My 13-year old cat has been diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer, that has managed to completely overtake the organ in less than ten months. His prognosis (on the optimistic side) is six to nine months. Basically the only course of action is to let him live out his days peacefully, or to end his suffering if and when that day comes.
On a good note, he is still currently acting completely normal and happy.
Be strong, Shadow!
5 comments:
You, too.
P.S.~ I love how you are adding videos to your posts. Music IS what feelings sound like.
I wanted to say how sorry I am for your understandable grief. My first dog as an independent adult developed a cancer that ovetook his toe-then his leg-then all systems -within a year. It happened during my last year of law school, and tore away my heart.
13 years is a good ride, but I know this will not assuage your sadness. Spend the quality time you have. Continue to take daily pictures. As a word of advice because I was still living in Salisbury at the time. When it became obvious my dog was suffering, and could not walk to even take care of bathroom activities, I had to make a decision that makes me cry to this day.
First, I had a caring vet, who made a housecall to perform that which was both merciful, dignified and inevitable. It was the senior Dr. McAllister, who had treated my dog for almost a decade with great professionalism, and respect. He actually made a housecall, where my good friend could receive the painless, albeit heart-breaking, ending that I wish I could receive one day. Th epeople closest to him all held a paw as the end came.
The other support was from Holloways funeral home, who made a housecall only moments after my friend departed for the Rainbow Bridge. They came in, as professionals, and took my departed friend out of my home on a stretcher as if he was a fallen Medal of Honor winner fallen on a battlefield. Within 24-48 hours, proper cremation was performed, and my old friend was returned to me in an engraved urn, which I keep under a poster sized picture of him in my old yard during his first birthday party. The entire process vet/and cremation was only a couple hundred dollars, and allowed as best closure and dignity as one could expect.
I was comforted by the "Rainbow Bridge" poem, and have express provisions in my own will that, god forbid, I cash in my chips too early that I will also be cremated, and combined with any of my deceased pet's ashes so that we all unite together.
And when you are ready to get back in the game-don't pay for an animal-adopt from a shelter and such. There are so may loving companions looking for a good home. Know that your old friend would have been supportive of this decision, and continues to watch over you albeit from a different place. If there is any other information I can provide, please let me know.
I could actually kill certain people who may have it coming without blinking-but I sob like a little girl when our true 'best friends' are suffering. Fact is many people are complete dicks-our furry friends are often the better angels of our nature. I hope that you are able to find peace as times may get tougher. Bill.
Thank you very much for the touching comment!! Dr. McAllister has been Shadow's vet for his entire life as well, though Winterplace Animal Hospital gave us the official diagnosis, through an ultrasound. They are definitely great people, especially Dr. Sharon.
With the exception of this morning that brought some adverse symptoms, he has been acting normal and happy. Unfortunately, he already had a condition before this, that affects his gastrointestinal tract, and I think it was more related to that. After his little issue this morning, he chased a bug around the living room and then ate it!
I've definitely been hoarding the pictures!!
We all have to pick each other up during tough times. God knows, I've needed the support myself too many times to count lately, mostly as I deal with both my sick mother and sick favorite aunt. We are all in this crazy world together. Peace.
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