Looks like it's the end for Al

I just received very sad news. My cat, Al, most likely has lung cancer.
I've had
Al 14 years. I got him from a shelter in Ohio on Aug 2, 1992. At the
time I got
him the shelter staff estimated Al's age at between 1-2 years. So Al is
between
15-16 years old.

He has diabetes, asthma, and hyperthyroidism. Despite these maladies,
I've taken
good care of him and he has hung in there very well until now.

A few weeks ago I noticed Al was limping. Yesterday I took him to the
vet for
x-rays. The vet called me this morning to say they found no evidence of any
injury to Al's limbs. But the x-ray caught part of his lung. And the
radiologist
who reviewed the x-rays is convinced that there is a mass in Al's lungs.
The vet
said if Al does have the type of cancer they have in mind, then it is not
unusual for it to metastasize to the limbs. That fact, if true, would
explain
Al's limp. Al has also been more lethargic of late, and wheezing a bit
more than
usual. Those symptoms are also consistent with him having cancer, or so
the vet
tells me. I'm going to take Al back to the vet on Monday for a chest
x-ray. But
I'm trying to prepare myself for the worst.

This situation just sucks! Al is an extraordinarily gentle cat. He's also my
buddy and best friend. He's been the one constant in my life during some
very
difficult times for me. I really love him and will miss him terribly
when I have
to put him down. But as hard as that decision will be, my overriding
concern is
that Al not suffer. I'll deal with the sadness.

Rich

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Al. He is much loved.
Gail
"mdsu" wrote in message
...
I just received very sad news. My cat, Al, most likely has lung cancer.
I've had
Al 14 years. I got him from a shelter in Ohio on Aug 2, 1992. At the
time I got
him the shelter staff estimated Al's age at between 1-2 years. So Al is
between
15-16 years old.

He has diabetes, asthma, and hyperthyroidism. Despite these maladies,
I've taken
good care of him and he has hung in there very well until now.

A few weeks ago I noticed Al was limping. Yesterday I took him to the
vet for
x-rays. The vet called me this morning to say they found no evidence of
any
injury to Al's limbs. But the x-ray caught part of his lung. And the
radiologist
who reviewed the x-rays is convinced that there is a mass in Al's lungs.
The vet
said if Al does have the type of cancer they have in mind, then it is not
unusual for it to metastasize to the limbs. That fact, if true, would
explain
Al's limp. Al has also been more lethargic of late, and wheezing a bit
more than
usual. Those symptoms are also consistent with him having cancer, or so
the vet
tells me. I'm going to take Al back to the vet on Monday for a chest
x-ray. But
I'm trying to prepare myself for the worst.

This situation just sucks! Al is an extraordinarily gentle cat. He's also
my
buddy and best friend. He's been the one constant in my life during some
very
difficult times for me. I really love him and will miss him terribly
when I have
to put him down. But as hard as that decision will be, my overriding
concern is
that Al not suffer. I'll deal with the sadness.

Rich

mdsu wrote:

This situation just sucks! Al is an extraordinarily gentle cat. He's also my
buddy and best friend. He's been the one constant in my life during some
very
difficult times for me. I really love him and will miss him terribly
when I have
to put him down. But as hard as that decision will be, my overriding
concern is
that Al not suffer. I'll deal with the sadness.

Rich

I'm sorry, Rich. It's always a hard decision to have to make and hard
to know exactly when. Most of us here have gone through it, maybe
several times, like me. Even if Al does have cancer, they may be able
to provide him with some palliative care that will keep him comfortable
for awhile longer. If you think he still has joy in life, it is
probably not time yet. I hope you and your buddy have some more
quality time together, just make every minute count.

Candace

"mdsu" wrote in message
...
I just received very sad news. My cat, Al, most likely has lung cancer.
I've had
Al 14 years. I got him from a shelter in Ohio on Aug 2, 1992. At the
time I got
him the shelter staff estimated Al's age at between 1-2 years. So Al is
between
15-16 years old.

I'm so very very sorry for both you and Al. Your cat has been lucky to have
you as an owner; at least he will be in a more comfortable place soon.

Wow, I'm sorry you got that news.

Sounds like you love your cat very much. He's lucky to have you taking
care of him.

Hope there's a miracle and he feels good enough to be with your for awhile.

Rhonda

mdsu wrote:
I just received very sad news. My cat, Al, most likely has lung cancer.

Thanks for the support. It's much appreciated. I'll let you know how
things turn out.

Rich

Did they do blood work? The limping can be a sign of kidney failure.


mdsu wrote:
Thanks for the support. It's much appreciated. I'll let you know how
things turn out.

Rich

On July 20, 2006 10:01 pm, mdsu wrote:

I just received very sad news. My cat, Al, most likely has lung
cancer. I've had
Al 14 years. I got him from a shelter in Ohio on Aug 2, 1992. At the
time I got
him the shelter staff estimated Al's age at between 1-2 years. So Al
is between
15-16 years old.

He has diabetes, asthma, and hyperthyroidism. Despite these maladies,
I've taken
good care of him and he has hung in there very well until now.

A few weeks ago I noticed Al was limping. Yesterday I took him to the
vet for
x-rays. The vet called me this morning to say they found no evidence
of any injury to Al's limbs. But the x-ray caught part of his lung.
And the radiologist
who reviewed the x-rays is convinced that there is a mass in Al's
lungs. The vet
said if Al does have the type of cancer they have in mind, then it is
not unusual for it to metastasize to the limbs. That fact, if true,
would explain
Al's limp. Al has also been more lethargic of late, and wheezing a bit
more than
usual. Those symptoms are also consistent with him having cancer, or
so the vet
tells me. I'm going to take Al back to the vet on Monday for a chest
x-ray. But
I'm trying to prepare myself for the worst.

This situation just sucks! Al is an extraordinarily gentle cat. He's
also my buddy and best friend. He's been the one constant in my life
during some very
difficult times for me. I really love him and will miss him terribly
when I have
to put him down. But as hard as that decision will be, my overriding
concern is
that Al not suffer. I'll deal with the sadness.

We know you'll see that he's as comfortable as possible for his trip to
the bridge and he'll have you holding him as another comfort. With
such widespread cancer this is really the best solution for Al. He's
been fortunate to have a friend such as you and I'm sure he knows this.
May Bast Bless you both.

Cats: Diana, Ryan, and Cinnamon.

--
Regards,
Fred
(remove FFFF from my email address to email me)

I just received very sad news. My cat, Al, most likely has lung cancer.
I've had Al 14 years. I got him from a shelter in Ohio on Aug 2, 1992. At the
time I got him the shelter staff estimated Al's age at between 1-2 years. So Al is
between 15-16 years old.

He has diabetes, asthma, and hyperthyroidism. Despite these maladies,
I've taken good care of him and he has hung in there very well until now.

A few weeks ago I noticed Al was limping. Yesterday I took him to the
vet for x-rays. The vet called me this morning to say they found no evidence of any
injury to Al's limbs. But the x-ray caught part of his lung. And the
radiologist who reviewed the x-rays is convinced that there is a mass in Al's lungs.
The vet said if Al does have the type of cancer they have in mind, then it is not
unusual for it to metastasize to the limbs. That fact, if true, would
explain Al's limp. Al has also been more lethargic of late, and wheezing a bit
more than usual. Those symptoms are also consistent with him having cancer, or so
the vet tells me. I'm going to take Al back to the vet on Monday for a chest
x-ray. But I'm trying to prepare myself for the worst.

This situation just sucks! Al is an extraordinarily gentle cat. He's also my
buddy and best friend. He's been the one constant in my life during some
very difficult times for me. I really love him and will miss him terribly
when I have to put him down. But as hard as that decision will be, my overriding
concern is that Al not suffer. I'll deal with the sadness.

Rich


Me and my furballs are so very sorry to hear this and send prayers and
purrs on the way for you and yours.

You have given Al another 14 years of good life that he may not have
had if you would not have taken him in. I know it is hard to do but
think of all the good times you 2 have given each other if it come to
the point where you have to let him go and remember that you will see
you baby again one day when our maker calls you home!!

God bless you both and again prayers and purrs on the way.



http://members.aol.com/larrystark/

Very sad times, Rich. These animals are so important to us, and it's
not fair that they have such short lifespans. But you rescued him
from a cage and gave him a happy life, and that really counts for
something.

Charlie

On Thu, 20 Jul 2006 22:01:25 -0400, mdsu wrote:

I just received very sad news. My cat, Al, most likely has lung cancer.
I've had
Al 14 years. I got him from a shelter in Ohio on Aug 2, 1992. At the
time I got
him the shelter staff estimated Al's age at between 1-2 years. So Al is
between
15-16 years old.

He has diabetes, asthma, and hyperthyroidism. Despite these maladies,
I've taken
good care of him and he has hung in there very well until now.

A few weeks ago I noticed Al was limping. Yesterday I took him to the
vet for
x-rays. The vet called me this morning to say they found no evidence of any
injury to Al's limbs. But the x-ray caught part of his lung. And the
radiologist
who reviewed the x-rays is convinced that there is a mass in Al's lungs.
The vet
said if Al does have the type of cancer they have in mind, then it is not
unusual for it to metastasize to the limbs. That fact, if true, would
explain
Al's limp. Al has also been more lethargic of late, and wheezing a bit
more than
usual. Those symptoms are also consistent with him having cancer, or so
the vet
tells me. I'm going to take Al back to the vet on Monday for a chest
x-ray. But
I'm trying to prepare myself for the worst.

This situation just sucks! Al is an extraordinarily gentle cat. He's also my
buddy and best friend. He's been the one constant in my life during some
very
difficult times for me. I really love him and will miss him terribly
when I have
to put him down. But as hard as that decision will be, my overriding
concern is
that Al not suffer. I'll deal with the sadness.

Rich