said. With just surgery and no radiation treatment there is a 70% chance that this tumor will come back again. His life expectancy is about 1 year maybe even 1 1/2 if I'm lucky. With radiation there is a 40% chance of the tumor coming back but his life expectancy is about 2 years, maybe even 2 1/2. I am also looking into holistic approaches to see if anything will help but so far I am coming up empty although I did order a product called Willard Water because I read somewhere that it might help.

I have done everything possible to give him the best quality of life I can...tests, vet visits, surgery, tons of love, etc.. I really am conflicted about him having radiation. At $4,000 to $6,000 it is not something that I have budgeted for nor did I expect to have this being an issue but sadly it is. I've looked into some of the wonderful organizations posted here but I don't qualify. I might be able to borrow some of the money from my bf and put some on my credit cards however I am still not sure if that will be enough.

What would you do if you were in my position? If there is still a 40% chance of this tumor coming back would you still proceed with radiation treatments? I really am lost. I've asked the advice from family and friends and have received opposite opinions. Some say do whatever you can even if there is a chance of this cancerous tumor returning. Others say just enjoy the time you have with him. I don't know. I'm depressed and lost and just conflicted about this situation.

**Craftlady** · 11-03-2006, 02:17 PM

The odds w/radition are worth going for plus using holestic stuff.
If the odds were both 70% of re-occurance then I would let him live life without treatment as god sees it.