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#11
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Discouraged
On 6/6/2014 5:03 PM, Jack Campin wrote:
Joy wrote: I'm getting discouraged. Waffles seems to be okay, considering the fact that he has cancer, doesn't drink enough and is getting chemo. [...] He gets Prednisone twice a day. He's also supposed to get an antacid twice a day. He gets chemo (a pill) twice a week. Yesterday I had him checked, and the doctor said he's showing signs of infection, so I'm to give him an antibiotic twice a day. He runs away, then struggles when I finally catch him, every time I have to medicate him. In fact, he runs away if I approach him, even if I'm not giving him anything. That would be hard enough if I were young and energetic. I'm 78 and have a bad knee. [...] Then there's the financial angle. I'm on a fixed income. Look, everybody has limits to what they can afford and what they can cope with. Don't feel guilty or ashamed if you've hit those limits. It sounds from what you write that he can't live for very long, no matter what. You can surround him with love and take his pain away at the end, and nobody here will think the worse of you if that's all you can manage. We know you care and Waffles does too. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- e m a i l : j a c k @ c a m p i n . m e . u k Jack Campin, 11 Third Street, Newtongrange, Midlothian EH22 4PU, Scotland mobile 07800 739 557 http://www.campin.me.uk Twitter: JackCampin Thank you. If he goes into remission, he could have a couple more years, but I know what you mean, and I appreciate it. Joy -- Joy Unlimited Colorful Crocheted Critters Photos at http://www.PictureTrail.com/joy9 |
#12
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Discouraged
On 6/6/2014 4:49 PM, Jack G. wrote:
On Friday, June 6, 2014 3:14:32 PM UTC-7, Joy wrote: On 6/6/2014 2:46 PM, Christina Websell wrote: "Joy" wrote in message ... I'm getting discouraged. Waffles seems to be okay, considering the fact that he has cancer, doesn't drink enough and is getting chemo. However, he feels food enough to run away from me and struggle when I give him his meds. He gets Prednisone twice a day. He's also supposed to get an antacid twice a day. He gets chemo (a pill) twice a week. Yesterday I had him checked, and the doctor said he's showing signs of infection, so I'm to give him an antibiotic twice a day. He runs away, then struggles when I finally catch him, every time I have to medicate him. In fact, he runs away if I approach him, even if I'm not giving him anything. Oh, Joy, my heart goes out to you. I absolutely cannot medicate Boyfie on my own, it must be a nightmare for you. It is rough, but I just realized that, even though he runs away, and then struggles, he never bites or scratches. Joy That would be hard enough if I were young and energetic. I'm 78 and have a bad knee. I'm getting worn down. I have to get up in the night a few times. Up until last night, Waffles would come up and cuddle every time I got back into bed. Last night he didn't do it at all, until the very last time. I was beginning to think he hated me for doing all that to him. Have you spoken to the vet about your difficulties? It might be that some of his meds can be given in liquid form instead and hidden in tuna juice or something. Then there's the financial angle. I'm on a fixed income. The chemo costs a little over $20 a week. The Prednisone is $78 for about two weeks' worth. I have to take him back for tests. It has been weekly, but yesterday I got her to say we could make the visits 10 days apart. Each visit costs in the vicinity of $150. The vet agreed to waive the fee for the visit itself, but he has to have a CBC done each time, and lab work is expensive! He also usually needs fluid. Remind me, how old is Waffles? And did the vet give you an idea about how long his treatment would be and his likely prognosis afterwards? If the treatment is fairly short term and the prognosis is fairly good afterwards, that's one thing, but if it's long term like for ever..well no-one can afford that. You might have to consider his future. The vet told me about something called CareCredit (I think), which is an outfit that will lend money on a short term basis. If you pay a fixed amount a month, and have it all paid off within six months, there is no interest. I can see where that would be great for a one-time expense like surgery, but this is an ongoing thing. Don't even consider that. What if you couldn't pay it off within six months? I've seen people here get into terrible trouble with these short term loan companies, the fact that your vet has suggested that you use one rather than offer you a payment plan himself with no interest is a bit, well, unusual. Next time you go, insist he tells you the true situation about what your money will get you in regard to Waffles survival (sorry, I get a bit suspicous about a vet who would encourage a 78 yo to take out a short term loan that has the potential to get Very Difficult Indeed} I'm tired and depressed. I expect you are. Lots of purrs coming for both of you. Keep us informed. Tweed -- Joy Unlimited Colorful Crocheted Critters Photos at http://www.PictureTrail.com/joy9 The hardest thing I have ever done is look into my cats caring and loving eyes for the last time. I have more to say but my keyboard is filled with tears. Yes, I understand. Most, if not all, of us here have been there, and I know I'll be there again, sooner than later. Joy -- Joy Unlimited Colorful Crocheted Critters Photos at http://www.PictureTrail.com/joy9 |
#13
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Discouraged
On Fri, 06 Jun 2014 17:16:59 -0700, Joy wrote:
Thank you. If he goes into remission, he could have a couple more years, but I know what you mean, and I appreciate it. It always seems to be a gamble. With an inoperable cancer, in the end, it just wins. In my case with Betty, if I had oracular foresight, I wouldn't have put her through treatment. The couple of months it bought her probably wasn't worth the discomfort and fear that she had to sometimes endure. But obviously, it can sometimes work out better. Our crew is sending purrs for poor Waffles. |
#14
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Discouraged
On 6/7/2014 6:16 PM, Takayuki wrote:
On Fri, 06 Jun 2014 17:16:59 -0700, Joy wrote: Thank you. If he goes into remission, he could have a couple more years, but I know what you mean, and I appreciate it. It always seems to be a gamble. With an inoperable cancer, in the end, it just wins. In my case with Betty, if I had oracular foresight, I wouldn't have put her through treatment. The couple of months it bought her probably wasn't worth the discomfort and fear that she had to sometimes endure. But obviously, it can sometimes work out better. Our crew is sending purrs for poor Waffles. Thank you, and I do know what you mean. I took Nanki-Poo for radiation treatments five days a week for five days. He lived two or three months after the treatments stopped. Right now I'm using two criteria to decide how long I'll keep up Waffles' medication. One is, of course, financial. When I run out of money, it will have to stop. That won't take anything like the six months he's supposed to have the chemo. The other one is whether he starts seeing me as the enemy. He runs from me when it's medication time, but an hour or so later, he'll let me pet him. He doesn't come up and cuddle in bed as often as he used to, but he still comes up. Joy -- Joy Unlimited Colorful Crocheted Critters Photos at http://www.PictureTrail.com/joy9 |
#15
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Discouraged
When Amber stopped eating, at 18 1/2 years I knew the end was near. I had plenty of money in my cat savings account but I didn't want to subject her to a vet trip and needless treatment. She faded slowly and died in about a week.
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#16
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Discouraged
"Joy" wrote in message ... On 6/6/2014 2:46 PM, Christina Websell wrote: "Joy" wrote in message ... I'm getting discouraged. Waffles seems to be okay, considering the fact that he has cancer, doesn't drink enough and is getting chemo. However, he feels food enough to run away from me and struggle when I give him his meds. He gets Prednisone twice a day. He's also supposed to get an antacid twice a day. He gets chemo (a pill) twice a week. Yesterday I had him checked, and the doctor said he's showing signs of infection, so I'm to give him an antibiotic twice a day. He runs away, then struggles when I finally catch him, every time I have to medicate him. In fact, he runs away if I approach him, even if I'm not giving him anything. Oh, Joy, my heart goes out to you. I absolutely cannot medicate Boyfie on my own, it must be a nightmare for you. It is rough, but I just realized that, even though he runs away, and then struggles, he never bites or scratches. which is great(Boyfie is the same) but please don't borrow money for cancer unless your vet tells you he will have a year or more. I spent a whole lot of money once with one of my dogs, I took him to Cambridge University to the best person who knew about face cancers, and even then, I had him put down eventuallyas it was bleeding a few months later despite his chemo. So, what I am saying is don't stretch your budget too much. That would be hard enough if I were young and energetic. I'm 78 and have a bad knee. I'm getting worn down. I have to get up in the night a few times. Up until last night, Waffles would come up and cuddle every time I got back into bed. Last night he didn't do it at all, until the very last time. I was beginning to think he hated me for doing all that to him. Have you spoken to the vet about your difficulties? It might be that some of his meds can be given in liquid form instead and hidden in tuna juice or something. Then there's the financial angle. I'm on a fixed income. The chemo costs a little over $20 a week. The Prednisone is $78 for about two weeks' worth. I have to take him back for tests. It has been weekly, but yesterday I got her to say we could make the visits 10 days apart. Each visit costs in the vicinity of $150. The vet agreed to waive the fee for the visit itself, but he has to have a CBC done each time, and lab work is expensive! He also usually needs fluid. Remind me, how old is Waffles? And did the vet give you an idea about how long his treatment would be and his likely prognosis afterwards? If the treatment is fairly short term and the prognosis is fairly good afterwards, that's one thing, but if it's long term like for ever..well no-one can afford that. You might have to consider his future. The vet told me about something called CareCredit (I think), which is an outfit that will lend money on a short term basis. If you pay a fixed amount a month, and have it all paid off within six months, there is no interest. I can see where that would be great for a one-time expense like surgery, but this is an ongoing thing. Don't even consider that. What if you couldn't pay it off within six months? I've seen people here get into terrible trouble with these short term loan companies, the fact that your vet has suggested that you use one rather than offer you a payment plan himself with no interest is a bit, well, unusual. Next time you go, insist he tells you the true situation about what your money will get you in regard to Waffles survival (sorry, I get a bit suspicous about a vet who would encourage a 78 yo to take out a short term loan that has the potential to get Very Difficult Indeed} I'm tired and depressed. I expect you are. Lots of purrs coming for both of you. Keep us informed. Tweed -- Joy Unlimited Colorful Crocheted Critters Photos at http://www.PictureTrail.com/joy9 |
#17
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Discouraged
On 6/8/2014 3:31 PM, Christina Websell wrote:
"Joy" wrote in message ... On 6/6/2014 2:46 PM, Christina Websell wrote: "Joy" wrote in message ... I'm getting discouraged. Waffles seems to be okay, considering the fact that he has cancer, doesn't drink enough and is getting chemo. However, he feels food enough to run away from me and struggle when I give him his meds. He gets Prednisone twice a day. He's also supposed to get an antacid twice a day. He gets chemo (a pill) twice a week. Yesterday I had him checked, and the doctor said he's showing signs of infection, so I'm to give him an antibiotic twice a day. He runs away, then struggles when I finally catch him, every time I have to medicate him. In fact, he runs away if I approach him, even if I'm not giving him anything. Oh, Joy, my heart goes out to you. I absolutely cannot medicate Boyfie on my own, it must be a nightmare for you. It is rough, but I just realized that, even though he runs away, and then struggles, he never bites or scratches. which is great(Boyfie is the same) but please don't borrow money for cancer unless your vet tells you he will have a year or more. I spent a whole lot of money once with one of my dogs, I took him to Cambridge University to the best person who knew about face cancers, and even then, I had him put down eventuallyas it was bleeding a few months later despite his chemo. So, what I am saying is don't stretch your budget too much. That would be hard enough if I were young and energetic. I'm 78 and have a bad knee. I'm getting worn down. I have to get up in the night a few times. Up until last night, Waffles would come up and cuddle every time I got back into bed. Last night he didn't do it at all, until the very last time. I was beginning to think he hated me for doing all that to him. Have you spoken to the vet about your difficulties? It might be that some of his meds can be given in liquid form instead and hidden in tuna juice or something. Then there's the financial angle. I'm on a fixed income. The chemo costs a little over $20 a week. The Prednisone is $78 for about two weeks' worth. I have to take him back for tests. It has been weekly, but yesterday I got her to say we could make the visits 10 days apart. Each visit costs in the vicinity of $150. The vet agreed to waive the fee for the visit itself, but he has to have a CBC done each time, and lab work is expensive! He also usually needs fluid. Remind me, how old is Waffles? And did the vet give you an idea about how long his treatment would be and his likely prognosis afterwards? If the treatment is fairly short term and the prognosis is fairly good afterwards, that's one thing, but if it's long term like for ever..well no-one can afford that. You might have to consider his future. The vet told me about something called CareCredit (I think), which is an outfit that will lend money on a short term basis. If you pay a fixed amount a month, and have it all paid off within six months, there is no interest. I can see where that would be great for a one-time expense like surgery, but this is an ongoing thing. Don't even consider that. What if you couldn't pay it off within six months? I've seen people here get into terrible trouble with these short term loan companies, the fact that your vet has suggested that you use one rather than offer you a payment plan himself with no interest is a bit, well, unusual. Next time you go, insist he tells you the true situation about what your money will get you in regard to Waffles survival (sorry, I get a bit suspicous about a vet who would encourage a 78 yo to take out a short term loan that has the potential to get Very Difficult Indeed} I'm tired and depressed. I expect you are. Lots of purrs coming for both of you. Keep us informed. Tweed -- Joy Unlimited Colorful Crocheted Critters Photos at http://www.PictureTrail.com/joy9 I won't give up on him until I have to, but I won't borrow money. Joy -- Joy Unlimited Colorful Crocheted Critters Photos at http://www.PictureTrail.com/joy9 |
#18
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Discouraged
On 6/8/2014 5:38 AM, Mike Mayers wrote:
When Amber stopped eating, at 18 1/2 years I knew the end was near. I had plenty of money in my cat savings account but I didn't want to subject her to a vet trip and needless treatment. She faded slowly and died in about a week. Each situation is different. Joy -- Joy Unlimited Colorful Crocheted Critters Photos at http://www.PictureTrail.com/joy9 |
#19
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Discouraged
On Sun, 08 Jun 2014 15:43:36 -0700, Joy wrote:
On 6/8/2014 5:38 AM, Mike Mayers wrote: When Amber stopped eating, at 18 1/2 years I knew the end was near. I had plenty of money in my cat savings account but I didn't want to subject her to a vet trip and needless treatment. She faded slowly and died in about a week. Each situation is different. Joy True, but Waffle's situation sounds so much like what I went through with Nico. I had the money but twice a day I had to give him Leukeran or Prednisone. Leukeran was so toxic that I had to wear gloves when putting the pill in his mouth. He hated taking the pills. If the cancer went into remission he might have had another year or two, but it didn't and he died after maybe six months. He never climbed the cat tree after he started getting those pills, and I realized that he was probably nauseous the whole time. This is one of the most difficult calls we can make as a pet slave, and I made the wrong one because I couldn't stand the thought of Nico dying. WIth money being tight, I'd check with the vet to make sure that there was a very good chance that Waffles would go into remission before continuing. Our cats don't understand why we're torturing them, although I'm sure on some level they do know. I don't know what advice to give here, but I'm leaning towards saying to stop it. Tell the vet that's what you think is best, and see how much he argues. If he feels that Waffles really will pull through, maybe it's worth it. It's such a heartbreaking decision. |
#20
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Discouraged
On 6/10/2014 6:02 AM, dgk wrote:
On Sun, 08 Jun 2014 15:43:36 -0700, Joy wrote: On 6/8/2014 5:38 AM, Mike Mayers wrote: When Amber stopped eating, at 18 1/2 years I knew the end was near. I had plenty of money in my cat savings account but I didn't want to subject her to a vet trip and needless treatment. She faded slowly and died in about a week. Each situation is different. Joy True, but Waffle's situation sounds so much like what I went through with Nico. I had the money but twice a day I had to give him Leukeran or Prednisone. Leukeran was so toxic that I had to wear gloves when putting the pill in his mouth. He hated taking the pills. If the cancer went into remission he might have had another year or two, but it didn't and he died after maybe six months. He never climbed the cat tree after he started getting those pills, and I realized that he was probably nauseous the whole time. This is one of the most difficult calls we can make as a pet slave, and I made the wrong one because I couldn't stand the thought of Nico dying. WIth money being tight, I'd check with the vet to make sure that there was a very good chance that Waffles would go into remission before continuing. Our cats don't understand why we're torturing them, although I'm sure on some level they do know. I don't know what advice to give here, but I'm leaning towards saying to stop it. Tell the vet that's what you think is best, and see how much he argues. If he feels that Waffles really will pull through, maybe it's worth it. It's such a heartbreaking decision. I understand what you're saying. I took Nanki-Poo for radiation treatments five days a week for five weeks. He lived about five months after the treatments ended. I'm still trying not to think about it. I made what seemed to be the right choice at the time, just as you did. That's all we can do. Yesterday Waffles spent almost all day hiding in a corner. I had almost decided to stop everything. Then he came out and I decided to continue with the Prednisone twice a day, and the chemo twice a week, but not give him the antacid or the antibiotic the vet thinks he should have. She said there was something like a 68% chance he'd go into remission and have as much as 20 months more. I'm just taking it one day at a time. He seems to be more alert and energetic this morning, so I'll continue with those two things. I do think the Prednisone makes him feel better. Yes, it is a heartbreaking decision. Joy -- Joy Unlimited Colorful Crocheted Critters Photos at http://www.PictureTrail.com/joy9 |
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