UPdate on Ellie-mae...

[carole]

Many of you will remember my little calico Ellie who has a bad mouth condition and now has developed a mammary tumour.

We have been in two minds as what to do for the best for her, as she is on permanent steroids her immunity is also very low,and the surgery was a risk, however the decision has been taken out of our hands,in a way, because her eating became much worse, so i took her in to get another convenia injection ,which usually helps her temporarily,we had decided against surgery for the tumour because of so many complications etc etc,too detailed to go in to it all,believe me was the hardest decision i have ever had to make, and it was not sitting well with me really to be quite honest.

Anyhow to cut a long story short, we discovered she has a hole in her tooth and needs another extraction,so we cannot possibly leave her like that, and we have to take the risk for another dental,i also discussed the option of surgery for the mammary tumor at the same time,at this stage we are thinking we will do both together, less risk, and there is a small chance it might be benign, as even though it has been six months, it has not grown very much, and it is a particularly aggressive cancer, so we are hoping that we might be lucky there, however if it is cancer it will be removed, and we just have to hope for the best possible outcome.

Because of her long term steroid medication, there is a risk the wound won't heal as well and get infection, which scares me a bit, the good news is ellie won't need a collar, will have dissolving stitches, as she is a highly stressed cat, and would completely freak having to wear one, she also will be given a morphine patch which works really well for pain and will decrease her anxiety levels, and she will not have chemo afterwards,if it is cancer, and this is good because we have tried chemo drugs for her mouth and she was violently ill with them, so not an option at all.

Also happy that the vet we always see and knows her well wants to do the operation and was even going to try and fit it in, so he could do it, anyhow turns out next Tuesday which is surgery day, he is on anyhow and will be doing it.

The big blow is the financial cost, it is something we don't have, $430 which is not a lot to some people but to us, is a great deal to find, however i just cannot sit by and let ellie go, she is a fiesty wee girl and i have confidence she will pull through it all, i am hoping she won't get cat flu on top of it all , like last time after her dental, she is a carrier, and is vaccinated, but stress can often bring it on,fingers and all paws crossed, as that is not nice for her.

It is going to be a big ordeal for her and mostly me, you would think it was me going in for the surgery,but i am a big worrier and fret for my cats, but then a lot of us do don't we?

Just wanted to fill you all in and asking for many prayers and good thoughts that my little girl will pull through ok and recover well.

See my sweet girl in my siggy.

[Pinot's Mom]

Ellie Mae, bestest luck on your surgeries, honey, our prayers are with you!

[moosmom]

Oh Carole,

You will be in my thoughts and prayers, girl. Ellie-mae looks just like Shortie Girl. I'd do the same thing you are doing. Whatever is best for her. Please keep us posted on her progress.

and hugs,

Donna and fur crew

[carole]

Thanks both of you, yes donna she is a quite like your shortie girl, just has slight different markings on her mouth,oh donna i can tell you i am so anxious about all of this, i still don't know if i am doing the right thing, but i felt that way when i had decided to not opt for surgery, but since we have to do the dental,and my vet has recommended we go ahead with the other,it seems the right thing to do, but it does seem major, but having being told all the other details about the patch and no collar, ease's my mind a great deal, as ellie is such a easily stressed out cat, it took her two days to trust us again after taking her on saturday.

Surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday, monday where you are,so be praying hard please, my lil girl needs all she can get, and so does her meowmie, who will be beside herself with worry.

And a HUGE THANK YOU to the most wonderful PTer, and you know who you are, my ellie-mae's guardian Angel,that's who.

These pics are for you, ellie-mae before she got sick, she is a lot thinner now unfortunately, but the good news i have managed to get her to maintain her weight, which is always a good sign.

[moosmom]

Carole,

You ARE doing the right thing!! Just make sure they don't use Medicam as an anesthetic. It's dangerous to cats and alot of vets are still using it rather than gas, which is alot safer.

She is a beautiful little girl and is very lucky to have you watching out for her!!!

and hugs,

Donna and fur crew

[phesina]

We are sending many prayers and good wishes to your beloved Ellie-mae, and we will be thinking of her and you and sending you both healing energies on Monday.

[cassiesmom]

Ellie Mae, bestest luck on your surgeries, honey, our prayers are with you!

Me too, me too!


Elyse --- And Cassie's paws crossed too

[carole]

Thanks everyone,much appreciated.,will keep you all up to date when it is over and her progress.

[jennielynn1970]

HUGS for you, and well wishes for Ellie-mae. May she come through with flying colors and heal up quickly and easily.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent Ellie-mae's way. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[cassiesmom]

Yay, sweet Ellie-Mae! I am so glad to hear you are doing well!

[JMCsGirl]

Sounds like she is doing very well. I read all the posts and seems you have been on quite a roller coaster but are nearing the end of the ride!

[carole]

yes we have indeed, but considering what Ellie has been through, i am very proud of her, she is trying her hardest to get better, would like to see her eating more, but then i feed her little and often, so she is probably eating more than i realise.

She nearly ate a small tin of fancy feast yesterday, she had some turkey mince, some biscuits and cat milk, and that was the day without her steroid, keep in mind all were in small quantitiies.

Today not so good, a little cat food, some biscuits, small handful and more cat milk, still the day is young, only one more steroid to go, on monday and then she is off them, i guess she is a small kitty and she may never eat that much, as the steroid did increase her appetite.

Anyhow she is still in recovery, the stitches on her wound are looking great, healed so nicely and the fur is growing back,that will take a while though as she is quite shorn,just as well she is in a warm place, as she would indeed feel the cold at the moment.

She did venture downstairs for a small bite to eat, a pee and a look outside, then straight back upstairs and on the bed to sleep,i cannot believe what a great patient she has been, i thought she would be so hard, and trying to get out all the time, i leave the door open, for her to come downstairs, but she just stays upstairs,which is all good, as easier for everyone.

Love you my sweet Ellie, you are such a brave wee girl and such a fighter, now just eat some more and i will be so....happy.

[carole]

Day 16

Just to keep you informed, Ellie is doing well, progressing nicely,i can tell she is not so sore in her mouth and is eating better, but she still needs to eat more, she has lost quite a bit of weight, only 2.9kgs at the moment, she was around 3.2 at the last vet visit,so when her weight starts to go up i will be more satisfied that she is doing well.

Her wound looks fantastic, the healing as been quick, and amazing really, she had a little vomit early this morning, but was told can be a side effect from taking her off her steroids.

When i really think about it, she had to have three steriods a day so she could eat, now she is eating as well without anything, so that is all good.

She is still enjoying the pampered side of life, sleeping our our bed with electric blanket,her cuddle blanket and the pink pillow(lexies pillow)lexie was sleeping on the bed not far away from her , giving her dagger looks, as if to say why have you got my pillow, lol.

However she did venture downstairs, for breakfast today, she has only done that twice so far,she seems to feel secure up here ,if you pick her up she really struggles, i think she thinks we are taking her away again ,poor wee girl, never been much of a cat for been picked up either,but you can tell she starts to panic, not that i blame her, and they say cats forget, well maybe in time, but Ellie is my most intuitive kitty, she is very sensitive and senses everything going on around her.

Anyhow that is all to report for now,all going well, so far, and yes hopefully we are off that roller coaster ride for good now, here's hoping.,THANKS again for the huge amount of support and love from everyone here, it means more than words can say.

[phesina]

What a fine report, Ellie-mae! Thank you for the wonderful update, Carole. Continued prayers and good wishes.