What would you do? (**Update 6-18-09 - need your prayers)

[kittykatharine]

Well, the vet seems to think that the cancer is back - even though her blood tests are all normal and there are no masses that can be palpatated, the vet suspects this is why she is acting so lethargic. The vet wanted me to take her to Auburn for an MRI, but I can't financially do that. I told the vet that if in fact the cancer has returned, that Sydney would have to be switched to paliative care, because I cannot afford chemotherapy anymore I started Sydney on some Prednisone, so hopefully this will, if anything, make her feel better. I am going to spend as much time I can with her, because I fear her time with us is very limited. I have been able to get her to eat some tuna and I hope that her eating will improve. This is a very sad time for my family and we are totally devastated. I am going to try to spoil her rotten, so she knows how much she is loved. We are also not letting her know that we are upset, because we know that she could sense this - we are being strong for her.

Thank you again everyone (allmycats, krazyaboutkatz, Catty1, Cinder & Smoke, Medusa, Pinot's Mom, and Scooter's Mom ) for all the support and prayers. They mean the world to us and they help the roughest days not seem so bad. Thank you so much.

[Medusa]

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear this, Katherine! I can only imagine how sad you must be but you're right, our furkids can sense it when we're emotional. If indeed the cancer has returned and you are going to give her palliative care, I'm sure that it will be the best care she can possibly receive. The amount of love and care that you've shown Sydney already is almost palpable and I know that she loves you all the more for it. (((HUGS))) to you, Katherine and gentle pets to your sweet Sydney.

[kittykatharine]

Thank you so much Medusa for the kind words - I know you know exactly what I am feeling right now, and your kind words make me feel better. I can promise you Sydney will be loved more than is humanly possible for as long as she is here - and we will continue to love her once she is gone. Her furpals Baby and Hercules are still in our hearts and minds everyday and she will be no different. Well for now I am going to focus on making her happy, so when I get home I will take her in the yard so she can lay in the grass. That will for sure make her smile

[jenluckenbach]

The Pred might make her hungry too.

Prayers that she is comfy for as long as possible.

[katladyd]

Would it be possible to get a second opinion? It may not be the cancer's return.

[kittykatharine]

I wouldnt know where to go to get a second opinion - most the vets in Pensacola are not familiar with cancer and they just refer me to Auburn, which I cannot afford the MRI needed to definitively say that the cancer is back (my own vet suggested this). I think for now - I am going to give her the Prednisone, which wont hurt her any regardless if the cancer is back or not, and hopefully it will jump start her eating and make her feel better. If I can get her to put on any weight, then I will beable to figure our what the next step should be. I main concern is that she is not in any pain. I mean as of now none of the blood tests or exams have shown cancer - she is not breathing funny - and my vets entire diagnosis is based on the fact that she is not eating - she thinks the cancer has affected her ability to smell and therefore effected her eating. I dont know....

[katladyd]

Cancer almost always shows up in blood work, so I'm going to remain optimistic that she just has something else affecting her appetite that the Pred will take care of. Prayers coming my way for your precious Sydney! One time, my orange kitty, MacGyver, has a mystery illness that the vets, even the specialists, could not diagnose. They wanted me to spend thousands of dollars to find out. I couldn't afford that (I understand your situation very well), so I just asked for some special food I could force feed him to put some weight on him, some Sub-Q fluids so he wouldn't dehydrate, and some antibiotics on the hunch I had that he had a blood infection. Well, 24 hours after leaving the vet, Mac started to eat and drink on his own. That was four years ago and he is now a very healthy 11-year-old cat. Miracles do happen!