Oscar's visit to the specialist

DH, Oscar and I went to an internal medicine specialist today.

Oscar has not been acting like a sick kitty in the slightest -- she's
alert, and I've heard her thundering around the house, chasing
who-knows-what from here to there. The main difference is that she's
avoiding us (probably because we are Those Who Medicate) and that she
seems to dislike most of the foods she used to adore.

All of that doesn't change the fact that she has cancer, though, so
....

Apparently, online reading materials aren't all that accurate, since
they tend to conflate a lot of different cancers into general terms.
According to this specialist, small cell lymphoma has different
factors than other types of lymphoma, and that it's in the GI tract
even further changes the situation.

Apparently "small cell" is a positive thing -- it means that the cells
are only slightly mutated, meaning they are not behaving as
aggressively as blast cells, which are a much worse situation.

And apparently, cancer feeds on carbs, so I wish Oscar liked wet food
better. The specialist thought dry kitten food was a great idea (higher
in protein than dry cat food), but I just checked and Evo has min. 50%
protein compared to the kitten chow's 40%. So I put down some Evo and
we'll see if Oscar will accept that.

We talked a lot about chemo and the pros and cons -- it sounds like
the particular chemo pill, Leukaran, is pretty benign compared to most
chemo treatments. The main question is, can we pill Oscar and can we
do it without traumatizing her? It would be once every other day,
possibly (depending on how she does) reduced to once every three or
four days. Also blood tests for the first few months to monitor her
white blood cell count. We'd also need to give her
Prednisone (actually a variant that's more feline-friendly), either
daily in a suspension or as a shot once every three weeks. Apparently
there's a pharmacy in town that will compound in pet-appropriate
flavors, too.

So .... DH and I are still discussing all of this. We have
prescriptions for both the meds if we decide to go that route. Both
of us agree that if we try chemo and Oscar refuses to be pilled, is
traumatized by the pilling, or has unpleasant side effects from it, we
will not continue to force it on her.

But we came into that visit being so sure we wouldn't do chemo. Now,
not sure. Honestly, I don't want advice; I think I understand the
situation pretty well, and I can talk to the vet further if I need to.
I just wanted to let you guys know what's going on.

Right now, Oscar at least appears to be healthy and comfortable, and
that seems to mean that I am coping much better than when she was
frail and I thought she wouldn't make it. I mean ... when I thought
she had a few days or weeks at most, it was all pretty traumatic.
Now, it sounds like she has a chance of one or two relatively pleasant
years ... it's hard to feel that with the same immediacy. (Or it
could be six months. Or fewer. As the vet said, this is where a
crystal ball would be helpful.)

I do think these visits where Oscar might be picked up, but otherwise
isn't manhandled, are maybe good for her comfort level with vets. We
did pull her out of her carrier to look at her stitches, and the vet
showed us how we can try to pop a pill into her ... but other than
that, it was pretty mild. The vet even took Oscar's temp via her
armpit! Wonder why they don't do that more often.

--
monique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully

pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca

(((((((((Monique, DH and Oscar)))))))))

--
Joy

Life's a trip!
....But it doesn't come with a map. -- Ziggy

"Monique Y. Mudama" wrote in message
...
DH, Oscar and I went to an internal medicine specialist today.

Oscar has not been acting like a sick kitty in the slightest -- she's
alert, and I've heard her thundering around the house, chasing
who-knows-what from here to there. The main difference is that she's
avoiding us (probably because we are Those Who Medicate) and that she
seems to dislike most of the foods she used to adore.

All of that doesn't change the fact that she has cancer, though, so
...

Apparently, online reading materials aren't all that accurate, since
they tend to conflate a lot of different cancers into general terms.
According to this specialist, small cell lymphoma has different
factors than other types of lymphoma, and that it's in the GI tract
even further changes the situation.

Apparently "small cell" is a positive thing -- it means that the cells
are only slightly mutated, meaning they are not behaving as
aggressively as blast cells, which are a much worse situation.

And apparently, cancer feeds on carbs, so I wish Oscar liked wet food
better. The specialist thought dry kitten food was a great idea (higher
in protein than dry cat food), but I just checked and Evo has min. 50%
protein compared to the kitten chow's 40%. So I put down some Evo and
we'll see if Oscar will accept that.

We talked a lot about chemo and the pros and cons -- it sounds like
the particular chemo pill, Leukaran, is pretty benign compared to most
chemo treatments. The main question is, can we pill Oscar and can we
do it without traumatizing her? It would be once every other day,
possibly (depending on how she does) reduced to once every three or
four days. Also blood tests for the first few months to monitor her
white blood cell count. We'd also need to give her
Prednisone (actually a variant that's more feline-friendly), either
daily in a suspension or as a shot once every three weeks. Apparently
there's a pharmacy in town that will compound in pet-appropriate
flavors, too.

So .... DH and I are still discussing all of this. We have
prescriptions for both the meds if we decide to go that route. Both
of us agree that if we try chemo and Oscar refuses to be pilled, is
traumatized by the pilling, or has unpleasant side effects from it, we
will not continue to force it on her.

But we came into that visit being so sure we wouldn't do chemo. Now,
not sure. Honestly, I don't want advice; I think I understand the
situation pretty well, and I can talk to the vet further if I need to.
I just wanted to let you guys know what's going on.

Right now, Oscar at least appears to be healthy and comfortable, and
that seems to mean that I am coping much better than when she was
frail and I thought she wouldn't make it. I mean ... when I thought
she had a few days or weeks at most, it was all pretty traumatic.
Now, it sounds like she has a chance of one or two relatively pleasant
years ... it's hard to feel that with the same immediacy. (Or it
could be six months. Or fewer. As the vet said, this is where a
crystal ball would be helpful.)

I do think these visits where Oscar might be picked up, but otherwise
isn't manhandled, are maybe good for her comfort level with vets. We
did pull her out of her carrier to look at her stitches, and the vet
showed us how we can try to pop a pill into her ... but other than
that, it was pretty mild. The vet even took Oscar's temp via her
armpit! Wonder why they don't do that more often.

--
monique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully

pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca

"Monique Y. Mudama" wrote in message
...
DH, Oscar and I went to an internal medicine specialist today.

Oscar has not been acting like a sick kitty in the slightest -- she's
alert, and I've heard her thundering around the house, chasing
who-knows-what from here to there. The main difference is that she's
avoiding us (probably because we are Those Who Medicate) and that she
seems to dislike most of the foods she used to adore.

All of that doesn't change the fact that she has cancer, though, so
...

Apparently, online reading materials aren't all that accurate, since
they tend to conflate a lot of different cancers into general terms.
According to this specialist, small cell lymphoma has different
factors than other types of lymphoma, and that it's in the GI tract
even further changes the situation.

Apparently "small cell" is a positive thing -- it means that the cells
are only slightly mutated, meaning they are not behaving as
aggressively as blast cells, which are a much worse situation.

And apparently, cancer feeds on carbs, so I wish Oscar liked wet food
better. The specialist thought dry kitten food was a great idea (higher
in protein than dry cat food), but I just checked and Evo has min. 50%
protein compared to the kitten chow's 40%. So I put down some Evo and
we'll see if Oscar will accept that.

We talked a lot about chemo and the pros and cons -- it sounds like
the particular chemo pill, Leukaran, is pretty benign compared to most
chemo treatments. The main question is, can we pill Oscar and can we
do it without traumatizing her? It would be once every other day,
possibly (depending on how she does) reduced to once every three or
four days. Also blood tests for the first few months to monitor her
white blood cell count. We'd also need to give her
Prednisone (actually a variant that's more feline-friendly), either
daily in a suspension or as a shot once every three weeks. Apparently
there's a pharmacy in town that will compound in pet-appropriate
flavors, too.

So .... DH and I are still discussing all of this. We have
prescriptions for both the meds if we decide to go that route. Both
of us agree that if we try chemo and Oscar refuses to be pilled, is
traumatized by the pilling, or has unpleasant side effects from it, we
will not continue to force it on her.

But we came into that visit being so sure we wouldn't do chemo. Now,
not sure. Honestly, I don't want advice; I think I understand the
situation pretty well, and I can talk to the vet further if I need to.
I just wanted to let you guys know what's going on.

Right now, Oscar at least appears to be healthy and comfortable, and
that seems to mean that I am coping much better than when she was
frail and I thought she wouldn't make it. I mean ... when I thought
she had a few days or weeks at most, it was all pretty traumatic.
Now, it sounds like she has a chance of one or two relatively pleasant
years ... it's hard to feel that with the same immediacy. (Or it
could be six months. Or fewer. As the vet said, this is where a
crystal ball would be helpful.)

I do think these visits where Oscar might be picked up, but otherwise
isn't manhandled, are maybe good for her comfort level with vets. We
did pull her out of her carrier to look at her stitches, and the vet
showed us how we can try to pop a pill into her ... but other than
that, it was pretty mild. The vet even took Oscar's temp via her
armpit! Wonder why they don't do that more often.



I am so sorry what you are going through with your beloved Oscar. We are
sending you our very best purrs.

if you wanted advice I wouldn't give it because you said the most important
thing, you are going to do what is best for her and that gets you wings in
my book, Lee
Monique Y. Mudama wrote in message
...
DH, Oscar and I went to an internal medicine specialist today.

Oscar has not been acting like a sick kitty in the slightest -- she's
alert, and I've heard her thundering around the house, chasing
who-knows-what from here to there. The main difference is that she's
avoiding us (probably because we are Those Who Medicate) and that she
seems to dislike most of the foods she used to adore.

All of that doesn't change the fact that she has cancer, though, so
...

Apparently, online reading materials aren't all that accurate, since
they tend to conflate a lot of different cancers into general terms.
According to this specialist, small cell lymphoma has different
factors than other types of lymphoma, and that it's in the GI tract
even further changes the situation.

Apparently "small cell" is a positive thing -- it means that the cells
are only slightly mutated, meaning they are not behaving as
aggressively as blast cells, which are a much worse situation.

And apparently, cancer feeds on carbs, so I wish Oscar liked wet food
better. The specialist thought dry kitten food was a great idea (higher
in protein than dry cat food), but I just checked and Evo has min. 50%
protein compared to the kitten chow's 40%. So I put down some Evo and
we'll see if Oscar will accept that.

We talked a lot about chemo and the pros and cons -- it sounds like
the particular chemo pill, Leukaran, is pretty benign compared to most
chemo treatments. The main question is, can we pill Oscar and can we
do it without traumatizing her? It would be once every other day,
possibly (depending on how she does) reduced to once every three or
four days. Also blood tests for the first few months to monitor her
white blood cell count. We'd also need to give her
Prednisone (actually a variant that's more feline-friendly), either
daily in a suspension or as a shot once every three weeks. Apparently
there's a pharmacy in town that will compound in pet-appropriate
flavors, too.

So .... DH and I are still discussing all of this. We have
prescriptions for both the meds if we decide to go that route. Both
of us agree that if we try chemo and Oscar refuses to be pilled, is
traumatized by the pilling, or has unpleasant side effects from it, we
will not continue to force it on her.

But we came into that visit being so sure we wouldn't do chemo. Now,
not sure. Honestly, I don't want advice; I think I understand the
situation pretty well, and I can talk to the vet further if I need to.
I just wanted to let you guys know what's going on.

Right now, Oscar at least appears to be healthy and comfortable, and
that seems to mean that I am coping much better than when she was
frail and I thought she wouldn't make it. I mean ... when I thought
she had a few days or weeks at most, it was all pretty traumatic.
Now, it sounds like she has a chance of one or two relatively pleasant
years ... it's hard to feel that with the same immediacy. (Or it
could be six months. Or fewer. As the vet said, this is where a
crystal ball would be helpful.)

I do think these visits where Oscar might be picked up, but otherwise
isn't manhandled, are maybe good for her comfort level with vets. We
did pull her out of her carrier to look at her stitches, and the vet
showed us how we can try to pop a pill into her ... but other than
that, it was pretty mild. The vet even took Oscar's temp via her
armpit! Wonder why they don't do that more often.

--
monique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully

pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca

Monique Y. Mudama wrote:
DH, Oscar and I went to an internal medicine specialist today.

Oscar has not been acting like a sick kitty in the slightest -- she's
alert, and I've heard her thundering around the house, chasing
who-knows-what from here to there. The main difference is that she's
avoiding us (probably because we are Those Who Medicate) and that she
seems to dislike most of the foods she used to adore.

All of that doesn't change the fact that she has cancer, though, so
....

Apparently, online reading materials aren't all that accurate, since
they tend to conflate a lot of different cancers into general terms.
According to this specialist, small cell lymphoma has different
factors than other types of lymphoma, and that it's in the GI tract
even further changes the situation.

Apparently "small cell" is a positive thing -- it means that the cells
are only slightly mutated, meaning they are not behaving as
aggressively as blast cells, which are a much worse situation.

And apparently, cancer feeds on carbs, so I wish Oscar liked wet food
better. The specialist thought dry kitten food was a great idea (higher
in protein than dry cat food), but I just checked and Evo has min. 50%
protein compared to the kitten chow's 40%. So I put down some Evo and
we'll see if Oscar will accept that.

We talked a lot about chemo and the pros and cons -- it sounds like
the particular chemo pill, Leukaran, is pretty benign compared to most
chemo treatments. The main question is, can we pill Oscar and can we
do it without traumatizing her? It would be once every other day,
possibly (depending on how she does) reduced to once every three or
four days. Also blood tests for the first few months to monitor her
white blood cell count. We'd also need to give her
Prednisone (actually a variant that's more feline-friendly), either
daily in a suspension or as a shot once every three weeks. Apparently
there's a pharmacy in town that will compound in pet-appropriate
flavors, too.

So .... DH and I are still discussing all of this. We have
prescriptions for both the meds if we decide to go that route. Both
of us agree that if we try chemo and Oscar refuses to be pilled, is
traumatized by the pilling, or has unpleasant side effects from it, we
will not continue to force it on her.

But we came into that visit being so sure we wouldn't do chemo. Now,
not sure. Honestly, I don't want advice; I think I understand the
situation pretty well, and I can talk to the vet further if I need to.
I just wanted to let you guys know what's going on.

Right now, Oscar at least appears to be healthy and comfortable, and
that seems to mean that I am coping much better than when she was
frail and I thought she wouldn't make it. I mean ... when I thought
she had a few days or weeks at most, it was all pretty traumatic.
Now, it sounds like she has a chance of one or two relatively pleasant
years ... it's hard to feel that with the same immediacy. (Or it
could be six months. Or fewer. As the vet said, this is where a
crystal ball would be helpful.)

I do think these visits where Oscar might be picked up, but otherwise
isn't manhandled, are maybe good for her comfort level with vets. We
did pull her out of her carrier to look at her stitches, and the vet
showed us how we can try to pop a pill into her ... but other than
that, it was pretty mild. The vet even took Oscar's temp via her
armpit! Wonder why they don't do that more often.

Well, it's a good news, not so good news kind of thing. We're
continuing to purr for Oscar and for you and DH. I'm sure you'll do the
best you can for Oscar.

Sam, closely supervised by Mistletoe

I am keeping you all in my thoughts. There is also another food by
Nature's Variety that is a "low carb" dry food, Instinct. It might be
more palatable. You could try the Evo and NV canned foods, she might
like one. It's true, carbs are like food for cancer. I hope you find a
treatment regime that works.

On Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:56:07 -0700, Monique Y. Mudama wrote:

DH, Oscar and I went to an internal medicine specialist today.

Oscar has not been acting like a sick kitty in the slightest -- she's
alert, and I've heard her thundering around the house, chasing
who-knows-what from here to there. The main difference is that she's
avoiding us (probably because we are Those Who Medicate) and that she
seems to dislike most of the foods she used to adore.

All of that doesn't change the fact that she has cancer, though, so
...

Apparently, online reading materials aren't all that accurate, since
they tend to conflate a lot of different cancers into general terms.
According to this specialist, small cell lymphoma has different
factors than other types of lymphoma, and that it's in the GI tract
even further changes the situation.

Apparently "small cell" is a positive thing -- it means that the cells
are only slightly mutated, meaning they are not behaving as
aggressively as blast cells, which are a much worse situation.

And apparently, cancer feeds on carbs, so I wish Oscar liked wet food
better. The specialist thought dry kitten food was a great idea (higher
in protein than dry cat food), but I just checked and Evo has min. 50%
protein compared to the kitten chow's 40%. So I put down some Evo and
we'll see if Oscar will accept that.

We talked a lot about chemo and the pros and cons -- it sounds like
the particular chemo pill, Leukaran, is pretty benign compared to most
chemo treatments. The main question is, can we pill Oscar and can we
do it without traumatizing her? It would be once every other day,
possibly (depending on how she does) reduced to once every three or
four days. Also blood tests for the first few months to monitor her
white blood cell count. We'd also need to give her
Prednisone (actually a variant that's more feline-friendly), either
daily in a suspension or as a shot once every three weeks. Apparently
there's a pharmacy in town that will compound in pet-appropriate
flavors, too.

So .... DH and I are still discussing all of this. We have
prescriptions for both the meds if we decide to go that route. Both
of us agree that if we try chemo and Oscar refuses to be pilled, is
traumatized by the pilling, or has unpleasant side effects from it, we
will not continue to force it on her.

But we came into that visit being so sure we wouldn't do chemo. Now,
not sure. Honestly, I don't want advice; I think I understand the
situation pretty well, and I can talk to the vet further if I need to.
I just wanted to let you guys know what's going on.

Right now, Oscar at least appears to be healthy and comfortable, and
that seems to mean that I am coping much better than when she was
frail and I thought she wouldn't make it. I mean ... when I thought
she had a few days or weeks at most, it was all pretty traumatic.
Now, it sounds like she has a chance of one or two relatively pleasant
years ... it's hard to feel that with the same immediacy. (Or it
could be six months. Or fewer. As the vet said, this is where a
crystal ball would be helpful.)

I do think these visits where Oscar might be picked up, but otherwise
isn't manhandled, are maybe good for her comfort level with vets. We
did pull her out of her carrier to look at her stitches, and the vet
showed us how we can try to pop a pill into her ... but other than
that, it was pretty mild. The vet even took Oscar's temp via her
armpit! Wonder why they don't do that more often.


Sending heartfelt purrs that Oscar will continue to enjoy her life. MLB

Monique Y. Mudama wrote:

But we came into that visit being so sure we wouldn't do chemo. Now,
not sure. Honestly, I don't want advice; I think I understand the
situation pretty well, and I can talk to the vet further if I need to.
I just wanted to let you guys know what's going on.

Yes, please keep us updated. This sounds a lot more hopeful than your
last update. Purrs for the hard decisions in front of you.

--
Marina, Miranda and Caliban. In loving memory of Frank and Nikki.

On Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:56:07 -0700, "Monique Y. Mudama"
wrote:

DH, Oscar and I went to an internal medicine specialist today.
snip
Purrs for her health, and for you to be comfortable with whatever
decision you end up making.

So much of the decision has to be based on the personality of the
patient. Of my three, LB is easy to medicate, and a couple minutes
afterwards all is forgiven. Spotty isn't difficult, but she harbors a
grudge for quite awhile and hides out after each dose the one time I
had to treat her. Sammy is a real trial and fights the meds. She
doesn't hide out after being dosed, she sits across the room glaring
at me plotting her revenge.

On Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:56:07 -0700, "Monique Y. Mudama"
wrote:

DH, Oscar and I went to an internal medicine specialist today.



But we came into that visit being so sure we wouldn't do chemo. Now,
not sure. Honestly, I don't want advice; I think I understand the
situation pretty well, and I can talk to the vet further if I need to.
I just wanted to let you guys know what's going on.


(SNIPPAGE)

It's VERY good to hear that Oscar is doing so much better, and may have
a much better chance at a longer, much better quality life.

I certainly hope that is the case, whether you decide to proceed with
the chemo or not.

Purrs on the way for the best possible outcome for Oscar.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Life without cats would be only marginally worth living."
-TC, and the unmercifully, relentlessly, sweet calico kitty, Kenzie.

How you behave towards cats here below determines your status in Heaven.
- Robert Heinlein

Life is very difficult. Once you understand that, life becomes easier.
-Buddha