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

[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!

[Moesha]

I hope that Sydney feels better soon. I've been out of town and have been reading updates on Sydney but haven't been able to respond. Dear Sydney and Taz (Taz_Zoee's kitty) are in my thoughts often. At least look at the extra time that you were able to spend with Sydney. I never ever would have thought that she would still be with us after seeing those first pictures that you posted with the lump on her head. More kisses from me to her please.

[kittykatharine]

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!

katladyd, thank you so much for your post - I had the same feelings as you and I am holding onto hope that this is not the cancer. I did have one question though, do you remeber what the name of the food was that you bought to force feed your kitty and how were you going to do this (e.g., syringe, gastric tube)? I need to put some wieght on Sydney and at this point I am open to anything. Thank you!


Also thank you Medusa and Moesha - you both are wonderful and have always been there for Sydney and me. I thank you for your constant postive thoughts, prayers, and posts. I truly appreciate it!